Lots of political events are happening this month. Stay up to speed by checking out our calendar below. We post new items regularly. Send us your calendar items about fundraisers, speeches, and other events at agendautah@utahpolicy.com.

News Highlights

Two different groups have formed to campaign for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage (Deseret Morning News), while the Daily Herald editorializes against the marriage amendment. Standard-Examiner and KSL Radio-TV editorialize against school board selection process.

Quote of the Day

“The problem with threatening to pick up your marbles and go home is that, if you don't get what you want, you either have to admit that you were wrong or you have to pick up your marbles and go home.”
  -- Salt Lake Tribune Editorial today on the Outdoor Retailers’ threat to move their lucrative convention elsewhere

National Scene

Bad News for Bush
In a column for National Journal on Tuesday, political analyst Charlie Cook says it will take a new dynamic, some fairly dramatic change in the campaign outlook, for George Bush to win on Nov. 2.

While Bush and John Kerry are running neck-and-neck in most polls, the problem for Bush is that in a race like this undecided voters almost always break for the challenger. Bush needs at least a solid three-point lead to eke out a victory, Cook says.

What’s important, of course, is not the popular vote, but the electoral college vote, and that will be determined by voting results in a few key battleground states.

But in the battleground states, the problem is the same for Bush. The candidates are essentially even or Kerry has a slight edge. With so few voters undecided, Bush is not expected to get much of a bounce from the Republican National Convention Aug. 30-Sept. 2.

I would discount Cook’s analysis if I thought he was just another liberal media pundit who hates Bush. But Cook is one of the more fair-minded national political analysts. He has long experience and he really studies the numbers. The fundamentals in the race now seem to favor Kerry.

SmartUTAH Rolling Along

For 10 years, the SmartUTAH Foundation has been quietly assisting rural Utah communities with information technology and broadband development, and helping communities deploy these technology resources to create jobs and foster economic development.

I had lunch recently with Cliff Ames and Brigitte Tucker, who run SmartUTAH. I helped form the non-profit organization back in 1994 when I worked for Gov. Mike Leavitt. Cliff and Brigitte have accomplished a great deal since that time, helping numerous rural communities take advantage of advanced technologies to improve the lives of citizens.

SmartUTAH has developed a process and formula to bring a rural community together to make technology dreams come true. The organization facilitates collaboration among government, education and private sector leaders, helping them first assess their technology needs, then pull together all the leadership and necessary resources, and third execute the plan to bring their vision to reality.

A united community can do remarkable things, and visitors to some Utah rural communities would be surprised at the progress that has been made. SmartUTAH works with federal and state agencies and helps communities obtain grants for their projects. The organization has also held very successful technology expos in rural areas. The Box Elder County expo, for example, attracted more than 3,500 attendees. A Vernal expo attracted 2,000. For more information, see the SmartUTAH web site: www.smartutah.org.

Let’s be frank. You develop personal relationships with reporters and editors so you can use them to get better coverage. Reporters also need good relationships to obtain background information and to stay abreast of all that is happening. As you cultivate the reporter, each of you know you have your own interests at heart. You know it. They know it. But no one ever says it. It is a strange game in which you collect poker chips which you will someday cash in. But it is done without a word. You also need to understand that this relationship has its limits. If a story breaks involving you, a good reporter will pursue it no matter how good your relationship is.

Good reporters have many contacts, or sources. They depend on them. You can be a source. Sources periodically call with story tips. Sources volunteer inside information they know will help on today’s major story. Reporters have tremendous power in deciding a story’s tone or slant. If you are involved in a breaking news story, the reporter who knows you personally and respects your competence and integrity will write a more favorable story than the reporter who is a stranger.
  -- Source: How To Speak TV, Print & Radio, Pages 192-193, by Clarence Jones

Agenda Utah is a service
of Utah Policy.com

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

Rocky Mountain News
- Denver waits, hopes to land trade shows

New York Times
- Kerry criticizes U.S. plan to send nuclear waste to Nevada

Davis County Clipper
- Wal-Mart vote showdown set for Wednesday

Deseret Morning News
- 2 campaigns back marriage measure
- S.L. proposal pits taxicabs, shuttles
- 911 surcharge angers County Council
- Wal-Mart in Centerville?
- Workman explains her side to panel

Standard-Examiner
- Panel vote puts Morris before Senate
- Editorial: School board selection process deeply flawed

KSL
- Editorial: A flawed law

St. George Spectrum
- Editorial: Downwinder response is inadequate

Salt Lake Tribune
- Rolly and Wells: GOP lawmaker stacks the deck for replacement in Cache
- Tech sector comeback is slow in Utah
- 2 bid for Utah's e-voting contract
- Gas drilling won't harm natural areas, says BLM
- Utah plans to join county suit against feds
- Editorial: Stand and fight

Daily Herald
- Editorial: Marriage proposal dangerously flawed

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 12: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 6-7 pm, Logan High School Little Theatre, 162 W 100 S, Logan; 8-9 pm Richmond Community Center, 6 W Main.
- 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: Rep. Rob Bishop town meeting 7-8 pm, Morgan County Courthouse, 48 W Young St, Morgan.
- 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: Jon Huntsman at Moab Chamber of Commerce dinner, 7 pm, Moab.
- Aug 17: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 6-7 pm, Bountiful City Council Chambers, 790 S 100 E; 8-9 pm Clearfield City Council Chambers, 55 S State.
- 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: Rep. Rob Bishop town meeting 8-9 pm, Tooele County Courthouse, 47 S Main, Tooele.
- Aug 18-21: Davis County Democrats looking for volunteers for their Davis County Fair booth, call Pat Herrera 801-546-0283.
- Aug 19: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 6-7 pm, Weber County Commission Chambers, 2380 Washington Blvd, Ogden; 8-9 pm, West Haven City Offices 2440 S 2050 W.
- Aug 20: Matheson for Congress Fundraiser, Open House sponsored by Iron County Democrats, 7-9 pm. Call 435-865-7482 for location.
- Aug 20: Jon Huntsman at Box Elder Republican BBQ, 6 pm, Marble Park, Bothwell. 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: Jon Huntsman at Utah Mining Association, 11 am, Grand Summit Hotel, The Canyons Resort.
- 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 27: Rep. Rob Bishop town meeting 7-8 pm, Brigham City Council Chambers, 20 N Main.
- Aug 28: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 11-noon, Salt Lake County Council Chambers, 2100 S State; 2-3 pm Oakley City Bldg, 960 W Center. 7-8 pm Rich County Courthouse, 20 S Main, Randolph.
- Aug 28: Disco Party for Mark Wheatley for Legislature, 7:30 pm, Former Bob Rice Mansion, 4421 Zarahemla Dr, Olympus Cove, SLC. Park at Olympus Hills Mall, shuttle service provided, suggested donation $15, More info call Josie Valdez 801-264-8844.
- 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 4: Jon Huntsman at Hispanic Fiesta Days, 3 pm, Gallivan Center, SLC.
- Sept 4: Libertarian Party meet/greet/eat fundraiser, 11am-10 pm, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, 911 East Fort Union Blvd, Midvale. 15% of purchase donated to Libertarian Party if you identify yourself as a Libertarian.
- 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: Huntsman Campaign at United Way Day of Caring Breakfast, 7:30 am, Lavell Edwards Stadium, BYU; Logan Rotary Club, 12:30pm, Coppermill Restaurant, Logan; also at Vietnam Veterans meet the candidates night, 7 pm, Salt Lake City Library, 4th floor, 210 E 400 S.
- 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.

- See the entire calendar