Voter, beware of polls disguised as the truth

Pignanelli: A political veteran described the county mayor controversy with, "We Republicans have been waiting the last two months for the next shoe to drop. What we didn't know is that Nancy Workman was a centipede!" As a former Democratic Party officer and House minority meader, I wrestled numerous times with issues regarding colleagues and elected officials who violated the public trust and needed to be reprimanded or even ostracized. Thus, I empathize with Salt Lake County Republicans and their recent heart-wrenching and difficult deliberations. All Utahns, regardless of party affiliation, are grateful the GOP took needed action against Workman. Democracy only works if the public has confidence that no politician is above the law.

• The now raging inferno at the House of Workman is burning everyone nearby. A recent victim is Workman's attorney, Greg Skordas, the Democratic attorney general candidate. Skordas is one of the best criminal lawyers in the state, who vigorously represents his clients. Defending Workman required Skordas to publicly question the motives of longtime friend and former employer District Attorney David Yocom. Angered by Skordas' tactics, Yocom pulled his endorsement of Skordas. This is no small matter as Yocom was a leading supporter on the campaign Web site and chaired Skordas' candidacy announcement. Democratic insiders are now expressing concern the Workman case is consuming Skordas' time and hobbling his campaign efforts.

• The hottest story circulating among political pundits this week was the incredible coup achieved by Mike Zuhl, campaign manager for Scott Matheson Jr. Two weeks ago, the Salt Lake Tribune completed a poll on the governor's race, showing a phenomenal 16 point lead for Jon Huntsman Jr. Learning of these results, Zuhl confronted the Tribune with an internal campaign poll illustrating the candidates were tied with 42 percent each. The Matheson survey was conducted by Peter Hart, a nationally renowned pollster not easily dismissed. Nervous about such different outcomes, the Tribune withheld publishing their poll last weekend (a strange and unprecedented action).

The Tribune's departure from tradition is significant because media outlets always utilize their own political analysis because they control the quality of methodology, questions, respondents etc. Polls conducted by campaigns can be easily manipulated (shocking!) and are usually rejected by reporters. Realizing the Deseret Morning News was about to print their poll, the Tribune was forced to run the story on Wednesday. Politicos noted the Tribune did not perform the standard feature of providing dates when the survey was conducted, verifying the Matheson poll had prompted the Tribune to stall.