Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Santa discloses the wish-lists of some prominent politicos

Poor Santa. Every year he is inundated by billions of requests for Christmas largesse. He tries to accommodate everyone, but is getting irritated with politicians and their demands. Since the big day is over, Santa broke the code of holiday silence and shared with us wish lists from certain characters we all know.

President Obama: “I’m wishing for a little relevance in my last year. With few people paying attention, I’m already feeling lame, and sometimes my speechwriters type ‘quack, quack, quack’ into the teleprompter.”

Sen. Orrin Hatch: "Nothing much. Just continued Republican Senate control so I can still be president pro tem and third in line for the presidency (you never know what might happen) and chairman of Finance, and well-positioned just in case I decide … you know … kinda thinkin’ … maybe 2018."

Donald Trump: “I’m very, very rich. I reject campaign contributions and Christmas gifts. Santa Claus is a loser. Real low energy except one night a year.”

Hillary Clinton: “More insults from Donald Trump. He’s the only person on earth who can actually generate voter sympathy for me. Suddenly, I’m likable.”

Gov. Gary Herbert: "Another year of great economic success for Utah so I can slide into re-election. Of course, it would be real frosting on the eggnog if my Republican opponent's company takes a beating in its stock prices."

GOP gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Johnson: “How about a little recognition for true visionary leadership instead of status quo management? A couple of early debates would be nice as well. It’s boring to debate Dabakis.”

Sen. Mike Lee: "Santa, please deliver us a president who has great courage, a conservative vision and the deep intelligence to do the right thing … especially nominate me for the U.S. Supreme Court."

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams: "I just want the gift of political disguise so voters aren’t sure what party I belong to. Besides, voting straight ticket is so boring. Live 2016 on the wild side — cross party lines!"

Democratic Party Chairman Peter Corroon: "Since we are called the Santa Claus party anyway for giving away government goodies — it's about time we got something from the real Santa. Just one Republican incumbent goes down in 2016. Just one."

Republican Party Chairman James Evans: "I seek only three gifts. No, not gold, frankincense and myrrh. Simple things — complete disarray in the signature petition process to justify my lawsuit, a great Republican candidate to challenge Ben McAdams, and a deadlocked national convention so Mitt Romney can be drafted on the second ballot."

Mitt Romney: “No more dog-strapped-to-the-roof-of-the-car jokes. Anyway, he was in a dog carrier. Got that? A dog carrier. He wasn’t hanging from the roof by his collar. And, yes, a deadlocked national convention would be nice as well.”

Congressman Chris Stewart: "All I want is a hundred more people to know who I am."

Congressman Rob Bishop: "I just want my staff to finish the dang public lands bill."

All Republican candidates: "For the sake of the country, please provide an electoral miracle and see that Bernie Sanders is the Democratic nominee. Republicans will win up and down the ballot."

All Democratic candidates: "For the sake of the country, please see that Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. With him at the top of the ticket, I can knock off any Republican."

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox: "Last year, Santa left me a big lump of coal otherwise known as SB54 and the contentious signature-gathering process. So he owes me. How about knocking off Ben McAdams in 2016 so I don’t have to face him in 2020 for the governorship?”

Congresswoman Mia Love: "All I want is high approval ratings and lots of campaign cash for the next 11 months."

Democratic congressional candidate Doug Owens: "A big inflow of national Democratic money to my campaign and a few more Love mini-scandals. Oh, and prevent Mia from using her prodigious campaign wealth to run negative ads against me.”

Political commentators, lobbyists, pundits and media: "We want peace on earth and goodwill towards all — except in anything political. Our livelihoods depend on titanic battles and chaos in the political process."

House Speaker Greg Hughes: "I just never want to hear the words ‘Medicaid expansion’ again."

Senate President Wayne Niederhauser: "I seek a truly historic event. A massive snow dump in the middle of the legislative session, so I can declare the first-ever legislative snow day, send everyone home, and head to the backcountry."

Congressman Jason Chaffetz: "I really don't need anything. Democrats keep goofing up without any help from Santa, keeping my Oversight Committee plenty busy."

Pignanelli and Webb: "Just a couple of things: perceptive readers who actually get our obtuse humor, patient editors who suffer through our missed deadlines, and another year of political hijinks so we’ll have plenty of juicy material to write about."

