Merrill Cook, independent candidate for Salt Lake County mayor, says he opposes hate crime legislation because it creates a "gray area" of determining motive, which is hard to enforce.

"I can't see a belief in the mind can be prosecuted unless you take action," Cook said. "The way you change people is through education."

Cook found himself in the minority more than once Monday at a political forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Branch NAACP. Attorney general candidate Andrew McCullough, a Libertarian, was the only other candidate who did not support hate crimes legislation.

Cook's Democratic opponent, Peter Carroon, called hate crimes "despicable." He said enforceable hate crimes legislation would send a strong message to the community.

"It goes beyond (an individual) by targeting fear into the community," he said of hate crimes.

Candidates spoke on a variety of issues, including low-income housing, after school programs, Medicare and racial profiling and heard concerns from residents.

Gubernatorial candidates Republican Jon Huntsman Jr. and Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. found themselves agreeing on two issues: preventing racial profiling and working toward the creation of enforceable hate crimes legislation.

Attorney General candidates Mark Shurtleff, the incumbent Republican, and Democratic challenger Greg Skordas said it's disappointing that Utah is one of only a handful of states without enforceable hate crimes legislation.

Skordas said enforceable hate crimes legislation would enhance penalties for hate-motivated crimes, in the same way gang members can receive a sharper sentence. Shurtleff said Utah needs to create a more severe punishment for committing crimes based on "who a person is," regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.

Other candidates present included Democrat Paul Van Dam who is challenging Sen. Bob Bennett, a Republican; Democrat Steve Thompson who is challenging 1st District Rep. Rob Bishop; representatives for 2nd District Rep. Jim Matheson, a Democrat, and his Republican opponent John Swallow; 3rd District Democratic candidate Beau Babka; Republican Rep. Chris Cannon sent a representative.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com