Extensive Political Coverage
The news media, both print and broadcast, are ratcheting up their campaign coverage with debates and lengthy articles on the candidates and races. There’s no reason for interested citizens not to be fully informed about the candidates and issues. Watch the Utah Policy Daily news links and calendar for the campaign coverage.
Washington Watch
Cannon Urges Leniency for Safavian
In letter, Rep. Chris Cannon asks a judge for leniency for his former chief of staff, David Safavian, who was convicted of lying to investigators about his dealings with embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff (Associated Press).
Blog Watch
Jeremy Manning, predicting the outcome of next month's election, says: "The Soviet like dominance of Republicans in Utah will continue. We need to keep trying to get reasonable/moderate people involved in the Democratic Party so Utah can have decent and ethical government. ... We need to marginalize our crazies first then encourage reasonable people to join up by promoting fair and ethical representation from their government. Healthy partisan competition benefits constituents no matter how they vote. ... I also believe that Republicans will maintain dominance of both houses of Congress. I think Democrats nationally have done a very poor job stating why they are better than the Republicans in nearly every area of interest to voters. They haven't said how they will help the already good economy (I don't consider a raise in the minimum wage an improvement). They haven't stated how they will do better than Republicans in keeping America safe from its enemies. They've done a good job cataloging the real and harmful errors of the Republicans in this area but they haven't explained why they are a better alternative. ... National Democrats often hide from the strong arguments in their favor because they are politically tone deaf and out of touch with most Americans. If we are going to get good responsive and politically competitive government we need our party to do a better job appealing to Americans for their votes because we deserve them ... not because the Republicans are so horrible"... Jesse Harris says of Prop. #3: "The Legislature has demonstrated again and again its inability to show some leadership on transportation policy, quibbling over the smallest of issues while neglecting to put the state's huge surpluses to work taking care of one-time transit projects. They couldn't even be bothered to tell us what exactly the tax increase from this question will pay for. Studies have been going on for years to identify what needs to be done, so the only question now is how much of the increase will be going into various projects. I say YES to getting these projects done sooner rather than later, saving us billions in long-term construction costs by leveraging today's lower prices for materials, labor, and land"... At Evangelicals for Mitt, David French says: "If you're like me (and by 'like me' I mean politically obsessed), you've seen the latest in the [Boston] Globe's manufactured 'Mormon Plan' scandal. Apparently, 'developer Kem Gardner' has now apologized this 'whole mess.' While no one has done anything that is actually, you know, wrong, the Globe has caused a headache for the Romney effort, and Kem is sorry for that. I haven't seen all of Kem's apology (I'm not sure if the Globe printed it all), but I've taken the liberty of crafting a new one for Kem, one that is actually appropriate for the events of this fake scandal. Here it is: Dear Boston Globe, I'm sorry. For many Things. I'm sorry that I am a person of sincere conviction and faith, and that I am also involved in politics. As a conservative. I now realize that such involvement makes me automatically suspect and worthy of investigation. I'm sorry that I'm not channeling all of my faith-based conservative energies into the appropriate channels as you define them. As a conservative, that means viewing my faith as an entirely private matter, one that should never intrude into my public life. I'm sorry that I'm not a liberal person of faith. In which case, I could help Governor Romney (if he were also a Democrat) campaign from the pulpit or film campaign commercials in church, and you would no doubt praise me for helping take the 'values issue' from the Republicans. I'm sorry that I'm a developer. Really, I am. I now understand that employing people, creating wealth, and -- worst of all -- putting buildings on previously undeveloped land is not a worthy endeavor. I pledge to stop this economically productive activity. Really, I'm just sorry that I'm not a rich Democratic developer, then I wouldn't be just 'developer Kem Gardner' to you, but instead 'philanthropist' Kem Gardner. I know this because just last month you called perhaps the nation's most prominent rich liberal a "billionaire financier and global philanthropist' despite the fact that there are other ways to describe George Soros, such as 'currency speculator George Soros' or 'insider trading convict George Soros.' I apologize for not knowing who you really are. I apologize for thinking that you are actually a serious newspaper rather than a partisan rag. I'll know better next time, and I know there will be a next time because you absolutely hate it when faithful people actually get together and talk about our culture, where it's headed, and why we need good leadership. Sincerely, Philanthropist Kem Gardner" [Note to readers: Kem Gardner is a moderate Democrat who once ran for the Utah governorship as a Democrat.] (see also here, here, and here).
Hatch, Bishop to Discuss Issues
Interested citizens are invited to a discussion with Sen. Orrin Hatch and 1st District Rep. Rob Bishop on Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at the Linquist Alumni Center, Weber State University, 1305 41st Street, Ogden. The two will discuss immigration, the energy crisis, and protecting America.
Weber County Commissioner Camille Cain will moderate the event, which is sponsored WSU College Republicans, Weber County Republican Women, and the Hatch Election Committee. For more info, contact Kitty Dunn, 801.856.0267, kitty.dunn@orrin2006.com.
National Politics
More Budget Stalemates Ahead?
Angry, divisive, partisan politics, which is likely to be the norm for the next two years in Congress, no matter which party is in control, does not bode well for progress on major budget issues, says Stan Collender in his NationalJournal.com column. “There will be little incentive for either party to work with the other and every proposed policy will be seen as an election issue.”
On-line Candidate Debate
District 31 legislative candidate Art Haddow writes: “The www.31stdistrictdebates.com website is up and fully running. This is an innovative way for citizens to hear issues from the candidates in House District 31. I instituted this as a way to make sure that all three candidates have a forum to express their views without the constraints of a two-minute meet-the-candidate venue. No one can express their side of an issue or even respond in the usual two minutes. This is the wave of the future. I urge anyone to sign up and ask questions of all the candidates.” |
