News Highlights

Columnists beat up on Nancy Workman (Doug Robinson in Deseret Morning News and Holly Mullen Salt Lake Tribune). Alan Dayton shuffles mayor’s staff (Tribune). Legislative Auditor General Wayne Welsh lauded in a Morning News editorial upon his retirement.

Quote of the Day

“Utah should be taking the lead in efforts to eliminate smoking in public places, not playing catch-up to what’s being done in other parts of the country, even the world... Let’s finally face the fact in this state that smoking is no longer a religious issue.”

-- KSL Editorial by Duane Cardall, endorsing a proposal to expand smoking ban.

The Only Way to Win

What are chances of the Republican Party winning the Salt Lake County mayorship? Probably slim to none. Here are the only two ways the party can win:

1. Nancy Workman is tried and acquitted before Nov. 2. She raises plenty of money, mounts a post-trial textbook-perfect campaign, and wins by a whisker.

2. Workman faces the fact that her trial isn’t going to conclude pre-election, and concedes that voters won’t elect her facing such uncertainty. She magnanimously resigns as a candidate, opening the way for a Republican write-in campaign. With about month to go and amid great fanfare, the Republican Party throws its support behind Fred Lampropoulos or some other “white knight” who radiates stature, likeability, substance, common sense – and who has plenty of money.

The party organizes like never before, distributing Lampropoulos stickers and a precinct mini-campaign plan to every Republican delegate and party caucus attendee in every voting precinct in the county. This grassroots army is equipped with lists of frequent-voting Republican households in each voting precinct, Lampropoulos campaign literature, and a personal letter from the candidate. The Saturday before the election, ballot stickers are distributed to every Republican voter.

These events unfold amid enormous media hype with Lampropoulos portrayed as the guy capable of saving the mayorship for the party. Peter Corroon and Merrill Cook fume in the background. Complementing the massive news media coverage and grassroots blitz, Lampropoulos drops a million dollars into TV, radio, newspaper and billboard ads in the last month, with a strong reform theme of clean-up county government. The Republicans go on to a big victory.

Taxpayers Association Stays on Message

Never one to miss an opportunity to oppose any whiff of a tax increase, Mike Jerman of the Utah Taxpayers Association sent along a critique of one item in the Pignanelli-Webb column in last Sunday’s Deseret Morning News. The column quoted common campaign statements, followed by what the candidate REALLY meant.

“You wrote:

‘We can solve our public education and transportation problems without raising taxes.’ (I know no one believes this nonsense, but it sounds so nice and doesn't offend anyone.)

You should have written:

‘We can solve our public education problems BY RAISING taxes.’ (I know no
one believes this nonsense except the UEA, the Salt Lake Tribune, and Pignanelli and Webb, but it sounds nice and doesn't offend anyone who would vote for us anyway.)”

Enquiring Minds Want to Know

Out of the blue, a reader sent in the following question:

“Are guys who drive Hummers trying to compensate for masculinity problems?”

Send your observations or insights to agendautah@utahpolicy.com.

Web Site of the Day

The Electoral College may again be a controversial topic if the presidential race is extremely close and the electoral vote outcome doesn’t match the popular vote. The Office of the Federal Register has a fascinating web site with a great deal of information about the Electoral College, including a “calculator” allowing you to tally electoral votes and predict who will win the presidential election. Click here to visit the website.

Jason Chaffetz of the Jon Huntsman campaign sent the following updated schedule of debates between Huntsman and Scott Matheson:

Sept. 17: Utah League of Cities and Towns, 9 a.m., Sheraton Hotel, 150 West 500 South.

Oct. 1: Provo Chamber of Commerce, Noon, Provo Marriott

Oct. 13: KSL Radio 1160 with Doug Wright, KSL Studios, 10 a.m.

Oct. 18: KUTV Take Two with Rod Decker, 6:30 p.m., airs live outside KUTV studios on Main Street

Oct. 19: Salt Lake Rotary Club, noon Downtown Marriott on West Temple

Oct. 21: On the Record with ABC 4 News Reporter Chris Vanocur, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: KSL-TV, KSL Radio and the Deseret Morning News, Rose Wagner Theatre, 7 p.m., airs live

Oct. 29: KUED Studios, U. of U., 7 p.m., airs Nov. 1, 7 p.m.

Sen. Ed P. Mayne, District 5, September 16
Rep. Michael R. Styler, District 68, September 16
U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, September 18

Entire Birthday List

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

New York Times
- Bush record: New priorities in environment

Salt Lake Tribune
- Cannon drums on immigration despite voters
- Workman faces trial by special prosecutor
- Mullen: The pure hubris of Workman
- Report tells Canyonlands' troubles
- Acting Mayor Dayton shuffles staff in cabinet
- Beefing up law enforcement a debate topic for AG hopefuls
- Former Hatch staffer sues to end inquiry
- Green candidate to drop mayoral bid
- Assault weapons now are available
- Huntsman Cos. to sell shares to public
- Editorial: Rivers of gold

Standard-Examiner
- Return of assault weapons

KSL
- Editorial: Expand smoking ban

Deseret Morning News
- Workman's case stalls
- Huntsman firm is going public
- Doug Robinson: Workman ads sour airwaves
- Bennett declines an online debate
- Role of attorney general explored
- Voters feel ambivalent about electronic ballots
- UEA backs Skordas for state post
- Editorial: Welsh will be missed

