From Deseret News archives:

Football's in the air - and so is politics

Published: Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 4:33 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Autumn is in the air, and while most sane people are thinking about football, reveling in or dreading the prospect of the U. pounding BYU, our twisted minds are contemplating those political questions that inquiring minds want to know.

What are the possible ramifications of the recent announcement by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. that he would attempt a re-election campaign without raising and/or expending contributions?

Story continues below
Pignanelli: At first glance, Huntsman's notion that an incumbent can run solely on "a track record and ideas," and not a big budget, is certainly compelling. The governor initiated his campaign with a focus on campaign and government reform, so at least he is consistent. However, most veterans agree he is begging for trouble. Huntsman also promised that he would expend political capital in order to effectuate much-needed, but controversial, changes to state operations. Thus, if he remains committed to this no-spending concept, his administration will concentrate on protecting public approval ratings, a necessity for a campaign devoid of a media blitz and not on performance. Further, this situation is tempting to a well-funded right-wing gubernatorial challenger who could bombard the airways against a defenseless Huntsman. This exposes him to the real possibility of defeat, or, at very best, limping into a second term. Campaign finance reform is needed in Utah, but it should be applicable to all candidates.

Webb: I'm not sure the governor meant that he would raise and spend no money. He's already been raising political money. I think he meant he will run a low-budget campaign and not amass a huge war chest. That makes sense. Even a politician with an easy race needs to raise some political money to use for party and political responsibilities. Things like travel to conventions and communications with political activists and voters require some money. Re-election is a time to re-connect with voters, to woo and win them one more time. It's a chance to win a new mandate, to campaign on one's success and one's vision for the future. It's a time to show voters and political activists that you care, that you don't take them for granted. All of that takes some campaign cash. Not millions of dollars but enough to get the job done.

Will Sen. Chris Buttars succeed in requiring that "intelligent design" be taught along with evolution in Utah's schools?

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh get the audience they deserve and vice versa. ...

I find the rule,very discriminitory. I am not gay, I don't understand what...

Celtics crush Jazz

I understand we were outmanned last night. However, this effort was awful....

Tavernari has matured

My advice to Jonathan is shoot it when they pass it to you as soon as you...

Maybe they should try drafting a shooting guard who can shoot from outside ....

The sad thing about it is that there are actually people out there that are...

12 Utes return to Texas

Thank you TCU and BYU. Your wanting to beat Utah so bad has to drive you...

Celtics crush Jazz

Play fes and koufos. Look to the future. It looks like we will have two...

Letters: Obama 'too busy'

Oh come on. Obama's a horrible president, but I couldn't care less which...

"We had the best soccer of any place in the state. There's no disputing...

Advertisements
Advertisement