And even though Walker led in the general public opinion polls and was clearly well-thought-of by Utahns as a whole, delegates to the May GOP convention dumped her.

Huntsman was one of two Republicans who came out of the convention. He won the June GOP primary and went on to a relatively easy victory over Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. in the final election.

In her 13 months as governor, Walker led a renewed effort to teach Utah children to read. She vetoed an early effort at tuition tax credits for parents of children who attend private schools (gaining the wrath of some conservatives). And she oversaw an expert commission that recommended sweeping changes in Utah's tax code, including adopting a flat-rate personal income tax.

She was popular when taking office and didn't stumble. In March 2004, 81 percent approved of Walker's job performance; in May, 80 percent approved.

Leavitt, a close personal and political friend of Walker's, may turn a bit green with envy with Walker's latest poll numbers. In September 2003, as he prepared to resign his seat to join the Bush administration, 75 percent of Utahns approved of the job Leavitt was doing as governor.

In March 1993, Jones' first job performance poll on then-freshman Gov. Leavitt, the former governor had a 72 percent approval rating. So Leavitt left office with about the same approval rating as he entered.

Leavitt set new popularity records for a local politician in the mid-1990s, however, creeping into the low 80th percentiles.

Once, when he stood up to lawmakers during a contentious general session, Utahns gave Leavitt a record 90 percent approval rating in dealing with the Legislature.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com