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...

Oh Canada...

Happy Birthday to our neighbor to the north...And in case you were wondering; No, I'm neither Canadian nor socialist. I just like those ketchup chips and wunderbars!

Frequently referred to as "Canada's birthday", particularly in the popular press,[1][2][3] the occasion marks the joining of the British North American colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on 1 July 1867. Although Canada is regarded as having become a kingdom in its own right on that date,[4] the British Parliament kept limited rights of political control over the new country that were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were surrendered in 1982 when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution.

Rock Stars: Nick and Jason Jonas(?)

Maybe Jason is the long lost 4th Jonas brother?? ;) I'm just saying...they're both rock stars.

A Brand in Trouble

With yesterday's bizarre news about Republican South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admitting to an affair with a woman from Argentina, coupled with the previous week's admission from Senator Ensign (R-NV) of infidelity, I have to wonder where does that leave the national Republican Party?

I don't think the timing could be worse. As this NYTimes article points out, the President was beginning to show some signs of waining support for his health care initiatives and a reluctance to publicly support the Iranian protesters.

Now this. I'm a bit embarrassed to be part of the national party right now. We don't practice what we preach on issues like family values any more. I understand nobody is perfect, but geesh these two guys were often mentioned as potential Presidential candidates for crying out loud. I think this really opens the door a bit further for someone like Mitt Romney in 2012.

Our own State GOP is in a bit of an image crisis as well. In today's SLTrib Herriman Representative Carl Wimmer was taken to task for his relationship with recently indicted businessman Rick Koerber. While I believe the story makes a pretty weak argument for a conflict of interest, still the public association doesn't help a state party still reeling from a cloudy ethics reputation.

I guess that sometimes life is more fascinating than fiction and we should all be entertained by the gossip, but really is hoping for elected leaders we can truly trust and believe in too much to ask for?

Cedar Hills Mayor & City Council Get Lit Up

I had to shake my head and laugh a bit when I read this article in the Daily Herald.

It's a piece from Caleb Warnock recounting his experience at a recent city council meeting regarding the city's public golf course. I really don't know much about the politics of the golf course, but apparently the Mayor and Council take issue with the way Caleb has portrayed them in a recent series of articles.

The point is, the Mayor and City Councilors of Cedar Hills forgot this ancient Chinese proverb (and I think you can also find it in the D&C): Never get in a fight with anyone who buys ink by the barrel. Actually, I think its attributed to Mark Twain...but still probably in the D&C somewhere.

I've been there before in both a congressional office and congressional campaign. And believe me the temptation to do what the City Council did is so hard to resist. "If only the reporters would be fair, you know see it from our side?" or "Come on now, that's piling on - going too far."

I've seen many elected officials try to combat the press. Some do informal boycotts - I believe Rob Bishop avoided the SLTrib for a while (probably still does if he knows what's good for him) and Rocky Anderson was more formal in his blackout of the Desnews towards the end of his term as Mayor in SLC.

Do these protests ever work? Not really. In the absence of your side of the story the press will fill the vacum. And usually, they'll seek a source to get your side, but it's not your words and therefore not ever going to tell the story as you see it.

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned from working campaigns is that when a 'bad' story is being written sometimes its best to make your case and then let the wave crash. Give it a few days to settle, focus on your own message, and get back to work.

The good Mayor and City Councilors of Cedar Hills would have done well to make the issue the issue (It's the Golf Course Stupid!) instead they are getting sidetracked by one version of the story told by the media. My advice to them: get in there, solve the real problem - the truth will find its way out eventually (good or bad).

Hat Tip: @SausageGrinder