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Washington Watch
Hatch: Fight Cyber Criminals
Sen. Orrin Hatch introduces legislation that would strengthen the federal government's ability to combat cyber-crimes (see press release).
Matheson: Improve Mine Communications
Rep. Jim Matheson introduces legislation that directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a technological initiative that would allow underground miners to communicate with workers above ground during an emergency (see press release).
Tuesday Profile
Stan Lockhart: State GOP Chairman
By GM Jarrard
 General William Tecumseh Sherman made famous the quote: "If drafted, I will not run; if nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve." After his march through Georgia and the Deep South, he gained political notoriety in both the North and the South. And his speech made him even more legendary. Nowadays, his dictum is often employed by more ordinary folks for more ordinary reasons:
They’re too busy.
Or, they make too much money for public service.
They don’t like the heat, so they stay out of the kitchen.
Or, even they employ scripture: “I was not called, so I was not chosen.”
Many learned in the military never too volunteer for anything.
And then there are people like Stan Lockhart who just can’t say no.
Meet Stan Lockhart, the relatively new Republican State Party Chairman. He did not seek nor did he want his new job.
And the party had been in turmoil for months. Folks were fired, the debt was piling up and wasn’t Stan just too busy with boards, volunteer organizations and his church work, not to mention his day job at Micron/IM Flash Technologies? He could have passed it up.
But he ran anyway in a surprisingly crowded field last June and won. So, the question is, why?
“Some friends called and were very persuasive,” he says. Gary Herbert, the lieutenant governor and former Utah County Commissioner, was one. Senate majority leader and close friend Curt Bramble was another.
And, then, of course, there was Edmund Burke:“Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.”
Lockhart’s wife, Becky, was ambivalent. As a state legislator with kids still at home, she could have nixed the deal. But, she didn’t. It was her husband’s call. (Read complete profile)
James Buchanan and the Mormons
Not only did Buchanan send 2,400 troops to Utah to replace Brigham Young as governor, but he tried in vain to scheme with the Russians to force-colonize the Mormons to Alaska. As a parting shot, Buchanan chopped the Utah Territory in half two days before leaving office (thereby creating Nevada). (From Mike Winder’s Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America’s Presidents and the LDS Church)
Today in Political History
October 23, 1915: About 25,000 women march in New York City demanding the right to vote. (Source: NBC5)
October 23, 1956: A widespread revolution against Communist rule erupts in Poland and Hungary. Brutally put down by the Russians.
October 23, 1983: Beirut bombings kills 269 Marines and 58 French paratroopers. (Source: Perspicuity)
Oct. 23, 1987: The U.S. Senate rejects the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Robert H. Bork on a 58-42 vote. (National Journal political calendar)
Wise Words
“The main thing that endears the United Nations to member governments, and so enables it to survive, is its proven capacity to fail. You can safely appeal to the United Nations in the comfortable certainty that it will let you down.”
-- Conor Cruise O'Brien, Irish historian, critic, and statesman (Source: Quotes Exchange)
Communications Tip
Dealing With the News Media
(Written for researchers, but applicable to public policy)
1. When interviewed about your research, don't hesitate to convey your excitement about your findings or passion for your work. Television and radio reporters, especially, gravitate towards those who can not only explain their findings and the significance of their findings in everyday language but who can also connect with audiences by conveying their commitment to their work and their joy over eureka moments.
2. Nobody's perfect. So when you give a less-than-perfect answer to a reporter's question, or give an answer that's factually incorrect - start over. Be straightforward and tell the reporter you would like to rephrase your response. If you discover after an interview that one of the facts you gave is incorrect, call the reporter back with the correct information. Reporters want their stories to be accurate. (Source: Queen’s University)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Wall Street Journal: "Arguments over who is the most conservative candidate took center stage [Sunday] night, as the Republican presidential candidates sparred in their ninth and perhaps testiest forum so far. ... [B]ut much of the debate was devoted to a larger issue for anxious Republicans: Who will be the strongest candidate to lead the party to victory in 2008 against New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton?"
-- Washington Post: "Rudy Giuliani and John McCain long ago traded places in the Republican presidential campaign, but after Sunday's Florida debate, the former mayor should not make the mistake of misjudging the Arizona senator the way McCain once underestimated him."
-- The Times (UK): "London has become a cash cow for US presidential candidates seeking to fund their 2008 White House bids, with almost half of all overseas donations coming from the capital."
-- The Hill: "President Bush on Monday submitted a $196.4 billion supplemental spending bill to Congress that would fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008. ... 'Parts of this war are complicated, but one part is not, and that is America should do what it takes to support our troops and protect our people,' Bush said."
Lighter Side
“As a rule, we don’t trust government, we don’t trust politicians, and we’ve always had our doubts about public restrooms.”
-- Democratic Leadership Council President Bruce Reed, on his home state of Idaho (Campaign & Elections magazine)
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