Have a happy new year! 

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: A reluctant but necessary discussion on Trump and terrorism

The presidential race has a new focus on national security — and, of course, Donald Trump. We hate to even mention the guy’s name, because his key strategy is to dominate news coverage. But we can’t ignore his bigotry.

Has Donald Trump crossed the line from entertaining to downright frightening and dangerous?

Pignanelli: “So what if the media question Trump’s bending the truth. There never has been more truth bending from Washington, D.C., than right now!” —Iowa Trump supporter on NBC "Meet the Press."

The recent denunciations of Trump by Republican, Democrat, religious, community and business leaders is heartwarming and a testimony to the great soul of this nation. I will pile on with an additional perspective.

With a dark demeanor and weird hair, Trump is providing a public service. His comments are generating a hostile reaction that is unifying disparate factions and reminding the country of the principles that bind us. Further, he is illustrating that our democracy is not impervious to — and can breed — charismatic jingoistic power seekers whose ultimate ambition is tyranny. We must be ever vigilant against this threat, whether from Trump or another demagogue with cheap promises of security (and a worse haircut).

Normally Trump would be easily dismissed. But the dysfunction in Washington, D.C., and its inability to articulate a response to terrorism is creating the vacuum that the blowhard billionaire can fill with horrible rhetoric against Muslims. The partisan bickering has now fostered another terrible menace.

If 300 million Americans must endure the buffoonery for another six months, then we put the nonsense to good use for a massive "teaching moment."

Webb: Donald Trump will never be elected president. Thank goodness. But he is fully capable of electing Hillary Clinton and a Democratic U.S. Senate. He could care less about what’s best for America. He cares only about Donald Trump.

As a young man, I served my church in Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population — many millions of sweet, caring, wonderful Muslim people. To think that Trump would prevent citizens of this entire nation from entering my country is reprehensible.

Remember, our most important allies in the fight against Islamic terrorism are Muslims and Muslim countries. Islamic terrorists mostly maim and kill other Muslims.

Just as scary as Trump himself is the fact that some 30 percent of Republicans actually support him. I don’t like to offend people, but I worry about the intellectual capacity of these folks who seek simplistic answers to complex questions, who are so easily influenced by a charismatic charlatan, who seek a nonexistent political savior. Too many people get caught up in celebrity worship, the political equivalent of the Kardashians.

Thankfully, most Utahns are not so naïve. Polling by Dan Jones & Associates for UtahPolicy.com shows some 65 percent of Utahns reject Trump’s views on banning Muslims. Trump’s presidential bid has only 13 percent support in Utah. He’s running even or behind Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio.

Remember, it’s not a big leap from Muslims to Mormons to Jews or whatever other religion Trump decides to persecute.

In his speech to the nation, President Obamaoutlined his approach to dealing with terrorism at home and abroad. Was the speech adequate for the occasion and inspiring enough to spur action?

Pignanelli: The Democrats I listened to in the media or encountered during the days following the speech gave a ho-hum critique of the president’s presentation. (Of course, I endured the usual stream of complaints from Republicans.) Many hoped Obama would have given an emotional delivery to rally the nation and restore confidence. He didn't.

Perhaps Obama is channeling the fear and confusion plaguing the nation’s capital on this matter. There is much shouting and finger wagging. But our leaders have no real plan. We have never faced an enemy with such tactics.

I am optimistic that the White House will recover its footing, develop a strategy, and reach out to the nation for support. The alternative to this dream is a real nightmare.

Webb: Obama’s trumpet continues to give an uncertain sound. The speech was a dud. Obama didn’t say anything new and he certainly didn’t inspire Americans or make them feel safer or more patriotic.

The terrorist attack in San Bernardino has reignited national security issues related to NSA’s desire to collect bulk phone records. Was it a mistake to restrict NSA’s data-collecting program?

Pignanelli: No expert has argued that NSA retention of these records would have prevented this and other tragedies. Such information, if needed, can be accessed by the subpoena of communications service providers. A strong response to the terrorists must be coupled with an equal determination to prevent government overreach.

Webb: Banning bulk collection of phone records is completely ridiculous. Anyone who isn’t a terrorist has absolutely nothing to worry about. Who has been hurt by this practice? Only bad guys. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Facebook and your local department store know far more about you than the NSA ever will. Ted Cruzand others of his ilk are fearmongers who place political expediency over national security.

