Pignanelli and Webb: Applause and praise for Garn were understandable

The end of the recent legislative session will always be remembered for the tearful — and shocking — confession by Majority Leader Kevin Garn on the floor of the House. The incident has captured the attention of both local and national media, and many Utah politicos need physical therapy to reduce the pain from their incessant tongue-wagging over this matter. So we, of course, must weigh in:

Were political insiders surprised by the revelations about Garn hot-tubbing with his 15-year-old employee, Cheryl Maher, 25 years ago?

Most were surprised, but there had been hints of trouble. In the June 2002 GOP congressional primary, Garn was pitted against former Speaker Rob Bishop for the nomination. After Bishop's victory, activists were chattering about Garn's absences and lack of enthusiasm in the final days of the campaign. (Apparently, Garn visited Maher in New Hampshire the weekend before the election.) For years afterward, gossip circulated among politicos about some past issue haunting Garn. Yet, because of the near-universal affection and respect that Garn commanded, the rumors never got legs. One of the most surprising things about this whole matter is how it remained a secret for so long.

The Deseret News possessed information from Ms. Maher on this matter just before the primary election in 2002 but did not publish a story. Was this a mistake, or sound judgment?

In retrospect (where the view is always clear), it was a mistake. But in the heat of the moment, it was a very tough call. The editors were as concerned about what publicity would do to the young woman involved as they were about Garn. The news media must exercise careful judgment when they obtain sensational information about a candidate just before an election, especially if the incident happened many years before. The Deseret News has a strong track record of responsibility and probity in such matters. In this case, the facts were clear, since Garn made a weeping admission to the paper. If this had been an encounter with an adult, passing on the story might have been appropriate. But here the evidence pointed to a premeditated effort to remove the clothing of a 15-year-old. In hindsight, the right call would have been to publish the story.

After his speech at the close of the legislative session, Garn received a standing ovation from his colleagues — a response that has been ridiculed across the planet. Why did lawmakers applaud Garn?