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FEBRUARY 2008 www.utdemocrats.org | Winter in the Wasatch (© Willie Holdman, www.willieholdman.com)
"As Democratic members of the Utah Legislature, we understand that decisions and actions taken by this body have a tremendous impact on every resident of our state. We also understand that elected officials have the responsibility to set the example for respectful political dialogue. In the past few weeks, certain events have caused us to reflect on the need for a greater commitment to the principles of respect and diversity." – House Democratic Caucus Read the complete blog posting
KICKING ASS | THE BLOG OF UTAH DEMOCRATIC PARTY • Sen. Chris Buttars was not taken to the woodshed by leaders of the Republican Party after his public display of ignorance on racial issues for the same reason Mitt Romney felt he had to marginalize his faith to win over a group that despises the LDS Church: Raw intolerance powers the GOP. Challenge it at your peril. • If nothing else, the Buttars saga shows the stark difference between Democrats and Republicans. As radical Republicans try to unravel popular and effective social programs - the privatization of Social Security and public education through vouchers are two recent examples - and block attempts to narrow the equality gap that puts the United States further and further behind virtually every other developed country in the Western world, Democrats and tens of thousands of independents in Utah and across the country embrace the history-making presidential candidacy of an African-American and, by extension, the core values of tolerance and civility. • A report card on your Democrats at work as the Legislature heads into the homestretch • As our Republican-dominated Legislature remembers the actor who loved to take midday naps and clear brush, who can forget the 1986 centenary rededication of the Statue of Liberty? The Reagans, Ronnie and Nancy, were there next to the French Prime Minister and his wife. Bob Hope was on stage entertaining the all-star audience. In the middle of a series of one-liners, Hope quipped, "I just heard that the Statue of Liberty has AIDS, but she doesn't know if she got it from the mouth of the Hudson or the Staten Island Fairy." As the television camera panned the audience, the Mitterrands looked appalled. The Reagans were laughing. By the end of 1989, 115,786 women and men had been diagnosed with AIDS in the United States; more than 70,000 of them had died. Read more of these and other posts The Karen Shepherd Fund is accepting applications for upcoming campaigns. The fund provides stipends to interns for Democratic candidates running in local, state, and federal campaigns in Utah. Contact administrator Ann Floor at 355-4441 or ksf@xmission.com for more information. The fund's Web site is www.karenshepherdfund.org. THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY After visits of major candidates and their wives and children over the past nine months, Utah Democrats on Feb. 5 selected Sen. Barack Obama as their pick for president. Obama won by a margin of 57 percent to 39 percent over second-place finisher Sen. Hillary Clinton. Turnout was 131,000 compared to about 30,000 in 2004. Sen. Obama's wife, Michelle, held a rally on Feb. 4 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City after the senator canceled an event two days before out of respect for LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley whose funeral was that day. Mrs. Obama met with two apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Quentin L. Cook (at left in the photo) and Elder M. Russell Ballard, after the rally on behalf of her husband. The half-hour meeting at church headquarters focused mostly on family values, according to the Church. A week before the election Sen. Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, campaigned in Salt Lake City and Ogden. GET INVOLVED | Mark your calendar FEB. 27 • Utah Democratic Party's Chair's Circle Legislative Breakfast will be 7-8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Democratic Senate and House members will brief Chair's Circle members on the 2008 legislative session and respond to questions. Members complimentary; guest of members, $30. For more information and to R.S.V.P., call Tika Beard at (801) 328-1212, ext. 204, or tbeard@utdemocrats.org FEB. 28 • Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon kicks off re-election campaign. (More details below) MARCH 1 • Equality Utah and Stonewall Democrats will conduct lobbying and delegate selection training in St. George at the City Library, 88 W. 100 South, on Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m. Contact Nikki Boyer, chair of Stonewall Democrats, at (801) 532-5330 or nikkiboyer@msn.com. MARCH 13 • The Young Democrats of Utah annual Legislative Hangover party, "Take the Republicans to the Woodshed" will be Thursday, March 13, at 8 p.m. Come see your favorite elected officials sing karaoke. Suggested donation is $5. The Woodshed is located at 60 E. 800 South in South Lake City and is a private club for members. You must be 21 to attend. Go to www.youngdemsofUtah.org for more. MARCH 17 • 5 p.m. is the filing deadline to become a candidate for state, local, and federal offices. More information is available on the lieutenant governor's Web site. MARCH 25 • Every two years Utah Democrats meet in local caucus meetings to select county delegates and precinct officers for the coming two years. This year the caucus meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. County parties around the state are in the process of determining locations for their local caucus meetings. In some cases, the caucuses will be held in a local home at the precinct level while others will be at the legislative district level where attendees break into groups according to their precinct to elect delegates and officers. The Utah Democratic Party will begin posting on its Web site (www.utdemocrats.org) caucus locations the week of Feb. 25. Also, the county party convention schedule will be posted beginning the same week. Both will be updated regularly as new information arrives from the county parties. For more information contact Craig Axford, party organizational director, at (801) 328-1212, ext. 207, or caxford@utdemocrats.org.