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: A few political issues to contemplate on cold and smoggy days

It has been cold and smoggy outside, dampening holiday cheer. So you might as well stay inside and contemplate a few political issues. Here are some we’re thinking about.

Recent survey research shows that Utah voters, especially conservative Republicans, give freshman U.S. Sen. Mike Lee good job approval ratings. His numbers are higher than his Senate colleague Orrin Hatch, who also enjoys respectable approval numbers. How has Lee eclipsed the long-serving Hatch, who is one of the Senate’s most powerful members?

Pignanelli: “The secret of success is constancy to purpose.” — Benjamin Disraeli

Lee is defying the old mantra by "having his cake and eating it too." Three years ago he was a "dead man walking" whom many mainstream Republicans targeted for defeat. The animosity toward him substantially fostered the Count My Vote effort to reform the delegate/convention system.

Despite the grumbles, Lee never wavered from the persona that he was an outsider to Washington who despised the failures of both parties. He continually advocated edgy new-wave conservative ideas to tackle entitlement and budget issues. Eventually Lee captured the support of GOP bigwigs who once opposed him.

Lee is the rare incumbent who enjoys the same anti-establishment wave pushing Donald Trump and Ben Carson. A challenger without deep resources faces a near-impossible task to avoid delegates (who enthusiastically support Lee) by obtaining 30,000 petition signatures. So Lee will readily capture the nomination in a process created to defeat him. This leaves the question whether the senator prefers chocolate or vanilla frosting.

Hatch is a true statesman with a rich legacy of building bipartisan coalitions to accomplish legislative objectives. However, such pragmatism roils ultra-right-wingers. They suffer from a “What have you done for me lately” syndrome and too easily forget Hatch was an early warrior for their issues (i.e., balanced budget, states' rights, etc.)

Webb: Lee’s right-wing support boosts him above Hatch. Lee is loved by the far right and hated by the left. Hatch is disliked by both the far left and the far right. Lee is a quick learner. Just one year ago, billionaire industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr. called Lee “a tremendous embarrassment to our family, to our state, to our country.” Prominent business leaders were actively seeking to defeat him.

Today, he enjoys the best of both worlds. He has enthusiastic support from the base, along with cautious support of mainstream Republican leaders. He no longer seeks to shut down the government. He works across the aisle on many issues. He seeks conservative solutions to problems instead of just being against everything.

Hatch, however, remains Utah’s true power in the U.S. Senate. He is wisely and effectively using that power to benefit Utah and the nation.

Salt Lake City Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupskirequested resignation letters from city officials whom the mayor appoints. Is this business as usual for a new administration or was it arrogant and hurtful?

Pignanelli: This may be the top overblown nonissue news item of the year. I conjecture most appointees in the Becker administration are not surprised by this development. City voters communicated a clear mandate for change in City Hall to Biskupski. She is delivering on her promise.

Webb: This is much ado about nothing. Any newly elected executive gets to pick her team, and requesting a resignation letter from everyone is the best way to start the process. Anyone working in an appointed position knows his or her job is tied to the boss. When the boss is gone, the job is at risk.

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Politicos gather 'round the Thanksgiving table

For the benefit of our readers, for which we’re very, very thankful (it’s Thanksgiving weekend, after all), and at great personal peril, we implanted surveillance devices in various turkeys, candied yams and pumpkin pies in select state and national locations. The NSA would be proud, although the ACLU is seeking a restraining order. Too late. We already heard what various politicos are secretly thankful for.

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee: "At my Thanksgiving feast, I’m celebrating the fact that all those moderate Republicans lining up to challenge me next year melted away like meringue on a lemon pie when prominent business leaders got behind my re-election.”

Gov. Gary Herbert: "So much to be thankful for. I’m leading all the nation’s governors, riding a strong economy, enjoy high approval ratings and have a fat campaign war chest. And the LDS Church is encouraging compassion for Syrian refugees!”

Gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Johnson:"I'm thankful for the results of the Salt Lake City mayoral election that show a popular incumbent can be defeated. It’s time to debate!"

Political commentators: "We are grateful for the forgiving nature of our audiences. Even though we keep predicting the decline of Donald Trump and he promptly goes up, people still listen to us."

