I served with Karras in the Legislature and found him to be a tough but fair leader. He weathered tremendous abuse from conservatives for shepherding Gov. Norman Bangerter's controversial tax increases during the economic doldrums of the late 1980s. Karras enjoyed bipartisan respect, despite his "thin skin" to criticism. (His skin is thicker now, the result of numerous stabs in the back from "friends.") Both GOP contenders have forwarded substantive recommendations on the usual topics: Karras will implement a five-year plan to impose fiscal constraints on the state budget (while enhancing higher education); Huntsman has developed an impressive 40-page economic development strategy that is the culmination of months of deliberation by business leaders.

Huntsman's willingness to lead out on propositions that until now were the province of populist advocacy groups, combined with Karras' thoughtful critiques, is a promising sign. The Republican primary may actually be an invigorating discussion of important issues and not another ideological battle to appease right-wing factions.

• Days before the Republican convention, several state employees received phone calls and fliers at their government offices encouraging them to attend the event. These communications were not subtle: Go, support Olene Walker and keep your job.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A recent candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.