Utah Demo platform to right of U.S. plank

It seems the farther one gets from Washington, D.C., the more conservative the Democratic Party gets — at least in the platforms of the party's various levels.

A review by the Deseret News of the draft national Democratic platform, the Utah State Democratic platform, and the Utah County Democratic platform shows a few common themes and more than a few differences.

In fact, while it may be the case, political scientists say, that few voters read or know much about party platforms, a number of Utah Democratic candidates are very sensitive about their own party's written beliefs — keeping their distance from ideas they don't like.

U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is not attending next week's National Democratic Convention in Denver, where the national platform will formally be adopted. And Matheson declined to be interviewed by the newspaper on any differences he may have personally with the draft national party platform.

State Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, served on the national Democratic platform committee, which adopted a draft several weeks ago in Pittsburgh.

"It is an inclusive document, without being repetitive. One really needs to read the whole document" which runs some 50 pages long, to get a feeling for the comprehensive nature of the Democratic party's approach to national government, Davis notes.

Asked about one political sore point with many Utah voters, Davis said: "We do stand for a woman's right to choose (an abortion) following Roe v. Wade, but we also have strong statements on adoption and access to birth control and education so a woman doesn't find herself in that position" of seeking an abortion.

Compare how the party platforms change as they move up the chain of government:

Utah County Democratic platform

Utah County Democratic candidates are stressing their commitment to faith, family and communities.

In fact, the importance of faith is the lead issue in the county party platform. Families are referred to throughout the short platform (just five pages long.) Some of the key issues for Utah County Democrats:

• They are against abortion, calling it a "tragedy." Their stand on abortion reflects Utah law and the stand by the LDS Church — abortion is wrong with the only exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal deformity or when a doctor says there is a "serious threat to the life or health of the mother."

• They support more funding for public schools. They hate No Child Left Behind. There's no mention of vouchers. (Vouchers had some close votes in the November 2007 referendum in Utah County House and Senate districts.)

• Families should teach sex education to their children. Marriage is between one man and one woman, although a "family" may be related by blood, marriage or choice of individuals wishing to care for each other. No mention of gay or human rights in the platform.

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