From Deseret News archives:
Utahns 'Unite for Change'
Demos gather to celebrate Obama, talk local politics
Hosted by the Young Democrats of Utah and Utah for Obama, the event drew Obama supporters as well as a slew of Utah Democratic candidates and office holders who gathered to celebrate their candidate, enjoy hotdogs and burgers off the grill and talk local and national politics. Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon noted the anomaly of the "blue" party supporters in the Salt Lake suburb.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many Democrats in Sandy at one time ... ever," Corroon said to a cheering audience.
Matt Lyon, the 24-year-old president of the Young Democrats of Utah, said his group has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of young Utahns wanting to get involved.
"We're seeing skyrocketing membership," Lyon said. "Our Web site hits are going through the roof ... we signed up over 200 people at the Pride Festival alone."
Lyon noted that all political groups see significant increases during presidential election years, but he thinks Obama's platform holds a particular interest for young voters.
"Obama is running a very youth-involved campaign," Lyon said. "That's rare for presidential candidates."
"It's a whole new ballgame," Lyon said. "Utah politics is being switched. It's not going to be the large media, big ad campaign ... it's going to be the grass-roots, peer-to-peer movement."
Utah Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Springmeyer was on hand Saturday and said the excitement level reminds him of a past Democratic presidential candidate.
"I haven't seen this much energy in a group of young people since Jack Kennedy," Springmeyer said. "I think it bodes extremely well for the Democratic Party in Utah and nationwide."
Springmeyer believes the new level of involvement and interest among Democrats, spurred in large part by Obama fervor, bodes well for his fight against popular Republican incumbent Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.
"It's going to have a major impact, not just on national races, but locally and in my gubernatorial race," Springmeyer said. "I think what we're seeing is people don't want caretaker governors or congressman they want change, somebody who's going to step up."
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Obama Republican | July 2, 2008 at 11:21 a.m.
A failed war started by a demo.
This 'war' is keeping
us safe....
To Obama Republican | July 2, 2008 at 10:56 a.m.
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obama Republican | July 1, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.
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A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
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Oh really. "How many places other than DN..." is a stupid thing to say....


