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Top 10 Utah Political Blogs
March 4th, 2009

Online journalists strive to keep our leaders honest and accountable

By Leo Dirr

Utah politics and Republican politics seem like synonyms. And, in some cases, they are.

But this pretty great state is growing increasingly diverse. And the debates at the Utah Legislature are starting to reflect that diversity more and more.

So, it really should come as no surprise that Utah political blogs cover a broad spectrum of views. Heck, we even have a liberal Mormon. Huh?!? And he's not ashamed to admit that publicly.

Alrighty then. Here they are: The Top 10 Utah Political Blogs:

1. One Utah, Cliff Lyon

Everything about this blog screams "Classy." From its super simple yet sexy design to its mature and thoughtful tone. The blog is even seeking more conservative writers to provide better balance. That's Classy with a capital C.

2. Utah Politics, Phil Windley

Phil Windley
BYU Professor Phil Windley manages
UtahPolitics.org as well as Windley's Technometria
both sites have a substantial following on Twitter

This blog's like Chuck-A-Rama, without the biscuits. It allows readers to sample "buffet-style" from a variety of delicious blogs that cover Utah politics each day.

3. Utah Waste Buster, John Dougall, Stephen Urquhart, Daniel Liljenquist

Now here's a blog created by legislators that's actually useful. It doesn't just blow a bunch of smoke about how wonderful our elected officials are. It urges citizens to report wasteful government spending so that we can hold our lawmakers accountable. Wow, what a concept!

4. Utah Legislature Watch,

This insightful blog is further proof that newspapers are old and moldy. It sometimes delivers the news with a bit of an activist bent. How refreshing to read Utah politics reported with passion. Bravo!

5. J.M. Bell, Jeff Bell

OK, so be forewarned, this guy's style will not suit everybody. If you own a Bush Bobblehead, you're probably going to be offended. A LOT. And if you're really religious, you're probably going to be offended. A LOT. But the rest of you should read it at least four times a day.

6. The Raw Buttarse

This blog flogs Utah Sen. Chris Buttars with reckless abandon. I'm not sure who is behind it, and I don't really care. I'm just ecstatic that they are sticking it to the man. Especially when the man is such a bigmouthed, bullheaded fool.

7. Wasatch Watcher , Marshall Collins

Now this is what I call a blog. You won't find any celebrity blogger here tooting his own rusty trumpet. This thing is all about community, an open sharing of info and ideas. All are welcome here.

8. Weber County Forum

Steve Urquhart
Sen. Steve Urquhart operates Steveu

Many of this forum's topics are pulled straight from The Standard-Examiner's pages. But it takes the discussion beyond pure regurgitation. And it doesn't always endorse the newspaper's editorial opinions or reporting. A valuable resource for civic-minded residents of Weber County.

9. Steveu.com Steve Urquhart

Sen. Urquhart's strong online presence makes him one of the most open and accessible members of the Utah Legislature. If you disagree with that, please return to your regularly scheduled bong hit. If only we could have access to what Valentine and Waddoups really think like we do with Urquhart, imagine the thousands of hours of floor debate time that could be saved on such sticky issues as liquor.

10. A Liberal Mormon Derek Staffanson

Yes, Virginia, there is a liberal Mormon. And he's not afraid to blog from this perspective. Homeboy posted an elegant response to Chris Buttars' latest and greatest bile. That's enough to earn him the final spot on this list.

5 more fun sites for Utah politics

Misty Fowler
Misty Fowler--self described
"geek and political junkie"
operates Saintless
Drinking Liberally

Utah Policy

KVNU's For the People

Drinking Liberally SLC

Regal Seagull

Saintless

Deseret Spectacle

This list of the Top 10 Utah Political Blogs represents the opinions of the writer, Leo Dirr. The bloggers' political leanings were not the deciding factor for inclusion or ranking. Utah Stories is nonpartisan in nature. E-mail the author at ldirr@hotmail.com.

Reader Comments

Ldawg j

Top ten Utah political blogs. You say OneUtah is classy? I think I may disagree. Seeking more conservative writers is definiatly what that site needs. I have been visiting for about a week now, and it doesn't get anymore left. When someone who isn't on thier side comments on a blog, he/she gets bullied by the leftist masses. I am not even a conservative. I find myself somewhere in the center of the far left, and the far right. OneUtah really needs more conservatives, before they could even think of calling themselves "fair and balanced?.

Kim

What? No Salt Lake Crawler? I know it's traditional media, but he's good.

Ron Willard

This list would be accurate last year. I would recommend the author become more acquainted with who is really driving the narrative and influencing debate in Utah. No offense meant, but I didn't find this list very accurate in representing the best sources of information in our blogging world in Utah.

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