The Week Ahead
State legislators will spend today and Tuesday in the Uintah Basin, learning firsthand the challenges the region faces as a result of a booming energy economy and rapid growth. See the entire agenda here.
The Constitutional Revision Commission meets Thursday. Its agenda is a bit sparse.
The Tax Review Commission will meet in Logan and focus on four options dealing with income tax reform. See agenda.
The Utah Rural Summit is Thursday and Friday in Cedar City. Governor Jon Huntsman and Lieutenant Gov. Gary Herbert will participate. See agenda.
Blog Watch
At the Senate Site blog, Sen. Darin Peterson says: "[Rep.] Paul Ray is drafting a bill that -- in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned -- would make abortion illegal, with several appropriate exceptions ... I support the idea ... Most of us feel abortion is wrong but are held captive by an old, bad court decision. Strict limitations would make our laws in this area humane. The exceptions for cases of rape, incest, health of the mother, etc. would make it reasonable. This nation was founded by people who felt individual responsibility was our centerpiece. Freedom means you make your choices and then live with the consequences. Abortion as a form of birth control throws those principles out the window" (see also here)... Rep. Craig Frank supports Gov. Huntsman's plan to fund education by cutting income taxes and growing the Utah economy (see also here, here, and here)... Part of the Plan says: "I'm officially endorsing [Rep. Jim Matheson]. He's a good man and he's done a lot of good things for Utah's 2nd Congressional District. He's the kind of public servant who puts his constituents before his own interests, and that is rare indeed in today's partisan political climate. Of course, the other reason this is a no-brainer is because the best the GOP could come up with was a chubby John Swallow" (see also here)... At Out of Context, Heather May reports: "If you needed more proof that Rocky Anderson has little loyalty to the Utah Democratic Party -- besides his endorsement of a Republican for Salt Lake City mayor, of course -- look no further than comments he made Thursday on KCPW. One gem: He said Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson 'votes like a right-wing Republican,' referring to the congressman's support of the Iraq war and tax cuts. Maybe the Democratic mayor feels scorned. Even though Anderson represented the party in his failed 1996 congressional race against Merrill Cook, he found little party support. And, last year, the leader of Salt Lake County's Democratic Party agreed with her Republican counterpart that Anderson's goodwill trip to Italy should be investigated by the district attorney. Back then Anderson said: 'Democrats have a long history of screwing up just about everything they touch.' On Thursday, Anderson added: 'This party has never supported me'"... RedBlueChristian says: "There is an apparent effort by Mormon apologetics to use Mitt Romney's Republican run for presidency in 2008 as a Mormon witnessing opportunity. I personally do not find this evangelistic effort that alarming or strange, actually I expected it. In fact, I believe that the elaborate Mormon Church organization and heirarchy will take advantage of the Romney run as much as they can. Mitt Romney can’t run away from his deep Mormon past and beliefs. In my view, he will fail if he attempts to use the JFK strategy of separation. Mitt Romney is apparently a devout Mormon running for the presidency, he is not a president candidate that simply and irrelevantly happens to be Mormon. And, I think conservative evangelicals will more likely embrace an honest and transparent Romney, than if he comes across too slick and slippery as it relates to his Mormon faith" (hat tip: Article VI Blog) (see also here, here, here, here, and here).
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Washington Watch
Hatch: Bush Hasn't Overstepped
Sen. Orrin Hatch says of Pres. Bush's anti-terrorism efforts vis-à-vis U.S. civil liberties protections: "Did the executive branch go too far? No. The president has had the power to use military force. But even without those, all presidents, from George Washington right on down, have exercised inherent powers to protect the homeland, to protect our border, to protect our country. And this president would be severely criticized by the very people who are now criticizing him if he didn't do the things that were necessary to protect this country and we all of a sudden have further catastrophes that could have been prevented" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Sens. Hatch and Patrick Leahy introduce "a 45-page bill that proposes a number of changes to the way American patents are awarded and challenged" (CNET News); Hatch votes with a majority of the Senate to approve "the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which among other provisions, will permanently extend tax deductions that increase yearly contribution limits for Individual Retirement Accounts" (press release).
Bennett Announces $$ for Utah
Sen. Bob Bennett announces "that St. George, the nation's second fastest growing metropolitan area, will receive $3.1 million for improvements to the I-15 Bluff Street interchange to ease congestion and address growth" (see press release); Bennett announces "that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will send $1.2 million to Kane County to help with clean-up efforts along the Paria River caused by flood damage in January 2005" (press release).
Now You Know
The city of Nephi was recognized as a major shipping point in the early years from about 1879. The advent of the railroad propelled the town to a position of importance as a center of shipping and commerce; it earned the nickname of “Little Chicago.” The railroad tracks were moved west in 1901, ending the towns “boom” era. (Source: Local Government Directory, Utah League of Cities & Towns)
Campaign Tip Reprint
Here are the Basics
A UPD reader asked for a simple campaign outline. We’ve published this list previously. Many volumes have been written about the different aspects of a political campaign, so it’s hard to boil it all down to a few components. But, very basically, here are the areas any campaign needs to organize and develop:
Issues research/positions, white papers. What do you stand for? What are the issues of most concern to you? How will you solve the problems your jurisdiction faces? You need to develop your positions and be able to talk about them and debate articulately.
Survey research. Use research to determine your strengths and weaknesses with voters, how you stand vis-a-vis opponents, how voters feel about various issues. Use research also to test messages and positions. Never run an advertisement without testing it first with focus groups.
Fundraising. Figure out a campaign budget and put together a plan to raise sufficient funds. Be aware of campaign finance laws. Develop a list of potential donors and go after them.
Targeting. Figure out who the real voters are, and who is likely to vote for you, or who can be persuaded. Spend all of your resources and efforts with them, not with people who never vote.
Scheduling. Schedule all campaign activities, including walking neighborhoods, speeches, appearances, etc. Schedule as much as you can for the entire campaign so you can see the campaign unfold in a timeline. Work back from election day to schedule all your activities and things that must be done.
Grassroots organizing. You should recruit a campaign captain in every voting district in your district. That captain will run a mini-campaign in that voting district for you, distributing literature, making phone calls, defending you against criticism, encouraging neighbors and friends to support you, etc. Develop a system to communicate with and receive feedback from these voting district captains.
Endorsements/coalition building. To give your campaign credibility, develop a list of prominent people who endorse you; encourage organizations with members or employees to support you and work for your election effort. Ask them to run a mini-campaign on your behalf in their organization or association. Keep track of all supporters identified through grassroots organization and coalition building.
Communications. This is a big one. Develop a communications plan with a campaign Web site, brochures, press kit, press releases, e-mail newsletter, white papers, etc. Gather as many e-mail addresses of voters in your district as you possibly can, and communicate frequently with them. Plan paid advertising (newspaper, TV, radio) carefully, staying within your budget. Target carefully with direct mail. Look for opportunities to get positive mentions or stories in the news media.
Get out the vote. Develop a plan to get your supporters out to vote on election day. Voter turnout is so low in non-presidential years that this can make the difference between winning or losing. |
