For several decades, Utah Democratic leaders and officeholders have argued over how the party should present itself here.

Vice chairman candidate Josh Ewing, a former spokesperson for Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson, said a balance must be reached. Utah Democrats can't win elections if "we can't recognize" that some in the party have "strong liberal ideas."

But, Democrats also can't win if "we bash Republicans and members of the LDS Church," Ewing added.

The convention was upbeat — after all, Democrats took a few offices away from Republicans in the 2004 elections and a little crowing was in order.

While saying Democrats didn't win as many races as they should have, Dunn said, "We've accomplished a great deal. We've re-energized the party. And we are proud to be Utah Democrats."

Democrats took the Salt Lake County mayor's race (after the GOP mayor self-destructed in a government scandal), took one more Salt Lake County Council seat and picked up a state House and Senate seat in the county.

And, of course, Matheson won re-election with his largest margin ever.

But Democrats didn't come close to winning the U.S. Senate seat and governor's office in 2004. And Republicans hold an iron grip on statewide politics.

Said Utah Democratic national committeeman and former U.S. Rep. Bill Orton, "If we don't win elections, not much else matters. We can't govern."

The internal Democratic debate on whether Utah Democrats should be true to some traditional party stands or push more practical, election-winning candidates and issues, was revisited Saturday.

Matheson said practical politics and electing good Democrats, who by governing well can prove themselves to voters, is paramount. Matheson endorsed Holland, as did the congressman's older brother, Scott Matheson Jr. (who ran for governor last year) and their mother, former first lady Norma Matheson.

But "a party must stand for something," said Craig Axford, who ran for chair from his position as head of the party's Progressive Caucus, the party's liberal wing. Utah Democrats should have "a message that donors can invest in with pride, that candidates can run on with pride, that people can vote for with pride," said Axford.

But small cliques of one-issue Democrats, whether labor union members, pro-choicers or gay rights advocates, are hurting the party in Utah, others said. Democrats in Utah must "take their party back from special interests," said chairman candidate Mike Marty.

Holland will take a paid leave of absence from his labor union job and so won't take a salary from the state party.

"The winds of change are blowing in the West," said Holland, who in 2004 worked as a Rocky Mountain regional organizer in the John Kerry presidential campaign. "Democrats are winning statewide elections" in states surrounding Utah, Holland said. "And it's time to bring that home."

Holland said Utah's two GOP U.S. senators are "acting like lobbyists for the pharmaceutical industry" instead of representing hardworking Utah families. "We must defeat Orrin Hatch (who faces re-election to his sixth six-year term) next year."

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com