Donald Trump: “I’m thankful the news media are so fixated on me that I even get in the Pig/Webb column in Utah (wherever that is). My campaign is beautiful! It’s spectacular! It’s fabulous — and the Mexicans are going to pay for it! Or I’ll waterboard them! You’re going to be so proud of me in Utah, even though you’re a loser flyover state of no consequence!”

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch: "As the nation’s senior statesman involved in every important issue in America, I have a lot to be thankful for. So much so that to repay my blessings I might just need to run for another term!”

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams: "I’m thankful for a minor clash with public employees as I seek budget restraints. It only helps me with Republican voters."

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox: "I’m thankful for the magic of mail-in balloting. Voter participation has increased and I'm getting lots of credit."

Congressman Jason Chaffetz: “Wow! I am very grateful this Thanksgiving. It’s been a heady year. I ran briefly for one of the most powerful political positions on earth. And Paul Ryan's ascension to the speakership solidified my Oversight chairmanship. And I get to spend my days investigating Democratic scandals!”

Congressman Rob Bishop: "I'm grateful the long saga of my Public Lands Initiative will soon result in actual legislation. And with opposition coming from both the left and right, I must be doing something right."

Attorney General Sean Reyes: "I'm grateful the Attorney General’s Office is now stable and quiet and just doing its job with no major controversies in sight — in contrast to the last few years.”

Democratic Party Chairman Peter Corroon: "At last, a Thanksgiving dinner when I can feel truly grateful. Republican infighting over Count My Vote, and Donald Trump leading the GOP polls has me salivating over more than turkey."

Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker: I’ve had a great eight-year run, and for that I’m thankful. The city is in good shape and now Jackie has to grapple with panhandling, homelessness — and ungrateful cyclists.

Salt Lake Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupski: I’m thankful that most of the hard work figuring out solutions for the homeless population has been done just before I take office.

Democratic congressional candidate Doug Owens: “I am grateful that Mia Love’s minor controversies forcing her to reimburse the government for travel has given my campaign some early visibility."

Congresswoman Mia Love: "I'm grateful Doug Owens belongs to the same political party as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.”

Democratic Sen. Jim Dabakis: “I’m thankful to be the unabashed leftist spokesperson in Utah. I lose every fight, but I get lots of media attention."

House Speaker Greg Hughes: "I’m grateful for an independent House Republican caucus that’s willing to stand up to anyone. Even better, Medicaid expansion is off the table next session and no one can blame me."

Senate President Wayne Niederhauser: "It's nice to be part of history. The meetings I hosted to establish procedures for a constitutional convention could help restore proper balance in the federal system."

State Republican Chairman James Evans: “I’m thankful to protect the purity of the Republican Party brand by chasing moderates out of the Republican tent.”

Prop 1 supporters: “We’re thankful to win in 10 of 17 counties. But the Salt Lake County loss made us gag on our turkey.”

Pignanelli and Webb: We are grateful that we have readers other than our spouses that we force to read the column, and we’re especially thankful that politicians — despite their best efforts — remain interesting creatures who generate enough news and controversy to keep us busy every week.

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: No political turkeys to expose this Thanksgiving season

It’s Thanksgiving week, so the temptation is, of course, to expose political turkeys. Instead, we offer thoughts, even praise, regarding some Utah politicians.

It’s Thanksgiving week, so the temptation is, of course, to expose political turkeys. Instead, we offer thoughts, even praise, regarding some Utah politicians.

In contrast to all other Republican governors, Gov. Gary Herbert is keeping an open mind on Syrian refugees coming to Utah if they are properly vetted. Is this wise politically?

Pignanelli: "Life isn't easy, and leadership is harder still.” — Walter Russell

The American form of democracy possesses a superior quality, allowing for calm deliberation of the chief executive. Herbert’s stance is fulfilling this opportunity.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is an enemy of the United States focused to destroy our citizens and civilization. These violent Islamic Radicals (yep, I'm using the controversial “IR description”) are shrewd, tech savvy, fierce adversaries. Our nation's response must be more intelligent and cunning.

An ISIS objective is to stop the flow of refugees, so slamming the door only plays into their tactics. Further, refusing the entrants provides a false protection since terrorists use other means to effectuate their horrors.

