News Highlights

U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert signs a few books and raises money for John Swallow (Salt Lake Tribune). Open space bond initiative likely to be on Nov. 2 ballot (Standard-Examiner).Criticism of young charter schools is unjustified (Deseret Morning News editorial).

Quote of the Day

"This smacks of totalitarianism. 

- Joyce Richards, State School Board member, commenting on the new State School Board nominating process passed by the 2004 Legislature (Standard-Examiner).

Time to Re-connect With Voters

Memo to politicians: It's been a long week, so take a little time to unwind this weekend. But if you're in a tough election race, don't relax too much. Only 11 weeks to go. Amazingly enough, I still run into a few state legislators up for re-election who don't even have a campaign plan at this point. Even if you don't have a tough race, you should have campaign activities precisely scheduled out between now and Nov. 2. You should be executing now, not thinking about what you're going to do.

Any politician at any level, even one whose re-election is assured, is foolish not to use the election as an opportunity to re-connect with voters, let them know you care, let them know your priorities and how you're serving them. I can guarantee they don't hear enough from you and need to hear more. Don't take them for granted because next election you just might have a tough opponent and you'll have a lot of ground to make up.

Interim Committee Update

The League of Women Voters, in collaboration with KCPW Radio, provides a valuable service for those interested in staying informed about what's happening at the Legislature. The League does an Interim Committee E-mail Update in advance of committee meetings, and also does regular updates during legislative sessions.

For example, before interim meetings this month, Joyce Barnes sent out an informative report. For each committee she provided meeting times, locations, and described agenda highlights and the major topics to be discussed. There are other ways to get the same information, but it's very handy get it all in one e-mail message and be able to peruse the list and see what's happening. To request a subscription to the Update, send an e-mail to lwvut@mail.xmission.com.

Utah Foundation Position

The Utah Foundation, a highly-respected research institution, wants to hire a senior research analyst to perform public policy analysis and research. The opening is a result of Janice Houston, current research director, leaving for a job with the University of Utah. The Foundation is under a tight deadline to fill the position. For more information and a copy of the job description, including salary range, e-mail Executive Director Steve Kroes, steve@utahfoundation.org.

Dealing with the news media can be a powerful weapon in your communications arsenal. But before getting into the nuts and bolts of how to effectively interact with the media, let's focus on why you would want to. After all, successful media relations require the investment of lots of time and effort. It's also risky. So why do it?

The answer is that you can't afford not to. Here's why:

1.  Editorial exposure is far more credible than any other kind of communication. People are much more likely to trust a news story than they are an advertisement, because the news story has an implied objective third-party endorsement. That's why editorial exposure is referred to as “earned media,” while advertising is referred to as “paid media.”

2.  More people read, watch or listen to editorial content than to paid advertising. When people read the paper, they are seeking the news, not ads.

3.  Your organization is always communicating with the media, whether proactively or not. An absence of proactive communication efforts sends a message -- possibly negative -- to reporters.

4.  Media relations simply cost less. Of all your communications efforts -- paid aids, collateral, direct mail, special events, etc. -- media relations is the most cost-effective.

5.  Positive media relations will give your organization leverage in a crisis. If reporters have had positive experiences with you as a source (e.g., you've been accessible, reliable, trustworthy and helpful), they are more likely to approach you in a positive, trusting manner during a critical time.

Casual Friday
Lighten Up for the Weekend

An engineer died and ended up in hell. He was not pleased with the level of comfort in hell, and began to redesign and build improvements. After a while, they had toilets that flush, air conditioning, and escalators. Everyone grew very fond of him. One day God called to Satan to mock him, "So, how's it going down there in hell?" Satan replied, "Hey, things are great. We've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and there's no telling what this engineer is going to come up with next."

God was surprised, "What? You've got an engineer? That's a mistake. He should never have gotten down there in the first place. Send him back up here."

"No way," replied Satan. "I like having an engineer, and I'm keeping him." God threatened, "Send him back up here now or I'll sue!" Satan laughed and answered, "Yeah, right. And just where are YOU going to get a lawyer?"

· Salt Lake Tribune political cartoons by Pat Bagley.

· Standard-Examiner political cartoons by Cal Grondahl.

Late Night Humor

"Attendance at this year's Olympics is so bad that al Qaeda operatives were caught scalping tickets half-price so they'd have enough fans to attack." -- Craig Kilborn

"The good news -- the president has announced the troops will finally be coming home. The bad news -- not the troops you're thinking of and not for another 10 years. ... Troops stationed in such cold war hot spots like Japan, Germany and Korea will leave and start heading home, and oh, end up in Iraq." -- Jon Stewart

“Vice President Dick Cheney attacked John Kerry. He said that Kerry 'lacks deeply held convictions.' Today Kerry shot back, he said, 'That's not completely true.'" -- Jay Leno

"Cheney also warned Americans about a group that is trying to impose their radical extremism on everyone else. He said they have no tolerance for democracy and no tolerance for people with a different religious faith. Then he said, 'Oh I'm sorry that's our platform.'" -- Jay Leno

"In a stunning announcement, New Jersey Governor James McGreevey announced that he had an extramarital affair with another man. Finally, a Democrat who can honestly say, 'I did not have sex with that woman!'" -- Jay Leno

"Here's the amazing part -- he's been married twice before and now he's gay. And you thought John Kerry couldn't make up HIS mind." -- Jay Leno, on James McGreevey

"Rumors have restarted that the Republican ticket will not be Bush-Cheney. But today those rumors were put to rest when Cheney said, 'No, I'm keeping him on the ticket.'" -- Jay Leno

Rep. Michael T. Morley, District 66, August 21
Sen. James Evans, District 1, August 26
Sen. Leonard M. Blackham, District 24, August 26

Entire Birthday List

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of Utah Policy.com

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

National Review Online
- Putting it all together

Davis County Clipper
- Bishop seeks second term
- Thompson ‘for little guy'
- WFRC, Envision Utah begin partnership

Salt Lake City Weekly
- Main Street Swap: The Sequel

Salt Lake Tribune
- Speaker stops by to stump for Swallow
- Riverton group files suit alleging city is violating its own rule
- Editorial: Phantom oil

Daily Herald
- Recount puts 'Open Space' measure one district shy

Standard-Examiner
- Board of Ed process under fire
- 2004 Utah Legislature: Special session planned for next month
- $150 million conservation bond likely to go on November ballot

Deseret Morning News
- American Fork Canyon cleanup touted
- County vote is an aquarium win, lose
- Tobacco funds coming soon to Utah programs
- Editorial: Charter school alarmists

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- 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: 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: 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, Salt Lake City Main Library (210 E 400S) in the lower level Conference Room B at 5:30 pm. Visitors welcome.
- 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.
- 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 15: Jon Huntsman at National Assisted Living Week luncheon, noon, Legacy Retirement Residence, South Jordan.
- Sept 15-17: Utah League of Cities and Towns Annual Convention, register: www.ulct.org
- 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: Utah League of Cities and Towns gubernatorial debate, 9 am, Sheraton Hotel, 150 W 500 S, SLC.
- Sept 17: Jon Huntsman at Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, noon, 750 W Heritage Park Blvd, Layton.
- Sept 17: Salt Lake County Republican Party's Constitution Day Picnic, 6 pm, Murray Park. Come meet the candidates!
- Sept 18: Jon Huntsman at SLC Avenues Fair, 8 am.
- 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