MEDIA COVERAGE 2012

The Hinckley Institute of Politics hosts many notable public officials and political experts every year. Follow the links below for media coverage of Hinckley Forums and other Hinckley Institute events.

Click here to listen to streaming audio of past Hinckley Forums.

MEDIA ARCHIVES 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

Hinckley Institute in the news:

May 4, 2012: "In Newark, examples of how technology can improve education" (NJ.com) "In all the hubbub about the election and the issues that will decide it, one lingering challenge to America’s future has been pushed aside: our education crisis. Robert Bennett, former U.S. senator from Utah, is a teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics."

May 3, 2012: "In Utah, GOP House Candidate Out To Make History" by Terry Gildea (KUMN) "'Now he's chosen to run in the 4th Congressional District, a district that really has only about 25 percent of his former constituents. And so he has to reintroduce himself to about three-quarters of the district,' says Tim Chambless, an associate professor with The Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah."

April 30, 2012: "Who will be Mitt Romney's running mate?" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "Now that Mitt Romney has nailed down the Republican nomination, speculation has turned to his choice of a running mate. Polls are being taken — Condoleezza Rice is in first place, followed by Rick Santorum — and all kinds of analyses are being written. All are speculation, and most are wildly off the mark. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

April 23, 2012: "U. student to intern with Colbert" by Laura Schmitz (Salt Lake Tribune) "Benns landed the coveted internship thanks to Kirk Jowers, director of the U.’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and a partner at Caplin & Drysdale, the law firm that handles host Stephen Colbert’s super PAC."

April 21, 2012: " GOP Sen. Hatch clears big re-election hurdle, still faces June primary in Utah" by Alicia Acuna (Fox News) "'They were angry because ObamaCare had just been passed and so they flooded the caucus meetings and had a very angry electorate that wanted blood on almost all incumbents,' recalled Kirk Jowers, associate professor and director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics."

April 19, 2012: "Economy, education, energy are guv’s focus" by DJ Summers (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Gov. Gary Herbert outlined the goals of his administration at a Hinckley forum Wednesday. His administration intends to focus on what he calls the three E’s: economy, education and energy."

April 19, 2012: "2012 Should be More Moderate Politically in Utah" by Bob Bernick (Utah Policy) "Now an in-depth poll by Dan Jones & Associates, sponsored by the non-partisan Utah Foundation and the University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics, shows such is the case."

April 18, 2012: "‘Bullied’ creator hopes film will raise awareness" by Alyssa Ferris (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Today, the LGBT Resource Center will screen the documentary “Bullied” (not to be confused with the 2011 documentary “Bully”) at noon in the Union’s Saltair Room. The film’s creator, Jamie Nabozny, will be on hand afterward and will hold a panel discussion in the Hinckly Institute of Politics OSH room 255."

April 18, 2012: "Poll: Utah GOP delegates more moderate than two years ago" by Lee Davidson (Salt Lake Tribune) "Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said while greater participation brought delegates with views closer to most voters, a gulf still remains. They are still far apart on things such as pollution, gay rights and global warming. Also, he said only 25 percent of GOP delegates are women, and most delegates in both parties are older — suggesting young people are not participating."

April 18, 2012: "Energy, real estate interests fuel Herbert’s campaign" by Robert Gehrke (Salt Lake Tribune) "Tim Chambless with the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said in speeches around the state, including a recent speech to business leaders, Herbert has emphasized energy development as one of the four pillars of his administration."

April 18, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers appeared live in KSL studio for on the Doug Wright Wright show to discuss the upcoming convention, Utah Priority Survey results, and presidential election.

April 20, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers appeared on the Fox News Channel to discuss Utah’s upcoming convention and the fate of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. (should be links up on Friday).

April 18, 2012: "Poll: Utah Sen. Hatch Leads Liljenquist 63 Percent to 21 Percent" (Nesmax) " A Utah Foundation/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll released Tuesday produced results similar to the Wilson Perkins Allen survey. Hatch leads Liljenquist 61 percent to 21 percent in the Utah Foundation poll."

April 18, 2012: "Poll: Hatch, Herbert Within Striking Distance of 60% at Convention" by Bob Bernick (Utah Policy) "The Dan Jones & Associates poll comes as part of a broad-ranging delegate/voter survey sponsored by the Utah Foundation, a non-partisan public policy think tank, and the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics."

April 18 2012: "Poll: Hatch just above Utah threshold" by Charles Mahtesian (Politico) "The WPA poll, conducted for the Hatch campaign, mirrors the findings of a Utah Foundation/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll released Tuesday that put Hatch at 61%. In both polls, Hatch's fate is within the margin of error."

April 17, 2012: "Sen. Orrin Hatch, Gov. Gary Herbert convention races too close to call" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "But the poll, conducted by Dan Jones & Associates for the nonprofit research group and the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.43 percent, making the outcome of the convention unpredictable."

April.17, 2012: "New poll shows Hatch, Love leading among GOP delegates" by Dan Metcalf Jr. (ABC 4) "A new [Hinckley Institute of Politics] poll shows that interesting races are developing among candidates vying for congressional seats in Utah."

April 17, 2012: " Survey reveals Utahns' priorities in 2012" (KSL) "We still didn't improve the representation of women (at the caucuses)," said Kirk Jowers, executive director of the Hinckley Institute. "They stayed marred at the exact same number as they did in 2010, for both Republicans and Democrats."

April 12, 2012: "Utahn part of Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC team" by Matt Canham (Salt Lake Tribune) "'It’s kind of funny that all of this is attributable to a two-week intensive course I took,' said Sanderson, who received his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah. That two-week course was on the U.S. presidency, and the teacher was Kirk Jowers, who now heads the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the U. and is a partner at Caplin & Drysdale. Jowers said Sanderson received "the highest score I had ever administered," so he pushed the institute to give Sanderson a job and helped him land an internship at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit advocating for tougher campaign-finance laws."

April 11, 2012: "New project pushes for more open government in Utah" by Ben Winslow (Fox 13) "A student project at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics is pushing local and county governments to do more to be open and transparent to the public."

April 11, 2012: "University of Utah students launch open government campaign" by Rosemary Winters (Salt Lake Tribune) "University of Utah student Theresa Krause introduces Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker as students unveil their Utah Transparency Project at the Hinckley Institute of Politics in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 11, 2012."

