News Highlights

Nancy Workman is questioned by a panel of prosecutors (Salt Lake Tribune). Salt Lake City is losing residents and Rocky Anderson promised a plan in his January State of the City speech to deal with it (Deseret Morning News). Outdoor retailers want to know positions of gubernatorial candidates before deciding whether to stay in Utah (Salt Lake Tribune).

Quote of the Day

“Incumbent Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and challengers Greg Skordas and Andrew McCullough issued a remarkable joint statement Friday opposing the anti-gay marriage amendment to the Utah Constitution that will appear on the November ballot. Not because of what people may think it says, but because of the thing that we have lawyers for: The fine print.”
- Salt Lake Tribune Editorial

Political People

Utahn Runs D.C. Communications/ Lobbying Firm

Bill Nixon came by his love of politics rather naturally. His parents, William and Carol Nixon, have been involved in Utah and national politics for several decades. Carol worked for a number of U.S. senators, directed Orrin Hatch's Utah office, directed the Utah Arts Council, served as Gov. Norm Bangerter's chief of staff, and ran Community and Economic Development in state government. She's worked on many campaigns and has volunteered for many civic organizations.

Bill grew up in the Salt Lake area, played center for the undefeated 1977 Skyline High football team, and later hiked the ball to quarterback Randall Cunningham at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Besides playing football, Bill also founded a conservative newspaper in college, the American Times, and was hired in 1983 as a speechwriter for President Reagan.

He later went to the Capitol Hill, serving as policy advisor and director of communications for Sen. William Roth, wrote two novels, and ran a major Washington association for the generic pharmaceutical industry.

In 2002, Haley Barbour, a former Republican National Committee chair and major Republican operative, invited Nixon to join Policy Impact, a Republican communications and lobbying firm. Barbour later had to leave the firm because he won the governorship of Mississippi, and Nixon recently purchased majority ownership of the firm.

Among the firm's senior leaders are Republican notables Ed Rogers and Lanny Griffith, and clients include major national and international businesses and associations. The firm also assists Republican candidates and causes and provides a full range of services. Policy Impact also plans to open a Utah office.

Great Free Publicity

Getting your name mentioned in a positive light in a legitimate news story is better than buying an ad. It's free and it provides enormous credibility. But few political candidates have the opportunity because the media are skeptical during an election year. So it's remarkable that KSL Radio has given Greg Skordas, Democratic candidate for Utah attorney general, such visibility day after day as a legal expert commenting on the Mark and Lori Hacking case.

Join VoteUtah

Project Vote-Smart has a great deal of political information, both on both Utah and national races. At the site you can also join VoteUtah, to stay informed about candidate information from KUED and KUER and other voter resources. Fill out the form to receive e-mail updates about the VoteUtah project.

GOP Convention Scripted by Democrats

(Memo to Republicans: It's OK to be magnanimous and allow the Democrats a little fun and games, because we know we're going to crush them in the end. Maura Carabello submitted this little gem that has been floating around Democratic e-mail groups.)

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE

New York, NY, Aug. 30-Sept. 2

6:00 PM Opening Prayer led by the Reverend Jerry Falwell
6:30 PM Pledge of Allegiance
6:35 PM Ceremonial  Burning of Bill of Rights (excluding 2nd Amendment)
6:45 PM Salute to the  Coalition of the Willing
6:46 PM Seminar #1: Katherine Harris on "Are Elections Really Necessary?"
7:30 PM Announcement: Lincoln Memorial Renamed for Ronald Reagan
7:35 PM Trent Lott - "Re-segregation in the 21st Century"
7:40 PM EPA Address #1: Mercury: It's What's for Dinner
8:00 PM Vote on which country to invade next
8:10 PM Call EMTs to revive Rush Limbaugh
8:15 PM John Ashcroft Lecture: The Homos Are After Your Children
8:30 PM Round table discussion on reproductive rights (men only)
8:50 PM Seminar #2: Corporations: The Government of the Future
9:00 PM Condi Rice sings "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man"
9:05 PM Phyllis Schlafly speaks on "Why Women Shouldn't Be Leaders"
9:10 PM EPA Address #2: Trees: The Real Cause of Forest Fires
9:30 PM break for secret meetings
10:00 PM Second Prayer led by Cal Thomas
10:15 PM Carl Rove Lecture: Doublespeak Made Simple
10:30 PM Rumsfeld Lecture/ Demonstration: How to Squint and Talk  Macho Even When You Feel Squishy Inside
10:35 PM Bush demonstration of  trademark "deer in headlights" stare
10:40 PM John Ashcroft Demonstration: New Mandatory Kevlar Chastity Belt
10:45 PM GOP's Tribute to Tokenism, featuring Colin Powell & Condi Rice
10:46 PM Ann Coulter's Tribute to "Joe McCarthy, American Patriot"
10:50 PM Seminar  #3: Education: A Drain on Our Nation's Economy
11:10 PM Hilary Clinton Piñata
11:20 PM John Ashcroft Lecture: Evolutionists: A Dangerous New Cult
11:30 PM Call EMTs to revive Rush Limbaugh again
11:35 PM  Blame Clinton
11:40 PM Newt Gingrich speaks on "The Sanctity of Marriage"
11:41 PM Announcement: Ronald Reagan to be added to Mt. Rushmore
11:50 PM Closing Prayer led by Jesus Himself
12:00 PM  Nomination of George W. Bush as Holy Supreme Planetary Overlord