Bone-headed decisions of Washington intelligentsia in the current and past administrations are partially responsible for this tragic situation. So, now the United States will engage a deeper role in defeating the terrorists on their soil. By playing in this arena, we need to deal with the consequences. Therefore, our nation and state should accept refugees who pass an appropriate and high degree of scrutiny.

Leadership demands such analysis and action, and our governor is providing it.

Webb: I appreciate the governor’s position, although he’s gotten a little squishy. It would be easy to follow all the other knee-jerk politicians trying to show how tough they are by bullying Syrian refugees — who have already suffered enough.

Any halfway intelligent person knows the chance of a Syrian refugee coming to Utah and committing a terrorist act is so infinitesimally tiny that it’s laughable. Plenty of scary things exist out there that endanger our families and are worth spending effort and money to fight. Such as: Drunken driving. Teen suicide. Drug, nicotine and alcohol addictions. Gang crime. Distracted driving. Cancer. Obesity. Home invasion robberies. And lots more.

Any one of those scourges is a thousand times more likely to hurt and kill Utahns and Americans than a Syrian refugee. Let’s spend our effort and political outrage on threats that really matter.

This silly debate demonstrates, once again, the old adage that Congress (and lots of other politicians) can do only two things well: nothing and overreact.

Is it noteworthy or routine that Salt Lake City, the capital of conservative Utah, has elected its first openly gay mayor?

Pignanelli: Jackie Biskupski managed the campaign in the same method as she did her successful legislative career. It was all about her skills — and a promise of a change to city hall.

More importantly, it's a credit to city residents and all Utahns that the sexual orientation of Mayor-elect Biskupski was never an issue — above or below the radar. The person who accuses our state of intolerance is the one guilty of bigotry.

Webb: It’s business as usual in Salt Lake City. We’re just exchanging a liberal mayor for an even more liberal mayor. Biskupski’s success will depend, in part, on whether she can develop positive relationships with the downtown business community, the LDS Church, and the conservative suburbs. She’s already saying the homeless problem is a regional problem. That will require working with regional government leaders. She can’t alienate other city and county leaders like former Mayor Rocky Anderson did. Biskupski’s administration will be defined more by those relationships than her sexual orientation.

Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauserrecently hosted a meeting of legislators from around the country to discuss rules and procedures for a possible state-led constitutional convention. Was this an important and substantive gathering, or just right-wing silliness?

Pignanelli: A constitutional convention ("Con-Con") was heavily debated in the early ’90s during my service in the Legislature. Back then as today, the far left and right despise the concept — which strongly suggests merit in the cause. This never-used process to amend the Constitution is extraordinarily difficult, but has revitalized because of intense frustration with the federal government. The paramount hope is for a balanced budget amendment — which promises fiscal integrity, practical protection of entitlement programs and prevention of government overreach. Please, let the discussions continue.

Webb: Sen. Niederhauser deserves praise for hosting this important meeting. The states absolutely need a smart and sensible way to apply appropriate leverage to the federal government — as the Founders intended.

The Founders gave the states the ability to propose constitutional amendments precisely because states need a tool to get the federal government’s attention, to push back against federal encroachment.

The worry about a runaway convention is vastly overwrought. Consider that members of Congress sit, in effect, as a constitutional convention every day they’re in session. With a two-thirds vote they can propose a constitutional amendment any time they wish.

An amendment proposed by a state-led convention would only be able to do the same thing. Three-fourths of states would have to ratify any amendment that came either from Congress or from a state-led convention. Why do some of the left and the right fear state leaders more than they fear the do-nothing, dysfunctional Congress? It makes no sense.

Amending the U.S. Constitution is incredibly difficult no matter the path used. But putting the 50 states on equal footing with Congress, as the Founders intended, gives the states a much-needed tool. This is not about politics or political ideology. It’s about good governance. It’s about making government work for citizens.

Pignanelli and Webb: We wish to express our condolences to the family of Randy Horiuchi. With his fun personality, Randy permanently impacted Utah politics.

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Discord between conservatives, 'liberal media' on national spotlight

Conservative Republicans and the "liberal media" have long been antagonists. But the presidential campaign and the performance of moderators at Republican debates have thrust this matter into national prominence. We explore the perceptions and realities.

Even mainstream Republicans are convinced the national press is slanted against their party. Does such a prejudice exist in Utah?

