"The whole country loves the Mormons — why would I feel unsafe here?" Moore said. "I haven't seen a lot of Utah gangs; Mormons with chains and knives and Uzis."

But he admitted it would take a "miracle" for the predominantly Republican state to go against Bush in the November election.

Bush wasn't his only topic. He drew on the enthusiasm of the crowd, which cheered wildly for women's rights, banning automatic weapons and legalizing gay marriage.

Moore wasn't the only celebrity at UVSC stumping for Kerry. Utah native Roseanne Barr made a guest appearance and mocked President Bush with a tongue-in-cheek monologue on his administration.

"Every day I pray to God that George Bush will get another six years so that he can keep creating more jobs in other countries so that they, too, can have the freedom to build their own Wal-marts so they can get Chinese goods at a good price," Barr joked. "That is what freedom is all about. Well, that and forced prayer in the public schools."

UVSC junior Meg Hall said she didn't mind the sarcasm. She preferred Moore's speech over Hannity's. "I was open to hear both sides, but this one was better," Hall said. "It was definitely worth the $40,000."

But Orem resident Kay Anderson, who this week filed a lawsuit in 4th District Court seeking to prevent UVSC from paying Moore for his appearance, said he wasn't impressed. The lawsuit contends UVSC student leaders violated school rules when they agreed to pay Moore's $40,000 speaking fee plus some $10,000 in travel costs.

"It's what I expected out of a Democrat rally, and I have no problem with it," Anderson said. "But I think the students will have a hard time knowing they paid for a political rally for residents of Salt Lake who came down on their tab."

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com