APRIL 9 • Filing deadline to become a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. For more information contact Craig Axford, party organizational director, at (801) 328-1212, ext. 207, or caxford@utdemocrats.org. MAY 9,10 • The Utah State Democratic Party’s annual convention and Jefferson/Jackson Celebration will be Friday, May 9, and will continue through Saturday, May 10. After the election of national delegates on Friday, the state party will hold its annual Jefferson/Jackson Dinner. All events will be at the Cal Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. AUGUST 25-28 • The Democratic National Convention will be Aug. 25-28 in Denver. For more information go to www.demconvention.com. FROM THE MAYOR OF SALT LAKE COUNTY Dear Supporter, I am writing to personally ask for your support and to invite you to join me on Feb. 28 when I will officially announce my re-election campaign for Salt Lake County Mayor. The last three years have been marked by great achievements for the people of Salt Lake County. I am proud of the work our administration has accomplished. We have been fiscally responsible, developed programs for a clean environment, increased municipal services, and most importantly restored the community's faith in Salt Lake County government. As your mayor, I am committed to administering responsible, transparent, and open government. I will continue to work to enhance our quality of life, protect the environment, improve children's educational opportunities, promote our local economy and advance public safety. I am expecting a tough re-election campaign. However, with your help I can win re-election and continue to work hard for another four years for the 1 million citizens of Salt Lake County. Join me for the campaign kickoff on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City. The event address is 1355 W. 3100 South (enter 3100 South at Redwood Road and go west). I look forward to personally speaking with you after the presentation where light refreshments will be served. We will also be hosting an open house on the evening of the 28th at my new campaign headquarters (1063 East 3300 South) from 5 - 8 p.m. Please stop by and join us for the celebration. Please R.S.V.P. by calling (801) 467-1221 or email us at mrscorroon@hotmail.com. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Peter Corroon ________________________________ For more information contact Elise Brown:
THE LEGISLATIVE GALA | Jan. 19, "We can do it" I was very very impressed. I am particularly thrilled that our event reflected our Democratic values. For example, the food being primarily Utah First (sustainability), our standing ovation led by Wayne for the kitchen / serving staff (value of labor), and the table gifts of trees and energy efficient light bulbs (environmental stewardship) . The event was not merely a rubber chicken fundraiser, but an expression of who we are as a group and the vision we hold for our state's future. I was so proud of the reception given to all guests, and it was a great way to get energized for the next 45 days. Rep. Jennifer Seelig, District 23 One thing touched me so deeply. The new candidates (many from Utah County) were there and commented on the camaraderie and class the event had. This is SO important as they launch their campaigns. They sat near each other or at the same table and exchanged "notes." We need to make sure that candidates get invited every election cycle. Sen. Pat Jones, District 4 A huge thank you and congratulations to you, the Corroons, and all your committee and volunteers. It was a sparkling evening of great food, great company, and wonderful entertainment ( thanks Nancy and SLAC actors). Everything was well coordinated and ran smoothly. I was especially happy to meet the contingent from Utah County. Thanks to Dan and Pat for hosting them. Rep. Carol Moss, District 37 I heard from several people that this was the best gala they had attended. Peter Corroon, Salt Lake County Mayor, gala co-chair It was a great experience that underscores something I’ve always known. Utah Democrats know how to party in a way that puts Utah Republicans to shame (sorry Republicans, it’s true!). Tom Grover, KVNU PREVIOUS MESSAGES
The Democratic Party of Utah 455 S. 300 East, Suite 301 | Salt Lake City, UT 84111 | 801-328-1212 www.utdemocrats.org Support your Utah Democratic Party through ACT BLUE www.actblue.com/page/utdemocrats THE MESSAGE is published and compiled by the staff of the Utah Democratic Party as a way to build a community of Democrats committed to political reform and common sense solutions to public policy. Submissions related to events, facts, figures, trivia, and idle chit-chat are welcome. Please contact Bill Keshlear, communications director, at bkeshlear@utdemocrats.org. Call (801) 328-1212, ext. 206 or (801) 699-7773. Paid for by the Utah Democratic Party, www.utdemocrats.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidates' party. |