Pignanelli: “The press does not have a responsibility to be fair — especially to politicians … they only need to provide both sides” — Jay Shelledy, former newspaper editor. 

The existence of a left-wing media conspiracy has evolved into ensconced GOP scripture, so any contrary declarations from me will be viewed as just heathen blasphemy. But I can play the victim card equal to any Republican because two major daily newspapers and alternative publications spent small fortunes of ink dissecting my political cadaver.

A partisan edge does not infect our local media. But what does occur proves the axiom that "politics abhors a vacuum." Major media outlets and other weeklies are fulfilling the role of an opposition political party to fill the void caused by shrinking Democrats. Most journalists view their mission as reporting the news and challenging the government — regardless of who is in power.

Although I still carry scars inflicted by various reporters, my firm is proud to represent the Utah Media Coalition and the Utah Press Association. These journalistic enterprises expend resources and efforts to defend open government and transparency. Our state is better for their presence.

Webb: Survey research consistently shows more reporters are liberal and vote for Democrats than are conservative and vote for Republicans. That’s probably true in Utah. However, we are lucky to have two major daily newspapers in the Salt Lake metro area, one leaning conservative and one leaning liberal. Both papers do a nice job with balance and perspective in their news columns, although their selection and placement of stories demonstrate their differences.

Their house editorials and columnist proclivities are markedly different, with the Salt Lake Tribune reflecting the liberal political makeup of Salt Lake City, while the Deseret News mirrors the more conservative nature of the rest of the state.

I think it’s great to have two papers with different perspectives. I need something to get enraged about as I eat my morning Cheerios. Tribune editorials often do the trick. Utah Republicans know they’re going to get beat up by a Tribune editorial or columnist periodically, but the electorate is conservative, so it doesn’t usually hurt them.

Is media bias just a figment of imagination or a true problem in American journalism?

Pignanelli: Republicans do a great job of providing nasty figures the press can easily disfigure (i.e., Richard Nixon, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, etc.) Democratic wrongdoers tend to possess fun personalities that are difficult to attack and the lefty special organizations usually give them an undeserved pass — providing less fodder to the media. Usually, Republicans come across as meanies and Democrats as kindhearted folks. Remember, tearing down curmudgeons sells papers. Equally, journalistic attacks on happy conservative warriors well-liked even by political opponents (i.e. Ronald Reagan) rarely succeed.

So if Republicans want greater affinity with the media, they should smile and laugh more often.

Webb: Traditional news media aren’t any more or any less biased than in the past. The bigger story is the fragmentation and democratization of information services. Using the Internet and social media, anyone can be a writer, publisher or broadcaster. All sorts of upstart news operations exist, including many conservative operations, and a lot of them are more partisan, biased — and often inaccurate — than traditional media.

Conservatives love to bash the news media but, in reality, the conventional media have less clout and power than at any time in many decades. During the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson is said to have stated, “If you’ve lost Walter Cronkite, you’ve lost America.” Today, no broadcast journalist or print pundit has nearly that power.

Last week's Fox Business Network GOP presidential debate received accolades for fairness in structure and questions. Was this in reaction to the "media bias" allegations?

Pignanelli: Politicos are amused with the recent angst over media allegations against Dr. Ben Carson and other candidates, since we know such inquiries are fostered by opponents. Last week's debate was one of the finest in television history, and the Fox Business Network and Wall Street Journal developed their approach to avoid criticism suffered by CNBC. Thursday’s event should serve as a standard for all presidential discussions in the future. Americans are intelligent and insightful voters who crave policy deliberations and not pointless witch hunts.

Webb: I don’t have a problem with candidates being confronted with difficult questions. Whacking the news media has become a standard talking point for conservative candidates because they know conservative voters love it.

Ted Cruz was obviously playing to the far right when he blasted CNBC moderators for asking “gotcha” questions. One of the moderators should have responded, “OK, senator, you managed to roll out your talking point bashing the media, now put on your big-boy pants and answer the question.”

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Give thanks to pundits, voters and courts for the entertainment

This Thanksgiving season we give thanks to pundits, voters and the courts for making a normally sleepy municipal election the most unpredictable and entertaining in recent memory. In addition, the fun of last Tuesday — including federal Judge David Nuffer'sSB54/Count My Vote decision — has ramifications for next November. After all, the Big One is less than a year away, and it’s never too early to speculate.

