News Highlights

Jon Huntsman didn’t have perfect teen life (Deseret Morning News). Acting County Mayor Alan Dayton cuts a salary and takes other action (Salt Lake Tribune). County Council should pass tough ethics guidelines, says Tribune editorial. Nancy Workman dislikes interview questions and walks out (Morning News and Tribune). Panel addresses vetoed child welfare bill (Standard-Examiner).

Quote of the Day

“Huntsman's opponent, Democrat Scott Matheson Jr., applauds Huntsman's concern for a balance of political views in Utah. ‘In fact, with more support for political balance in Utah, I should be elected governor,’ Matheson said with a little chuckle.”

- Deseret Morning News story about the Jon Huntsman campaign helping to bring Sean Hannity to UVSC to balance a speech by Michael Moore.

Name Change: Utah Policy Daily

Publishers Note: Today’s newsletter is No. 96, so we’re rapidly approaching the 100th edition. In conjunction with the 100th edition, we’ll be announcing some changes and new features and developments. One thing we’re going to do is change the name from Agenda Utah to the Utah Policy Daily. Yes, this will be our second name change in a short time and, yes, Utah Policy Daily isn’t all that exciting of a name. But we think it makes sense. We've created a bit of confusion about the name because the newsletter is sent from UtahPolicy.com and is posted on the UtahPolicy.com web site. So some people now call it the Utah Policy newsletter and others call it the Agenda Utah newsletter.

We’re going to do a little marketing and publicity regarding the newsletter, so we really had to decide which name to brand. Since the web site is Utah Policy, and our audience is Utah policymakers, we decided to brand the Utah Policy name. It will take a few days to change everything, but we’ll call the newsletter Utah Policy Daily.

We’ll also be talking in the next few days about generating revenue so Utah Policy Daily can be financially stable. It isn’t easy publishing a free newsletter with fresh daily content, and some financial support is necessary. Therefore, we will be talking about sponsorships and the opportunity to deliver messages to Utah policymakers and opinion leaders. Utah Policy Daily is delivered to about 5,000 elected and appointed officials and opinion leaders, so it is a very good audience for any business, association or group that needs to communicate with legislators, other policymakers, and politically informed business leaders. E-mail us at agendautah@utahpolicy.com if you'd like to learn more.

Web Site of the Day

E-Government in Utah

If you’re interested in high-tech government in Utah, check out Dave Fletcher’s web log (blog). The blog features interesting postings about technology in government and includes numerous good links, including a list of other bloggers in Utah. Fletcher is deputy director of the Utah Department of Administrative Services, and is a real leader in promoting electronic government services.

How to Win a Debate

Numerous political debates, some televised and reaching large audiences, will be held over the next five weeks at national, state and local levels. Debates are crucial in close campaigns. In the presidential contest, for example, clearly winning the debates could be worth a few percentage points and determine who wins the presidency. Utah’s gubernatorial campaign may tighten up and the televised debates could have a bearing on the outcome. Exoro Group consultants were asked for tips on debating, and here are their suggestions, in no particular order.

• Practice your best two or three messages and pound them home. Keep returning to them.
  
• Be likeable. Be yourself. Be natural. Use humor.
  
• Be prepared with answers to the really simple questions like, Why are you running for office? What is your top priority?
  
• Be confident. Be forthright. Be gracious to your opponent.
  
• If you don’t have a good answer or don’t know a fact, say so. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
  
• If you haven’t taken a position on an issue, say so forthrightly. “I haven’t made up my mind on that issue, but I’m gathering the facts and will soon take a position.”
  
• Don’t get angry. Say, “Well, we’ll just have to disagree about that.”
  
• Be knowledgeable, but not a know-it-all.
  
• Practice. Have someone ask you questions, particularly if the debate is centered around a particular topic.
  
• Know your audience and who is sponsoring and hosting the event. Focus your remarks on what will interest them.
  
