Republicans began election season Tuesday night Sept. 24 at a Thanksgiving Point rally featuring national Republican leader Alan Keyes.

Other speakers included Rob Bishop and John Swallow, republican candidates for Congress in Utah's first and second districts.

"I think of Utah and it gives me hope," Keyes said.

The rally was intended to get people interested in the elections, which are particularly important to the Republicans who control the House by a slim majority. The Democratic party only needs to gain seven seats in order to take control of the House.

The National Republican party is concerned about the outcome of Utah's congressional races.

Keyes spoke about the importance the people of Utah have to elect leaders who represent the integrity and values of Utah. He said Utahns are the ones who can make the difference.

"We need the voice of Utah's integrity," Keyes said. "If you can't get integrity consistently from Utah, then where will it come from?"

Keyes said he wants the people of Utah to get out and vote for the candidates that will represent Utah's values.

"When I hear Rob and John I hear what America needs," Keyes said. "I would plead with you tonight to see what Rob and John can do for America, not just Utah."

Keyes said that Utahns need to act in this election.

"This election could seem like it's just another political thing, you must begin to take this vocation of citizenship deadly serious."

Keyes also spoke of the war America is engaged in. He said that the American people were united long before the Sept.11 attacks.

"We have been battling this vicious phenomenon for decades," Keyes said. "As much as the media tells us things are different, that America is different, it ain't true," he said.

Keyes also made the point that Americans need to recognize that God has had his hand in this nation from the beginning. The basis for judgment of right and wrong comes from a power larger than a human force, Keyes said.

Bishop, who is running for Utah's first district, also spoke about his goals in this year's election.

"I am a conservative because Utah is conservative," Bishop said.

If Bishop is elected he said he wants to speed up tax cuts for Utah.

He said that he will give true representation to the state of Utah by going back to Washington and doing the right thing.

Swallow, a candidate for Congress in Utah's second district, said, "I want to stand true to the principles of freedom."

Swallow said he believes in local control of the government and Washington has no right to tell Utah how to educate its kids.

"We have to get the government out of teaching our children moral values," Swallow said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Sep 2002