They see those as cracks in the Republican dominance of Utah.

Some, however, vented frustration that their standard bearer, Rep. Jim Matheson, whom party Chairman Wayne Holland praised for putting a human face on the party's principles, clings to his seat by behaving like a conservative Republican.

"We need a Democrat in Congress," laments delegate Jackie Breslawski of Sandy. "Matheson is a Democrat even though he votes Republican."

The tightrope Matheson walks is obvious. In the reddest of states, the 2nd Congressional District saw 67 percent of voters support President Bush in the 2004 presidential election.

Matheson's constituency, which stretches from Salt Lake City through rural Utah to St. George, offers him a hard political equation. Vote against Bush and he risks the ire of the president's supporters. Vote with Bush and he incenses his fellow Democrats, who likely will still vote for him.

Matheson is a leader of the Blue Dog Democrats, but his party's left side often reviles him as a "Bush Democrat."

As recently as last week, Matheson chose to defect from his party on a call for troop withdrawal from Iraq. He was one of just 10 Democrats voting against legislation requiring U.S. combat troops to begin pulling out within 120 days. The measure passed 223-201 in the House, with 219 Democrats and four Republicans supporting it.

It was in line with a similar vote in 2005, in which Matheson opposed an amendment to begin the process of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq.

Also in 2005, Matheson helped the president squeak through by two votes to get the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) approved. That defection put him at odds with his own party leader, Holland, whose salary is paid by the United Steelworkers.

Matheson also angered progressive Democrats by supporting Bush on the so-called bankruptcy and tort reform measures that made it more difficult for citizens to sue corporations and file for debt relief.

Breslawski frowns while considering the many times Matheson has lined up with the Bush White House. She thinks Matheson is, perhaps, too consistent in supporting the GOP agenda. "In politics, I understand it takes give-and-take. But I'm not happy."

Still, party leaders prize Matheson as living proof that a Democrat can win in Utah beyond certain urban enclaves, such as Salt Lake City and Price.

"It's Jim Matheson who makes voters think it's OK to vote for a Democrat because they know his face," Holland said, introducing the congressman at Skyline High School.

"Different factions will find problems with the way he votes," state Sen. Ross Romero says. "But overall he provides good leadership for Democrats."

Though most Democrats see it as making the best of a harsh Republican reality, it obviously leaves a bitter taste.

"Matheson lives with some political realities in this gerrymandered state. Any Democrat would have to make difficult choices" says Bob Mayhew of Salt Lake City. "But, yes, I'm upset with the way he votes occasionally."

Mayhew's wife, Julie, rolls her eyes when Matheson's voting record comes up. "Political reality is what it is, but it's a little hard to swallow sometimes," she says. "But we can't lose that Democratic seat."

Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake, acknowledges the frustration toward Matheson felt by many Democrats. "There are some liberal-progressive folks who smile and grit their teeth over his votes on CAFTA and the marriage amendment [banning gay unions]."

"But there's a lot of stuff where he's in the right place," McCoy says. "In the final analysis, it's good to have him there."

* Praising Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson for his efforts in combating global warming.

* Recognizing Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and other county officeholders for fiscal responsibility.

* Spotlighting Rep. Jim Matheson's work in Congress.