• Respect the ground rules established by the debate forum and its organizers. But it’s okay to push the rules a bit if other candidates are getting away with it and the moderator doesn’t seem to mind.
  
• When your time is up, smile and stop talking. No matter how important you think your wrap-up is, nobody will hear it—and you will lose audience support—if you don’t respect their time.
  
• Don’t whine about someone else getting more time or some advantage. If there’s a blatant unfairness the audience can see, it’s okay to request equal time or the chance to respond if you do so respectfully and with a smile. If the moderator says no, back off and accept it. The audience will be on your side. You’ve made your point and now they are watching for other signs of unfair treatment.
  
• Avoid arriving late or leaving early if possible, especially if it will be apparent. Don’t act as though your time is more important than the audience’s.
  
• Be clear and concise in your statements. Rambling squanders the time you have available to speak. It also leaves people wondering what you said and whether you know what you’re talking about.
  
• Dale Carnegie said a good speaker has earned the right to talk about his or her subject through experience or study. Know the facts, especially the big picture. During the 1976 presidential debate, President Ford said the people of Poland don’t consider themselves under the control of the Soviet Bloc. Jimmy Carter looked over at Ford in disbelief.
  
• In most forums the audience won’t be very knowledgeable about your race or possibly even the office you are running for. Don’t assume they know. And don’t carry over a dispute between you and your opponent from a previous engagement. People will feel like they’re joining the middle of a conversation and you will appear to be petty or unreasonable.
  
• If the other side becomes angry, you win. If you become angry, they win.
  
• Sometimes you can irritate your opponent by dropping in certain terms or phrases that he or she understands, but which seem completely innocent to the audience. When the other side responds in anger it will appear to be unprovoked and they will look bad. In fact, sometimes they will respond to an accusation you haven’t even made, just because of how you phrased something. You appear to be positive and your opponent not only looks defensive, but brings up dirt you haven’t even mentioned—at least in a way the audience recognizes.
  
• If you are involved in a controversy or otherwise anticipate hard questions, prepare a good response and practice it. Your response should end with something positive you have done or will do. But don’t sound as though you are minimizing or sugar coating something bad.
  
• Criticize opponents' decisions or stances that you don't agree with, but don't criticize the person. Otherwise you'll come across as mean or negative, and voters want people in office who are positive and able to work with others.
  
• Look sharp, clean, well-groomed, and professional.
  
• At least once in every debate say, “There he goes again.”

Rep. Bradley G. Last, District 71, September 24
Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard, District 25, September 25
Rep. Calvin G. Bird, District 65, September 25

Entire Birthday List

Agenda Utah is a service
of Utah Policy.com

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

Deseret Morning News
- Huntsman 'lost focus' as teen
- Workman walks out of interview
- Hannity backed by guv hopeful
- Panel probes health costs

Daily Herald
- Provo City Council OKs text part of general plan
- Matheson presents growth plan at UVSC

St. George Spectrum
- Senate bill includes funds for Shakespearean festival
- Republican forum speaker supports gay marriage ban

Standard-Examiner
- Many oppose Marshall White Center plan
- Education on taxes
- Lawmakers to address child welfare bill vetoed by Walker
- S. Davis recreation questioned about architect process

Salt Lake Tribune
- Hannity will speak at UVSC, more than a week before Moore
- Survey group raps politicians
- Heber City may zone against big-box retail
- Acting mayor slashes pay of county's former CFO
- State gets unexpected tax money
- AG candidates debate Utah's 'dirty little secret'
- Workman storms out of radio interview
- Editorial: Cleaning up the county