April 11, 2012: "New exchange program to send U interns to Germany" by Megan Gessel (Daily Utah Chronicle) "A German student from the University of Kiel, Julian Wettengel wanted to immerse himself in the real mechanics of his American politics and government major. He got this chance when he was accepted as an intern at the Wilson Woodrow International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., through an exchange with the Hinckley Institute of Politics."

April 11, 2012: "New project pushes for more open government in Utah" by Ben Wnslow (Fox 13) "A student project at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics is pushing local and county governments to do more to be open and transparent to the public."

April 11, 2012: "Students to share government transparency project with 270 agencie" (ABC 4) "The students at the transparency project kick off event at the Hinckley Institute in Salt Lake also cited research that says doing these types of things leads to more public trust and more public input. Alex Boren says, 'When citizens are not informed, they cannot be effectively engaged.'"

April 11, 2012: "LGBT panel discusses community, goals" by Gina Kopcrak (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Extra chairs were crammed into the Hinckley Caucus Room yesterday afternoon. The faces that represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community in Utah, both socially and politically, came to engage students in discussion about the issues that the LGBT community is facing."

April 10, 2012: "Romney supporters warn presidential race now gets tougher" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a longtime Romney supporter, said Utahns should expect to be hit up for contributions by the Romney campaign. 'It's going to be an epic general election," Jowers said. "I think it will be incredibly hard fought and come down to the wire.'"

April 10, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL News Radio regarding Rick Santorum suspending his presidential campaign

April 9, 2012: "Republic will survive Obamacare ruling" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "In anticipation of a 5-4 Supreme Court decision against Obamacare, commentators on the left have dredged up more than a decade's worth of complaints about similar close decisions from the court, saying that all of these rulings have been blatantly partisan. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

April 9, 2012: " U of U students want transparency in local government" by Alison Peek (Examiner.com) "A think tank of honor students at the University of Utah has written five “Best Practices” for local government transparency, and plan to introduce them Wednesday at a formal launch at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. Their goal: to have all of Utah’s city and county governments adopt the principles of the Transparency Project."

April 6, 2012: "Prof: World democracies should band together" by DJ Summers (Daily Utah Chronicle) "India, the biggest democracy in the world, and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, can collaborate on a new world order of peace and prosperity, said the Thursday Hinckley Forum speaker Ramesh Babu Kanneganti, a professor of American Studies at Osmania University in Hyderabad, India. The distant nations serve as leaders around the world and wield enormous influence that should be used wisely, he said."

April 5, 2012: "Nine Things You Need to Know Today" by Bryan Schott (Utah Policy) "The five Republican candidates for Utah's new 4th Congressional District seat face off at the Hinckley Institute of Politics [Deseret News]."

April 4, 2012: "4th District GOP challengers say they can't let Matheson define them" by Dennis Romboy (Deseret News) "So it comes as no surprise that the current crop of GOP challengers in Utah's new 4th Congressional District are often asked how they plan to unseat the moderate Democrat. The five candidates took a swing at that question Wednesday during a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum at the University of Utah."

April 4, 2012: "Notable achievements: April 4, 2012" by Andreas Rivera (Daily Utah Chronicle) "'I am pleased to see the Truman Foundation validating social justice work, activism and community organizing by recognizing the work I’ve done with the Mestizo Arts and Activism Collective, the Bennion Center Social Justice Gardens, the Honors College Social Justice Scholars and the Hinckley Institute of Politics,' Edgette said."

April 3, 2012: "4th Congressional Candidates And The First Senate Debate" by Eric Peterson (City Weekly) "The congressional action gets started at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics forum, where 4th Congressional District Candidates Mia Love, Jay Cobb and Carl Wimmer are confirmed to speak about their bid to usurp Utah’s lone Democrat in D.C., Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah."

April 3, 2012: "Utah's unusual political nominating system under way and under scrutiny" by Lisa Riley Roche and Dennis Romboy (Deseret News) "'We would get the best of both worlds,' said Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a supporter of changing the caucus system. Delegates should be able to choose the party's best candidates at a convention, but the final pick should be left up to voters, he said."

April 2, 2012: "Ashley Edgette is the University of Utah’s sixth Truman winner in a row" by Brian Maffly (Salt Lake Tribune) "Ashley Edgette, an honors student interested in food security, is among 54 winners named Monday by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The U. is the only university in the country to have fielded a Truman winner in each of the past six years. Much of that success can be attributed to the school’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, which maintains a thorough vetting process for U. applicants."

April 2, 2012: "U student named Truman Scholar" (FYI News) "Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, has announced U student Ashley Edgette as a 2012 Truman Scholar. Edgette is the sixth Truman Scholar from the Hinckley Institute of Politics in the past six years, and the only Truman Scholar representing the state of Utah this year."

April 2, 2012: "2012 Truman Scholarship awarded to University of Utah student" (Deseret News) "The University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics is the only institution in the nation to produce a scholar in each of the last six consecutive years. 'The university community is proud of Ashley Edgette’s exceptional achievements, and we congratulate her for being recognized by the Truman Foundation,' said U. President David W. Pershing. 'It is a great honor, and we are thrilled to have her represent the U. on the national stage.'”

April 2, 2012: "Regardless of Supreme Court's ruling, health care still needs reform" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "The Supreme Court will not announce its decision on Obamacare until June, but pundits on both sides of the political spectrum have rushed to judgment. They are writing as if the decision has already been made — the Court is going to rule against the administration, and strike down the law — and are giving us a spate of contradictory predictions about the consequences. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

March 27, 201: "Coup in Mali hits close to home" by Hunter Schwartz (KSL) "University of Utah [and Hinckley Institute of Poltics] students Elizabeth Jessop and Kyle Rehn, who are in Bamako interning for Yeah Samake's presidential campaign, said they have been "living on the edge" the past week. 'We were downtown when we heard there would be unrest," Jessop said. "By the end of the evening, there was regular gunfire. It was almost impossible to sleep.'"

March 26, 2012: "An End to Authoritarianism and Plutocracy: It's up to us" by Rocky Anderson at the Hinckley Institute of Politics(OpEdNews.com) "Let us consider the fundamental guiding principles for the United States of America -- freedom, equal opportunity,compassion, and security."

