"I see so much similarity between 1968 and 2008 with the Vietnam War . . . a war that tore this nation apart," said the political scientist/pollster. "Today I feel that in some ways our nation is torn apart, but we must not despair. We must get involved in politics and become part of the gladiators."

Former student Jeff Adams hailed Jones as the "patriarch of Utah politics" and the state's "pre-eminent pollster."

Jones, 73, conducted his first poll in 1959, of Salt Lake City's mayoral race. Jones has monitored the state's political pulse ever since.

He and his wife, Pat - currently a Democratic state senator - are co-owners of Dan Jones & Associates.

And for 50 years, countless Utah State University and University of Utah students have sat under his tutelage.

"He's one of the most knowledgable teachers at the U., and his knowledge is equaled by his passion," said Patrick Reimherr, a junior majoring in political science.

At a luncheon following the forum, more than 350 colleagues, students and politicians - past and present - honored Jones as 2008's Hinckley fellow, and raised $125,000 to establish the Dan Jones Future Leaders Scholarship. Among the speakers were U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett.

"Dan gives everyone a real perspective, that the more things change, the more they stay the same," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "At the same time he has an enthusiasm and love for the moment."

Jowers lauded Jones for his ability to move individuals and groups about democracy.

"He's given his life over to preaching about the greatness of America - and our responsibility to keep it that way," Jowers said. "That's his real gift to us, that he won't let us take our democracy and Constitution for granted."

Through the decades, every time a moral issue cropped up - abortion, the Equal Rights Amendment, gay rights, liquor by the drink, parimutuel betting - the Mormon Church weighed in, influencing how its followers would vote, Jones said.

That influence led to the commonly held belief that "you can't be a good Mormon and be a Democrat," Jones said.

After President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Lyndon Johnson carried Utah in 1964 - and he was the last Democratic presidential candidate to do so.

Whether that changes this November remains to be seen.

"I believe 2008 is the most important election we will have had since 1960," Jones said.

"I pray we'll have no more assassinations, that America will end its wars and our boys can come home, and that young people will get politically involved."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com