Be my Valentine

Governor Valentine? He wants it. He's in.



Update

Be my Urquhart

Urquhart Positioning Himself for 2010? Steve was pondering a run at Hatch a few years back. Is he interested in Governor? He has the ambition but does he have the guts? I don't think he runs...

Politifact.com

Maybe I'm a johnny come lately to this new site, but I just came across Politifact.com. Its a sort of public-official-statement-fact-checker thingy. Really kind of interesting. It's a project founded and sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times. I'm still scanning through it to see if its got a liberal or conservative bias, but it seems to be on the up and up.

It includes an "Obameter" which tracks President Obama's campaign promises by whether they've been fulfilled, in-progress, broken, stalled, or no action. Also, if you look at the site you'll see that a lot of the statements that fall into the "Liar Liar Pants on Fire" category tend to come from the far right when they are criticizing the Obama Administration on the health care issue. But there are a few from the far left in there as well.

It's an interesting premise that I think the Internet facilitates really well. The key to something like this working has to be its credibility and lack of bias. Its kind of fun to see the various spin-miesters (including Utah's own adopted son - Glen Beck - gasp!) being taken to task for stretching the truth. In a world of who do you really believe, its nice to have another resource to use to verify the accuracy of the dialogue and debate.

So - for example, they take former House Minority Whip Representative Roy Blunt's (R-Mo) statement: "I'm 59. In either Canada or Great Britain, if I broke my hip, I couldn’t get it replaced" and break it down citing sources then ultimately assigning it a "Pants on Fire" label. Come to find out people even older than the Congressman often get hip replacement surgeries in both Canada and Great Britain.

For another "Pants on Fire" statement: Joe Biden talking about the Swine Flu on the Today Show: ""When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft." Turns out a sneeze would just go a couple of rows.

It's these sort of off the cuff exagerations and in some cases out and out lies that dialute the facts from the honest debate. So whether this site is perfect or not I still applaud the concept and hope to see more of these sites pop up in the future.

Is the Tent Big Enough?

Check out this interesting article on UtahPolicy.com "Are Political Moderates Welcome in the Utah Republican Party?" It features insightful commentary from four GOP perspectives. I thought the most thoughtful was from Thomas Wright, Chairman of the SLCO GOP.

Thomas notes Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment - "Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican." Good advice for any team, family, business, or any organization really. As a member of any team I think it's important to show a united front.

As I read the article I was reminded of my New Mexico days. I was a staffer on (former) Congresswoman Heather Wilson's reelection campaign a few years ago. Last year, she ran for US Senate when Pete Domenici announced his retirement (I did a graduate internship and was a staffer in his office as well - all back in the day). Heather represented Albuquerque which was 60% Democrat and she walked a delicate line as a conservative representing a left-leaning area.

Her Republican colleague in the southern part of the state was Representative Steve Pearce. Steve's district was much more conservative and he himself had a strongly conservative record. Well - to make a long story short - they both ran for Senate in a tough primary, beat each other up, Pearce narrowly wins in a Republican Primary then goes on to get totally trounced by Democrat Tom Udall (an inactive Mormon with Utah ties by the way) the liberal leaning Congressman from the northern part of the state. Both Heather's and Steve's former districts go Democrat.

So really - if the GOP were thinking strategically it would have been a better play for each of them to run again as incumbants in the House and both unite behind another strong GOP player -OR- to elect Wilson in the Primary where a moderate record would have played better to a largely Democrat state. Would Heather have won? You never know. With Obama on top of the ticket it was probably tough for any GOP to win there, but the odds would have been much improved with her on the ticket vs. Pearce. Fast forward to next year - Pearce is likely to run for his old seat and Wilson is rumored to run for Governor now that Bill Richardson is term-limited out.

In the end, disagreement and discussion are vital to the health of any organization but when we cannibalize our own it's shortsighted and harms the overall cause. I hope there is room for various positions in the party. With shifting demographics (see Salt Lake County) I hope it's more real than talk or we'll find ourselves in the minority soon enough.