March 26, 2012: "Republicans Grappling with Flood of New Delegates " by Bob Bernick (Utah Policy) "Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, says the flood of new state GOP delegates means that the April 21 state convention will be more open-mined and less angry than the 2010 convention – in which Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, was removed from office."

March 26, 2012: "How Supreme Court justices may vote on health care" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "The individual mandate has a mixed legal history, having been ruled constitutional by some panels and unconstitutional by others. The Supreme Court must render the final decision, and speculation about what that will be, and how it will come about, abounds. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

March 23, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL Radio regarding the impact of Super PACs.

March 22, 2012: "Latino leader Mickey Ibarra donates papers to University of Utah" (Salt Lake Tribune) "Wednesday at noon, Ibarra will give the Hinckley Institute Forum keynote. Then, on Thursday, U. officials will hold a public reception at the Marriott Library at 5:30 p.m. in recognition of "The Mickey Ibarra Papers: A Utah Journey to the White House." The U. awarded Ibarra an honorary doctorate of humane letters five years ago. The son of a Mexican immigrant, he graduated from BYU."

March 21, 2012: "Utah: The story behind the score" by John Daley (State Integrity) "'Just as we reveled in high marks from Pew for good governance and Forbes for businesses, we also must take [this] poor grade as a call for the state to look at model laws and possibilities for improvements,' said Kirk Jowers, chair of the Governor’s Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy."

March 20, 2012: "Once endangered, Orrin Hatch Battles Back in Utah" by Kyle Trygstad and David Drucker (Roll Call) "Kirk Jowers, Director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a member of Mitt Romeny's finance team, said the difference between 2012 and 2010 was timing, voter outreach and Hatch building a campaign team that recognized that Thursday was the most important election."

March 19, 2012: "Studies give Utah D for corruption risk, B+ for spending transparency " by Dennis Romboy (KSL) "'You find the abuses, and Utah has had its share of abuses, every state has,' said Kirk Jowers with the Hinckly Institute of Politics. "And so you need to legislate around that. At least give honest people a chance to remain honest."

March 19, 2012: "Studies give Utah D for corruption risk, B+ for spending transparency" by Dennis Romboy (KSL) "'You find the abuses, and Utah has had its share of abuses, every state has,' said Kirk Jowers with the Hinckley Institute of Politics. 'And so you need to legislate around that. At least give honest people a chance to remain honest.'"

March 19, 2012: "Moving beyond political ideology" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "In a presidential campaign in years gone by, a third party candidate justified his getting into the race by saying, "There's not a dime's worth of difference between the two parties." Some say the same thing today.Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

March 18, 2012: "Utah’s revolving door keeps spinning out lobbyists " by Britny Mortensen (Salt Lake Tribune) "In fall 2009, the Governor’s Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy recommended eliminating the lobbying loophole to "flatly prohibit state officials from engaging in all lobbying for compensation for one calendar year after the state official leaves office. Accordingly, in the 2010 legislative session, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, introduced a bill to do just that. The bill failed to make it out of the House."

March 17, 2012: "Senate candidates prepare to court 4,000 delegates" by Hunter Schwartz (Deseret News) "'Utah Republicans are all in for Romney, and I think they take Romney seriously when he says he could use a powerful friend in the Senate' says Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and Federal Relations."

March 15, 2012: "Hatch’s grand plan for survival to be put to the test Thursday" by Robert Gehrke (Salt Lake Tribune) "But Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said no campaign has ever gone to the level of detail as the Hatch campaign.'What Hatch has done that’s so unique and so expensive is essentially trying to have a much bigger impact on who the delegates will be, [waging] thousands of mini elections around the state on Thursday,' Jowers said. "Hatch essentially … expanded the potential pool of [delegates] 20-fold, and so the complexity and cost just go up exponentially.'"

March 14, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL News Radio’s Morning News with Grant and Amanda regarding the results of the Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, and American Samoa GOP contests.

March 13, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers appeared live on the March 13 episode of Access Utah: Caucuses: How do they work? Why should we participate? http://www.upr.org/post/find-my-caucus.

March 12, 2012: "Is Mitt Romney the inevitable nominee?" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "Last week, following Super Tuesday, Team Romney called upon the other candidates to recognize reality and withdraw, so that the campaign focus could switch to President Obama. They said that the mathematics of the race for the Republican nomination were now inexorable, that Romney was the inevitable nominee. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

March 12, 2012: "Hatch Faces Trial by Fire in Utah" by Sean Sullivan (National Journal) 'Kirk Jowers, the director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and Federal Relations, said Liljenquist's efforts can't be compared to Hatch's. "It's kind of like saying, 'Has [Rick] Santorum been doing the same work that Romney has?' Jowers said.'

March 9, 2012: "Hinckley forum: Democracy to take on a new look" by Megan Gessel (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Despite the sea of political cynicism, the deliberative democracy occurring worldwide is cause for optimism, said a communication scholar at a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum on Thursday."

March 9, 2012: "Legislative interns make all the difference at Capitol " by Richard Piatt (KSL) "Interns work long hours doing a lot of tedious tasks and don't get paid much. But many said it was one of the best jobs they've had - tracking schedules, returning emails and climbing a lot of stairs. Interns at the Capitol rarely sit around, and the public rarely sees the work that they do."

March 9, 2012: "Abortion, autism among last-minute bills for state legislature" by  Brittany Green-Miner, Meredith Forrest Kulwicki, Max Roth, and Ashton Goodell (Fox 13).

March 9, 2012: "Poll: Half of Utahns not interested in attending party caucuses" by (Lisa Riley Roche) "'Predictable, but sad' was the reaction of Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a longtime critic of the caucus system as a cause of the state's low voter turnout."

March 9, 2012: "Most Utahns won't attend party caucuses" by Lisa Riley Roche (KSL) "'Predictable, but sad" was the reaction of Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a longtime critic of the caucus system as a cause of the state's low voter turnout.'Utah has to make its democracy more accessible to more people in order to get us back engaged,' Jowers said, calling for changes in the system that would result in more primary elections."

March 9, 2012: "Is social media changing politics?" by John Daley (KSL) "'It does increase awareness, but does it have a long term impact?' said Kirk Jowers of the Hinckley Institute. 'I think it's still too early to know how that works.'"

