FLDS hubbub is challenge, opportunity

I'd love to see the church embark on some sort of "We're the Mormons" campaign, running ads featuring prominent national and local Mormons all over the country. The church has many recognizable national celebrities in the political, entertainment, sports and business worlds. Locally, it has many community leaders and prominent citizens. Such a campaign spotlighting these people could dispel a lot of myths about Mormons.

Is it fair that Barak Obama continues to be punished for his comments suggesting people are religious because they are bitter?

Pignanelli: No. The Illinois senator's poor choice of words approached the worst Bushism ever uttered. I am surrounded by people who are deeply religious, and they are not bitter (well, except LaVarr). Obama mangled speech, but his intent should not be overlooked. Millions of Americans are hurting in a 21st-century economy.

I am a free trader proponent of globalization who believes open markets are the best approach to eliminating poverty and raising living standards on the planet. Our nation will continue to flourish if the rest of the world prospers. (Yes, I am frustrated with narrow-minded attacks on free trade and international economy by the presidential candidates.) While government should not hamper this economic pursuit, it must help citizens in a smooth transition. Obama correctly disparaged politicians who disregarded the loss of American livelihoods to the New Economy. Our fellow citizens are suffering, with no resolution in sight. He began expressing this concern years ago.

Obama deserves criticism for the words used but respect for refusing to ignore the pain of many.

Webb: This is all really fun to watch (if you're a Republican). It's actually not blue-collar, religious, white guys who are bitter. It's Hillary and Barack who are bitter and getting angrier by the day. The Dems are deeply divided. The candidates are slinging mud. The civil war will continue for at least another couple of months, and it's going to leave a lot of bitter Democratic casualties on the battlefield when it's finally resolved.

Yes, Democratic leaders will ultimately unite and say nice things about each other. And it's true that the long Democratic primary has gotten voters excited and sparked historic Democratic turnout.

But the melee has also exposed serious flaws in both candidates, making it harder for them to veer to the mainstream and attract moderates and independents in the general election.

Obama hasn't shown great appeal beyond African-Americans and liberal urban elitists suffering from white guilt (sorry to describe you, Frank). Clinton is Clinton, with enormous negatives and a lack of warmth.

Despite the slumping economy, despite the unpopular war, despite lousy Republican performance at the national level, John McCain has a real shot at being elected.

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Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and a Deseret News managing editor. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.