Utahns 'Unite for Change'

Springmeyer said he believes his race hinges on the 20 percent or so of voters without party affiliation — and he thinks those are votes he can get.

"This is a winnable deal," Springmeyer said.

Winnable is exactly how Nikki Norton, organizer for the Utah for Obama campaign, sees the upcoming presidential election, even though her efforts are focused within a state that has an overwhelming Republican majority.

"We've just had a great response across the state for Obama," Norton said. "It's a coordinated, grass-roots effort that is being led by individuals — and it's getting national attention."

Norton said it's the message behind the method that most resonates with new campaign volunteers and supporters.

"He's told us it's OK to hope — even if it's improbable," Norton said. "He's reached people on a level that speaks to their core values."

The Utah Democrat has garnered new, national media attention. Crystal Young-Otterstrom, communications director for the Young Democrats of Utah, said a CNN camera crew has been following her groups activities, including Saturday's event, as part of a documentary about juxtaposed politics. The other part of the piece is being shot in San Francisco, where CNN is following Republicans in the famously liberal city.

Cache Valley Democrat and 1st District Congressional candidate Morgan Bowen, manning a booth and speaking to the crowd Saturday, doesn't see the Utah Democrat as exotic, so much as just plain practical.

"I'm not a super ideological person," Bowen said. "I believe in common sense solutions, and I think what we're seeing from Democrats who are running this year, nationally and in Utah, are candidates with common-sense solutions."

Other Utah cities that held "Unite for Change" events on Saturday were Salt Lake City, Logan, St. George, Centerville and Kaysville.

---

E-mail: araymond@desnews.com