Anti-War Protesters Cheer Salt Lake Mayor

[Sean Reynolds]

Anti-War Protesters Cheer Salt Lake Mayor





SNIP:

SALT LAKE CITY - An outspoken Democrat in one of the most conservative states in the nation, Mayor Ross "Rocky" Anderson's days are rarely dull.

During a visit by President Bush on Monday, he made news by calling for a vigorous protest of the Iraq war, prompting boos at a convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Later that day, he was cheered by about 2,000 anti-war protesters at a city park.

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But the dispute is just the latest example of Anderson's brash style during his seven years at the helm of this city. He has criticized state lawmakers for stringent alcohol laws and for banning same-sex marriages. He tussled with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the right to free speech on a church-owned plaza that was once a public street.

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Anderson, 53, has poked at Bush before, too, chiding the president for opting out of the Kyoto treaty to reduce greenhouses gases.

In Utah, where some Democrats are jokingly referred to as moderate Republicans, Anderson's mere presence makes some wonder how he could even get elected.

"Anyone who asks that question doesn't understand Salt Lake City," said Democrat county council member Joe Hatch. "The city hasn't elected a conservative since the 1970s."

Anderson was elected in 2003 to a second term in office with 54 percent of the vote. About 65 percent of the city's 182,000 residents are not members of the Mormon church — predominant in the rest of Utah — and 60 percent are Democrats, according to demographic estimates.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-5229936,00.html

[Moderator]

1. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1723317