News Highlights

Utah Republican leaders are taking steps to ensure that Utah’s 36 delegates to the National Republican Convention, who are pledged to Mitt Romney, are able to vote for John McCain (Deseret News, and Salt Lake Tribune).

Mayor Ralph Becker taps Wilf Sommerkorn to lead Salt Lake City's Planning Division (Salt Lake Tribune, KCPW, and Deseret News).

Quote of the Day

"Chambers are not notorious for voting for tax increases. But we felt it was enormously important to have an alternate route."

-- Steve Densley, president of the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce, explaining why business leaders supported a tax hike to bring FrontRunner commuter rail into Utah County. Groundbreaking for the new line is today at Thanksgiving Point (Tribune).

Utah’s Economy

Cup Half Full, or Half Empty?
News reports and a Zions Bank press release about an economic survey of Utah executives note declines in business leader economic expectations. But, in reality, the survey is not all bad news. It shows Utah’s business leaders are, overall, still more positive than negative about Utah’s economy.

While optimism about the economic future is at its lowest level since the Zions Bank survey began two years ago, that is entirely to be expected, since the economy is worse today than any time in the last two years. Still, the second quarter 2008 survey, conducted June 16 - July 11, showed a mean score of 6.45, on a scale of 1 to 10 (very pessimistic to very optimistic). That means Utah business leaders are still more optimistic than pessimistic. Some 30 percent of forecast panelists predict that their companies' economic health will be better during the upcoming quarter. That’s down from a high of 51 percent in the past, but still a healthy number. Some 41% expect their firm’s economic health will be about the same, and only 22% say it will be worse.

Even in the current difficult economy, more executives plan to increase their workforce (25 percent) than plan to decrease it (19 percent) in the upcoming quarter. The full 29-page report can be viewed online at https://utaheconomicforecast.com.

Hinckley Journal of Politics

Solving the Immigration Problem
In the latest edition of the Hinckley’s Institute’s Journal of Politics, Sen. Howard Stephenson and Hinckley legislative intern Jeffrey Adams make the case for private-sector, state-based solutions to failed national immigration policies.

In a lengthy article, the two argue that Utah needs more workers, that a statewide immigration summit is needed to help all stakeholders understand the scope of challenges associated with immigration, that security fraud has become a big problem and that national security is threatened by current immigration policy failings. They note Congress’s inability to deal properly with immigration and document the need for immigrant workers in various industries. They then suggest solutions that would restore the rule of law and use the free market to enforce worker visas. Read the full article and other Journal articles here.

Book: Mormon Presidential Candidates

Authors of a new book about Mormons who have run for president will hold a book signing Thursday evening, 7 p.m., at Sam Weller’s bookstore, 254 S. Main. Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster have written "Mormon Quest for the Presidency," which chronicles the experiences of 10 people of Mormon background who have sought the nation’s highest office. Foster expects to also have copies available of a new book he has written, "A Different God? Mitt Romney, the Religious Right, and the Mormon Question." It deals specifically with Mitt Romney's recent presidential campaign and the problems he faced. Both books are available at Amazon.com.

Washington Watch

Columnist: Yes to Bishop's Energy Legislation
Townhall: Columnist Harry R. Jackson Jr. endorses Rep. Rob Bishop's Americans for American Energy Act of 2008, noting: "As the co-chair of the 'Stop The War on The Poor' Campaign, I am committed to seeing the interests of the poor trumpeted. As someone who receives no money from big oil compaines and a non-scientist, I decided to read the summary of several [recently introduced energy] bills to ascertain whether the legislation proposed seemed to be reasonable. I wanted to know for myself whether the needs of the American public were being ignored in favor of the interests of the rich and powerful. The media and many pundits have characterized the Republican efforts as partisan, pro-big oil companies, and short sighted. As I have researched the kind of bills being proposed in the Congress, I was impressed at the breadth of several pieces of legislation. In fact, I discovered that there are a number of bills ... that could dramatically change the energy focus of the nation. I personally like Bishop's comprehensive approach to our energy dilemma."

Today in Political History

Aug. 12, 1898: The peace protocol ending the Spanish-American War is signed.

Aug. 12, 1898: Hawaii is formally annexed to the United States.

Aug. 12, 2004: The California Supreme Court voids the nearly 4,000 same-sex marriages sanctioned in San Francisco earlier in the year. (Source: NY Times)

Wise Words

"If by the liberty of the press were understood merely the liberty of discussing the propriety of public measures and political opinions, let us have as much of it as you please: But if it means the liberty of affronting, calumniating and defaming one another, I, for my part, own myself willing to part with my share of it, whenever our legislators shall please so to alter the law and shall chearfully consent to exchange my liberty of abusing others for the privilege of not being abused myself."

-- Benjamin Franklin (Source: Patriot Post)

Communications Tip

How to Catch the Media's Attention
By John P. David
Here are three top tips for building relationships with the press:

Can the canned speech. Reporters don’t want smoke and mirrors. Spokespeople need to have clear message points and be prepared when speaking with the media. Real opinions and verifiable facts will trump the spin every time. Lead with the truth about your positions and business or industry and you will be on your way.

Banish the gods of fear. Speak with authority and conviction; don't be afraid to speak your mind about issues that are important to your issues or campaign. Quotes with a measurable level of emotion will stand out. Too often, sources fear their strong words might do damage.

Help by "trendspotting," or better yet, "scoopspotting." Journalists love to identify the next big trend. Want a journalist to remember you, help them out by letting them know which way things are going. Further, if you can offer up a real nugget of unreported news (a scoop), you will have a friend for a long time. (Source: Public Relations)

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .
-- Wall Street Journal: "The violence between Russia and Georgia quickly thrust foreign policy into the U.S. presidential election, with John McCain standing to benefit and Barack Obama facing a more perilous situation. The conflict was soon cast as 'a 3 a.m. moment' -- a reference to Sen. Hillary Clinton's argument during the Democratic primary that Sen. Obama was unprepared for a middle-of-the-night phone call on a foreign-policy crisis."

-- Politico lists "7 worrisome signs for Obama."

-- USA Today: Both campaigns are employing "vetters" to comb "through the tax returns, campaign-finance reports, financial disclosure statements and other personal information of potential VP picks. They are sworn to secrecy as they search for a hidden time bomb that could derail a presidential campaign. One goal: Determine 'how the crazy, cynical left or right of the (political) spectrum is going to misuse the information,' said Washington lawyer Lanny Davis, who vetted Cabinet candidates, including Janet Reno, who became President Bill Clinton's attorney general."

-- New York Times: "Divisive social issues will be on the ballot in several states in November, including constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage in Arizona, California and Florida, and limitations on abortion in California, Colorado and South Dakota. Although research indicates that ballot measures do not drastically alter voter turnout, they have begun attracting the attention of both presidential campaigns."

Lighter Side

"90% of life is half mental."
-- Yogi Berra (Tea Leaf)

Elected Officials Birthday List

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