• The recent announcement by George Niederauer, Roman Catholic bishop of the Utah Diocese, as to his "non-support" of Amendment 3 is noteworthy. For years, political entities affiliated with LDS, Catholic and other churches have fought together to enshrine the traditional definition of marriage into the constitutions of other states. At the creation of Amendment 3, supporters failed to broaden their alliance beyond the narrow confines of conservative activists to include attorneys and experts representing diverse religious and social organizations. Unfortunately, muscling Amendment 3 into the state Constitution without such a coalition will generate needless resentment and hostility for a long time.

• The slime oozing from your television and mailbox is the result of overzealous ultraconservatives with too much money at the National Republican Congressional Committee. I remain confounded that fanatics in both national parties insist on utilizing East Coast campaign tactics that Westerners find abominable.

---

Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.