Sunday, October 01, 2006

Spectrum:Dennis the Menace STRIKES OUT! VOTE EMILY HOLLINGSHEAD for Senate District 28 !



Stowell strikes out on campaign trail

One by one, Southern Utah University students met local political hopefuls, asked questions and picked up pamphlets and other reading material.

They visited with Democrats Emily Bingham Hollingshead and Larry Daniel. They talked to Ryan Bundy, Allison Howes, Sharla Christie and Woodard Westfall of the Constitution Party. They chatted with Republicans Bud Bowman and Dennis Stowell.

When Stowell bothered to show up, that is.

Six months after disrespecting his own party, Stowell showed a lack of regard for the 7,000 potential voters at SUU by arriving 75 minutes late this week for the university's Vote Project Week event.
He's got the good 'ol boys on his side. Maybe he figures he doesn't need the young voters.

While Stowell has played an active and useful role in county government for years, I think it's clear that he's out of his league in his bid to succeed Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, in state Senate District 28.

First, Stowell helped orchestrate a sneaky, last-minute ploy to become the Republicans' lone choice on the ballot, even managing to anger hundreds within his own party.

Strike one.

Then, over the past few months, he's resorted to the childish tactic of registering Hollingshead's name in the pay-per-click services of at least three popular search engines. Check out http://oneutah. org/2006/09/05/drop-a-dime-on-a-republican.

Strike two.

Now, Stowell has essentially told the voters at SUU, "Thanks for the opportunity to visit with you, but I've got better things to do with my time."

Strike three; you're out.

It's too bad Stowell missed half of the function at SUU. It was a wonderful sight to see so many young people, so many of our leaders of tomorrow, taking such interest in their future.

I commend the university's Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service - and particularly student director Ben Haider, the brains behind it all - for organizing the meet-and-greet session.

The seven candidates who took 2 1/2 hours of their time to address the issues with students also deserve kudos.

Dennis Stowell? One of the professors at SUU should have sent him to detention.

Where were you, Mr. Stowell?

Contact Cedar City Bureau Chief Steve Kiggins at 865-4522, or via e-mail at skiggins@thespectrum.com

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