Video: Bernick and Schott on Politics - July 20, 2012
by Bryan Schott and Jeff Bell
07/20/2012 | 800 views | 1 1 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print
This week Jeff Bell, host of The Left Show podcast, fills in for Bob Bernick who is on vacation. He and Bryan Schott discuss Mitt Romney's tax return problem, fundraising for a number of Utah candidates and, of course, Batman.

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July 20, 2012
In this week's video, Bryan Schott postulates that the down ballot effect of the Mitt Romney presidential candidacy will be an increase in votes for all Republican candidates.

Clearly, the Romney candidacy will increase voter turnout among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This will yield a sizable, if not overwhelming majority for Mitt Romney. Even, Democratic Mormons will vote in substantial numbers for Mitt Romney over Barack Obama. The impact for down ballot Republicans remains questionable.

Cognitive dissonance place a significant role in the lower races as voters must decide between Republican and Democrats. Registered independents will feel the need to state their independence by splitting their votes between Republicans and Democrats. Once they have voted for Mitt Romney, Orrin Hatch, and Gary Herbert, they will confront an internal conflict: Are they Republicans or are they independents? Their inclination will be to vote for some Democrats to maintain their psychological equilibrium.

This could result in victories for down ballot Democrats in the secondary political races.

A Democratic candidate who frames his message saying "If you vote for the man and not for the party, you should vote for me because I am the best man" could garner enough votes to win. This should create optimism for Dee Smith for Attorney General and for Den McAdams for Salt Lake County Major. McAdams is already framing this message with his Republicans for McAdams group.

One of the other candidates who could benefit from this strategy is Congressman Jim Matheson who has the support of the Chamber of Commerce. More than likely, he will receive support the National Rifle Association (NRA) as well. This will give the registered independent the cover they need to vote for Matheson over ultra right wing candidate Mia Love.

One other factor that warrants consideration. Political polling finds that the majority of the American public favors balanced government between the two major political parties. They do not like the idea of one party rule. Independents tend to switch back and forth to accomplish this objective.
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Ten Things You Need to Know for Friday
by Bryan Schott
May 24, 2013 | 752 views | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Countdown: There are 166 days to the 2013 municipal elections, 249 days until the start of the 2014 Legislature, 525 days until the 2014 midterm elections and 962 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses. 

An analysis says expanding Medicaid coverage will save Utah more than $130 million and would give health insurance to 123,000 residents [Tribune].

A new report ranks Utah #1 for economic outlook next year [Utah Policy, Tribune].

House Majority Leader Brad Dee goes on a European vacation with three lobbyists, but Dee insists the trip was above board because everybody paid their own way and they didn’t discuss politics [Tribune].

Former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is caught on tape offering to get $2 million for Utah Businessman Darl McBride if he would shut down a website critical of another Utah businessman. That money was to come from a third Utah businessman who was in trouble with the Attorney General’s office [Tribune].

Former Legislator and current blogger Holly Richardson says she’s had enough with the “culture of corruption” permeating the Attorney General’s office [Holly on the Hill].

Sen. Orrin Hatch wants to hear from Utahns who think they have been inappropriately targeted by the IRS as part of his investigation into misconduct by the agency [Tribune].

Kennecott lays off 100 workers because of the massive landslide at their Bingham Canyon Mine [Tribune, Deseret News].

The Boy Scouts vote to allow gay members in their ranks [Deseret News].

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman launches a new political action committee to support Republicans who share his point of view [Tribune].

Gov. Gary Herbert says he is confident the state can work out a deal to avoid taxing the electricity used by the new National Security Agency data center at Camp Williams [Tribune].
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