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September 24, 2008
Let's Play Name That Party
I got a visit this afternoon at my home in Cottonwood Heights, UT from a very nice man telling me his wife was running for the State Legislature and could he perhaps leave some information about her. "Sure," I told him and accepted the very proffesionally done door flyer. I turns out her name is Marie Poulson. She has been married to Dan (the gentleman in question who rang my doorbell) for 36 years and has what appears to be a wonderful family judging from the photo on the flyer.
The flyer includes bullet points (identical to what's posted on her web page) about the issues:
Quality of life? "I support legislation that encourages clean air, clean water, access to outdoor recreation, adequate green space, and safe neighborhoods."
Open and balanced governmet? " I will support legislation that encourages campaign finance reform, bans lobbyist's gifts, and does away with partisan gerrymandering."
Economic Development? "We must encourage an economic environment that supports both large and small businesses. Also, we must encourage those businesses to adopt effective environmental policies." Marie supports business-friendly legislation.
As Rush would say, Right on, Right on, Right on!
So what's the catch?
What I don't see anywhere on the door flyer nor mentioned anywhere on her web page, is party affiliation.
Check out the "about Marie" section of her web page:
Marie Poulson was born and raised in Springville, Utah. She graduated from Springville High School and then went on to study at BYU where she received a BA cum laude in English and history and completed her teacher certification. After teaching one year at Provo High School, she married Daniel Poulson in spring 1972 and moved with him to San Francisco to live in the city while he studied dentistry at the University of Pacific. Upon graduation from dental school, the Poulsons moved to northern Germany where Dan served in the Army Dental Corps.
In 1978, Dan and Marie returned to Utah where he set up a dental practice in Holladay and they purchased a home in Cottonwood Heights. For the last thirty years, they have resided in the Cottonwood Heights area raising five children and participating in community and church activities. Among others, Marie has served as a scout leader, a school volunteer, a coach, and has participated in neighborhood groups to feed the homeless, organized can food drives for the Utah Food Bank and made several trips to New Orleans to aid Hurricane Katrina victims
We got strong Military creds, check. Strong family and church creds, check. Sounds like a nice mainstream Utah conservative potential politician, right?
She's a Democrat. Nothing wrong with that, mind you, by why did she make herself sound like a Repuplican and yet never identify her party? Is she not proud of it? I'm sure she is, but most likely she know that she has about as much hope of being elected as a Democrat in this city as I do of have either one of the 2 wards memberships within walking distance of my house join me in the back yard for a cigar and a good scotch!
What are you afraid of Marie? Be proud of who you are!
BTW, I got clued in from this sentence on her education issue:
She was a grassroots participant in defeating the legislature's risky voucher plan in last year's election.
Busted.
Posted by Jonathan at September 24, 2008 6:47 PM
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Comments
I don't know -- my conservative Republican aunt was also against the vouchers. She was a Jordan district employee for many years, and felt that the vouchers threatened the public schools. She even tried to get me to sign a petition against it at one point. When I told her I supported vouchers she didn't try to convince me Iwas wrong or anything, at least, just said "Oh, okay" and that was it.
Still and all, the fact that this lady doesn't ID her party does make it sound like she 's a Democrat. Of course a Utah Democrat tends to be relatively conservative, in my experience, and most of her positions do sound pretty good, regardless of her party.
Posted by: JC at September 25, 2008 3:57 AM
I agree with you, JC. I agree with her positions in general but I'm leery of a candidate who refuses to identify their party. If they are willing to hide that.....?
Posted by: Anonymous 
at September 25, 2008 9:47 AM
I actually was curious to see if any of our campaign signs for Obama/Biden or Jay Seegmiller mention their party. Interestingly enough, from the street you can't see anything about party affiliation. Most of the Republicans have the elephant, but most of the Democrats have nothing. Interesting point. I'm still voting for Marie though!
Posted by: Ann at October 24, 2008 3:35 PM
Good for you Ann. It's important to be a part of the political process. Putting out yard signs lets everybody know where you stand, and who you stand for. Be proud of it. My point was that candidates should be proud as well. Why hide what you are? If a candidate feels they have to, what does that say about them or the party they choose (except on their signs) to represent?
Posted by: Anonymous at October 24, 2008 4:23 PM