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The Week Ahead
The Republican State Organizing Convention is this Saturday, June 9, at the South Towne Expo Center. Delegates will select a new chair and other party officers. See other political events this week at the UtahPolicy.com calendar.
Mormons and Politics
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has posted a lengthy transcript of a May 14 event focused on “Mormonism and Democratic Politics: Are They Compatible?” The transcript includes a speech by historian Richard Bushman giving a speech about Mormons and politics from a historical perspective, then discussions with leading journalists such as E.J. Dionne from the Washington Post, John Fund from the Wall Street Journal, Mike Allen from The Politico, Ken Woodward from Newsweek, Barbara Bradley Hagerty from NPR, Sally Quinn from the Washington Post, Dan Harris, ABC News, and others. The presidential candidacy of Mitt Romney is a key topic of discussion, along with Mormon political and religious beliefs in general.
Today in Political History
June 4, 1892: The Sierra Club is incorporated in San Francisco.
June 4, 1989: Tanks roll into Beijing's Tiananmen Square and soldiers fire on unarmed students and workers protesting for democratic reforms. (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still.”
--Thomas Paine (Source: Patriot Post)
Leadership Tip
What Do Employees Really Want?
According to an online survey of 4,100 employees, the priorities listed by job seekers are:
• 60%, Challenging & Interesting Work
• 58%, Recognition & Rewards
• 44%, Opportunity for Fast Career Growth & Advancement
• 42%, Financially Rewarding/Change to Prosper in the Long Run
• 42% People-orientation
So, what are you offering your employees? (Source: Leadership Now)
Regional Politics
Denver Post: "Time will tell whether Aaron P. Million's plan to bring water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to the Front Range will make him a legend in Colorado water lore or just another wild-eyed, big-talker with a water scheme. ... It is a solution for a growing state with a dwindling water supply threatened by climate change and drought, according to Million. Or it is a complex, expensive, potentially environmentally dubious plan that could jeopardize downstream water-sharing agreements and may never happen anyway, according to other water experts and environmentalists."
National Politics
-- Bloomberg: "John McCain is betting that he can revive his reputation for straight talk, and his campaign, by challenging his rivals for the Republican nomination on the issue of immigration. McCain, 70, is championing legislation that the other contenders, and many of the party's core voters, denounce as an amnesty program for illegal immigrants. While some Republican strategists say this strategy risks political suicide, the Arizona senator said he is following a contrarian script that has served him well."
-- OpinionJournal: Columnist Peggy Noonan: "What political conservatives and on-the-ground Republicans must understand at this point is that they are not breaking with the White House on immigration. They are not resisting, fighting and thereby setting down a historical marker -- 'At this point the break became final.' That's not what's happening. What conservatives and Republicans must recognize is that the White House has broken with them. What President Bush is doing, and has been doing for some time, is sundering a great political coalition. This is sad, and it holds implications not only for one political party but for the American future" (see also related Kimberly A. Strassel column).
-- Washington Post: Columnist E.J. Dionne: "So when Democratic presidential candidates get together, they argue about who has the best health-care plan. When Republicans have a big discussion, it's about torture and who'll use it when. ... [T]he contrast points to one of the strangest qualities of the 2008 presidential campaign: Our two political parties and their candidates are living in parallel universes. It's as if the candidates were running for president in two separate countries. Their televised debates [this] week will be productions as different from each other as 'American Idol' is from 'P.T.I.'"
-- National Journal: Columnist William Powers: "Unlike most public figures who get their little time in the sun and inevitably fade away, [Bill and Hillary Clinton] never become old news. They are the ultimate media evergreens ... Who are the Clintons, really? Inspired public servants? Power-mad Machiavellians with a secret plan to take over the world? Both? Neither? It's one of the culture's great questions. Some of the most talented journalists on the planet have tackled the conundrum but nobody has produced a really satisfying answer."
GrassRoosts Honors Legislators
The conservative organization Utah GrassRoots recently recognized the Utah legislators who ranked highest on GrassRoots' legislative scorecard. Honored in order of rank were Sens. Margaret Dayton, Howard Stephenson, and Scott Jenkins, and Reps. Aaron Tilton, Michael Morley, Craig Frank, John Dougall, Curt Oda, Carl Wimmer, Becky Lockhart, Glenn Donnelson, and Christopher Herrod.
Blog Watch
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "Speaker Curtis (and I understand the Governor also) might favor the idea of a special session to wipe out both voucher bills and pass a new one (which would be the same as the final product from the session) with a delayed implementation date to allow for a vote by the citizens. Cool. However, I see that some of the more zealous voucher opponents are still positioning for procedural advantage. ('I think it is a very bad idea,' said Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. 'It is a way to actually prevent a binding vote,' said Rep. Kay McIff, R-Richfield). Two steps forward, one backward, I guess. At this point, the win that really matters isn't on vouchers; it is on democratic process. Give people a clear vote, and let's live with the outcome. I hope the Gov. jumps in with both feet. He has a great ability to bring people together, and that is clearly needed. If our leading citizens call for a clear path, I believe it will emerge. Again, call me naive, but I believe this exercise can lift political dialogue and participation in Utah to new levels" (for more on the voucher issue, see Death Knell).
-- Pete Ashdown http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/06/01/ralph-becker-for-mayor/ explains why he's endorsing Ralph Becker for mayor of SLC.
-- The Utah Amicus posts "[a] chronicle of Senator John Edwards' visit to Utah in photos" (see also related Voice of Utah post).
-- KVNU's For The People posts an audio interview with The Utah Amicus' Rob Miller about the Utah blogosphere/"Bloghive."
Lighter Side
“She got her looks from her father. He’s a plastic surgeon.”
-- Groucho Marx (Source: Tea Leaf) |