A year ago, it appeared all but certain that popular Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Beckerwould win a third term. What happened, and should incumbents be nervous in 2016?

Pignanelli: “Yes, you need substance in politics — but your style also says something about how you arrive at conclusions.” — Charles Kennedy

Donald Trump and Jackie Biskupski are as different as two people could possibly be (thank goodness!). However, these two share an amazing ability to tap into a frustrated angst plaguing their target audiences and succeeding despite contrary predictions from the “experts.”

Because there were no major policy differences, this very intense election was all about the leadership style of the incumbent, an obvious issue for many residents. The Becker campaign tried to force a discussion about Biskupski’s credentials, but it was ham-fisted and failed.

Current incumbents with high approval ratings need to reassess their true strengths and weaknesses or face a Becker-like situation in 2016. Furthermore, Biskupski taught fellow politicos that correct messaging through social media and retail politics is strong enough to overcome any traditional television commercial effort.

“The Donald” and “Mayor Biskupski” formally served notice that electioneering in America and Utah has dramatically changed — in many ways for the better.

Webb: As the saying goes: “Be worried. Be very worried.” No question, voters are restless, cynical and unhappy — and susceptible to populist “outsider” rabble-rousers who rail against the status quo and make big promises. Politicians can take nothing for granted. The presidential race is chaotic in both parties. A back-bencher rebellion toppled the speaker of the U.S. House. A lot of grass-roots voters are poised to vote for anybody but the incumbent.

This mindset isn’t quite as strong in Utah. But Becker was still the victim of some of this sentiment, and also suffered from normal three-term voter fatigue. In reality, Becker and Biskupski differ more in style than substance, and the city will do just fine.

On Election Day, Judge Nuffer invalidated a line from SB54 that required political parties to open primary elections to unaffiliated voters, but upheld provisions allowing candidates to gather signatures to get on the primary ballot. A gleeful GOP Chairman James Evans declared victory, claiming the party can force all GOP candidates to use the caucus/convention system. How does this impact elections?

Pignanelli: The judge opined the Utah Republican Party is "severely burdened” by the participation of unaffiliated voters in a primary because these individuals "do not share" their views. This is an outrageous conclusion since the GOP consistently attracts an overwhelming majority of unaffiliated voters in general elections. But Republican leaders are prevented by current law from disqualifying candidates for choosing nomination through a petition.

Webb: James “shrink the tent” Evans is trying to kick mainstream Republicans out the door and keep elitist activists in total control of the party nomination process. He is also leaping to wild legal conclusions unsupported by the facts, the law — or common sense.

The entire Count My Vote movement (in which I am a happy volunteer) seeks to expand participation in the political process, open it up to all citizens. Evans is trying to keep political power in the hands of elite activists who mistrust the masses.

He’s saying the Republican Party has no room for mainstream citizens who want to welcome independents and unaffiliated voters to support Republicans.

It is going to be really embarrassing for the party when a prominent Republican seeks to gather signatures, as the law allows, and Evans is there holding an ax in front of the TV cameras, barring entry to the election process.

Thankfully, plenty of level-headed Republican leaders, including the lieutenant governor and many legislators, will tell Evans to read the plain language of the law, upheld as constitutional by Judge Nuffer, and stop looking and acting so silly. Common sense will prevail.

Some politicos were surprised over the apparent defeat in Salt Lake County of Prop 1 (which led in the polls) and the Millcreek incorporation win (which failed last election). What lessons can be learned?

Pignanelli: Incorporation activists learned from their losses and launched an information intensive campaign that normally would bore voters, but attracted attention through clever messaging. Many politicos are claiming that Prop 1 was burdened with the bad publicity of the Utah Transit Authority. But I think the issue is deeper than just UTA bonuses. There were enough residents wondering why additional taxes are needed for transportation projects when they were already paying fees for such services. The Americans for Prosperity Super PAC aligned their witty communications of opposition with these concerns.

Webb: Millcreek is simple. It will become Utah’s newest city, thanks to a well-run grass-roots campaign that communicated effectively with voters.

Prop 1 is more complicated. It won in at least 10 of the 17 counties where it was on the ballot, including two large counties (Davis and Weber), and could still win in Salt Lake County with some 24,000 ballots yet to be counted. But Utah Transit Authority, the best-run transit operation in the country, has a big perception problem to overcome before voters will enthusiastically support more transit funding.

