Salt Lake County is the key. If the Republicans can find a respected candidate who can come within 25,000 to 30,000 votes of Matheson in Salt Lake County, then the race is winnable. An excellent GOP candidate can defeat Matheson badly in the rest of the district, making up those 25,000 to 30,000 votes.

But it won't work to simply attack Matheson and point out that he's not a Republican. Salt Lake County voters have demonstrated over and over that they're willing to vote for competent, moderate Democrats. While contrasts must be drawn on the issues, the emphasis must be on capability and stature. The GOP must find a candidate who has higher stature, is more competent and will outwork Matheson. That means a current popular politician or a well-known business leader with real charisma, respect and presence.

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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. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is executive director of the state Department of Administrative Services in the Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. administration. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.