March 8, 2012: "Nobody's in charge of governing Utah education" by Sen. Howard Stephenson and Cody Jenkins (Deseret News) "The Soviet agricultural system has been relegated to the ash heap of history, but American public education continues with one five-year reform plan after another. Howard Stephenson is a Utah State senator and the chair of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Cody Jenkins is an intern from the Hinckley Institute of Politics."

March 8, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL Radio’s Doug Wright Show regarding the results of Super Tuesday.

March 7, 2012: "Candidates voice ideas in final debate" by Andreas Rivera (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Sync party candidates Ellie Sanchez and Jake Rush debate with Open party candidates Geneva Thompson and DJ Payton in the Hinckley Caucus Room on Tuesday."

March 6, 2012: "It's not so super a day for Utahns" by Doug Robinson (Deseret News) "'More importantly, we have no impact on the issues,' says Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. 'The issues that are important to us will not be important to candidates because they don't need to address them. They need to go to Iowa to talk about ethanol subsidies and to Florida to talk about off-shore drilling. We don't get to vote or have candidates who really care about us.'"

March 5, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL Radio's Doug Wright Show regarding the Super Tuesday GOP presidential races.

March 4, 2012: "Poll says Romney's faith not as big of a factor in 2012 race" by Lisa Riley Roche (KSL) "'There's no question that Romney's religion is a mixed bag,' said Kirk Jowers, a longtime Romney advisor and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

March 4, 2012: "Ohio voters like Santorum, lukewarm on Romney" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "'I think it's smart,' said Kirk Jowers, a longtime Romney adviser and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. Jowers dismissed the suggestion that being in Boston on election night will connect Romney to Massachusetts' liberal image, especially passage of his state health care plan."

March 3, 2012: "Poll: Utah voters believe Romney's Mormon faith hurting him less this time" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "'There's no question that Romney's religion is a mixed bag,' said Kirk Jowers, a longtime Romney advisor and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. 'It's been incredibly helpful to him in some states, in fundraising, in volunteers, in imaging,' Jowers said. Romney was able to count on LDS voters in states like Nevada and Arizona to help deliver victories."

March 2, 2012: "Understanding Politics" (KSL) "Lindsay Zizumbo is the Internships Program Manager for the Hinckley Institute of Politics. She offers a few ways to wrap your brain around the big, seemingly complicated, political world."

March 1, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers appeared live in KSL studio for a SPECIAL TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE AIR, with host Doug Wright and fellow guests Rep. Kraig Powell, GOP Chair Thomas Wright, and Democratic Chair Jim Dabakis to discuss Utah's Caucus System.

February 29, 2012: "Upstart Political Party Seeks Leader to Help Group Work Against Partisan Politics" (PRWeb) "'Polls show that Americans are more frustrated and angrier at government than ever before,' said Taylor Morgan, political programs manager for the Hinckley Institute of Politics at The University of Utah."

February 29, 2012: "Notable Achievements: Feb. 29, 2012" by Andreas Rivera (Daily Utah Chronicle) "All three finalists for the Truman Scholarship Award are U students. This is the fourth consecutive year that all U final nominees have been selected as Truman Scholarship finalists, according to a press release from the Hinckley Institute of Politics, where all of the students have served internships. Harvard University and Stanford University are among the schools from which finalists are considered. The Truman Scholarship is a national award of $30,000 for graduate studies, with 3,000 students applying every year."

February 28, 2012: "Wrong Taft. Wrong newspaper" by Francisco Kjolseth (Salt Lake Tribune) "The Salt Lake Tribune State Sen. Karen Morgan joined former Sen. Bob Bennett at the Hinckley Institute of Politics on Tuesday to discuss the loss of civility in today's politics."

February 27, 2012: "Americans are anchored in the center" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "I have been following politics all my life. The first Republican convention I remember in which there was a contest was 1952, when Dwight D. Eisenhower narrowly outmaneuvered William Howard Taft to win. From then until now, I have never seen a nomination fight like this one. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 26, 2012: "Jason Chaffetz Supports Mitt Romney but Is Coy on Ambitions" by Daniel Newhauser (Roll Call) "'Chaffetz would be phenomenal as White House spokesman or working as some type of legislative liaison capacity,' said Chaffetz confidant Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. 'If President Romney felt he really needed Congressman Chaffetz to serve some role for him, he would probably be open to doing it.'"

February 25, 2012: "GOP presidential race will drag on, Romney backers say" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "Longtime Romney adviser Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said this has already been "by far the most vetted nomination process in the history of our country," including 20 GOP debates."

February 25, 2012: "Romney's race for GOP nomination will continue, supporters say " by Lisa Riley Roche (KSL) " Longtime Romney adviser Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said this has already been 'by far the most vetted nomination process in the history of our country,' including 20 GOP debates.'"

February 25, 2012: "Jack Ambramoff, teen tanning and a boxing beauty queen" (KSL) " In this Sunday Edition, "The Man Who Bought Washington," convicted Lobbyist Jack Ambramoff explains his crimes and why he believes the federal political system is still broken {at the Hinckley Insittute of Politics]. Plus, we'll take a closer look at a bill that would require parental consent for anyone under 18 to use a tanning bed. And, we'll introduce you to a beauty queen with a great left hook.

February 25, 2012: "'Excommunicated' by GOP, Bob Bennett says Romney, religion, economy make 2012 election unique" by Jared Whitley (Deseret News) "Sharing his "experiences of a practical politician, forcibly retired," former Sen. Robert Bennett told an interfaith conference of Mormons and Protestants in Washington, D.C., that the 2012 election is proving to be one unlike any in his lifetime, and Gov. Mitt Romney's religion is a key part of that." Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics.

February 24, 2012: "Washington's most notorious lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, pushes for reform" by John Daley (Deseret News) "At the University of Utah [Hinckley Institute of Politics] Thursday, Abramoff talked about his new book, "Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption from America's Most Notorious Lobbyist.” He writes about how he rose to the top and ended up serving 43 months in federal prison, an experience he said changed him."