Provo Mayor and City Council Races

I have to apologize for not posting for a while. As a certified political junkie I've been working on a couple of Provo city campaigns. Two candidates I'm really excited about are John Curtis for Provo Mayor, and Laura Cabanilla (rhymes with 'vanilla') for the Provo City-Wide Council seat. You can expect to see their signs around town, cottage meetings, and other public events soon.

I met John over eight years ago and have been impressed ever since. He's an executive with Action Target here in Provo. He's also a problem solver, listener, and hard worker.

Laura is incredibly qualified and talented. She's an attorney at Esplin Weight in an office her husband restored located in Downtown Provo. Not only did she complete law school with four young kids (including triplets!), she's also an Lt. Colnel in the Army Reserves. Provo couldn't ask for a person more ready to serve.

Neither John nor Laura are affiliated in any way, but I've been lucky to meet them and get involved early on in their campaigns. I believe these two really stand out among those running.

Some say you should wait and get to know all of the candidates and their issues. I feel I'm pretty well plugged into the issues and know the candidates fairly well, therefore I'm completely comfortable committing to these two early. And I'd encourage you to find a candidate or two that you really identify with and get out and help them too.

There's something to be said about those early days of a campaign. You can have more influence on the candidate's issues, message, and outreach strategies if you get involved early, work hard, and show your loyalty.

Check out John and Laura's sites and make an effort to get to know them and their vision. Heck, even offer to volunteer!

John Curtis: www.johncurtis.org

Laura Cabanilla: www.laura4provo.com

Iowa Get's Saturday Afternoon-Caucus-Fever

Since 1972 Iowa has been the first state in the country to hold it's political party caucuses. The caucuses are seen as the first major event in the electoral process for the US Presidency. Iowa Republicans and Democrats have just agreed to hold the caucuses on a Saturday afternoon. This is a big deal. I'll tell you why in a moment.

Iowa's caucuses traditionally have been held on Thursday nights, Utah's on Tuesdays but otherwise they are somewhat similar, they are held in neighborhood homes, schools, and other similar locations. These people elect delegates who then go on to represent their neighbors in their various county and state party conventions.

One of the biggest criticisms of these types of caucuses is that people who have to work, have children, are serving in the military, or otherwise occupied on a Thursday/Tuesday night cannot attend. These meetings can often run up to two hours making it difficult for many people to stick it out to the end. So what happens is that only those who are "super" motivated will attend and ultimately become delegates.

If a candidate garners 60% of the delegate vote at a county convention they forgo a Primary election. It's common for many of our elected officials to be elected at county conventions, avoiding a Primary and because of the GOP dominance in Utah they are more often than not all but guaranteed election in the general election come November.

In Utah, the common way of thinking suggests that the most extreme members of the two parties attend these events and subsequently become delegates. So the logic follows: extreme delegates elect extreme elected officials.

Extreme may be a bit too strong, but in the State GOP most educated observers will concede that the delegates are generally more conservative than the greater electorate. But given the process by which they are elected (on one single Tuesday night in March) is it really a surprise?

So I see the Iowa shift as a positive example for Utah to follow. Those in power have little incentive to shake up the status quo, but if we are intellectually honest promoters of democracy I believe we should make these meetings more accessible to more voters. (On a side-note, ever wonder why the Republicans always oppose "motor voter" registrations? You know, allowing folks to register when they renew their drivers licenses? It's because they think the more average folks are more likely to register as Democrats).

Is Saturday the best day? I'm not sure. Our caucuses used to be on Monday nights and were generally better attended, but given the traditional observance of the LDS family home evenings held on Monday there was pressure to move it to Tuesday. I actually think it would be a great family activity. What better way to introduce your children to the electoral process than watching their parents actively participate?

Monday, Saturday, I don't really care but if we truly want a representative democracy let's make these events more accessible.

