Down and Dirty Campaigning

Anyone who has ever worked on a political campaign knows that the glitz and glamor never stops. Take last night - we had a star studded event with a lot of...*ahem*...licking and sticking. Here is the photographic evidence:

Boy, you guys need to get your minds out of the gutter; I was talking about licking envelopes and sticking stamps!

That's right, last night Jean, along with Rob Miller, our campaign manager, Kelsey Eisenberg, campaign staffer, and Brandon Tillman, a fantastic volunteer, spent last night stuffing fundraising envelopes.

Of course we would not have to use so much paper if people simply went to our ActBlue page and contributed online - but hey, at least we are trying!

If you would like to get more involved as a volunteer, please contact Erica Monson at e_monson3@yahoo.com or call the office - 801-548-8579.

Education Funding?

I realize it may not be a smart political move to direct people to my opponent's website, but I must say, Mark has one of the saddest posts on his site that I have ever seen.

He has put together a 23 SECOND video on education funding. Anyone who has ever paid even the slightest attention to education funding can tell you there is no possible way to say anything meaningful on the topic in 23 seconds, and Shurtleff's video proves them right.

Shurtleff claims "we're (no explanation who "we" is) protecting the funding for our children's education by securing and generating money from our school trust lands." How HE is securing and generating money from the trust lands is not explained (for the record, the School Institutional Trust Lands Administration is responsible for securing and generating money from the trust lands). Nor does he offer any explanation how his pro-voucher position fits with this claim that he --or the unidentified "we" --is protecting education funding.

He also states he will stop the "federal government or anyone else" from using the school trust lands unless the use benefits school children. Again, no explanation what the Attorney General of Utah is actually doing or has done to protect the trustlands from misuse.

Of course, there's also no information about any specific attempts by the feds "or anyone else" to use the trust lands to the detriment of the schools. From what I have seen as a member of the Trustlands Advisory Committee, the State Institutional Trust Lands Administration is doing a great job of protecting the value of the lands. And Shurtleff was nowhere to be found when the Division of Natural Resources was pushing to buy some trust lands for far less than fair value--but SITLA and the leaders of the Advisory Committee were.

So, if you want to see a classic example of political pandering and a dismal attempt by one politician to gloss over his ill-conceived support for vouchers, check out the video (and note the date on his PTA award).

Logan 24th of July Parade, 2008

Weber County 24th of July Parade, 2008

Greek Festival in Carbon County

I spent several enjoyable hours at the Greek Festival in Carbon County on July 12. As a kid, I visited my grandparents and uncles in Helper several times each summer. Grandma still lives in the same house, with the trains rumbling by every so often. I loved the sounds of the trains and the freedom I experienced when my parents would let me walk down to the Gimbels department store.

I was reminded of much of this on my visit to the Greek Fest. Admittedly, I don't visit my grandmother as much as I should now (grandpa passed away many years ago). But people at the Fest fondly remember my family, especially my uncle Tony who was a much admired basketball coach until his life was cut tragically short.

Thanks to the many introductions provided by Andrew (last name withheld to protect the innocent), I met past and current friends of my parents, their siblings, and their children--my cousins. Each person I met was as welcoming as if I was one of those well-known cousins. It is this kind of easy camaraderie that I enjoy most about Price and Helper. Despite the difficult times many in the area have experienced, they are still more than willing to open their minds and hearts to people; or at least to people who may have an inclining of the difficulties and the joys they experience living in Carbon County.

This is, after all, a county built on coal. It can't afford to lose this extractive industry or the unions that ensure that those who do the potentially deadly work are fairly compensated for their efforts.

But my trip to the Greek Fest wasn't about making political speeches. It was about eating great food, watching the Greek dancers and talking to people who would never dream of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a political campaign, but know very well what a difference political leaders can make in their lives.

