From Deseret News archives:
Political March Madness is upon us
Ironically, far more people will be paying attention to basketball over the next few weeks than to the political wars.
By end of day tomorrow, all 2008 political office seekers must fill out their tickets, inviting themselves to the Big Dance, by officially registering their candidacies. They will then feverishly prepare for the tournament's early rounds neighborhood party caucuses on March 25, followed quickly by county and state conventions.
This flurry of excitement is raising several questions:
Are there any trends in the filings and announcements by candidates?
Webb: It's a new season, and Democratic enthusiasm, especially at the legislative level and particularly in Salt Lake and Utah counties, is a trend to watch. My prediction is that Democratic hopes will mostly be dashed against the realities of Republican domination, but excitement among Democrats is higher than I've seen for years.
The trend among Democrats outside of Salt Lake City is to recruit moderate, mainstream candidates, often those who have served in community and LDS Church leadership positions. (Inside Salt Lake City only Mormon-hating Democrats are allowed to run, by city ordinance.) In Utah County, BYU professors (or spouses) appear to be running en masse for the Legislature as Democrats. (And Curt Bramble can't even cut BYU's budget.) Too bad they're all going to lose.
Recent comments
News flash to parents. Utahns for Public Schools was organized by the...
Tired of Status Quo | March 17, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.
Finally! Someone in the media who is paying attention and has the...
Tired of Status Quo | March 17, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.
Utahns for Public Schools and several other community based groups...
Educator | March 16, 2008 at 11:47 p.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 11:43 p.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 11:40 p.m.
- 1A championship: Rich undefeated 11:34 p.m.
- 1A: Rich defense rises to occasion 11:31 p.m.
- Pacquiao stops Cotto to win 7th title 11:26 p.m.
- NFL Sunday 11:25 p.m.
- 9/11 trial - parable of right, wrong 11:24 p.m.
- Gitmo detaines headed to the U.S. 11:23 p.m.
- Utah Grizzlies win 11:19 p.m.
- Around the NFL 11:18 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- Born of water and the spirit
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
192 - Senators want food tax restored
165 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - TCU plows past Utes, 55-28
125 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
The Utes were lucky that they only lost by 27; Utah was completely outclassed...
It was a great game, very intense. It was a game of the winner scoring early...
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Your not hearing the reasons and argument because you are only listening to...
You have the best football team in the MWC this year. It will be nice to...
Amazing stuff! Already have my tickets to Seattle!
I would encourage all of us to dial into our favorite sports radio shows...
Excellent! Now beat LA! Go RSL!
A wonderful father and husband died in this tragic accident. Please stop...
What an embarrassing loss. The Utes looked shell-shocked from the...

