Utah Demos hope for converts
But none believes Kerry could be victorious in state
Thursday, the last night of the four-day convention, was intended to introduce the Democratic presidential nominee as a man who can make Americans safe at home while restoring respect in the world.
The Utah delegation was fired up after hearing Kerry's acceptance speech, in which the candidate pledged to restore trust and credibility to the White House in the city celebrated as the cradle of America's liberty.
Now they need to spread the word, said Ed Mayne, the head of Utah's AFL-CIO. "Take it home to be the missionaries," Mayne told the delegation. "Even though we're not a battleground state."
Kerry's supporters in Utah do have their work cut out for them. A new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll shows President Bush leading Kerry 63 percent to 28 percent in the state.
Nevertheless, "he will do better than people would expect he'd do in Utah," delegate Debbie White, a teacher from Sandy, said. "Especially after the primary we had."
In 1992, Bill Clinton won the presidency but came in third in Utah.
Four years ago, Al Gore received a scant 26 percent of the state's vote, his worst showing anywhere. George W. Bush easily won in Utah with 67percent, with only Wyoming and Idaho giving him a bigger share of the vote.
"Kerry should not do as badly," Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch said Thursday.
Hatch, head of Kerry's campaign in Utah, said his candidate could approach 40 percent of the vote come November if voters have been paying attention to the convention.
"And that's the trick," Hatch said.
Utah delegates praised the party for delivering a message emphasizing the values Democrats share rather than those issues that divide them.
"The issues we discussed here are the bread and butter issues that all Americans care about," said state Sen. Patrice Arent. "Issues Utahns care about, such as health care, education and good jobs."
The convention's special focus on military matters is a message that should resonate with Utahns, the delegates said. A number of top military leaders, including retired Gen. Wesley Clark, have endorsed Kerry, as have the men who served on his swift boat in Vietnam.
Delegate Beverly White, a former state legislator from Tooele, said she's more confident now about Kerry's showing in Utah next November.
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