February 24, 2012: "Wealthy Utahns write big checks to Mitt Romney super PAC" by Matt Canham (Salt Lake Tribune) "Kirk Jowers, a campaign finance lawyer and Romney supporter, said it makes sense that the super PAC would out-raise the campaign in Utah for two reasons."

February 24, 2012: "Politics Up Close: Former Superlobbyist Jack Abramoff" by Jeff Robinson (KCPW) "Less than two years after getting out of federal prison, former superlobbyist Jack Abramoff is in Utah, talking about the corrupt practices that led to his downfall and what should be done to put an end to such practices in Washington. We sat down with him at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 24, 2012: "Exposing Capitol’s secrets" by Andreas Rivera (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was the speaker at Thursday’s Hinckley Forum. He spoke to students about the corruption he witnessed and partook in during his time in prison."

February 23, 2012: "Jack Abramoff comes to Utah on reform-oriented book tour " by John Daley (KSL) "Former lobbyist and influence peddler Jack Abramoff spoke at the University of Utah [Hinckley Institute of Politics] Thursday, advocating reforms in the lobbying system."

February 23, 2012: "Hinckley Forum: Education forum discusses benefits of charter schools" by Megan Gessel (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Charter schools are often more able to prepare students for college than traditional public schools because they have academic rigor and smaller class sizes, said two speakers at the Hinckley forum Wednesday."

Febuary 23, 2012: "U events desperately need to be organized" by Mimi Marstaller (Daily Utah Chronicle) "A few weeks ago I got an email about a Hinckley Institute forum happening the next day. The talk was fascinating but was attended mostly by students who had to be there for a class. The announcement of the event showed up on the Hinckley home page and the U’s Events page."

February 23, 2012: "Study abroad deserves more credit" by Mark Pittman (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Since 2006, the Hinckley Institute of Politics has provided more than $730,000 in scholarships directly to students undertaking international internships, with 300 students undertaking them in at least 35 countries. The institute sends about 80 students a year on international internships, and those numbers have been steadily growing."

February 22, 2012: "The Hinckley Institute's Kirk Jowers says Utah is leading the way in voter reform. [KSL]" (Political Cornflakes)

February 22, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers appeared on-air with host Neal Larson of KID Newsradio 590am/92.1fm, Idaho Falls, ID to discuss GOP presidential campaign

February 2012 - Zac Zabawa was featured in the local paper while serving a Hinckley internship in India.

February 21. 2012: " Salty Citizen - Shake off the cynicism. A better Utah awaits" by Kirk Jowers (City Weekly) "On one hand, we live in an incredibly vibrant place. We have unparalleled access to outdoor recreation, the arts, booming businesses, and a world-class research, Pac-12, BCS-busting university. Kirk Jowers is director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. He thanks Hinckley colleague Rochelle McConkie Parker for assisting with this feature."

February 21, 2012: ""Utah leads way in solving voter registration problems" by Kirk Jowers (KSL) "Just a few years ago, Governor Jon Huntsman issued a challenge for Utah to improve some of the lowest voter turnout numbers in the nation. Governor Huntsman formed, and Governor Gary Herbert subsequently endorsed, a commission to explore the extent of the problem and make suggestions for improvement.  Kirk L. Jowers is the University of Utah's Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and is a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm of Caplin & Drysdale."

February 20, 2012: "Entitlement spending must change" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "President Obama's budget is out and it is an eye popper — the largest peacetime one in history. Still, it claims to contain $1.7 trillion in budget cuts, or is it $2.4? Or some other number? Republicans insist that those cuts are phony and focus on the tax increases, which they put at $2 trillion. Maybe $3. Or more. Or less. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 18, 2012: "Romney visits Utah, speaks at Olympic celebration" by Lisa Riley Roche (KLS) "'A lot of people are nostalgic about the Olympics and upset at the falsehoods said about the Olympics for political purposes and they wanted to welcome their leader home,' said Kirk Jowers, a Romney adviser and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics.

February 18, 2012: "Mitt Romney relishes Olympic anniversary as opponents attempt to make his role as Games head political" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "'A lot of people are nostalgic about the Olympics and upset at the falsehoods said about the Olympics for political purposes and they wanted to welcome their leader home,' said Kirk Jowers, a Romney adviser and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 17, 2012: "Mediocrity of education continues" by Howard Stevenson and Cody Jenkins (Deseret News) "The commission called for more homework, extended school years, higher standards for teachers, higher graduation requirements, more rigorous and measurable standards and stiffer requirements for admission to four-year colleges. The national report was followed by state reports calling for implementation of the recommendations and countless other five-year plans for reforming education. Howard Stephenson is a Utah State senator and the chair of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Cody Jenkins is an intern from the Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 17, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed on KSL TV’s Evening News regarding Mitt Romney being in Salt Lake City.

February 17, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed on KSL Radio regarding the Mitt Romney fundraiser at Little America

February 16, 2012: "Profs weigh in on Occupy pros, cons" by Megan Gessel (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Professor in the Sociology Department, Julie Stewart speaks on the Occupy Movement at the Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 14, 2012: "Biographer highlights the many sides of Honest Ab" by Megan Gessel (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Biographer Ron Andersen highlighted a few of the president’s lesser-known qualities — his humor, spirituality and fearlessness — on Monday at a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum."

February 13, 2012: "Mormon church seeks to boost party caucus turnout " by Lee Davidson (Salt Lake Tribune) "'It is a very significant step by the LDS Church,' said Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 13, 2012: "A brokered convention? Dream on" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "With Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum's surprise showing in three states last week, people are again talking about a "brokered convention." What exactly is that, and how could it happen? Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 11, 2012: "Tuesday losses for Romney cast doubt on frontrunner status " by Lisa Riley Roche (KSL) "'Santorum has had difficulty in states where a lot of people vote, that require a broader outreach,' said Kirk Jowers, a longtime Romney supporter and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics.

February 10, 2012: "Colonel says building trust is key in security, military strategies" by Kelly Jones (Daily Utah Chronicle) "'Counter-insurgency is about challenging assumptions, developing trust and not being afraid to get your boots dirty,' he said in a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum on Thursday."

February 10, 2012: "Romney's 'Horrible Tuesday' signals tough race ahead" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "'Santorum and Gingrich have each had some victories and some colossal no-shows. Neither of them has shown the ability to mount a sustained campaign against Romney, said Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 10, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL News Radio’s Morning News with Grant and Amanda.

