S.L.'s Buhler-Becker race is heating up

Pignanelli: Despite the incredible experience of their campaign staff, the voucher movement has yet to develop and articulate a message that resounds with Utahns. For example, residents of rural areas (bereft of private schools) remain suspicious of the program. Further, voucher opponents are successfully using the traditional tactic of claiming the referendum is plagued with "too many unanswered questions." Voucherites committed the grave political error by forgetting citizens "vote with their wallet." Thus, they have failed create a personal incentive for supporting vouchers. A majority of Utahns (whose children or grandchildren will continue to remain in public schools) are not buying the arguments that state subsidized enrollment of private schools will enhance the quality of education for their families. The question "How do vouchers for private schools drive improvements to public schools?" remains unanswered. Consequently, the poll results are not surprising.

Webb: I agree that the fundamental and essential message that vouchers will, in reality, help public schools, not hurt, has not been adequately articulated and delivered to voters. The anti-voucherites have instead framed the issue exactly opposite — if you favor vouchers you don't like public schools. A coalition of business leaders is attempting to reverse that notion, getting the message out that vouchers will reduce class sizes, while leaving more per-pupil money in public schools, allowing for higher teacher salaries.

Jason Chaffetz, former chief of staff to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., and David Leavitt, former Juab County prosecutor, are running in the 3rd Congressional District against Congressman Chris Cannon. Is Cannon in trouble?

Pignanelli: Frequent grumbling and occasional predictions of electoral defeat for Cannon is now a 10-year-old ritual in Utah Republican politics. It is also a tradition for the adept Cannon to defy his detractors. Chaffetz and Leavitt are attractive candidates shrewdly courting conservatives frustrated with Cannon — especially on immigration. Although history (and political action committee money) is solid with Cannon, the GOP delegate and convention process could be a lively affair. Thank goodness. This may be the only exciting race in 2008.

Webb: This will be Cannon's toughest race yet, although we say that every two years. Chaffetz and Leavitt are both solid, substantive candidates, better than any Cannon has faced previously. They will help each other in the sense that both will take delegates from Cannon, potentially spelling trouble for Cannon on the second convention ballot. Fund raising is Chaffetz's biggest challenge. Leavitt has already raised more than $100,000, a respectable amount for a challenger this early. Leavitt also has significant personal wealth. Chaffetz is running hard, wooing delegates one-on-one. Cannon will be a more aggressive campaigner and fund-raiser than ever before.
This race is all about who can create the best grass-roots organization to win delegates at neighborhood party caucuses next March 25 (not all that far away), and then maintain and add support among those chosen. If you're a state delegate in the 3rd District, you're going to feel very popular in the coming months.

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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, he served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.