News Highlights

Jim Matheson racks up healthy lead in 2nd District as TV ad battle begins. (Deseret Morning News), while Matheson and John Swallow clash over nuclear waste storage and bomb testing (Salt Lake Tribune).

Tribune profiles Rob Bishop and reports on editorial board meeting with Scott Matheson.

Amendment 3 supporters and foes trade barbs over out-of-state support (Morning News).

Quote of the Day

“Which local elected officials collectively control the biggest percentage of the money you pay in state and local taxes? The answer, quite simply, is those individuals who serve on local school boards. It is why KSL, in this tense political season where high-profile races get most of the hype, urges you give more than passing attention to your local school board candidates.”

-- Duane Cardall in KSL Editorial

Should News Media Conduct Political Polls?

Both Salt Lake daily newspapers, plus KSL TV, regularly conduct surveys measuring public opinion. I’ve heard some people complain that by publishing poll results, the news media are unfairly injecting themselves into the political process and unduly influencing elections.

Good poll numbers published in the newspaper can give a campaign a significant lift, improving fundraising efforts and creating a “bandwagon” effect that boosts morale for volunteers and creates a positive “buzz” for the candidate.

Conversely, bad poll numbers can dry up campaign contributions and endorsements, put a “losing” label on a candidate, and damage campaign morale.

In 1992, when I ran Mike Leavitt’s first campaign for governor, we had a specific strategy, called our “sweeps strategy,” to try to impact poll numbers to show the campaign was gaining momentum. Leavitt was unknown at the time, having only 2% name identification, so we purposefully targeted advertising early in the campaign at times we knew polling was being done. Voters saw a steady improvement in survey numbers, giving the fledgling campaign viability and momentum.

Some people argue that it is unfair for the news media to have that kind if impact on campaigns through their political polling.

Obviously, it would be silly to try to prevent media polling. Doing so would violate constitutional free press provisions. But beyond that, I think it is healthy for the news media to conduct their own polls. After all, the candidates themselves do a great deal of polling, and when their numbers look good they release the results to the news media.

Media surveys provide a reality check on claims and information put forth by the campaigns. The news media are trying to sell newspapers and win viewers and listeners, in addition to providing information citizens need to have full and productive lives. Political survey results are a legitimate part of the news and information mix. Candidates have to recognize media polls as significant factors in the campaign and develop strategies to deal with them.

Readers and viewers should be smart consumers of political polling news. In recent days we’ve seen some wildly divergent poll results from different media outlets measuring the same races. It makes sense to read widely and take into consideration all of information and data relating to a campaign, not just one survey snapshot.

Check Out Political Calendar

The political calendar is filling up between now and election day. Even legislative candidates are getting in some media events. The Hinckley Institute of Politics and KUER FM 90.1 are featuring a series of debates between candidates in key legislative races. Watch the calendar for times to tune in.

“Although I have mostly enjoyed reading your briefings, I must not have been reading them closely enough to notice that it is now a Republican PR device disguised as an objective information source. If that is so, I am especially disappointed in Mr. Webb, for whom I have had great respect in the past. Your treatment of the Vice Presidential Debate shows no pretext of journalistic integrity, and might as well have been distributed straight from the Bush campaign. Again, I must have been mistaken in my understanding of your purposes. Please remove me from your subscriber list.” (Name withheld)

Mr. Webb responds: The former reader does have a basic misunderstanding about this newsletter. As I have said many times, it is not an attempt at objective journalism. I write as a moderately conservative (but fair-minded) Republican and have never disguised that. However, I am always willing to publish responses from those who disagree with my viewpoints. (But I won’t always publish responses to advertisements or advertorials.) I know a lot of liberal Democrats who ignore my ramblings, but they like the news links, the calendar, and the communications, campaign and leadership tips in the newsletter.

Send a Campaign E-Card

Good campaigns will usually mount postcard communications efforts, asking supporters and volunteers to each send 10 postcards to acquaintances with messages of support for the candidate, and asking those acquaintances to send more postcards to people they know. The effort, if done well, has a snowballing effect and the personal messages can be quite effective.

Now you can do it all electronically, using e-mail and the Internet. I received an e-mail e-card Thursday morning from Randy Minson, who is running Sen. Bob Bennett’s campaign. The card includes a link taking me to a Web site where I can choose a card and forward it on to my acquaintances, a viral marketing approach. It’s an easy and inexpensive way for supporters to get the word out. Check out Bennett’s e-card site.

Press Conference Today on Initiative 1

Many states spend billions of dollars on water treatment plants so they can clean up dirty water and make it acceptable for household use. Much of Utah’s potable water comes out of pristine canyons and is already mostly clean and pure. It’s a lot cheaper to keep Utah’s mountain water clean, by protecting watersheds, than it is to build expensive treatment plants. But there is a backlog of projects and little money to protect watersheds.