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Anti-establishment trends continue after third GOP debate

The current political climate is weird and getting weirder. In the aftermath of Wednesday’s Republican debate, we offer insights from two old establishment guys who admit to being rather baffled.

What is going on at the grass-roots level of politics in this country? Why have Donald Trump and Ben Carson been attracting big crowds and winning in the polls while establishment candidates languish in obscurity? Are we finally seeing a turning point in the campaign?

Pignanelli: “There are some people that are great campaigners, like Trump, and some people that are actually ‘good in reality.’ So far the ‘good in reality’ people are not doing so well in the polls." — David Brooks

Because politicos are so confused, I am thinking a lot about this dilemma (which is difficult since most of my limited brain matter is taxed trying to understand teenage communications).

Several national dynamics are occurring at the same time. The post-Great Recession economic rebound is the most sluggish in history. Our social traditions are evolving. The snooty Washington, D.C., intelligentsia is clueless. Americans have unprecedented access to news and information that reveals officials are impotent to effect reform. Therefore, faith in government and societal institutions is at an all-time low. So when a governor or senator brags about experience, he is just digging a deeper hole.

This election is not about substance, but style. So candidates who exude competence but smell of establishment (i.e. Gov. Jeb Bush) are struggling. Trump and Carson mock everything with blatantly false statements but attract support because frustrated Republicans love their outsider status and unorthodox approach.

Webb: I’ve been saying for months that the Trump/Carson blimps are going to fizzle. While the Wednesday debate isn’t going to make or break the campaign, we may have heard the hiss of escaping gas.

Conservative Republicans are understandably and justifiably disgusted with Washington and all things establishment. But at some point, even the most angry, disillusioned, anti-government activist assuming any common sense at all has to ask which conservative candidate can win the general election and prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming president.

Trump, Carson and Ted Cruz would be calamitous in the general election. Clinton would win independents, moderates and all minority groups by large margins and rout the Republicans. Marco Rubio, Chris Christieand possibly John Kasich and Carly Fiorina have fighting chances to win centrist votes and beat Clinton.

It’s time for the bottom tier to get out of the race. Unfortunately, that includes Bush, a terrific leader who can’t win.

Are Democrats also seeing anti-establishment trends?

Pignanelli: Yes, but Democrats express frustration a different way. Liberals are concerned with Clinton’s track record on environmental, economic and social issues. They found solace in an anti-establishment icon who never filed as a Democrat until several months ago. Other Democrats — abhorring Clinton's email controversy — expressed disgust to pollsters. But they returned to her fold when Bernie Sanders and Vice President Joe Biden opined that Clinton’s ethical travails were not an issue. However, they are forcing Clinton to make statements that may be harmful in the general election.

Webb: Leftist Democrats will never be entirely satisfied with Clinton because she’s a total opportunist, not a true-blue liberal ideologue.

But liberal Democrats are smart enough to unite behind a winner, even if they don’t get everything they want. Democrats will be unified while Republicans are still brawling. And it’s entirely possible Trump will spin off as an independent, despite his promise not to, throwing the election to Clinton.

Is this grass-roots phenomenon as strong in Utah? Does it portend problems for Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker, Gov. Gary Herbert and other mainstream candidates?

Pignanelli: Utah politics is not immune to this national angst. Becker's philosophies and accomplishments are aligned with most city voters, but many now object to his style. In Salt Lake City, the establishment is performing well but a chunk of voters believes it is unresponsive or lacks connection to their needs.

Herbert and other 2016 incumbents are fortunate to have the benefit of the mayor's race as a guidebook. High approval ratings the year before the election offer little advantage. If grumpy citizens suspect an establishment candidate is out of touch — regardless of achievements — they will flip support.

Webb: Certainly an anti-establishment streak exists in Utah. But it’s not as strong as in many other states. I recently attended a conference on energy and air quality where speaker after speaker talked about the willingness of Utahns to collaborate and work together to accomplish important ventures. Two top leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in recent high-profile speeches, called for compromise and civility on divisive issues. Utahns are pretty good at detecting charlatans and extremists. Members of Utah’s congressional delegation don’t need to pander to the far right as much as they do. I have faith in our voters.