They also want to make this much perfectly clear: Those three stands don't spell G-O-P.

"The positions that we take are not Republican positions," said Vaughn Cook, head of the Utah County Democratic Party. "This platform is not a 'me too' platform."

But to Republican rivals in this GOP stronghold, those parts of the new platform sure don't sound Democratic.

"They're trying to mimic our platform," said Marian Monnahan, Utah County GOP chairwoman. "And, if that's the case, why aren't they Republicans?"

Utah County Democrats adopted the platform Saturday. On Monday, they sent out a news release calling it a decree with "mainstream voter appeal."

In the platform, the party defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The document opposes abortion for personal or social convenience and says it should be limited to instances of rape, incest, cases of fatal fetal deformities or when the mother faces a serious health threat.

The platform itself does not mention The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the party's news release does state that the abortion stand mirrors that of Utah's predominant religion.

Monnahan finds it interesting that her Democratic foes "would not separate church and state."

Cook noted that underdog Democrats got a boost earlier this spring when LDS leaders issued a statement declaring that "principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties."

The Utah County Democrats' platform also addresses issues from transportation to education and from health care to immigration.

Cook said the message for Utah County residents is that Democrats are a legitimate, safe alternative.

"[It] tell[s] voters that, if elected, we can do a better job educating children, managing people¹s tax money, preserving our natural resources and planning for future growth in the county and the state." Cook said. "We¹ll put the priority on people, not parking garages."

Democrats said their previous platform didn¹t reflect present-day concerns and needed a face lift.

Monnahan argues that face lift sounds more like an about-face.

"It appears as though they¹re trying to separate themselves from the National Democratic Party," she said. "But I don¹t see how they can. If you¹re a leaf, you¹re a part of a tree."

State Democratic Party Executive Director Todd Taylor said that he is not surprised by the Utah County platform, including its planks on gay marriage and abortion. "Those would be the positions that a lot of our candidates take," Taylor said.

thollingshead@sltrib.com

Early voting

* Why hassle with Election Day? Beginning today, voters can cast ballots in the primary in advance. Check with your county clerk's office for details and locations.