Christensen says he's not surprised by Matheson's response, adding that the congressman tries to fool constituents that he's "an almost Republican."

Utah's 2nd District quite honesty could be the single swing seat that puts the national Democratic moral agenda into place, Christensen says.

"Democrats are the ones who embrace abortion and same-sex marriage," he says.

"Massachusetts has chosen to accept (Rep.) Barney Frank and what he does. But in Utah that is not our standard. Why should Utah contribute to the taking over of Congress by the Democrats?" said Christensen. Frank has openly declared that he is gay.

Christensen said he never considered pulling or editing his ad after the Foley scandal exploded. Democrats have had similar sex scandals, he noted.

"If you think America is going in the right direction morally, you will love the Democrats" being in control of the U.S. House, Christensen said.

No one condones Foley's actions, said Matheson. "What happened is outrageous," says Matheson. "We still don't know who knew what and when and what was done or wasn't done. And I'm disappointed we've not gotten those answers" a week after the Foley scandal blew up.

BYU political science professor Kelly Patterson laughs when thinking of what Christensen's ad says on morality and its juxtaposition to the Foley scandal.

"Should he pull his ad off the air? I don't know. He has a strategic campaign plan. And sometimes it is better to just soldier on through these problems," said Patterson, who also heads up a political campaign study group at Brigham Young University.

"These kinds of distractions" — the Foley scandal — "just makes it harder (for challengers) to get your message across. They create noise."

And Christensen, who still trails badly in public opinion surveys to Matheson, "has already had a hard time getting his message out," said Patterson.

What the Foley scandal really means to national Republicans "is not only a hit on the morality question but on competency — running Congress — as well," Patterson said.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com