I think Merrill Cook continues his losing ways, unfortunately for him. Actually, since Cook promised family members he wouldn't be spending big bucks out of his own checking account on races, he hasn't done very well.

I first covered Cook 20 years ago when he ran for Salt Lake City mayor. And I learned long ago you never count Cook out of a race. But it seems Utahns are tiring of his popularism politics. Still, there will be more elections in 2005 and beyond, so we may see Cook again.

Amendment 3: It passes.

Shurtleff, Skordas and others may be right — this may be a legally flawed amendment, ultimately denying current co-habitational rights to non-same-sex couples who've lived together outside of marriage for years.

But that logical argument didn't matter in this debate. From the first it was couched as banning gay marriages. And in this religiously dominated state, no further arguments were needed.

Huntsman promises that should he win Tuesday, one of the first things he'll do is draft legislation for the 2005 Legislature that clearly allows unmarried, heterosexual couples to have the same kinds of rights and privileges they have now. Let's hope he keeps his promise.

Utah Legislature: Yes, Republicans will rule here again.

Democrats have not had a legislative majority in either house since the late 1970s. Democrats' hope was to get their numbers in the 75-member House and 29-member Senate above one-third, so they could vote as a bloc to stop a constitutional amendment, stop a veto override or talk a controversial bill or nominee to death.

Maybe Democrats get one-third, maybe they don't. I've covered the Legislature for 25 years and it really doesn't matter — the GOP majorities win on every major issue they take on.

I think the ZAP tax passes in Salt Lake County, but I don't know about the Initiative 1 open space tax on the statewide ballot.

By and large, I think it's fine that citizens can vote to impose taxes on themselves. Trust me, all wisdom does not sit in the Utah Legislature or local county and city councils.

Go and vote Tuesday. That's the one right thing you can count on.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com