Some of his fellow GOP legislators, however, are quick to say Huntsman is no conservative, especially after the governor announced earlier this year that while he strongly supports traditional marriage, he also supports some kind of civil unions to give gay couples the basic civil rights of heterosexual couples.

I give Herbert a hand for, in the face of conservative criticism of Huntsman, standing up for his political partner. Herbert was cheered at last Saturday's state GOP convention by fellow conservative delegates. But he also said he mostly believes what Huntsman believes, that he won't make many changes in state government — kind of like there's a new captain on the bridge, but it's still "full steam ahead."

For many Republican delegates and legislators, that may not be the smartest move — they seem more than willing to throw Huntsman overboard.

But Huntsman ends his gubernatorial tenure with job performance ratings in the high 80s — very good. And Herbert would love to inherit that popularity, as well — it could deter, along with a hefty war chest, fellow Republicans from challenging him in the 2010 governor's race.

It's a tough tightrope Herbert walks.

He helped himself among conservatives this week when he told the Western Governors Association that he's not convinced global warming is man-caused, only to hear a day later a new federal government scientific report saying not only that it is but that it's worse than believed.

How does he keep his conservative base — and thwart a challenge from the right next year — while not losing the moderate Utah voter who could come to see him as a right-wing nutcake?

Deseret News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com.