Politicians must watch 'little things'

Pignanelli: "Guzzle-gate" is proving the axiom: "Little things are infinitely the most important." The public may not comprehend intricate details of complicated financial scandals (i.e. Whitewater, Iran-Contra).

However, all of us purchase gasoline at outrageous prices and resent officials subsidizing personal trips or enhancing automobile reimbursement with taxpayer funds. Guzzle-gate is similar to the check-bouncing tempest that plagued the U.S. House of Representatives 10 years ago (fostering control of Congress by Republicans after 40 years of minority standing): The amounts are relatively small, the transactions are understandable, and only the powerful profited from the offensive activity. The current controversy is easily grasped and will be long term.

The impact of Guzzle-gate is expanding beyond officials caught double dipping or misrepresenting travel expenses. Democratic challenger Peter Corroon captures publicity every time incumbent Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman comments on the issue. Although Workman is not implicated in any improprieties, an election victory originally thought difficult for Corroon is now a possibility. This effect was perceptible in a recent Deseret News poll revealing Democrat Jenny Wilson is in statistical dead heat with incumbent Steve Harmsen in the race for the countywide council seat. Republican Harmsen, a longtime political activist with positive name identification and no connection with the scandal, should be enjoying the advantages of incumbency. But Wilson is benefiting from her gender and an electorate disgusted with the county's antics. Furthermore, Wilson has utilized the storm to effectively garner media attention in an otherwise low profile race.