Initiative 1 would provide significant money for projects to keep Utah’s water clean and pure. Today at a noon press conference at the mouth of City Creek Canyon above Memory Grove, water quality and public health experts will discuss the importance of passing Initiative 1 to protect Utah's water. For more information, contact Amanda Smith, (801) 238-2336 asmith@utahlands2004.org or Maura Carabello, (801) 537-0900 or 949-6207 (cell) mec@exoro.com

Rep Ben C Ferry, District 2, Oct 11
Rep Gregory H Hughes, District 51, Oct 13
Sen Gregory S Bell, District 22, Oct 16
Rep Michael E Noel, District 73, Oct 17
Sen Curtis S Bramble, District 16, Oct 18
Rep Ann W Hardy, District 20, Oct 18
Rep Greg J Curtis, District 49, Oct 18

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
- Swallow slips far behind
- County facing sex suit
- Scare tactics over Amendment 3?
- Workman daughter released from job
- Doors shut on Bryson case
- Tax coffers overflowing — for now
- Rival amendment ads to air soon
- Absentee ballots soaring in Davis
- Council lauded for community service
- Hatch is pushing Arnold bill

Daily Herald
- Moore video release given little promotion
- District 61 candidates focusing on health care
- Spanish Fork OKs Sunday beer sales

KSL
- Editorial: Don't overlook school board races

Standard-Examiner
- Bishop receives gift from Democratic committee
- Roy council supports arts, parks tax

St. George Spectrum
- Editorial: Spending should fall with tax cuts

Salt Lake Tribune
- County worker files harassment suit against Floros
- Health Department director resigns
- Matheson: Political balance needed
- Tools of his trade: Wit, focus and teamwork
- 2nd District hopefuls spar over N-waste, bombs
- Mayoral candidates meet with voters
- Four S.L. County Mayoral candidates; four scenarios
- Write-in challenge
- Yes on 3 says foes carpetbagging
- Revised state abortion rule goes into effect
- Hate-crimes panel discusses legislation
- Editorial: GOP dumps Workman

