The Fourth Congressional Seat
Will Utah’s rush to get a 4th seat in Congress hurt the national Republican Party over the long term? Some Republicans think that’s the case. It sounds like a fair trade – a Republican seat in Utah for a Democratic seat in the District of Columbia, temporarily increasing the number of seats in the House to 437 from 435.
The problem is what happens during the next reapportionment process after the 2010 Census and the total number of seats reverts back to 435. Utah would receive at least one more seat at that point, anyway, but Washington, D.C., would retain its seat that would otherwise have likely gone to a high-growth Republican area of the country.
In fact, ironically, D.C. getting a permanent seat could actually keep Utah from getting a 5th seat in 2012. So Utah gets a Republican seat early, that it would have gotten anyway, while Democrats get a permanent Democratic seat that they never would have gotten.
However, if the political dynamics in Washington are such that the District is going to get a congressional seat no matter what happens in Utah, then we ought to go ahead with the 4th seat as soon as we can get it.
Podcast Watch
In this week’s InsideUtah.com podcast www.insideutah.com, Jennifer Napier-Pearce interviews ABC News political commentator and senior news analyst Cokie Roberts (:42) on what women bring to politics and the workplace; Dr. Todd Wilcox (11:15) on the ups and downs of providing health care to inmates; and Prof. John Horel (19:40) on the imprecise science of predicting weather in the West.
Washington Watch
Bennett, Hatch Support Bill
Sen. Bob Bennett tells "his Senate colleagues that his bill addressing conservation and growth challenges in Washington County must pass if the population explosion currently facing the county will be managed in a responsible way that will protect the region's public lands and resources" (see press release) (see also here for audio of Sen. Bennett's testimony); Sen. Orrin Hatch voices his support for the bill (press release).
Hatch: Reauthorize CHIP
Sen. Hatch holds a hearing on the State Child Health Insurance Program, which he says "must be reauthorized" (see press release) (see also related Capital News Service and UPI stories).
Matheson: Bad Divine Strake Decision
Rep. Jim Matheson says "a decision by a federal defense agency to detonate a 700-ton conventional blast at the Nevada Test Site, not in New Mexico, still leaves many questions unanswered and remains a non-starter for him" (see press release); the Blue Dog Democrats, including Rep. Matheson, "helped propel the Democrats to victory in last week's election, and now [they] want their reward: a decidedly conservative fiscal policy that begins with a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget" (Los Angeles Times); the Blue Dogs and moderate House Republicans may create a new formal bipartisan coalition (Raw Story).
National Politics
In a Wall Street Journal essay Newt Gingrich outlines how he thinks President Bush and Republicans in Congress should work with the new Democratic majority.
Mitt Romney Discussion
Tom Grover reports that Logan radio station KVNU has posted a blog entry discussing how well Mitt Romney has handled the Mormon Question with the media, and an MP3 of the show.
Blog Watch
Paul Rolly says of Utah GOP Chairman Joe Cannon's resignation: "Sources close to the chairman say he had decided some time ago to quit right after the election, but was keeping that decision to himself until the election was over. They say the reason Cannon is leaving early is because of his professional duties. ... The State Republican Party has enjoyed enormous success during the past six years of Cannon's leadership. ... Cannon has been credited with keeping the party together during contentious times when as many as eight Republicans vied for governor in 2004 and a flurry of Republican candidates jostled with each other for the nominations of the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts in 2002. He once asked to speak at the Utah Eagle Forum's annual convention in Orem and was basically shouted off the Dais when he suggested the group support all Republicans, even the more centrist Republicans who defeat more conservative Republicans in party convention and primary battles. But he has been able to hold together a coalition of the moderate and conservative factions of the party without a depletion of the party's clout".... Jesse Harris says: "What a week for transit news. First the legislature pulls a fast one by demanding more research before prioritizing projects in Salt Lake County even though the tax increase has already passed. Then we have the County Council shuffling money around all over the valley instead of concentrating it on the fast-growing west side. (By the way, Mark Crockett, it's a 'bait and switch', not a Ponzi scheme. Thought you should know.) Is anyone willing to take transit seriously in this town or are we gunning to be the new Los Angeles?".... Louis Gray says: "In the left wing blogosphere, it seems there is one religious group that does not receive the same welcomes, the same understanding, the same care that others do -- apparently being Mormon ... is a key delimiter that defines people based on their single characteristic. I don't see that any other religion, be you Muslim, Jewish, Presbyterian or Catholic, raises the ire of the left's community with such clarity -- and any politician who happens to be Mormon cannot act independent of their faith without being constantly reminded of it".... At The Right Angle, Robert B. Bluey says: "National Review and the American Spectator may be going ga-ga over Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but before anyone else proclaims that Romney is 'continuing to lock up the right-wing mag vote,' I'd like to point out that at HUMAN EVENTS we actually believe in taking a hard look at a candidate's credentials and policy positions before rushing to judgment. Of course, we consider our publication a NEWSpaper, so I suppose it doesn't really matter" (see also here, here, here, and here).