Thirty-seven Republican national conventions have been held since they started in 1856. Ten Republican presidents elected to a first term have been nominated for a second term: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William H. Taft, Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Of them, six won second terms, while four lost their second-term bids: Benjamin Harrison (by Grover Cleveland), William H. Taft (by Woodrow Wilson), Herbert Hoover (by Franklin D. Roosevelt), and George H.W. Bush (by Bill Clinton). Thomas E. Dewey is the only nominee with the distinction of winning the Republican nomination twice in a row (1944 and 1948) and losing both elections (to Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, respectively).

- Source: National Journal Political Calendar

Agenda Utah is a service
of Utah Policy.com

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

Salt Lake Tribune
- Workman faces panel over Jobgate
- Hatch decries 'liberalism' in courts
- Retailers push candidates on environmental stands
- N-waste alliance argues for Skull Valley dump
- Editorial: The fine print

Daily Herald
- Public gives input on split
- Op-ed: Get personally involved in education
- Editorial: Congress must OK nuclear tests

Deseret Morning News
- Ruzicka, others defend marriage amendment
- Rocky's plan for diversity coming, just a little late
- Intel 'czar' bad idea, Hatch says

St. George Spectrum
- Rural summit shows potential

Standard-Examiner
- Davis site of candidate forum

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug 2-11: Hinckley Institute of Politics holds annual Huntsman Seminar in Constitutional Government for Teachers. Info: jnelson@hinkley.utah.edu.
- Aug 10: Greg Skordas for Attorney General Open House, 5:30 pm, Skordas Campaign HQ, 260 S Main St, SLC.
- Aug 12: Sutherland Institute monthly seminar "The Unavoidable Rule of Law," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 50 E Social Hall Avenue, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Aug 13-14: Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the Sutherland Institute, and International Freedom Educational Foundation host "Communicating the Ideal of Liberty," Little America Hotel, SLC. Register: 703-934-6969.
- Aug 14: 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.
- Aug 17: Jon Huntsman at Vernal Chamber of Commerce, noon, Vernal Golden Corral, $8.
- Aug 17-18: Constitution Party starts 12-week history of Constitution course taught by Jim Brown. Class A is Tuesday nights starting Aug 17. Class B is Wednesday nights starting Aug 18. 7-8:30 pm. 801-557-9225.
- Aug 18: Voice for Moderation Meet the Candidates night. Meet Democratic candidate for Governor Scott Matheson, and Salt Lake County Auditor candidates Sean Thomas and Peter Stevens at 6 pm at the Anderson/Foothill Library located at 1135 So. 2100 East in Salt Lake City.
- Aug 18-21: Davis County Democrats looking for volunteers for their Davis County Fair booth, call Pat Herrera 801-546-0283.
- Aug 20: Matheson for Congress Fundraiser, Open House sponsored by Iron County Democrats, 7-9 pm. Call 435-865-7482 for location.
- Aug 20: Box Elder County GOP Summer BBQ, 6 pm, Marble Park, 435-723-7410.
- Aug 24: Greg Skordas for Attorney General Fundraiser, 5:30 pm, Em's Restaurant, 271 N Center St, SLC, $100 suggested contribution.
- Aug 24: Attorney General debate on KRCL radio, 90.9 FM, Noon - 1 pm, at 1971 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Aug 24: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman at Park City Sunrise Rotary Club, 7:45 am.
- Aug 26: Davis County Democrats Picnic, 6 pm, Barnes Park, West on 200 N in Kaysville.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman Jr. at Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly meeting, Utah Republican Party HQ, 117 E. South Temple
- Aug 26: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 7 pm, Bohemian Brewery & Grill, 94 E 7200 S Midvale.
- Aug: 27: Jon Huntsman Jr fundraiser at Delta Center, $100 for single ticket up to $5,000 for platinum table. Call 737-1811.
- Aug 30-Sept 2: Jon Huntsman attends Republican National Convention, New York City.
- 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 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 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 9: Sutherland Institute seminar "The Rules of the Game-Applications in Boundaries and Procedures," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 150 E Social Hall Ave, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- 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. Call 801.746.3030 or email info@markshurtleff.com for more details.
- 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 BBQ, 6 pm, Murray Park.
- Sept. 17: Salt Lake County Republican Party's Constitution Day Picnic, 6 pm, Murray Park. Come 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