Pignanelli: If the national high of 72 percent George W. Bush garnered in Utah wasn't enough to convince you the state is blood red, I hereby provide a sampling of the many responses to my rather tame columns wherein I endorsed John Kerry or suggested readers should consider voting for a qualified Democrat. "You Democrats are the tools of Satan and are corrupting our families and children." (Ouch!) "Moral people would rather starve and remain moral than eat at the richest table in the wealthiest mansion of Sodom . . . Until you and your Democrat cronies come back to where the good common people really are, expect even worse defeats." (So does this mansion accept reservations?) My favorite: "No Democrat today has the high morals and ethics of any Republican." (Apparently House Majority Leader Tom DeLay a k a "The Hammer" is a candidate for sainthood.)

• In the spirit of the holiday season I offer the following concession: Without a doubt there are many officials and employees in Salt Lake County government who are hard-working and ethical. Yet, the 2004 election gave Peter Corroon and Jenny Wilson a clear bipartisan mandate to clean the fetid swamp of corruption and nepotism that everyone knows exists at the county offices. A business leader recently explained to me success with county operatives was available to anyone who made the required personal sacrifice — namely your soul. This long-time infection is the fault of both parties and has deep roots. Thus, Interim Mayor Alan Dayton deserves accolades for his recent efforts in enacting long overdue reform. Corroon must expand these measures and demand that all county contracting and development activities are beyond reproach. History suggests significant improvement is impossible, but Corroon may succeed if he follows the example of Councilman Jim Bradley and just say, "No" on a regular basis when it doesn't smell right.

• Democrats are feeling blue, but the minority party performed fairly well despite that 2004 was a presidential year. For decades, Democrats suffered losses in major and local races as a result of Republican coattails in the national contests. When contrasted with Bush's lopsided popularity, the Democrats ability to retain Jim Matheson and secure a net gain of legislative seats and victories in Salt Lake County is nothing short of miraculous. (Yeah, I always look for the silver lining.)

• Jim Matheson was criticized harshly within party ranks for his December 2003 endorsement of the constitutional amendment enshrining the traditional definition of marriage. "Why be the first among the Utah delegation?" was the kindest reaction. However, an analysis of the polling and election results determine that Matheson's early support of the measure cemented an already positive image with voters, and he did not have to deal with the volatile issue during the campaign.