Swallow properly has no desire to run negative ads about Matheson, but he will talk about policy differences and the national ramifications of the race. Utah voters ought to be wary of independent national groups will might get involved in the Utah campaign. Any independent group that runs negative ads will only hurt the candidate they are purporting to help.

Pignanelli: "We have met the enemy and he is us." This famous Walt Kelly statement illustrates an unusual challenge confronting Jim Matheson. Rarely a day goes by when I don't hear from or encounter a Utah Democrat grumbling about the congressman. The complaints range from his early support of the Amendment to the United States Constitution defining marriage between a man and a woman to media reports that his voting record is overly supportive of Republicans. Whether it is the much noticed protest during his speech at the Democratic State Convention, letters to the editor from Democrats or loud comments at public meetings, Matheson is enduring harsh criticism within his own party.

The bizarre charges against Matheson that he is a party traitor and DINO ("Democrat In Name Only") are tiresome. His legislative record clearly demonstrates Matheson has not forgotten issues fundamental to Democrats. He is sponsoring legislation to restrict nuclear weapons testing and has been honored for his efforts promoting affordable housing. Moreover, Matheson has been diligent in opposing transportation and storage of radioactive waste in Utah. In a strange twist, Matheson's overall popularity is grounded not so much in the perception of his politics, but the hard exertion of him and his staff in constituent matters. Democrats should be proud that one of their own has achieved high rates of acceptance by Republicans and Independents through sheer force of intelligence and personality.