He insists his pass on the four-day nominating convention in Boston July 26-30 is not an attempt to distance himself from his more partisan colleagues.

Matheson says he simply wants to focus on his re-election campaign against Republican challenger John Swallow.

"I'm very serious and very aggressive about every campaign that I'm involved in," Matheson said. "Those are five days I don't want to lose."

While more than 4,000 delegates are expected to name Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as the party's nominee that week, Matheson will be shuttling to town meetings throughout Utah. He has opened an office in St. George and plans to open another in Cedar City.

"It's going to be a very busy week," he said.

Matheson missed the Democratic National Convention four years ago when he made his first bid for Congress.

This time, the congressman automatically has a spot as a delegate because of his office. An alternate will replace him to represent Utah at the Fleet Center.

The two-term congressman beat Swallow by a nail-biting 1,641 votes two years ago in a heavily Republican district that stretches from Salt Lake City's Avenues neighborhood to St. George. Swallow defeated Tim Bridgewater in the June 22 GOP primary, setting up a rematch with Matheson.

To win a third term, Matheson will have to woo independents and moderate Republicans alike.

Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn doesn't question Matheson's decision to stay home. "He doesn't have unlimited time," Dunn said. "He's really putting his attention and time in Utah."

But Swallow's campaign manager, Tim Garon, figures Matheson is trying to separate himself from the liberal party to stay in the good graces of conservative Utah voters.

"It's obviously an election year when a politician like Jim Matheson is trying to distance himself from his party's liberal leadership," Garon said.

Matheson fired back: "That's a bunch of hooey.

"I'm sure people will have a good time in Boston. But I'll be where I want to be."