It may not seem like Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, was much of a friend to President George W. Bush by supporting his positions only 32 percent of the time in House votes in 2008. But it turns out that Matheson was Bush's sixth most staunch friend among House Democrats.

That's according to voting studies for 2008 by the Congressional Quarterly news service.

One House Democrat, Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, supported Bush 100 percent of the time — but she was only a member for about a month, sworn in on Nov. 19 to replace a member who died.

All other House Democrats gave Bush little support. The second-most supportive was Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, at 39 percent. He was followed by Reps. Dan Boren, D-Okla., at 36 percent; Jim Marshall,, D-Ga., and Melissa Bean, D-Ill., at 33 percent; then Matheson at 32 percent.

Such scores for him are not new, and voting studies have long shown him to be among the most moderate or conservative House Democrats.

"I really vote on the merits of each issue. I talk to the people of Utah and try to do what is best for our state and let the chips fall where they may. I tell people I am going to be an independent voice. This continued review of various publications (of voting) sort of validates that," Matheson told the Deseret News.

He adds that voters in the past election supported a change to that sort of thinking by electing Barack Obama. "I think the change people are looking for in this country is a Congress that works together and gets things done. That's what I hope President-elect Obama pursues: a consensus-driven effort to solve the issues of the day, and let's eliminate some of this partisan bickering."

The Republicans in Utah's delegation, not surprisingly, voted with Bush much more often in 2008.

Outgoing Rep. Chris Cannon voted with Bush 86 percent of the time (tied for 8th highest among all House members); Sen. Bob Bennett voted with him 85 percent of the time (tied for third highest in the Senate); Sen. Orrin Hatch did 80 percent of the time (tied for 11th highest in the Senate); and Rep. Rob Bishop did 78 percent (tied for 43rd highest in the House).

Congressional Quarterly also figured scores for "party unity" and for how often members voted.

Matheson's "party unity" score was 86 out of 100. While that might seem high, it was tied for 12th lowest among House Democrats — again showing why he is considered a moderate or maverick among Democrats.

The party unity scores for Utah's Republicans in Congress were: Cannon, 97 percent; Bishop, 96; Hatch, 93; and Bennett, 85. Of note, that means that Bennett voted with a majority of his party less often than Matheson did with his.

In voting participation, Matheson, Bennett and Hatch all cast votes in 99 percent of all roll-call votes, according to CQ. Bishop cast them in 89 percent of votes. Cannon cast them in only 81 percent of votes. His voting tailed off after he was defeated in the primary by Rep.-elect Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com