Few Consequences Expected from Mayor's Protest

Richard Piatt ReportingThe flags and political signs have been put away. The pro-President, and anti war rallies are done. Will Utah suffer because of any of the political rallies this week?

Today, Mayor Rocky Anderson isn't worried at all about any economic impact from his rally. In fact, he says the city stands to benefit.

Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City Mayor: "We're really helping when the image of Salt Lake City is changed as we engage in more progressive kinds of practices."

There is no question Wednesday's rally whipped up strong feelings way beyond Salt Lake's Washington Square. The Mayor criticized the President, the administration, the war, and those who support it. People in Utah shot back at Mayor Anderson in anger and outrage.

There were are also emails of outrage from across the nation. To the Chamber of commerce, a man writes, 'Just cannot tour your city now.' A Texas tourist wrote, "I'll take my Texas money to Colorado..."

Strong as these emails are, in total there are only 13 of them. So th bottom line is Bob Farrington of Salt Lake City's Downtown Alliance isn't worried.

Robert Farrington, Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance: "There are many bigger factors at play again in our economy and how people behave. These things kind of have a short shelf life."

Even if the anti-Rocky rally email deluge was mountainous, the Mayor counters with his own email list of those who see the rally as a welcome mat.

Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City Mayor: "We're getting emails from all over the country from people saying, 'My view of Salt Lake City has changed so much. I'm going to bring my tourist dollars there.'"

Of course, tallying e-mails is not an scientific way to predict what kind of effect the protest might have in the long-term.

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