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The Doggiest Dog Days are Still Ahead
These really are the dog days of summer. Who wants to focus on politics when it's so hot outside? I did some quick research to see if, statistically, there's any relief in sight. I found from the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC) that we're now entering the hottest few weeks of the year and cooling doesn't really begin until about mid-August. Here are some weather facts:
-- July is the hottest month of the year, with an average daily high temperature of 93.7. August is slightly cooler, with a 90.3 degree average high. There is no one hottest day of the year, because on several July days the average high is 94.
-- The hottest period, on average, runs from July 12 to Aug. 10, when the average high fluctuates between 92 and 94 degrees. The average temperature drops to 90 degrees or below to stay about Aug. 16. The average lows bounce around between 63 and 65 degrees from July 9 to Aug 16.
-- Want to cool off? According to WRCC data, there is about a 3 degree decrease in mean annual temperature for each 1,000-foot increase in altitude, and approximately 1.5 to 2 degree decrease in average yearly temperature for each one degree increase in latitude. Translation: Go high and go north to chill out. Golly, the things you can read in UPD.
Today in Political History
July 11, 1798: The US Marine Corps is created by an act of Congress
July 11, 1804: Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton meet at dawn in a duel in New Jersey, the result of a perceived insult. Hamilton is fatally wounded and dies the following day.
July 11, 1955: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs Public law 84-140, mandating that the motto "In God We Trust" appears on all U. S. currency and coinage. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
"The only fair way to talk about somebody is to imagine he is listening to every word you say."
-- O. A. Battista (Salt Lake Tribune Cryptoquote)
Campaign Tip
Provide a Contrast With Opponent
Contrasts are one of the most important elements of a campaign’s message. If you don’t define the difference between you and your opponent, your opponent will and you’re not going to like the outcome of your election. Take a few seconds right now to write down the three most important contrasts between you and your opponent. Then, audit all of your campaign communication (eg. literature, mail, website, speeches) to be sure those contrasts are included and featured. You don’t have to go negative, but you have to provide voters a reason to vote for you instead of your opponent. (Source: Campaign Tips)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Washington Post: "President Bush, facing a growing Republican revolt against his Iraq policy, has rejected calls to change course but will launch a campaign emphasizing his intent to draw down U.S. forces next year and move toward a more limited mission if security conditions improve, senior officials said [Tuesday]."
-- The Hill: "The wheels came off Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign [Monday] as high-level staffers resigned amid infighting and acrimony. Longtime McCain adviser and friend John Weaver, campaign manager Terry Nelson, political director Rob Jesmer and deputy campaign manager Reed Galen all resigned from the campaign."
-- Los Angeles Times: Fred Thompson "is being promoted as a godsend for conservatives dissatisfied with the established field of Republican [presidential] candidates. But during his eight-year Senate career ... Thompson was far from a champion of the party's conservative core. In fact, in the two enterprises where he made his biggest mark -- the fundraising hearings of 1997 and the successful drive for campaign finance overhaul -- Thompson infuriated conservatives."
-- Des Moines Register: "A group of [Iraq War veterans] will campaign in [Iowa] next week in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. [Tuesday] in Des Moines, Obama will outline ways that he says millions of American families are suffering, partly because of the $250 million-a-day cost of the war. Together, the events are intended to be a one-two punch to knock out notions that the Illinois senator is weak on defense because of his longtime stand against the war and his call to bring troops home."
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Curt Bramble reports on Day 2 of the Utah delegation's visit to Liaoning, China.
-- At UtahSenateDemocrats, Sen. Scott McCoy discusses a DCFS case that "demonstrates why Utah's policy prohibiting gay adoption simply does not make sense."
-- Utah Taxpayer says the "current system for electing State Board of Education members is too easily manipulated."
-- Paul Rolly reports: "The Utah Republican Party, which has had its share of turmoil the past few months, has a new permanent executive director. State Chairman Stan Lockhart says the job has been turned over to Ivan Dubois, who has worked for the party in various capacities for the past several months."
Lighter Side
“I’m a member of the bicycle caucus . . . I have a carbon-neutral way of life now.”
-- Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., on life after losing his driver’s license for DUI, quoted in Campaigns & Elections magazine
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