City Weekly: Governor Approved!

[Media] Wha? Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. told KUER 90.1's RadioWest yesterday that City Weekly is "the only reliable newspaper in the state." Sarcasm? Pure, scalding truth? We'll choose the answer we like. And check the "I'm waaay liberal!" mini-rant that follows in the handy player below:



(Bill Frost)

A Demo in the Guv's Race?

[Utah Politics] According to rumors among Utah Democratic honchos, look for longtime Utah Democrat Bob Springmeyer to soon announce a run for governor. Depending on whether anyone else shakes out, he'll face Republican incumbent Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. in November.

Yeah, I know. There's also that rumor that Huntsman may get the nod as John McCain's V.P. Right. Talk about a long shot. Two western U.S. politicians sharing the ticket? Don't think so. For one thing, McCain needs to shore up relations with the Bible Belt South, which considers the Arizona senator/war hero/geezer to be just left of Jane Fonda. A Southerner or urban Yankee is much more likely.

Anyway, Springmeyer, 64, will have his work cut out for him, not the least of which is gaining name recongnition. Owner of Bonneville Research, an economic consulting firm, Springmeyer ran unsuccessfully for the now-defunct Salt Lake County Commission back in the '70s ( the commission has since been replaced by the present-day mayor/council form of government).

Springmeyer has been active in consulting on redevelopment and other issues with many Northern Utah municipalities, including Riverton; Sandy; Holladay; Clearfield and Taylorsville. He lives in Salt Lake City's Avenues neighborhood and is an avid fly fisherman and supporter of U.S. Olympic Team luge and skeleton athletes. He is married to Gwen Springmeyer and is the father of four.

In recruiting him to take on Huntsman (who has approval ratings in the 75-percentile range) Utah Democratic Committee chairman Wayne Holland reportedly told the plucky Springmeyer it would clearly be a challenge, but that he'd have a lot of "fun." (Holly Mullen)

Viva the Guv!

[Immigration] KCPW Radio is reporting today that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. vows to veto the package of harsh anti-immigration bills that are fast-tracking through the state Legislature--including denying in-state college tuition for children of illegal immigrants and revoking driver privilege cards for the undocumented.

Huntsman spoke out at his monthly KUED news conference.

You go, Guv. Finally, after three years in office and after waiting for Huntsman to stand up and wield his political muscle (the man has statewide approval ratings of better than 75 percent) he has picked a big, worthy battle with the mean-spirited bunch on the Hill. It's going to be bruising fight. Can't wait.

(Holly Mullen)

This Week's Boring Political Announcement

[Politics] Utah lawyers attending last weekend's continuing legal education seminar at the Salt Palace were treated to a lunch talk from Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (From the governor’s point of view the visit was a perfect gig. Thousands of lawyers—annually among the biggest givers to political campaigns—trapped in a room while they earn “hours” of “education” required to keep their licenses.)

Huntsman outlined his priorities—hiking schoolteacher pay, improving air quality and expanding availability of health insurance. Then, the governor acknowledged that he would need more than his current term to make real headway on that list.

Junior plans to run for a second term. No real surprise there. And we will have to see if the decision sticks when he is offered the veep spot on a McCain ticket. (Ted McDonough)

Did I Stutter?

[Yet More Voucher-ism] The latest orange flyer from VoteFor1.org to "Current Resident" features a couple of media quotes from Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., this being the most troubling:

"I think vouchers should have been implemented on the day they they were designated to have been implemented."

They really do need better education in Utah, don't they they? (Bill Frost)