Editorial: Rocky Mountain high for the West?

Friday, May 22, 1998 | 10:50 a.m.

BELIEVING there is strength in numbers, Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt is rounding up states in the Rocky Mountain region to conduct early presidential primaries and caucuses on the same day in the year 2000.

The Utah governor reasons that under the current system, with presidential primaries and caucuses in the West scattered haphazardly on different dates, there is no incentive for candidates to campaign in these states and take into consideration the concerns of Western voters. Even with the region's phenomenal growth, Leavitt told the Gannett News Service that the West has "been left out of the selection of the nominees to be the leader of the free world, and that is wrong."

Leavitt's plan to corral other states is on the move. Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming have already signed on to organize the same date. Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana have signaled some interest. While Leavitt's intentions are certainly good, and any increased attention politicians pay to voters west of the Mississippi River can only be helpful, no one should think that a Rocky Mountain regional primary is a panacea.

Without a doubt, concerns facing the West are much different than those facing Eastern states, or even those of our neighbor to the west, California. But let's not lose sight that there certainly is no unanimity on many of these issues affecting the West. In fact, as many Rocky Mountain states become more urban, they take a much different view than rural areas on such contentious issues as water, grazing and mining reform.

Regarding lack of attention from presidential contenders, it would be hard for Nevada to advance the argument that the Silver State gets ignored. Nevada already gets its fair share of visits from presidential hopefuls and presidents. Las Vegas, especially with its vibrant gaming industry, is a magnet for congressional and presidential candidates looking to raise large sums of money for their campaigns.

Although there are valid concerns about what substantive changes actually will be realized in a presidential nomination process having a Rocky Mountain primary, it is hoped that a regional primary will be more than just a gimmick. But don't be too surprised if a serious discussion of issues affecting this sparsely populated region continues to be ignored by presidential candidates.