Casual Friday
For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
Outdoors Report
-- It’s chilly outside, but the fishing season isn’t over. It’s the best time of the year to fish for whitefish, according to this DWR news release
-- Morning News reports on Utah’s wild turkeys and the DWR release of them today
-- Tribune’s poll gathers readers’ opinions on Utah’s ski resorts
-- Ski resorts open on time in the Morning News
-- Explore the Stansbury Mountains in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state
New Films
-- Casino Royale: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Happy Feet: Rotten Tomatoes
Concerts
-- “Italian Gala,” Lynette Owens and George Dyer, Friday, 7:30 p.m., St. Luke Episcopal Church, 4595 N. Silver Springs Drive, Park City, suggested donations $35-$75 will be accepted; dinner is included
-- Lawrence Green, classical guitar, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Assembly Hall, Temple Square, free
-- “Le Vent du Nord,” French-Canadian music, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Browning Center, WSU, Ogden, $10-$12 (800-978-8457)
-- U. Flute Choir, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall, U., free
-- “Dance Untitled,” Imagine Ballet Theater, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Peery's Egyptian Theater
-- “Life Cycles,” Salt Lake Community dance company, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Grand Theatre, South City Campus, 1575 S. State, $5-$8, half price with donation of two cans of food (801-957-3322)
-- Orchesis Dance Theatre, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Browning Center, WSU, Ogden, $5.50-$8.50 (626-6800 or 800-978-8457)
-- “Polarity,” Brigham Young University Dance Ensemble, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Richards
-- Utah Symphony with Garrick Ohlsson, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Repertory Dance Theatre & Tanner Dance, Saturday, 11 a.m., Rose Wagner Center, $5
-- Barrage, a high-octane fiddle-fest, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Eccles Center, Park City
-- Cellist Jesus Morales and Salt Lake Symphony, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U.
-- Utah Ballet, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday at 2 p.m., Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, U.
-- Formosan Violin-Piano Duo, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Assembly Hall, Temple Square, free
-- “Time Capsule: A Century of Dance” Repertory Dance Theatre Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Theatre
Theater
-- “IMPROV! The Musical” through November 18, The Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Pride and Prejudice” through November 18, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “Wait Until Dark” through November 18, Hale Center Theater
-- “Urinetown” through November 19, Babcock Theatre
-- “Man of La Mancha” through November 25, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Facing East” through November 26, Plan-B Theatre Company
-- “Ice Glen” through December 3, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “Savior of the World” through December 30, LDS Conference Center
-- “Jack Frosty: He'Snowman to Mess With” through January 6, Desert Star Cabaret
Museum Exhibits
-- Five Outer Planets Exhibition through December 27, Unseen Shores: The Post-Vietnam Era from the U.S. Navy Art Collection through January 13, Peace Garden Exhibition through January 27, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Sideshow through January 28, Utah Museum of Fine Art
Et Cetera
-- Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., downtown
-- Gallivan Center Ice Rink Opening Night, Friday 6 – 11 p.m., free skating admission and free rentals
-- Utah Folk Arts Celebration, through Nov. 21, dates and times vary, Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South |
