Today's key developments and analysis for Utah policymakers

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Monday Buzz

News Highlights

The Arizona Republic says group wanting to rename Lake Powell "Glen Canyon Reservoir" really wants to destroy the lake. Standard Examiner produces nice profile on Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey. Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News both editorialize on the State School Board nomination process, but their recommendations differ.

How I Saved the Olympics;
Next Up: America

If you want to help Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney kick off his presidential campaign, you can buy his book, Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games, and get it signed today at one of these locations:

- Deseret Book, ZCMI Center, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Barnes and Noble, Sugar House, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Olympic Legacy Fountain, Gateway Plaza, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Hot August Vote in South Davis

South Davis County voters decide Tuesday whether to raise $18 million to construct a new recreation center. A fairly intense mini-campaign has been waged for and against the proposal, as reported in the Standard Examiner and Monday's Deseret Morning News.

The Utah Taxpayers Association weighed in with a mailing that hit Saturday opposing the ballot proposal, while proponents are trying to hit every registered voter with automated phone calls urging them to vote. The recreation center would replace the old Bountiful "bubble," but would be much larger than the facility it replaces with many new features.

Partisan Slap of the Day:
Welcome Home, Democrats

Utah's Democratic delegates are back in town, all rejuvenated and enthusiastic from a week basking in Democratic la-la land. Welcome back to the real world of Republican domination. Maybe the reason they liked Boston so much was that some of the convention rhetoric was basically what they hear in Utah every day. The Democrats were clearly trying to out-Republican the Republicans on an array of issues. Too bad John Kerry has a 30-year record, starting with his war-protesting years and culminating as the nation's most liberal U.S. senator, that doesn't come close to matching his born-again conservative rhetoric. Why settle for Bush-lite when you can have the real thing?

- LaVarr Webb

Upcoming Birthdays

- Rep. Katherine M. Bryson, District 60, August 6
- Rep. Joseph G. Murray, District 8, August 8
- Rep. Scott Daniels, District 25, August 12

Elected Officials Birthday List


Communications Tip:
What's the Headline?


During the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting several days ago, The Exoro Group was asked to do a presentation on political communications for legislative staff who serve in public relations roles. We asked these professionals from all over the country to list some of their biggest public relations challenges.

An item frequently mentioned was the difficulty of getting their legislators to "stay on message." They said, for example, that during a press conference or when otherwise asked a question by a reporter, their bosses tended to ramble all over the place, and did not have the discipline to talk in "sound bites" or return frequently to the main message they were trying to convey.

These are problems common to most people who deal with the news media. Here are some suggestions: Remember that no matter how long an interview or press conference is, there will be just one headline in the newspaper about you and your issue, and usually only one or two quotes or sound bites broadcast on TV or radio. So what do you want that headline to say? What do you want that sound bite to be?

You must discipline yourself to ask, "What precisely do I want to communicate and how do I say it in a headline?" Then say that "headline" as often as possible. Return to it frequently, no matter what questions are asked. No matter how complex an issue is, no matter how much knowledge you have of the matter, you must clearly convey the "headline."

Even in a lengthy newspaper interview, repeat your "headline" several times and make it the focus of the interview. And in broadcast interviews, resist the temptation to tell everything you know. Just repeat the "headline" over and over again, because that's what will get on TV or on the radio. Even when giving a speech, you ought to think about the "headline" and make sure you communicate it clearly and concisely.

Agenda Utah is a service of
Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Bart Barker
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Paul Hollingshead
 

Monday, August 2, 2004

Today's Headlines

Arizona Republic
- Editorial: It's a lake, dammit

New York Times
- By accident, Utah is proving an ideal genetic laboratory
- Editorial: Nature besieged

Daily Herald
- Editorial: Lead cleanup a necessary hassle

Standard-Examiner
- Ogden's main man

Deseret Morning News
- Trying to save open space
- 5 vie to become first mayor
- Leaflet battle deepens as rec vote looms
- John Florez: What has happened to personal responsibility?
- Editorial: An undemocratic process

Salt Lake Tribune
- There's more than politics to county commissioner
- Editorial: School Board shuffle

Sunday, August 1

Associated Press
- Walker won't endorse Huntsman for governor

Salt Lake Tribune
- Cottonwood Heights city set to get a government
- Assault gun ban fading quietly
- Analysis: Demos get bounce from convention
- Rolly Report: Some thoughts on legislative meddling at the U. of U.

