Hard work in store for Salt Lake candidates

Pignanelli: Beauty contest: "A competition based on judgment of beauty or popularity." (Webster's A New Millennium Dictionary, 2006). This renowned dictionary could have added this definition: "The 2007 Salt Lake City Mayoral Primary."

There is no sunlight between the four major candidates in terms of issues, policies, attitudes towards Rocky, targeted special-interest groups or emotional tenor in speeches. Although with varied backgrounds, all claim experience in politics, community and economic development. Indeed, the major distinction so far is Dave Buhler is using round lawn signs while Ralph Becker signs have a distinctive yellow coloring. As a consequence of the contenders huddling together, voters will be forced to behave as judges in a beauty contest and make a determination on the basis of "political beauty" characteristics: perceived location on political spectrum, gender, popularity of name, support of key activist organizations, etc. On this criterion, Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson will remain the clear favorite on Election Day.

In the 1999 primary, there were five major candidates with Democratic credentials. Two of them gambled on risky positions and were able to separate themselves from the pack and to emerge from the primary. (Rocky Anderson aggressively attacked the Deedee Corradini administration while Stuart Reid captured Republican votes on moral issues.) Unless a current candidate takes a similar risk, the default goes to Wilson.

Last week, this paper printed the recent Dan Jones poll detailing Wilson is maintaining her lead. The progressive councilwoman and daughter of a popular mayor remains a formidable bulwark against opponents who share her platform. Further, the Jones survey indicated that Wilson has high approval ratings, thereby dismissing grumbles against her perceived inexperience.

Many politicos (especially me) predicted Keith Christensen's abandonment of the Republican Party would deteriorate his base. But according to Jones, the move has not impacted Christensen's support. (Which raises the question: Are voters aware of this change?) This dynamic is interesting for several reasons. If Republican voters are not bothered by Christensen's move to independent status, then they are a moderate bunch who could support the other candidates. Further, Christensen may set a trend for Republican Salt Lake City candidates in the future.

Salt Lake City is increasingly a left of center locale. Yet, the highest demographic that remains undecided in the mayor's race are those who consider themselves "very liberal." Will a mayoral candidate make the bold move to attract these hard-liners, while another tries to garner independent voters?