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Show i Cyclops Lighter Side By Bryan Gray ; It takes us. . .ail Following last week's election, there were two very happy, groups of people: The Republicans (who continue their one-party one-party control in Davis County) and the media organizations (who reap the benefits of one-time cash as candidates scamper to advertise their stands, their supporters, their mug shots, their families, etc.) Weekly newspapers love the advertising. Candidates who would normally grumble about the 2-cent increase on a gallon of unleaded suddenly turn into free spenders, the same trait they say they'll fight once elected. After reviewing the print campaigns cam-paigns in Davis County, I offer the following Cyclops observations: observa-tions: MOST HUMOROUS AD The "Where Were You in 52" campaign by Democratic chairman George Miles, running for Haven Barlow's seat in Senate District 22. Miles wryly noted that Barlow was first elected when Ike was President, the Dodgers Dod-gers were playing in Brooklyn and Bogart was winning an Academy Award. The ad was a clever way of noting Barlow's age but said nothing about why a voter should cast a ballot for Miles instead. MOST HUMOROUS POLITICAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR EDI-TOR A letter published in the Ogden Standard Examiner supported sup-ported a candidate for his fascal effectiveness. Unfortunately, the lady wrote that the candidate was worthy of support since "he has a history of spending other people's money." An unintentional unin-tentional chuckle from a lady that meant well. MOST CONFUSING DECLARATION In his campaign for House District 19, Libertarian Willie Marshall distributed a brochure proclaiming that "Economic Development Can Turn Utah Into the Switzerland of America!" I didn't know that Switzerland evokes negative impressions. . . When I asked around, people said that, when they think of Switzerland, they conjure up images of pleasant skiing, fine-tuned watches and secret bank accounts. ("What's the matter with Switzerland?" said one friend. "It's better than living in Draper!") MOST CLASSY LOSING CAMPAIGN Democratic commission com-mission candidate Harold Shafter aggressively distributed a direct-mail newspaper and ran full-page advertisements, all geared to his views on the issues and the comments of his supporters. He took the race seriously and gave it his best shot. MOST CLASSY NEWSPAPER AD The sincere "Dear Friends" ad from Republican incumbant Kim Burningham, a low-key approach that stressed the challenges ahead. BEST CLASSY NEWSPAPER AD The full-page handwritten hand-written letter from U.S. House hopeful Gunn McKay, opposing a national pro-Hansen abortion advertisement and warning voters vo-ters to beware of emotional last-minute charges. The ad stood out from all the others cluttering the daily newspapers. BEST CAMPAIGN SLOGAN Rep. Jim Hansen's billboard .,' slogan, "Utah's Kind of Congressman." What does it mean? Well, nothing, but it contained a nice "anti-Washington" ring, a deft observation that Jim was "one of us." MOST SILLY ARGUMENT The otherwise effective ad from the Davis Education Association' which said its political committee doesn't endorse candidates but merely offers a numerical rating. Oh, come on. . . If an organization says Candidate Can-didate A is ranked a 3.9 and his opponent is ranked a 1.4, it becomes an obvious "endorsement" of Candidate A, much like the Michelin Guide "endorses" restaurants with 5-star ratings. There is nothing wrong in the DEA endorsing candidates but why not be up-front and admit it? MOST ILL-TIMED WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN The write-in candidacy of Sheriff hopeful Dub Lawrence, announced five days prior to the election and not in time to effectively advertise his candidacy. Write-in candidates face enough problems, let alone a tight calendar. MOST LIBERAL SUPPORT FOR A CONSERVATIVE Sen. Haven Barlow, considered a conservative Republican, received political donations from the two teachers groups (UEA, DEA) and the traditionally liberal AFL-CIQ. No wonder his Democratic opponent felt surrounded by hostile Indians? BEST POLITICAL PREDICTION Cyclops, who said in this column one year ago that Utah Democrats would make it close in '86. ("Many Utahns are feeling guilty about being labeled as knee-jerk Republicans; these voters will be looking for an excuse to support a Democrat in the next election.") WORST PUBLIC RELATIONS Several of the Davis County Libertarians who refused to cooperate with news reporters repor-ters in spreading their message. |