St. George Spectrum
- Editorial: Delegation must stand up for Utahns

Deseret Morning News
- Fixer-upper: State Capitol building is closing for 4-year, $200 million renovation
- Lee Benson: Mitt was great; his book isn't
- Editorial: Stiff eco-terror penalties justified
- Jay Evensen: 'Opening' schools could work wonders
- Pignanelli & Webb: Workman just may survive after all

Saturday, July 31

KSL
- Editorial: Don't split Alpine

Daily Herald
- Board of Education candidates selected by governor

Deseret Morning News
- Mitt says book's aim not political
- 'Drought boredom' seeping into Utah
- Petition cross-offs protested
- UTOPIA secures its initial funding
- Walker not endorsing any candidate

Standard-Examiner
- Locals take on Romney's storytelling
- Bountiful residents divided on rec center vote
- Bennett hails efforts against Hill closure
- Editorial: Romney's book comes with sharpened elbows

Salt Lake Tribune
- President Romney? Mitt won't say
- Education board member can't run for another term
- Fluoride, aquarium bonds unlikely for ballot
Political Calendar


Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug. 3: Jon Huntsman at Park City Rotary Club, 12:30 pm.
- Aug. 3: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 South State Street, SLC.
- Aug. 4: Utah Stonewall Democrats at GLCCU, 359 North 300 West, SLC, multi-purpose room, 5:30 pm.
- Aug. 5: GOP Campaign School co-sponsored by the Utah Federation of Republican Women and the Professional Republican Women. Keynote speaker Fred Lampropolous, Pres. & CEO of Merit Medical, “Lessons Learned on a Cross-the-State Gubernatorial Campaign Trail.” Noon to 6 pm at Merit Medical, 1660 W. Merit Parkway (9800 S.), South Jordan. Cost $45, Contact PRW 801-270-0802.
- Aug. 5: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, SLC. Contact Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
- Aug. 6: Huntsman campaign at Carbon County Fair in Price, Tooele County Fair in Tooele, and Wasatch County Fair in Heber City.
- Aug. 6-7: Boot Camp of Politics at the University of Utah. The Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership intense two-day political training course where conservatives are taught how to organize grass roots youth efforts on the college campus. Top trainers from around the country. Details.
- Aug. 7: Huntsman campaign at Emery County Fair, 10 am.
- Aug. 10: Scott Matheson at Vernal Chamber of Commerce, noon, Vernal Golden Corral, $8.
- Aug. 14: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30-10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- Aug. 17: Jon Huntsman at Vernal Chamber of Commerce, noon, Vernal Golden Corral, $8.
- Aug. 18: Voice for Moderation Meet the Candidates night. Meet Democratic candidate for Governor Scott Matheson, and Salt Lake County Auditor candidates Sean Thomas (Republican) and Peter Stevens (Democrat) at 6 pm at the Anderson/Foothill Library, 1135 So. 2100 East, SLC.
- Aug. 24: Attorney General debate on KRCL radio, 90.9 FM, noon - 1 pm, at 1971 W. North Temple, SLC.
- Aug. 24: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East just past 2100 South, SLC. Contact 486-2558.
- Aug. 26: Jon Huntsman at Park City Sunrise Rotary Club, 7:45 am.
- Aug. 30-Sept 2: Jon Huntsman attends Republican National Convention, New York City.
- Sept. 2: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, Salt Lake City. Contact: Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
Sept 2: Professional Republican Women monthly meeting, 11:45 am, Panini's restaurant, Wells Fargo Building, 299 S Main, SLC, $20 RSVP call 801-270-0802.
- Sept. 3: Huntsman campaign at Midway Swiss Days.
- Sept. 3-4: Huntsman campaign at Iron County Fair, Cedar City.
- Sept. 7: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
- Sept. 11: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30 am to 10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- Sept. 15: Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's annual “Wasatch Challenge.” Trap, skeet and target shooting, Western entertainment and down-home cooking. 801.746.3030 or info@markshurtleff.com.
- Sept. 16: Jon Huntsman at the Salt Lake Women's Republican Club Meet and Mingle Night, 6:30 pm, Bicentennial Park, Sandy.
- Sept. 17: Jon Huntsman at Salt Lake County Republican Barbecue, 6 pm, Murray Park.
- Sept. 17: Salt Lake County Republican Party Constitution Day Picnic, 6 pm, Murray Park. Meet the candidates.
- Sept. 23: USACCC Annual Conference, Homestead Resort, Midway.
- Sept. 25: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- Sept. 28: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.


- See the entire calendar