Murray and Magna 4th of July Parades Slideshow

Why I work for Jean - By Curtis Haring

A short while ago I was approached by Rob Miller about working as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Jean Welch Hill campaign. Politics, it seems, is much like the Mafia – just when you think you are out, they pull you right back in!

At the time I decided to mull it over, I had a few other jobs offered to me, some political, some not, and I felt that it was in my best interest to at least investigate what Jean was about before I decided to jump head first into this campaign. I had to ask myself “what makes Jean worth my time?”

Well after a few days of listening to Jean speak and doing some basic research about her opponent, I decided to take the plunge.

Jean is the type of politician I like: one who cares about service and not furthering her own political gain. She legitimately cares about the needs of the citizens of Utah.

As a life long Utahan, I have seen the politics of imbalance that Republicans have implemented over my short 24 years; indeed the questionable practices we have seen over the past few months is a symptom of our system being off kilter. Jean Welch Hill, when elected, will bring some balance to the one party system.

And that is what this election is really about – the citizens of this state have been fundamentally harmed by one party rule. I am not advocating for Jean because she is a Democrat, rather I am supporting her because she represents another, valuable, point of view.

Jean’s stances on campaign finance reform, usury laws, and education neglect are not radical by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, when one hears how outrageous interest rates are for payday lenders, it is hard to imagine why these laws have not been implemented many years ago. This, of course, is only one example. The balance that Jean would bring to the state of Utah is vital to our growth and prosperity.

As you read this, please know that I do now work for Jean, and am proud to do so. Some may view this as “just another campaign stunt,” and you are free to do so; please know that it is not. I work for Jean because I care – I care about the wellbeing of my fellow citizens.

Women in Politics

I met with one of the great female public servants--Karen Shepherd-- a few weeks ago to discuss campaign strategies. We had a far-ranging conversation including an area of campaigning experienced most often by female candidates--hair and clothing.

Perhaps it is because women have more clothing and hair options than men, or because the ubiquitousness of women's mags has convinced people that a woman's appearance somehow tells you who she is as a person. Whatever the reason, women candidates face far more scrutiny over their appearance than men.

And no look is good enough. Short hair is too masculine, long hair is too feminine, suits are too boxy, dresses are too girly. Pink suggests you are weak, black says you are too strong.

So what's a female candidate to do? Ignore it. Unless you are in the running for America's Top Model, politics is not a beauty contest. As Ms. Shepherd told me, be comfortable, be yourself and let the voters see the kind of person you are through your words and actions, not your shoes (however fabulous the shoes may be).

Everybody Loves a Parade

The first round of parades is over, and I am still achy--note to self, sandals, no matter how comfortable, are not made for walking 4+ miles!

For the last four years, my oldest son and I have walked in the Murray Fun Days Parade, first for Rep. Tim Cosgrove and, this year, for my own campaign. We have enjoyed being part of the parade (though one year I would like to actually see the other entrants), but I learned this year that the view from the post of "candidate" is much different.

As a supporter, you walk and wave. As the candidate, people actually seek an opportunity to talk to you along the route.

Granted, a few just wanted to know how to get one of our lovely purple t-shirts (pledge to make a monthly donation!), but other people wanted me to know how glad they are I am running, to wish me luck, and to give me the ten second snapshot of their concerns about the office I seek.

What was most surprising and enjoyable about these brief conversations, however, was the sense of hope that people seem to be experiencing in this election year. While the parade route may not be the most scientific method for determining which way the political winds are blowing, this brief moment of connection with voters did give me the sense that voters are eager for something better that the status quo we have all dealt with for so many years. Best of all, voters have real choices among candidates this year in most state and national races. Not only can they hope for better, they can actually vote for better! Now there's something to celebrate at a parade!

AG Conflicts of Interest

Weber County residents were likely surprised when, earlier this week, they learned that the Weber County Attorney had been asked to investigate whether laws had been broken during the contentious Republican primary race for Utah Treasurer. This is unusual, since neither of the candidates (Mark Walker and Richard Ellis) live or work in Weber County. None of the alleged misdeeds occurred in Weber County, either.

