Yes, Salt Lake City is a blue oasis in a sea of red. Yes, Salt lake City had Rocky Anderson as it's mayor. Yes, our congressman is a democrat ( a blue dog, but none the less, puts a D in the column).
And the Salt Lake Tribune has endorsed, you got it, drum roll please,
Barack Obama!
trib editorial
Yes, we are doing at least some of what we can to turn the rest of the state blue - or at least purplish.
So I'm writing this short diary to pump up the adrenaline of the Utahn kossacks and other rocky mountain folks who like to see that there is hope in the most unlikely places. I'm also going to beg that people call, donate, write, email. And head to the battleground state of choice. This is too important to fall into complacency.
For those of you who do not know Utah like I do, you may envision it as an intolerant back water, filled with religious zealots. Well, after having lived in Pennsylvania for a long time (remember Rick Santorum? - yuk) I can say that the religiously intolerant are everywhere.
For those of you who do not know Utah like I do, I can tell you that is a beautiful place with kind and generous families, some of whom are perhaps somewhat misguided.
But the salt lake city area is filled with progressives of all stripes. Academics, professionals, family types that are committed to progressive ideals. Really I swear! And a first rate scientific community. Dr. Mario Cappechi, who won the nobel prize last year, when asked recently what he does now, he says he puts his prize to work, politically. At a recent talk, he said, and i'm paraphrasing, "that the last eight years has seen this country go down the toilet, and it is time for change". He's working for change.
And the fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves are stunning and the weather is beautiful, so here are some words of inspiration from the Trib to get you outside, walking and talking to neighbors, pounding in signs, making calls to colorado from your deck, writing letters to the editor outside, driving over to the democratic party headquaters to get more signs, or volunteer with your neighbors over at the Obama headquarters. Or to take a road trip to colorado. Words in Action and I are going the weekend before the election and we have room for two more people in the prius - snug, but fuel efficient.
This is why the trib is FOR Obama:
We fear that a lesser effort may be insufficient to reverse America's slide toward economic, political and societal chaos. The times require dramatic and comprehensive change.
The presidential candidates know it, and have made it their mantra.
Most Americans know it, and, in growing numbers, are demanding it.
The countries that have long depended upon the United States for enlightened global leadership long for it.
For the sake of all, and for those who follow us, we must have it.
The editorial board of The Salt Lake Tribune believes that Barack Obama can deliver it.
And this is why the trib is NOT for McSame:
John McCain, meanwhile, crushed Mitt Romney to gain his party's nomination, but then blundered badly by not bringing the business-savvy Romney onto the ticket. Romney would have shored up McCain's poor grasp of economic policy.
Then, out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.
trib editorial
So if you're all fired up for progressive action in utah, swing past our actblue pages and make a small donation if you can. Some of our legislature reps lost by LESS THAN 20 votes last time around.
actblue for Utah state senate
Take heart, we can change things. The intermountain west can help. Please help, Utahn kossacks!
'will work for change'