I was recently interviewed by a reporter asking about why local Democrat candidates are not listing their party affiliation on their campaign materials. I think the answer is obvious but here are the thoughts I shared with him. BTW, another point he asked about is why these same Dems are listing their LDS church jobs on the same material where they fail to list their party.

Democrats across the county are running from their party and their leaders...clear proof that party matters...and a fact that local democrats are aware of. And who can blame them? Few want to be associated with the agenda coming out of DC.

What party you belong to reflects the values that you hold. The choice is clear between the parties, even here in Utah County. Party and party values are also important because it gives an indication of what type of policies (laws) you will pursue. Public policy is ultimately what elections are all about. A name may be on the ballot but I believe elections are about our goal of good public policy. Utahans recognize that a name with a R behind it means that they can have greater confidence that they share the same values. So party also reflects what policies that candidate will consider and support. Party influences and signals strongly to the public the values behind a persons choice of party.

This is why it is irresponsible that local Dems appeal to the public to ignore the party, when their tactical decision to not use party affiliation is a strong sign they know it matters. They would rather that the voters consider church service alone.

As I mentioned before, elections are about more than the candidate and so as voters weigh the candidates and their background, they do so with the hope that good policy will be adopted. The fact that traditional election cycle results are being ignored and many established leaders are being replaced is a sign that the voter is waking up. This is a very good thing. Our system requires active participation. The frustrated voter is closing the gap of accountability and rejecting party labels and titles. All seeking office must connect deeper to party values and with the public to survive. So party (party values) will become even more important not less important. Again, its not about the specific individuals but what values does the person hold...that will influence what positions and laws they will support. So voters are rejecting those that have not demonstrated their connection to the party values and governing documents.

Local Dems listing of church titles is another failed effort by those that feel entitled. Sure it helps somewhat connect the voter with the values but while early everyone in the LDS community appreciates Church service, we also recognize that these experiences should help influence a persons values so when a person states that the public should ignore the party label but trust that my church service demonstrates I share your values, then the voter interprets that as why if they share my values do they choose a party that is so far off from my values (I don't want to list all the ways that Dems are wrong on both moral and fiscal value issues)? It is nearly impossible to separate a party's values with the persons values. Ultimately I believe that listing of church service will backfire and hurt candidates that want the public to ignore party affiliation and consider their church service. In the church we don't seek specific callings and we also don't say no to a call. And we certainly shouldn't use these past experiences to further our own agendas.

Basically, the Dems running in Utah County have an identification problem - they're Dems yet insist on saying, "We're really Republicans." People are smarter than that; they understand that a vote for a Democrat is a vote for that type of leadership. This is one of the best arguments against supporting Matheson - his first vote in Congress is for the Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

They've tried for years to distance themselves from the Democratic Party structure by using lines like, "Vote for the man, not the party." This year it looks like their strategy is, "Values you can trust." But in Utah we understand that a party is principle-base you adhere to and whether the Dems like it or not, they're on the opposite side of too many issues important to Republicans (again, the very reason why they remove their party affiliation).

A perfect example of how out of touch they are is local Democrats advocate for a system which empowers unelected persons (UEG & Fair Boundaries) to make decisions. This deflects responsibility and accountability where it belongs...with the voter. Republicans understand that there needs to be accountability and that they are accountable every election.

I hate the listing of church-related service on campaign material. Do you have to be a bishop, stake president, or return mission president to be credible? I hope not. This would certainly narrow down the pool of people eligible. I also don't think that a former Mission Pres or Bishop is more qualified than a Sunday School teacher or Primary worker. They certainly can't claim a deeper testimony and we all know stories of church leaders that have been disasters and some that have even been excommunicated.

Few candidates even try to play the religion card. And for good reason, it usually backfires. Local Dems will not find much success in this campaign gimmick of hide and seek either...in fact voters will reject it out-right. It is offensive to the voter. Dems try to spin that they believe in full disclosure and transparency yet they don't disclose to the public their party label and focus instead on church service. Nice try.

GOP Strength Comes From the People

Is the GOP serious about supporting their conservative platform? In the past they have been slow to hold their nominees and officials accountable and have ignored actions deemed outside the traditional values of the party. Rather we seemed comfortable in accepting that from time to time it was ok to compromise our values. We trusted that these representatives would stay on track even though from time to time they ventured off course.

But those days are over. The party is getting back to the time-tested principles proven to build prosperity and create jobs. This transformation restores the party to its true strength – the people. The party is now putting their trust and faith back in the guiding documents and full adherence is required by our leaders. Politicians addicted to power, spending, and “playing the game” are being fired.

I remember during the Clinton years, many of my Republican friends commented that Clinton was the best thing to happen to the party; he energized the base and helped us focus on issues. The problem was our leaders didn’t catch the wave and we allowed them to stray. Our complacency continued during the Bush years and spending was a weakness.

Luckily it has only taken a short Obama era to wake us up fully. And just in time: I’m not sure the country could afford for the people to sleep any longer. Conservatives are engaged again and America is on the path to restore her strength.

It is the people that made America; average men and women doing extraordinary things; and risking even their lives to build a new country. Each citizen was fully engaged in the messy and often inconvenient process of making laws and debating policies. But they recognized that freedom is worth some inconvenience.

During the recent GOP state convention a comment was made that Bennett had been in office too long. I asked this new and angry delegate where he had been during those years. Obviously he had not been engaged. I appreciate the added energy and hope the new interest will help erase the complacency and apathy once and for all. The gap of accountability has been wide for too long. I along with many of my fellow conservatives will work every day to close it and throw away the key.

Never Give Up

This past Saturday, I participated in the Utah Half Ironman Triathlon. I had been preparing for many months and had my race day plan; I was eager to test my physical and mental fortitude. And boy did I.

After a better than expected 1.2 mile swim, I set off on the 56-mile bike course. But with 10 miles or so left, my quads started to lock up and cramp. I struggled just getting off the bike and thought my day was over; the thought of running 13 miles seemed nearly impossible. Faced with what seemed like an insurmountable challenge, I thought, “Let’s just see how it goes the first mile.” I’m confident anyone watching me thought that guy will never make it. But I thought of my family and friends cheering me on and kept going. I dug deep and before long realized I was passing the three-mile marker and my pace had picked up. I was running again.

Physically I thought I was done quite a few times, but mentally I wanted to succeed—so I persevered and kept going. In business and in life, we often face what seems like insurmountable obstacles that test all of our preparation and training. Should we give up? I say never. To succeed in life, and a triathlon, it takes preparation and a game plan. And when I hit some road bumps, I made adjustments, refueled, dug deep, and kept going.

Believe it or not, finishing that race gave me confidence to try again even harder the next time. I will train better and smarter, and now my experience will come into play to help me through the hard times. I have worked with many of you and know that during these tough times, you can and will prepare, work hard, dig deep, build your business by following your game plan. Take time to re-evaluate and refocus. Turn to a mentor and loving family and friends. And mostly, never give up.