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Sept 13-17: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Cache and Rich Counties. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Sept 14: Legislative meetings at the State Capitol: Task Force Studying Water Issues, 8 am, Rm W135; Hazardous Waste Regulation and Tax Policy Task Force, noon, Rm W110; Building Executive Appropriations Committee, 1 pm, Rm W135; Utah Technology Commission, 2 pm, Rm W130.
- Sept 14: Fundraiser for Peter Stevens, Candidate for SL County Auditor, 5 pm, Port O' Call, 78 W 400 S, SLC, suggested contribution $35
- Sept 15: Interim Committee Day at the State Capitol: Judiciary Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W130; Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W020; Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W135; Transportation Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W010; Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W025; Business and Labor Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W135; Education Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W125; Government Operations Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W020; Health and Human Services Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W010; Political Subdivisions Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W025; Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W130.
- Sept 15: Initiative 1 Volunteer Kick-off Meeting, 6:30 pm, Sweet Branch Library, 455 N F St, SLC. Call 801-531-7304 or email kferguson@utahlands2004.org .
- 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: Voice for Moderation meeting, Gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman Jr., County Mayor candidates Nancy Workman and Peter Corroon, 6 pm, Anderson/Foothill Library, 1135 S 2100 E, SLC.
- Sept 15: Meet the Candidate Night with Nancy Workman, Peter Corroon, and Jon Huntsman. 6 pm, Anderson/Foothill Library, 1135 S 1200 E, SLC.
- Sept 15-17: Utah League of Cities and Towns Annual Convention, register: www.ulct.org
- Sept 16: Mark Shurtleff addresses Women's Republican Club, 6:30 pm. 801-910-9463.
- 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: Utah League of Cities and Towns gubernatorial debate, 9 am, Sheraton Hotel, 150 W 500 S, SLC, broadcast by KCPW, 88.3 FM, 105.3 FM and 1010 AM.
- Sept 17: Mark Shurtleff speaks to the Taxpayer's Association, 11 am, SLC. 801-910-9463.
- 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 City Park, 5125 S State St, donations welcome. Come meet the candidates! Call 801-718-4882 for more info.
- Sept 17: AFGE Union Event guest Congressional Candidate Beau Babka, 6:30 pm, Labor Building, 2261 S Redwood Rd.
- Sept 17: Jim Matheson and Paul Van Dam will attend Redfest at the University of Utah.
- Sept 17: Salt Lake County Mayoral Forum, 2 pm, Jubilee Center, 307 E 100 S, SLC.
- Sept 18: SLC Greater Avenues Street Fair. Jon Huntsman will be there at 8 am.
- Sept 18: Mark Shurleff at the Ogden Hispanic Festival. 801-910-9463.
- Sept 18: Jim Matheson at Voter Contact Rally in Salt Lake County. 801-359-5474.
- Sept 18: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Herriman and South Jordan. 801-328-2208.
- Sept 20: Steve Thompson at Tooele Valley Rotary Club luncheon, 12 pm, Best Western Inn Tooele.
- Sept 20-24: Legislators Back to School Week.
- Sept 20-25: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Davis County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Sept 21: Mark Shurtleff addresses the Cache County GOP Women, 12 pm, Coppermill Restaurant in Logan. 801-910-9463.
- Sept 22: Attorney General candidates debate, sponsored by Women's State Legislative Council, 1 pm, Salt Lake Library, 210 E 400 S, SLC.
- Sept 23: USACCC Annual Conference, Homestead Resort, Midway.
- Sept 23: Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel, 10 am, State Capitol, Rm W025.
- Sept 23: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Religion in Life and the World: A Personal and Geopolitical Perspective”. Address given by President Michael Young. 10:45 am, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Sept 23: Matt Everett for Senate Campaign BBQ, 7 pm, Adams Park, Logan. Special Guest Donald Dunn. $20. 435-770-6567.
- Sept 25: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- Sept 25: Peter Corroon walks precincts in SLC and Taylorsville. 801-328-2208.
- Sept 27: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Utah‘s Water Supply: Where Will it Come From?” Panel discussion. Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Sept 27-Oct 2: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Weber and Morgan Counties. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Sept 28: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Every Student a Politician: The Importance of the 18 to 24 Vote”. Featuring Lt. Governor Gayle McKeachnie, Dan Jones, and Frank Pignanelli. 11 am, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- 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.
- Sept 28-Oct 1: Constitution Party's Presidential Candidate Michael Peroutka tours Utah. Tickets: www.cputah.org
- Sept 28: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, 7:30 pm, Western Regional Park, Vernal.
- Sept 29: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Middle East Watches the U.S. Presidential Election” Panel discussion. Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Sept 29: Salt Lake County Mayoral Candidate Debate, 7:30 pm, Westminster College, 1840 S 1300 E, SLC.
- Sept 29: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, Snow College, 150 E College Ave, Ephraim. Also at Canyon View HS, 7:30 pm, 166 W 1925 N, Cedar City.
- Sept 30: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, 7:30 pm, UVSC, Sorenson Student Center, Grand Ballroom, 800 W University Parkway, Orem.

- See the entire calendar