Democrats can find a silver lining if they look hard

• Jim Matheson was criticized harshly within party ranks for his December 2003 endorsement of the constitutional amendment enshrining the traditional definition of marriage. "Why be the first among the Utah delegation?" was the kindest reaction. However, an analysis of the polling and election results determine that Matheson's early support of the measure cemented an already positive image with voters, and he did not have to deal with the volatile issue during the campaign.

Webb: National outlook. It is now crystal clear that Democrats can't win the presidency with an old-fashioned liberal candidate. Democrats can't just turn out the liberal base and win, because the liberal base is now smaller than the conservative base.

So Democrats have to broaden the party's appeal, and that means becoming more moderate and attracting heartland "red state" support. That will be a lot more difficult than it sounds, given the party's nominating process that favors liberals. Democrats need to look to the red-state governors and the moderate Democratic Leadership Council for ideas and leadership. Democrats can't be the party of Michael Moore and win.

Local outlook. Republicans, thankfully, remain firmly in charge in Utah. A Democrat, even a solid, moderate one, will have a very hard time winning statewide in Utah unless the Republicans nominate an inferior candidate.

But the election results make it clear that Utah Republicans have a big problem: Salt Lake County. Survey research shows that Republicans still outnumber Democrats in the county, but a lot of Salt Lake County independents and moderate Republicans are all too happy to vote for a Republican president and then cross over for a Democrat or two down-ballot.

Republicans might brush off these concerns by assuming that the Salt Lake County government scandals skewed the election in favor of Democrats this year, and there is some truth to that. But it doesn't explain why Jon Huntsman Jr., a solid, strong, moderate candidate who ran an excellent campaign, lost by 20,000 votes to Scott Matheson Jr. in the county, or why Jim Matheson smothered John Swallow in the county by 64,000 votes.

The county has been trending to swing status for some time, and is clearly in play for Democrats. The GOP has a Salt Lake County problem that needs some serious attention in messaging, grassroots organizing, and the type of candidates who are nominated.