At Saturday's debate, the moderator asked the candidates to rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being liberal and 10 being conservative.

Chaffetz and Cannon gave themselves 10s. Joe Ferguson said he was a 15. Leavitt said some definition was needed, but rated himself a strong, conservative 8.

"David Leavitt may be trying to hedge his bets, not going on the record as being more conservative than Chris Cannon," Monson said. "If I'm perceived as more conservative than he is, it limits my appeal with primary voters."

Leavitt has made it a point to tell reporters that his strategy was to prepare for a primary. He took pains Thursday to say that he wasn't packaging himself with his answer, that he established before the race what his positions were and promised he wouldn't change them.

"What I have is a message I believe Utah voters will grab onto," Leavitt said. "Time will tell whether that includes delegates or primary voters. I hope primary voters will get the opportunity to hear it."

If they do, his 8 kept him from going on the record as more conservative than Cannon, Monson said. That could help if the formula to beat Cannon turns out to be a more personable candidate with a similar ideology.

Chaffetz is wrapping up 16 months of preparations for the convention with meetings yesterday in West Jordan and Lehi and more today at the Hampton Inn across the street from UVSC, where he will court rural delegates who are spending the night in town before the convention.

Leavitt said he had 23 meetings lined up this week, 14 of them yesterday and today ranging from West Valley City, West Jordan and South Jordan to Pleasant Grove, Saratoga Springs, Provo, Orem, Springville, Spanish Fork and Payson.

"This is a tough race with aggressive opponents," the Cannon campaign said in a prepared statement. "Mr. Leavitt has a famous brother, a well-known name and a lot of money and Mr. Chaffetz has been running hard for more than a year. And a lot of poeple know Joe Ferguson. But come Saturday, we believe the delegates will understand that Chris not only has the experience to keep fighting for them in Washington but that he is the kind of conservative the 3rd District really wants."

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com