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- 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 23: USACCC Annual Conference, Homestead Resort, Midway.
- Sept 23: Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel, 10 am, State Capitol, Rm W025.
- Sept 23: KRCL Salt Lake County Mayoral Debate – 1971 W. North Temple, SLC, Noon.
- Sept 23: Salt Lake Chamber Economic Advisory Council: “The Impact of the Big Box,” Noon, Waterford School Performing Arts Building
- 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 24: Corroon for County Mayor walks Redwood Road in West Valley City – 6pm 801-328-2208
- Sept 25: Cache Democrats Meeting, 8-10 am, Cabin Fever Restaurant, Highway 89 and 12th S, Logan. Everyone welcome.
- Sept 25: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- Sept 25: Peter Corroon walks precincts in SLC and Taylorsville. 801-328-2208.
- Sept 25: Peter Corroon at the South Jordan Country Fest Parade, Salt Lake County Equestrian Park, South Jordan 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: Mark Shurtleff at the NAACP Meet the Candidate Night, 6-7 pm, Law and Justice Center, 645 S. 200 E. SLC.
- 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: Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Board Room, featuring candidates Scott Matheson, John Swallow, Greg Skordas
- 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: Mark Shurtleff at the Davis County Senior Citizens Meet the Candidate Event, 11:30-12:30 pm, 140 E. Center St, Clearfield.
- 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.
- Oct 1: Gubernatorial debate at Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce, 12 noon, Provo Marriott.
- Oct 1: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, 7 pm, Ben Lomond HS, 800 Jackson Ave, Ogden.
- Oct 2: Women's Democratic Club Luncheon, 12 pm to 2 pm, Sheraton City Center, VIP 2 Room, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: Sheryl Ivey (801) 942-2312.
- Oct 2: Libertarian Party meet/greet/eat fundraiser, 11 am-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.
- Oct 2: Peter Corroon walk s precincts in Sandy and West Jordan. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 4: Mark Shurtleff at Orrin Hatch's Women's Conference, 10:30 am, Salt Palace. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 4-9: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Salt Lake County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Oct 5: Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee meets, 9 am, State Capitol, Rm W135.
- Oct 5: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
- Oct 5: Eminent Domain Conference, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Red Lion downtown SLC, register 801-731-5399.
- Oct 6: Attorney General Candidates debate, 6-8 pm, Dixie State College, Dunford Auditorium, TV KCSG 4, Radio KDXU 890 AM.
- Oct 6: Utah Stonewall Democrats monthly meeting, 5:30 pm, GLBTCCU, 359 N 300 W.
- Oct 6: Utah Land Use Institute, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Red Lion downtown, SLC, register 801-731-5399.
- Oct 7: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30 pm to 8 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, Salt Lake City. Contact: Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
- Oct 9: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30 am to 10 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- Oct 9: Mark Shurtleff at Utah County GOP Women's Fundraiser, 5 pm, Provo Marriott. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 9: Peter Corroon walks precincts in the East Benches. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 11: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics lecture on Utah‘s Economy-The Challenges and Benefits of Growth, Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 11: Meet the Cache County and School Board Candidates Night, 7-9 pm, Whittier Community Center, 290 N. 400 E, Logan. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the PTA.
- Oct 11-16: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Weber County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Oct 12: Open Forum with the Gubernatorial Candidates, 7:30 pm, New Davis Conference Center in Layton, 801-510-1221.
- Oct 13: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL Radio 1160 with Doug Wright, 10 am, KSL studios.
- Oct 14: Sutherland Institute seminar "Ethical Fitness--Being an Authentic Leader," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 150 E Social Hall Ave, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Oct 14: Mark Shurtleff speaks at the Minority Community Event, 9 am, SLC. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 16: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Midvale and WVC. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 17: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Open Space Initiative, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 18: Jon Huntsman Jr. at Tooele Valley Rotary Club luncheon, 12 pm, Best Western Inn Tooele.
- Oct 18: Gubernatorial Debate, KUTV Take Two with Rod Decker, 6:30 pm, airs live outside KUTV studios on Main Street.
- Oct 19: Gubernatorial Debate at Salt Lake Rotary Club, 12 noon, Marriott Hotel 75 S W Temple, SLC.
- Oct 19: First District Candidates Rob Bishop and Steve Thompson debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.

- See the entire calendar