February 7, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL Radio’s Doug Wright Show regarding the Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado GOP presidential races.

February 6, 2012: "Candidates need economic policy to win" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "With the Florida primary behind us, pundits are now pouring through its exit polls to come up with numbers to tell us where Mitt Romney's strengths and weaknesses lie. Pollsters are doing the same with numbers attached to President Obama's current approval ratings, giving us state-by-state projections of his likely electoral vote count. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

February 6, 2012: "Would Mormon church influence Romney if president?" by Matt Canham (Scrippsnews.com) "Former Utah GOP Sen. Bob Bennett, who is Mormon and a Romney supporter, said it shouldn't shock anyone that the LDS Church asks national politicians for help on occasion. Bennett predicted the LDS Church would be more hesitant to weigh in on a political issue if Romney were in the White House."

February 6, 2012: "Romney has solid lead ahead of Tuesday's triple primary" by John Daley (KSL) "'When you look at it right now -- and what he did in Florida, what he did in Nevada, the states coming up between now and Super Tuesday -- it's hard to see anything going wrong for him,' said Kirk Jowers, a Romney supporter."

February 2, 2012; "Law prof advocates stifling extremism" by Jake Stout (Daily Utah Chronicle) "All these questions were predicated on decisions of morality and ethics, the key issues behind extremism and targeted killing, which Guiora spoke about at Hinckley Institute of Politics forum Wednesday."

January 31, 2012: "Romney wins big, but not big enough to end nomination race" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics head Kirk Jowers, a longtime Romney adviser, said Florida sends a message to voters in the upcoming primary states. 'South Carolina seemed to call in to question whether he had the fight necessary to take on Obama and his billion dollars,' Jowers said. 'There's no question that Florida answered Mitt is ready, willing and able.'"

January 31, 2012: "Hits and Misses" by Katharine Biele (City Weekly) "So, as Durham steps down from the chief-justice spot, Utah women should be encouraged by the nonpartisan Real Women Run effort, sponsored by the YWCA and Hinckley Institute of Politics. The first event anticipated 40 attendees and got 300, which may attest to the interest. Right now, only 17 percent of the Utah Legislature is female and there are no female federal lawmakers. Durham, of course, represents the best for women, and, hopefully, will serve as a guiding light."

January 2012: "Women meet in Sandy for leadership training" by JM Martin (Sandy Journal) "The event was the product of a partnership between the YWCA of Salt Lake City, The Hinckley Institute of politics at the University of Utah and an organizing committee of 20 prominent women in positions of leadership."

January 30, 2012: "Despite Gingrich, Romney says he'll get the nomination" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "Longtime Romney supporter Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said none of the remaining candidates are likely to be ready to leave the race right away. Besides Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum are still in the running. Both have left Florida and are campaigning in other states."

January 30, 2012: "Romney adjusts, moves Florida polls" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "The Florida Primary may determine the race for the Republican nomination. In 2008, it was McCain's win there that eliminated Romney. If that proves to be the case this time, it will be because of "halftime adjustments," to use a football term, that Team Romney made as a result of the outcome in South Carolina. (Full disclosure — I am a Romney supporter.) Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 30, 2012: "Race for GOP presidential nomination going the distance, but Mitt Romney says he'll eventually win" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) "Longtime Romney supporter Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said none of the remaining candidates are likely to be ready to leave the race right away."

January 30, 2012: "Democracy Day 2012" (City Weekly) "Interested in the legislative process? Register for this FREE event and find out more. If you have ever wanted to learn more about the political process, meet your legislators or tour the capitol, register now for Democracy Day 2012. Special events this year include a mock debate between the Chairmen of Utah's major political parties, and a keynote speech from Kirk L. Jowers."

January 30, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics will be the keynote speaker AARP's and CAP’s Democracy Day and moderate a debate between Republican Chairman Thomas Wright and Democratic Chairman Jim Dabakis.

January 27, 2012: "Hinckley forum: Utah Legislature to consider popular vote bill" by Jake Stout (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Panek was speaking at the Hinckley Institute of Politics on Thursday for a bipartisan event promoting a change to the way votes are tallied in presidential elections."

January 25, 2012: "Climate change could put food at risk" by Tiffany Justice (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Emanuela Bozzini, a research fellow at the University of Trento and Fulbright Schuman Fellow, spoke about the possible effects of climate change at Tuesday’s Hinckley Forum."

January 24, 2012: "Utah higher education must adapt or die, Harvard business innovator tells legislators" by Ladd Brubaker (Deseret News) "Afterward, Pershing said he has also been influenced by the book's ideas. However, he said coursework is not the only product that the U. offers, but experiences provided by programs such as the Hinckley Institute of Politics and others."

January 23, 2012: "With growing turnout, student voters can inspire candidates" by Mark Pittman (Daily Utah Chronicle) "'University students always play a huge role in presidential campaigns,' said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. 'Because no amount of money or organization can compensate for a lack of passion and on-the-ground work, which is provided primarily by students.'”

January 23, 2012: "Economic recovery depends on political stability" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "Let us hope that the news stays good or even improves. However, it ignores a potential problem facing us in 2012 which could change everything — the unresolved financial problems in the rest of the world. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 22, 2012: "Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed on Fox 13 regarding the SC Primary and Florida."

January 20, 2012: "Lawyers support minorities on the bench during MLK Week" by Kelly Jones (Daily Utah Chronicle) "The Hinckley Institute held a Celebrating Utah First discussion panel with Judge VerniceTrease; Judge Raymond S. Uno; Trystan Smith; Robert Flores; Sheldon Spotted Elk.The forum was moderated by Dr. M. David Rudd, Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Science, and was part of the 2012 Martin Luther King Celebration."

January 20, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live on KSL News Radio’s Morning News with Grant and Amanda.

January 19, 2012: "Alumni lobbyists redefine their roles in government" by Dan Treasure (Daily Utah Chronicle) "On Wednesday at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, U alumni and lobbyists David Spatafore and Lincoln Shurtz spoke to a full house about their jobs."

January 18, 2012: "Rep. Ivory says keep separation of state duties" by Dan Treasure (Daily Utah Chronicle) "Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, framed an argument for states’ rights through the lens of national debt and health care reform at a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum Tuesday."

