"Jim Hansen used to say that in Congress there are work horses and show horses. Rob is a work horse, just like Jim was, and doesn't worry too much about poll numbers or popularity," said Bishop spokesman Scott Parker. "There are plenty of show horses here in D.C., but Rob is definitely more interested in getting things done than in getting credit."

Parker said a separate, independent survey found Bishop receives less media coverage than anyone else in Utah's congressional delegation, "so these numbers seem to be consistent with that. We generally maintain a pretty low profile, and Rob has been here a shorter period of time than the rest."

for Cannon, he is already being challenged within his party by a Utah County GOP millionaire. And Cannon's 34 percent disapproval rating overall is not a good number for the incumbent, although only 19 percent of Republicans don't like the job Cannon is doing.

Joe Hunter, Cannon's chief of staff, said the poll numbers "are not surprising . . . considering the fact that a little more than a year ago, several hundred thousand dollars were being spent rather harshly attacking Congressman Cannon, that money being spent by out-of-state anti-immigration groups."

Also, Hunter said, the fact that only 19 percent of Republicans do not approve of Cannon's efforts "would indicate that we remain strong with our Republican base."

True, the 2nd District may not be as Republican-voting as the 1st and 3rd Districts, but, points out Jones, it is still heavily GOP — stretching as it does from the east side of Salt Lake County into northeastern Utah County, around the eastern and southeastern part of the state to include St. George and Cedar City.

Listen to these numbers: Two-thirds of Republicans like the job Matheson is doing; 91 percent of Democrats approve of his job performance; 83 percent of independents approve of him.

Only 17 percent of Republicans — the guys from his opposing party — disapprove of how he's doing his job. Only 9 percent each of Democrats and independents give Matheson a thumbs down.

The rural part of Matheson's district is heavily Republican and LDS. Jones found that, across the district, 82 percent of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approve of Matheson. Off the Wasatch Front, Matheson has an 84 percent approval rating.

"These kinds of numbers will make it difficult for anyone to beat (Matheson) next year" in the 2006 U.S. House elections, Jones said.

Matheson said he has "a little over $500,000" in his campaign account.

Republicans have yet to find a well-known candidate to stand against him, although Utah County businessman/consultant Joe Tucker has filed Federal Election Commission reports as a Republican. The official candidate filing deadline is mid-March.