Autumn is in the air, and while most sane people are thinking about football, reveling in or dreading the prospect of the U. pounding BYU, our twisted minds are contemplating those political questions that inquiring minds want to know.

What are the possible ramifications of the recent announcement by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. that he would attempt a re-election campaign without raising and/or expending contributions?

Pignanelli: At first glance, Huntsman's notion that an incumbent can run solely on "a track record and ideas," and not a big budget, is certainly compelling. The governor initiated his campaign with a focus on campaign and government reform, so at least he is consistent. However, most veterans agree he is begging for trouble. Huntsman also promised that he would expend political capital in order to effectuate much-needed, but controversial, changes to state operations. Thus, if he remains committed to this no-spending concept, his administration will concentrate on protecting public approval ratings, a necessity for a campaign devoid of a media blitz and not on performance. Further, this situation is tempting to a well-funded right-wing gubernatorial challenger who could bombard the airways against a defenseless Huntsman. This exposes him to the real possibility of defeat, or, at very best, limping into a second term. Campaign finance reform is needed in Utah, but it should be applicable to all candidates.

Webb: I'm not sure the governor meant that he would raise and spend no money. He's already been raising political money. I think he meant he will run a low-budget campaign and not amass a huge war chest. That makes sense. Even a politician with an easy race needs to raise some political money to use for party and political responsibilities. Things like travel to conventions and communications with political activists and voters require some money. Re-election is a time to re-connect with voters, to woo and win them one more time. It's a chance to win a new mandate, to campaign on one's success and one's vision for the future. It's a time to show voters and political activists that you care, that you don't take them for granted. All of that takes some campaign cash. Not millions of dollars but enough to get the job done.

Will Sen. Chris Buttars succeed in requiring that "intelligent design" be taught along with evolution in Utah's schools?

Pignanelli: The recent attacks on evolution have generated interesting results. The jokes about the controversy have been quite witty, i.e. "Experts still have not found proof of 'intelligent design' at the state Legislature." A number of LDS scientists, especially from BYU, have offered articulate defenses of evolution. Gov. Huntsman, the state school board and many other Mormons have publicly refused to embrace mandatory instruction of "intelligent design" — demonstrating again that Utah's flavor of conservatism is often different when compared to other red states. For these reasons, intelligent design is doomed in Utah.