January 18, 2012: "Poll: Only 1/3 of Utahns Participate in Utah's Caucus System" by Bob Bernick (Utah Policy.com) "Leaders of the group, which include former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, Hinckley Institute of Politics executive director Kirk Jowers and Exoro partner and UPD publisher LaVarr Webb, said they didn't have enough time before the April 15 petition filing deadline to gather the estimated 100,000 voter signatures required."

January 17, 2012: "Huntsman has many options -- including Senate bid" by Thomas Burr (Scripps News) "'Huntsman would be glad to serve in the next administration,' said Kirk Jowers, a friend and backer of Romney and head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 17, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live in-studio on KSL Radio’s Doug Wright Show regarding Huntsman dropping out of the GOP presidential race.

January 17, 2012: "Getting women to run" (Deseret News) "Two years ago, a Dan Jones & Associates poll for the Deseret News/KSL in conjunction with the Hinckley Institute found that women make up 55 percent of Republican voters in the state but only 25 percent of convention delegates. On the Democrats' side, women were 60 percent of voters and only 43 percent of delegates. Young people and newcomers to the state also were disproportionately represented."

January 17, 2012: "The Ins and Outs of the 2012 Presidential Election" "Presented by Kirk Jowers Director, the Hinckley Institute of Politics and the Director for Federal Relations, The University of Utah

January 16, 2012: "Huntsman: Smart choice to get out now, expert says" by Andrew Adams (KSL) "Hinckley Institute of Politics director Kirk Jowers says Huntsman's performance in New Hampshire was nice but not good enough to spur more fundraising beyond the Granite State. And he still trailed in the polls in places like South Carolina."

January 16, 2012: "Mitt Romney's technology driven campaign" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "However, a large percentage of potential voters fail to participate, so a candidate may not have moved up by changing minds; instead, he might have increased his total by getting passive supporters off the bench and onto the field. Every campaign needs a good "ground game" to identify and stimulate such potential voters. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 16, 2012: "Women take on leadership at conference" by Jason Asay (Standard Examiner) "On Saturday, nearly 300 women attended the "Real Women Run: Find Your Voice" leadership training conference, sponsored by the YWCA and the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 16, 2012: "Next for Huntsman: Senate bid? Romney Cabinet? 2016? " by Thomas Burr (Salt Lake Tribune) "[S]aid Kirk Jowers, a friend and backer of Romney and head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics[:] . . . 'From what I know of Romney, he’s incredibly magnanimous and very focused on doing what’s right for the country. . . . I don’t think Huntsman has burned any bridges with Romney.'”

January 16, 2012: "Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live in-studio on Fox TV's News regarding Huntsman dropping out of the GOP presidential race.

January 16, 2012: "Huntsman's decision to quit presidential race 'came from his gut'" by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) ";Huntsman put everything into New Hampshire. It was the proverbial 'Hail Mary' and it didn’t' make it to the end zone,' said Kirk Jowers, a Romney supporter who advised Huntsman as governor. 'So it was inevitable he was going to drop out. Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said Huntsman likely took time after New Hampshire's election "to make sure everyone was at peace with abandoning the fight.'"

January 16, 2012: "Huntsman dropping out not a surprise to some political observers" by Aaaron Vaughn (Fox 13) "'You realize it's inevitable that he can't win. Almost inevitable that Romney’s going to win,' says director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics Kirk Jowers. 'So you drop out, endorse the frontrunner and live to fight another day.'”

January 15, 2012: "Utah's caucus system: Repair or replace?" by Billy Hesterman (Daily Herald) "'The great thing about the parallel track is it keeps everything that is good about the caucus convention system,' said Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a member of Leavitt's group. 'This adds the component that allows the rest of your party's voters to have a say in who represents the party.'"

January 15, 2012: "Romney's spot on GOP ticket could increase Utah voter turnout" by John Daley (Desert News) "'I tend to think that Democrats are in a lot of trouble if Mitt is at the top of the ticket,' said Romney adviser Kirk Jowers, the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Veteran political observers in Utah believe Romney's impact could drive voter turnout up 3 percent or more."

January 15, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live in-studio on Fox TV’s 9 pm News regarding Huntsman dropping out of the GOP presidential race.

January 15, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed live in-studio on KSL TV’s 10 pm News regarding Huntsman dropping out of the GOP presidential race.

January 15, 2012, Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers was interviewed on CBS Radio regarding Jon Huntsman’s announcement that he was dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Mitt Romney.

January 14, 2012: "Real Women Run conference encourages women to get involved in politics" by Brittany Green-Miner (Fox 13) "The group held their inaugural event, sponsored by The Hinckley Institute and the Salt Lake City chapter of the YWCA, on Saturday in Salt Lake City to help teach and encourage women to run for public office."

January 14, 2012: "Hundreds of women participate in public leadership training" (Deseret News) "Real Women Run is a collaborative nonpartisan effort. In addition to the YWCA and The Hinckley Institute, the partnership includes Salt Lake Community College, Vision 2020, representatives from all political parties in Utah, League of Women Voters, AAUW, current and former elected female officials, Westminster College, and other community organizations that support women."

January 14, 2012: "Hundreds of women express interest in public leadership" (KSL) "Real Women Run is a collaborative nonpartisan effort. In addition to the YWCA and The Hinckley Institute, the partnership includes Salt Lake Community College, Vision 2020, representatives from all political parties in Utah, League of Women Voters, AAUW, current and former elected female officials, Westminster College, and other community organizations that support women."

January 14, 2012: "Real Women Run" (Women's Resource Center) "But if today’s event is at all indicative of future ballots, we’re in luck! Many Utah women are ready and willing to take on the important and respected role of Public Servant– and now they’ve got backup! The YWCA, Zions Bank, Salt Lake Community College, the Hinckley Institute of Politics,Vision 20/20, the Utah Democratic Party, and the Uta GOP- along with numerous past and present representatives and senators- have all declared their support for the bold and brilliant concept of equal representation! Here’s to progress!"

January 14, 2012: "Martin Luther King Jr. events in Utah " (Salt Lake Tribune) "The University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics presents "Celebrating Utah Firsts" with some of the first people of color to join Utah’s legal profession, 12:15 p.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255."