So why is the Weber County Attorney involved, you ask?

The reason is that the person normally responsible for investigating such cases – Utah attorney general Mark Shurtleff – has an unmistakable conflict of interest. The attorney general is unable to do his job, and the Weber County Attorney is forced to pick up the slack. And that’s a shame.

Here is the back story. Treasurer candidate Mark Walker allegedly offered his opponent in the primary election, Richard Ellis, a bribe to get out of the treasurer’s race. Such an offer would violate Utah law. Utah’s Lieutenant Governor undertook an investigation and referred the case to Attorney General Shurtleff immediately after the polls closed.

And there lies the problem. Despite the allegations of misconduct and the possibility of an investigation by the attorney general’s office, Shurtleff wholeheartedly endorsed Walker and hosted a fundraiser for him. Having so clearly taken sides, it would be impossible for Shurtleff to make an impartial assessment of the case on the merits. Shurtleff himself seems to have acknowledged this, by appointing the Weber County Attorney as special counsel in the matter.

If this were a single oversight, it would be regrettable but possible to overlook. People make mistakes. But this is not the first time Shurtleff has allowed politics – and particularly political fundraising – to jeopardize his ability to serve as a watchdog of the public interest. Consider two other prominent examples.

Radioactive Waste. One of the most dire problems facing the state is the issue of radioactive waste disposal. As is now well known, EnergySolutions hopes to dump tons of overseas nuclear waste at its facility in Tooele County. A bipartisan coalition led by Gov. Jon Huntsman and U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson is battling the EnergySolutions scheme.

A primary thrust of Utah’s anti-radioactive waste effort has come through its position on the Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management. Utah is a member of the Compact, and Utah’s representative recently cast a decisive vote against the EnergySolutions project. But in a virtually simultaneous action, EnergySolutions filed suit claiming that the Compact lacks authority over the radioactive waste facility in the west desert. Needless to say, if we are to avoid becoming the world’s dumping ground for radioactive waste, Utah will need the most aggressive and vigilant legal representation.

And there lies the problem. During his two terms in office, Shurtleff has taken more than $45,000 in campaign contributions from EnergySolutions, its predecessor Envirocare, and their corporate executives.

Shurtleff is on the fence, with a huge campaign donor on one side and the citizens of Utah on the other. This should never have happened. When it comes to an issue of such unparalleled importance, it is simply unacceptable for Utahns to be uncertain about where our attorney general’s loyalties lie.

Payday Lenders. Another policy issue that has been squarely in the public eye is the proliferation of payday lenders in Utah. These businesses often charge interest rates as high as ten percent – per week! That can amount to an annual interest rate of more than 500%. Many desperate borrowers find themselves unable to repay their loans, and end up owing even more to collections agencies. Yet Utah remains one of only seven states with no laws that would prohibit loans with such exorbitant interest rates. We need leadership at the state level to enact sensible laws to prevent predatory lending practices.

And there lies the problem. Shurtleff has taken no less than $70,000 from payday lending companies and their representatives during his time in office (including over $30,000 since January of this year) creating yet another problematic conflict between his political aspirations and public responsibilities.

Our attorney general should be educating the legislature about the perils of payday lending operations and advocating for sensible regulations to protect the public. In contrast, Mark Shurtleff has been one of the payday lenders’ strongest advocates at the Capitol. Given the massive investment that the payday lenders have made in his campaign, it is fair to ask who he truly represents, those who voted for him or those who paid him to run.

All candidates must get involved with fundraising. But the attorney general is an officer of the court and the paramount defender of the public interest. Utahns have every right to demand that their attorney general conduct his political affairs with a vigilant eye towards avoiding potential conflicts of interest. For without a change of behavior in the attorney general’s office, voters in Weber County and across Utah will continue to find themselves disappointed and disenfranchised by unnecessary conflicts of interest.