Quotes of the Day

No matter how unpopular he may be, the President of the United States can usually count on a respectful, if not a warm, welcome from local officials wherever he visits in the nation. And when he travels to what is arguably the reddest state in the nation, Utah, he would normally expect a particularly hearty greeting. So it was more than a little surprising for the rest of the country when on Wednesday Rocky Anderson, the city's Democratic mayor, "welcomed" President Bush to Salt Lake City not with a slap on the back and a chat, but with an estimated 4,000-strong anti-Bush, anti-war protest.

Only a few blocks away from where Bush would be speaking Thursday to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Anderson led a rally that wasn't subtle at all in its critiques. Nor was it filled with a bunch of young radicals; some of those in attendance were actually veterans themselves. "Blind faith in bad leaders is not patriotism," Anderson told the crowd. "A patriot does not tell people to refrain from speaking out in the name of politeness or for the sake of being a good host; or to show slavish, blind obedience and deference to a dishonest, war-mongering human-rights-violating president."

Observers far from Salt Lake City may have been taken aback by Anderson's boldness — or rudeness, depending on their view — but no one in the city was particularly surprised by this maverick politician's latest move.

Anderson is notorious for rocking the boat in this conservative, primarily Mormon state, which happens to have the highest Bush approval rating in the U.S., and where three-fourths of their state legislators are Republicans. And though his latest antics are making many Utah residents seasick, the mayor has garnered a loyal following that includes a diverse and liberal group of people that reside primarily in Salt Lake City.

"He can definitely bruise feelings sometimes because he speaks without ambiguity and knows where he stands," says Ed Firmage, a long-time friend and constitutional scholar, who knew Anderson when was doing prison reform work and taking pro bono cases as a lawyer 20 years ago. "He is a humane, compassionate man and that is why he speaks with such force," adds Firmage.

Since taking office in 1999, Anderson has fought for gay rights, the environment and immigrant rights. When he accepted an invitation early on to be the Grand Marshal for the annual Gay Pride parade, it was ice down the back for anyone who was expecting the run-of-the-mill Utah politician. Anderson's activism and agenda nourished an urban populace hungry for something other than meat-and-potatoes conservative fare. "He has made it clear that if you live in Salt Lake City you respect diversity," says Chris Johnson, a gay parent. "He has been proactive in helping protect families like mine."

As evidenced by his speech at the demonstration, Anderson is not subtle. His words and actions incite plenty of hate mail and nasty letters to the editor. Days before the rally, his office was flooded with emails and calls; three temporary workers had to be hired when Republican-sponsored radio ads urged listeners to voice their displeasure. Most of his critics live outside the relatively liberal "island" of Salt Lake City, and they resent the fact that, though he is not their representative, his actions influence how outsiders see their state.

"He embarrassed himself, the city, and the entire state," says Todd Weiler, the chairman of the Republican Party in Davis County. "Instead of acting as an ambassador, he chose to shout and shake his fist at the President." Weiler also fears that Anderson's actions could hurt Utah's convention and tourism industry if Anderson's antics spark some sort of economic boycott of Utah.

"His narcissism and rush to be in the public eye on President Bush's visit has been a bad thing for the city," says Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. "For 364 days he can be Rocky the activist, but for one day he needs to be Rocky the mayor."

Anderson himself doesn't really seem all that interested in whether someone is conservative or liberal, likes him or not, or has advice on how to play politics right. He's more interested in being the thorn in the side of status quo, and he is a sharp one.

"There are so many people who just play it safe — they think there is safety in remaining neutral," says Anderson. "But as human beings there is no neutrality. We are always on one side or the other. We can choose to make things better, or we can choose not to do anything to change things, and then we are just supporting the status quo."

• PETA OWENS-LISTON/SALT LAKE CITY
• His anti-war protest to "welcome" President Bush to Salt Lake City may have shocked some, but Mayor Rocky Anderson always shakes things up in the nation's reddest state