How do Huntsman, Karras stack up?

Webb: Republican voters will choose between two solid, capable gubernatorial candidates on Tuesday. Either would be a fine governor. So what is the real difference between Jon Huntsman Jr. and Nolan Karras?

Here's my 2 cents:

I can't recall any candidate better prepared than Karras. He knows state government. He knows the Legislature. He knows higher education and public education. He knows government finance. He has solid experience outside of government with both large and small businesses. If you were to write a rsum for the ideal governor, Karras would fit nicely.

As Karras frequently suggests, Utah faces some very difficult decisions, and no one is better prepared to make them than he is. If you want a governor who is substantive, experienced, capable, forthright, who will weigh the tough issues facing the state and make the right decisions, Karras is your guy.

Huntsman, on the other hand, is more of a risk. But he could be a truly great governor. Huntsman doesn't have all of Karras' experience with state government and education, but he could end up being one of those larger-than-life governors, a real political star.

With his national and international contacts and experience, Huntsman might do some bold, innovative things that would really propel the state forward. China is opening as the world's largest market, and Huntsman might be positioned to pull off some exciting things for Utah's economy. With his relationships in the White House and the rest of the Bush administration, he may be able to resolve some of Utah's toughest problems, like Hill Air Force Base closure, public lands issues and school trust land income.

Gov. Mike Leavitt used to say that if you really want to make a public policy breakthrough, you have to find the "big gear." You can spend time cranking little gears without having much impact. But if you can find the big gear and give it a twist, exciting things can happen. Huntsman could be such a "big gear" governor.

Corporations face this decision all the time with CEO selections: Do you promote someone from the inside who is tried, true, knowledgeable and capable? Or bring in a fresh face with a new perspective, someone willing to try new things, kick a few sacred cows, someone who doesn't know where all the bodies are buried? Sometimes an outsider works. Sometimes it's a disaster.

I don't mean to suggest that Karras would just be a caretaker. He would be much better than that, a very fine governor. But I don't believe his vision would be as wide or his ambition as large as Huntsman's.