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Politics from Hell •X-96's morning zoo lets young folks 'Ask a Conservative.'

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Ironically, as we trudge through a political season of mud, the most accessible and — we'll say it—civil discussion on politics is coming from the irreverent knuckleheads at Radio From Hell, X-96, Utah's morning zoo radio show.

RFH's Bill Allred, Kerry Jackson and Gina Barberi are often clever, but their scheme to bring on GOP consultant Dave Owen to talk politics live was pure genius. Not surprisingly for a show that includes "Celebutards" news and The Geek Show, Owen's segment is labeled "Ask a Conservative!!!!"

Owen's no fool: His decision to take the gig shows his clients that he's at the top of his game. He's striking deep in the enemy camp. (After all, how many X-96 "Boners of the Week/Month/Day" have gone to conservatives? Eagle Forum head Gayle Ruzicka must be in the hall of infamy.) But more important for the future of Owen's party, he's speaking directly to young voters.

On the radio, Owen comes across as reasonable, witty and willing to take considerable ribbing — traits not often associated with Republicans.

Tuesday's scoop: Mia Love, the mayor of Saratoga Springs who is running for the 4th Congressional District seat, has a new hairdo. The trio's analysis: She's exactly what the Republican party needs — an attractive, young African-American woman: http://bit.ly/vFufZU.

If you can't catch the weekly segment live, you can get the podcast here: http://bit.ly/ImFyic.