January 13, 2012: "Real Women Run" (ABC 4) "The Hinckley Institute’s mission is to promote citizen involvement in government – our mission is not being fulfilled if half of the population isn’t fully engaging in the political process.  Hinckley Institute Founder Robert H. Hinckley said, ‘Making up your mind to begin the battle is half the game; nerve to stick to the finish is the other half.’ The Real Women Run initiative is here to first empower Utah women to want to be politically active and then give them the tools and confidence to make it happen,' said Lindsay Zizumbo, Program Manager, Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 13, 2012: "Campus takes a week to celebrate life of MLK" by Emily Andrews (Daily Utah Chronicle) "The week will conclude with a forum at the Hinckley Institute of Politics on Jan. 19, with a panel discussion on issues of race in Utah."

January 12, 2012: "Real Women Run This Saturday!" by Eric Peterson (City Weekly) "This weekend’s political-organizing boot camp for women is more than just complimentary breakfast and a good keynote speaker, says Hinckley Institute Program Manager Lindsay Zizumbo. 'We’re hoping to build a network of women [in politics],' Zizumbo says."

January 12, 2012: "Boot camp for aspiring women politicos" (Salt Lake Tribune) "The YWCA of Salt Lake City and Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah are organizing the public leadership training boot camp. The effort is backed by the Utah League of Women Voters."

January 12, 2012: "FreedomWorks prepared to spend big money in Utah to defeat Hatch" by Dennis Romboy (Desret News) "In 2010, the group initially stood behind Tim Bridgewater to unseat three-term Sen. Bob Bennett until it found out Bridgewater had received federal money for one of his businesses, said Kirk Jowers, executive director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. They shifted to now-Sen. Mike Lee, who ousted Bennett at the convention."

January 11, 2012: "Free training Saturday intended to help more Utah women seek elected office" by Marjorie Cortez (Deseret News) " The training, which has been organized by the YWCA Salt Lake City and the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, will also encourage women to work on political campaigns, serve on public boards and commissions and participate in public policymaking. 'The 'Real Women Run' initiative is here to first empower Utah women to want to be politically active and then give them the tools and confidence to make it happen,' said Lindsay Zizumbo, the Hinckley Institute's program manager for state and local internships."

January 10, 2012: "Rocky road to recovery for fallen MEC" by Jordan Vogel (Daily Utah Chronicle) "After director Bahman Baktiari was fired over a plagiarism scandal, the center lost a federal grant worth $4.5 million and an audit showed large money loss, the beleaguered center has undergone a dramatic restructuring. Two interim co-directors, Kirk Jowers of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and Bob Goldberg of the Tanner Humanities Center were hired to help rebuild the center."

January 10, 2012: "Real Women Run" by Jerre Wroble (City Weekly) "The free training, sponsored by the YWCA Salt Lake City and the U’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, encourages women not only to run for office but to work on campaigns and serve on public boards and commissions. Why are there so few women in Utah politics? Are men not making them feel welcome, or are women just not stepping up?"

January 9, 2012: "CityViews 1/10/12: Why Don’t We Vote?" (KCPW) "Utahns have a reputation for being good-hearted souls, volunteering and donating organs in record numbers. But that virtue doesn’t extend to the ballot box, with only one in four eligible Utahns registered to vote. On Tuesday, we’re talking about Utah’s dismal voting record and what can be done to involve more citizens in our democracy. Guests: Jennifer Gonnelly, League of Women Voters of Utah and Dr. Tim Chambless, political science professor, University of Utah"

January 9, 2012: "U.S. needs entitlement restructuring" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "$1.7 trillion, or 58 percent of that number, came about without any action by either Congress or the president. It accrued as a liability simply because the nation became a year older. How is that possible? Because of our entitlement programs. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 8, 2012: "A better nominating process" by Michael Leavitt (Deseret News) "If I had one New Year's resolution for our state it would be to reverse a more than 40-year general decline in voter participation. Utah used to set a high standard for civic engagement. Now we consistently rank among the bottom five states in the country for voter turnout. It's a black eye on our state and a harbinger of trouble ahead if we don't reverse the trend."

January 6, 2012: "Chris Herrod to take on Hatch, socialism in bid for U.S. Senate" by Dennis Romboy (Deseret News) "Herrod's entry into the race might be good news for Hatch, said Kirk Jowers, executive director of the University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics. Herrod and Liljenquist could split the delegate vote at the state GOP convention in April, he said.

January 5, 2012: "Love launches congressional bid as budget hawk " by Robert Gehrke (Salt Lake Tribune) "I think the 4th District is by far the most compelling race in Utah for 2012," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. "It’s a fascinating convention fight that I think is almost guaranteed a primary, and the winner has to go against the most formidable Democrat in Matheson."

January 4, 2012: "We've finally arrived at votes that count. We'll review the results of the Iowa Caucuses with several political experts: Mike Lyons, Associate Professor of Political Science at USU; Kirk Jowers, Director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics; Deseret News columnists, LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli; and Quin Monson, BYU Assistant Professor of Political Science and Associate Director at the Center for the study of Elections and Democracy." (UPR)

January 4, 2012: "Romney, Santorum look to increase Iowa momentum in NH " by Keith McCord (KSL) " "For Santorum, it is a huge lift," said Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "Because there was a guy -- ‘Mr. Irrelevant' -- for 11 months, and now he has a very nice ticket out of Iowa. Whether he has anything left is a big question."

January 3, 2012: Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers appeared on KLO Radio with Walter Platz to preview the Iowa Caucus.

January 2, 2012: "What we learn from Iowa caucuses" by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) "The weekend press has been full of predictions about tomorrow's Iowa caucuses, with new polls showing massive voter shifts. Gingrich now appears destined for third or even fourth place, with Mitt Romney having a late surge along with Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. High drama with the nomination hanging in the balance. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics."

January 2, 2012: "Mormon view on role of governing is distinct " by Lee Davidson (Salt Lake Tribune) "In his major 2007 speech on religion and politics during the last campaign, Romney echoed that view. "Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God," he said, "not an indulgence of government." Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said such beliefs contribute to a tendency toward conservative politics among Mormons. They help show "a hands-off approach to government," he said, "and Republicans are seen as embodying that more than Democrats."