Demos gear up; Republicans in slump

Pignenelli: Presidential candidate Howard Dean has qualified to be a Utah Democrat in one category: He squandered a double digit lead in the polls and wasted a tremendous fund-raising advantage.

The national problems plaguing Dean have drifted to Utah. For example, the state party was unable to secure an inexpensive and efficient method of online voting in the presidential primary, which would have been a huge boost for Dean. Also, the vulnerability of the Vermont governor has opened the door in Utah to other presidential campaigns — especially for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.

In the last several weeks, the Kerry campaign has sent five full-time staffers to Utah to assist local volunteers in organization and public relations efforts leading to the Feb. 24 primary. This is an incredible investment of time and personnel by a Democratic candidate. Not since Johnston's army encampment at Fort Douglas have so many out-of-state Democrats established temporary residence to participate in Utah politics. Kerry may actually visit the state and air commercials. As with the Dean campaign, Kerry supporters will undertake phone banks, literature distributions, excite special-interest groups and other activities to drive up vote margins.

High-profile Democrats have taken sides in the battle. Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake County Councilman Jim Bradley, Salt Lake County chairwoman Nichole Adams, and legislators Jackie Biskupski and Scott Daniels have endorsed Howard Dean. Kerry has garnered the public support of Salt Lake County Council members Joe Hatch and Randy Horiuchi, Salt Lake County District Attorney David Yocom and state party vice chairwoman Nancy Jane Woodside. Other notable endorsements are expected to roll out next week.

Why focus such resources on Utah? The Utah primary, along with Idaho and Hawaii, are the last contests before "Tidal Wave Tuesday" — March 2 — when more than one-third of the delegates will be selected. Thus, a win in Utah will give the victor a week to claim momentum leading to this important event. Should Dean remain on life support after the Wisconsin election, a good showing in Utah is imperative. Conversely, Utah gives Kerry the chance to deliver the final deathblow to Dean, or anyone else, before the next round of primaries.