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Washington Watch
Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett join a coalition of senators from Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico in urging a speedy resolution to the impasse preventing nationwide consumer access to the Mountain West Sports Network (see press release); Hatch hails Tuesday's announcement by the Department of Energy of a $20 million research program for the development of advanced batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles (press release).
Sen. Bennett introduces a provision that will give Utah water projects a $25 million boost (see press release).
Today in Political History
Sept. 26, 1789: Thomas Jefferson is appointed America's first Secretary of State
Sept. 26, 1914: Federal Trade Commission is established by Congress. (Source: Perspicuity)
Sept. 26, 1960: The first televised debate between presidential candidates occurs in Chicago as Republican Richard M. Nixon and Democrat John F. Kennedy square off. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
-- John F. Kennedy (Source: Quotations Page)
Campaign Tip
Database System Best Practices
By Benjamin A. Katz & Mark Rackers
While some politicos still cling doggedly to their well-loved clipboards and broken pencils, those items deserve a more appropriate interment in the Museum of Campaigns Past. Today, you simply must use a database system. It is the lifeblood of your campaign, the one place (ideally) where you will plan events, track fundraising, catalog volunteers, and manage your budget.
There are two things you should keep in mind about database systems. First, you need a good one. Second, you need to use it right. A good tool poorly used is no better than no tool at all. Imagine using your beautiful new Milwaukee brand cordless drill to pound a wood screw into a concrete wall. Hints on how to use your Database system well: Be Proactive, Be Flexible, Pick the Right System, and Invest the Time. See more on this topic at Complete Campaigns.
Campaign Kickoff Rebroadcast
The Northern Utah Transportation Alliance campaign kickoff press conference will be aired on Channel 17 in Davis County on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m. It is available to Comcast cable subscribers in Davis County and to everyone through live streaming video at www.daviscable17.com. It will replay several times over the next few weeks as the election approaches, including Friday, Sept. 28, 10:30 AM and 9 PM; Saturday, Sept. 29, 7 AM, 2 PM and 10 PM; and Sunday, Sept. 30, 10 AM, 3 PM and 9:30 PM.
The Northern Utah Transportation Alliance is running the campaign in Davis, Weber and Box Elder counties to win support for a quarter cent sales tax increase for transportation projects in the counties.
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- The Politico: "Top Republicans are privately bracing for the possibility that they could lose additional House seats in next year's elections as a result of untimely retirements, ongoing scandals and unexpectedly gloomy fundraising forecasts, according to several members and aides."
-- Washington Times: "The National Rifle Association, which did not endorse President Bush in 2000 and 2004 until just a month before the general election, is considering stepping into the presidential campaign fray early next year during the primary season, the group's chief lobbyist says."
-- Des Moines Register: "John McCain disagrees with John Kerry on most issues, but the Arizona Republican is hoping for a resurgence modeled after the Massachusetts Democrat's 2004 caucus success in Iowa."
-- Washington Post: Columnist E.J. Dionne: "This week's showdown over children's health insurance is the first skirmish in the new battle for universal health coverage. It is also the first confrontation between the president and Congress fought out almost entirely on terms set by the new Democratic majority."
Sutherland: Private, Public Schools Equally Diverse
The Sutherland Institute says it has conducted research showing "that Utah's private schools are as broadly diverse as its public schools. Considering the students that vouchers are primarily intended to serve -- low-income and minority students -- the Institute anticipates that private schools are likely to become even more diverse if HB148 becomes law" (see press release).
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Wayne Niederhauser says of this Trib article: "I am not suggesting that we do away with truth-in-taxation. If a taxing entity wants to increase revenues within the current year's inflation, they will still be required to hold a public hearing. However, if they want to increase revenues beyond the current year's inflation, it will require the vote of the people. It has been suggested that it would be a burden on taxpayers to be required to vote on tax increases. I submit that the burden is only a fraction of the burden that people are experiencing from increasing property taxes. I also submit that taxpayers are far more reluctant to vote for a property tax increase as opposed to a sales tax increase. The vote of the people is a logical check to the property tax problem."
-- Rep. John Dougall says: "ABC 4 Utah is reporting on the unethical practices of the anti-voucher crowd. A parent claims her child's teacher solicited an anti-voucher donation during a recent parent-teacher conference. ... How many additional 'anti-voucher contribution fans' has the UEA distributed to other teachers across the state? I guess if you're feeling the heat, you'll go to any lengths to find relief -- even if that includes coming up with lame excuses for illegal behavior." (For more on the voucher issue, see posts at CoolestFamilyEver, Part of the Plan, Woods Cross Citizen, and Utah State Democratic Party.)
Lighter Side
Favorite Headlines
(Source: James Taranto’s Best of the Web on OpinionJournal.com)
He Passed Away Quietly
"French Mime Marcel Marceau Dies"--headline, Associated Press, Sept. 23
Better Stock Up on Band-Aids
"New Xerox Products Promise Deep Cuts"--headline, Associated Press, Sept. 24
Must've Been Scary for the Other Passengers
"Firefighters Practice on Airplane"--headline, Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat, Sept. 25
Extinction Doesn't Have to Mean Forever
"New Dinosaurs Species Found in Montana"--headline, Montana State University press release, Sept. 24 |