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Oct 7: Mark Shurtleff will attend Meet the Candidate events: Riverton Senior Center at 11 am, North Ogden Kiwanis Club at 6:30 pm, Skyline HS PTA at 7 pm.
- Oct 7: Jon Huntsman attends Utah Mortgage Lender's Association Meet the Candidates, 12 noon, Little America Hotel Grand Ballroom.
- Oct 7: Gubernatorial Candidates featured on A Conversation with the Candidates, 6 pm, KSL TV.
- 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 8: Mark Shurtleff and Jim Matheson attend Meet the Candidate event at Draper Senior Center, 11 am.
- Oct 8: Jenny Wilson for County Council Fundraiser, silent art auction and performance by Kurt Bestor, 5 pm, Alta Club, 100 E So. Termple, SLC, RSVP 801-521-3766, $50.
- Oct 8: Beau Babka Honk and Wave, BYU Stadium, 6-8 pm.
- Oct 8: Second presidential debate, 7 pm. Moderator: Charles Gibson
- Oct 8: Jim Matheson participates in the Autumn Housing Fair sponsored by the Community Development Corporation.
- 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: Scott Matheson and Karen Hale hosts Latino Town Meeting, 1-3 pm, Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 S, WVC.
- 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: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate event, Northwest Senior Center, 11 am.
- Oct 11: Jon Huntsman at Primary Children's Medical Center Meet the Candidate Luncheon, noon.
- 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: Sean Hannity at UVSC, 7 pm
- 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: Jon Huntsman at the Business Expo, 9 am, South Towne Exposition Center; Murray Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 12:30 pm, Desert Star Playhouse; Salt Lake Convention Visitor's Bureau Conference, 2:30 pm, Salt Palace; Ogden Chamber of Commerce Open Town Meeting, 6 pm, Eccles Conference Center, Ogden.
- Oct 12: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate event with Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 6 pm.
- Oct 12: Beau Babka and Mark Shurtleff attend Meet the Candidate Night with Cyprus HS PTA, 7 pm.
- 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 13: Third presidential debate, 7 pm. Moderator: Bob Schieffer
- Oct 13: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate events: Magna Senior Center at 11 am, Bonneville JHS at 7 pm.
- Oct 13: Mark Shurtleff, Beau Babka, and Jon Huntsman attend UVSC Meet the Candidate event, noon, and Hunter Lions Club at 7 pm, Hunter Library, WVC.
- 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 14: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah Governor", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Scott Matheson.
- Oct 14: Mark Shurtleff visits American Fork Chamber of Commerce, GOP Unity event, 12 noon; State Farm Meet the Candidate Night, 7 pm.
- Oct 14: Hinckley Institute of Politics "Vote 2004: The Race for House District 28", 1 pm, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Roz McGee and Richard Snelgrove.
- Oct 14: Jon Huntsman attends Gov. Cal Rampton Gubernatorial Forum, 2:30 pm, Highland Care Center, SLC.
- Oct 14: Congregation KolAmi Meet the Candidate Night, 7 pm.
- Oct 15: Mark Shurtleff visits Temple Har Shalom, 7:30 pm.
- Oct 16: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Midvale and WVC. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 16: Jim Matheson at the U of U Football Rally.
- Oct 17: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Open Space Initiative, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 18: Mark Shurtleff attends Columbus Senior Center Meet the Candidate event, 11 am.
- 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: Hinkley Institute of Politics "The New Government Perspective on Homeless", 10 am, KUER-FM 90.1, a discussion with Mark Johnston, Deputy Director, HUD and Nan Roman, National Coalition for the Homeless.
- 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.
- Oct 20: Jon Huntsman visits Ogden Rotary Club, Tooele Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidate Luncheon, noon, Ivy Garden; Box Elder Meet the Candidates Night, 6:15 pm, Brigham City Community Center; and Weber PTA Meet the Candidate Night, 7:45 pm, Weber High.
- Oct 20: Salt Lake Chamber’s Business Friendly Legislators Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Little America
- Oct 20: Attorney General Candidates debate, 12:30 pm, Sutherland Moot Court Room, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Univ. of Utah.
- Oct 20: Mark Shurtleff attends Kearns PTA Meet the Candidate Night, 6 pm.
- Oct 21: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah Governor", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Jon Huntsman.
- Oct 21: Hinckley Institute of Politics, "Vote 2004: The Race for House District 25", 1 pm, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Ross Romero and Martine Smith.
- Oct 21: Mark Shurtleff attends Midvale Senior Center Meet the Candidate, 10:45 am; Chamber West Meet the Candidate, 11:45 am; PTA Legislative Forum, 1 pm.
- Oct 21: Jon Huntsman Interview on Radio West, 11 am, KUER FM 90. Oct 21: 3rd Congressional District featured on Bruce Lindsay's Conversation with the Candidates, 6:10 pm, KSL TV.
- Oct 21: Gubernatorial Debate, On the Record with ABC 4 News Reporter Chris Vanocur, 7 pm.
- Oct 22: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah's 2nd Congressional District", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, with Jim Matheson and John Swallow.
- Oct 22: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate at South Jordan Senior Center, 11 am.
- Oct 23: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate in Lehi, 6 pm.
- Oct 23: Jim Matheson at the U of U Football Rally.
- Oct 24: Civic Dialogue presents Salt Lake County Mayoral Race Debate, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 24: Third District Candidates Chris Cannon and Beau Babka debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 25: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics lecture on Education-The Debate Over School Choice and Tuition Tax Credits, Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 25: Attorney General Debate, 3 pm, KBYU.
- Oct 25: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL-TV, KSL Radio and the Deseret Morning News, Rose Wagner Theatre, 7 pm.
- Oct 25: Meet the State and National Candidates Night, 7-9 pm, Whittier Community Center, 290 N. 400 E, Logan. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the PTA.
- Oct 26: Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Board Room, featuring candidates Jon Huntsman, Nancy Workman, Mark Shurtleff.
- Oct 26: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents "Iraq" a talk by: Jim Mayfield, Professor Emeritus, Political Science Department, U of U, 9:10 am, KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 26: Radio West presents "Open Space", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1
- Oct 26: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate events: Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 am, Mt. Olympus Senior Center at 11:30 am.
- Oct 26: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- Oct 26: Utah Attorney General Candidates debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 27: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate events: Taylorsville Senior Center at 11 am, Weber County PTA at 7 pm.
- Oct 28: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah State Senator", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Robert Bennett and Paul Van Dam.
- Oct 28: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents "Vote 2004: The Race for Salt Lake County Council", 1 pm, Steve Harmsen and Jenny Wilson featured.
- Oct 28: Second District Candidates Jim Matheson and John Swallow debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 28-29: UEA Convention.
- Oct 29: Gubernatorial Debate, KUED Studios, 7 pm, U of U, airs Nov. 1.
- Oct 31: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Utah Constitutional Revision of Marriage, 5 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 31: US Senate Candidates Bob Bennett and Paul Van Dam scheduled to debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.

- See the entire calendar