Where's Scott? Lying low for a while

Pignanelli: "Where's Waldo?" is a fun game loved by children (including my own) where the goal is to find the Waldo character among detailed cartoon drawings. "Where's Scott?" is an exercise by political observers to detect Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. among the noise and activity generated by Republican gubernatorial candidates. Until the party conventions, this sport was difficult because Matheson intentionally avoided publicity. Recent sightings of the law school dean have restored hope the election will not be decided at the Republican primary.

Matheson is an intelligent, articulate member of a respected family. A veteran of political ventures, he wisely chose demography

over geography in selecting Sen. Karen Hale as a running mate. Some of the best brains in Democratic circles are close advisers: former Congresswoman Karen Shepherd, high-profile attorney Randy Dryer, university academic Robert Huefner, political consultant Hugh Matheson, and former State Budget officer Mike Zuhl (his campaign manager). He is blessed with two invaluable assets — wife Robyn Matheson (a gifted political organizer) and beloved mother Norma Matheson. With all these resources, why the hermit imitation?

According to insiders, this is a deliberate strategy.

First, Matheson knows his father, Gov. Scott M. Matheson, was the beneficiary of the bloody 1976 Republican gubernatorial primary between Sen. Dixie Leavitt and Attorney General Vern Romney. The 2004 GOP primary could be a bruising contest leaving voters with a nasty aftertaste, thirsty for an untainted candidate. Second, the current election struggle is between the Republican candidates' positions and experience, with little reference to the Democratic nominee. If Matheson had weighed in early, his platform would have been the target of the convention contestants.Third, Matheson possesses a dynastic name of incredible goodwill that should not be squandered on cheap political maneuverings. Campaign strategists are carefully planning when and how his vision for Utah is to be unveiled.