Hill Air Force Base Classifieds: F-22 For Sale/Hire

Earlier this week the Senate stripped out the funding for the F-22 fighter plane. A savings of nearly two billion dollars. It's a plane that has amazing capabilities: it's designed for air to air combat, can fly at supersonic speeds and avoid radar detection (just like my '96 Passat).

But - it's never been used once in the war(s) in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I've seen some interesting arguments on both sides. The Wall Street Journal Opines that the cuts are only a drop in the bucket and America should be prepared for the next big war, noting that China is beefing up it's armed forces. And I can sort of buy that.

But I'm less convinced by the arguments from congress such as our own Rob Bishop from the first district. Primarily because I don't believe his motives are purely national defense. Congressman Bishop argues that:

“This (Bishop's) amendment will save jobs and get the Air Force more of what they want and need, but most importantly it will help provide for the defense of the country.”

The key is the first part of the sentence - JOBS. I think one of the worst things a Member of Congress can have in their district is a military base. Because, your motives for protecting the country become secondary to protecting the local economy.

I understand America needs a strong national defense. I understand that (most) equipment used for our defense needs to be manufactured on American soil. I just get a little annoyed when Congress puts their own (re-election) interests ahead of the country's.

He's baaAAAaaack!

Superdell Schanze is running for mayor of Saratoga Springs.

This guy needs a platform like Imelda Marcos needs another pair of shoes. But still, this is why America is so great. A guy who some see as a certifiable nut can file and run for office anywhere in the country.

I just visited his blog. He starts off with a great gem Posted July 14th:

"SARATOGA SPRINGS — After an unsuccessful run for governor last year, Dell "Superdell" Schanze is giving politics another try with a run for mayor of Saratoga Springs.

(“unsuccessful”??? Well it takes them 3 words to start in on the negative bashing. “try”? Yet another negative and suggestive poke. These people are freaking evil."

This guy needs a thicker skin. Who is he running against? Another candidate or the media?

I wish him the best but if his first volley is a rant against the media and not about his platform or the issues I think he's going to have a hard time convincing the people of Saratoga Springs to take him seriously.

Should be entertaining to watch though...

Sotomyor Hearings - its not what you think

The Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor begin today. Some people would have you think these hearings are about Judge Sotomyor herself, the Supreme Court, the future of the Supreme Court, or the current state of our justice system...

But they're not.

The hearings are about the Senate.

Just watch them and you'll see for yourself.

Calling BS on the BCS Hearings

Note to Senator Hatch and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff: Quit Grandstanding! You have better things to do!

In my humble opinion.

How Bizarre

So Sarah Palin is resigning as Governor of Alaska. Huh. If you are a real Gov. Palin fan you may want to click to the next blog now.

Not quite sure what to make of it. Truth be told I was never a big fan. When the news first emerged that she was McCain's running mate I was disappointed. I mean, one's first reaction to a VP choice shouldn't be ...Who? I always felt the choice was gimmicky as the plug-in 'my campaign needs a conservative woman' so McCain could check those boxes on the list of things his campaign needed to be successful. I never felt it was because the McCain camp felt she had genuinely good ideas to add to the debate.

She did deliver an awesome speech at the NRC convention and she opened the door enough for me to give her a chance. But then after that it seemed misstep after misstep just provided fuel to a skeptic media and then ultimately cementing her as a cartoon character on Saturday Night Live.

Just like the original SNL cast Governor Palin was "not quite ready for prime time." Was she treated unfairly by the media? Probably. Was she treated any differently by the media? Not really. The media is what it is...I mean just watch the interview with Katie Couric, it was a simple question: what newspapers to do you read? She was a trainwreck from there, but at that level you expect someone to bounce back and she never really has.

I'll be the first to admit that George W Bush was not a cerebral President. That's why I think it's all that more important that the next GOP Presidential offering is seen as an intellectual. Or at least one that is more than one liners and has some depth. Sarah Palin is not that person.

In then end I have to wonder if all the attention was just too much for her. In an odd way I'm reminded of Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent fame. Too much. Too fast.

Too bad...