Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, likes the idea of bringing economic development into the governor's office.

"I've supported that from the beginning because of the unique nature of our (new) governor," Valentine said. "He brings to the table the ability to attract businesses to Utah that no one else can. He has doors opened that no one else has been able to obtain."

GOP Attorney General Mark Shurtleff praises Huntsman, saying he's called Shurtleff personally on a number of legal matters the past two weeks. Former GOP Gov. Mike Leavitt went eight months not speaking to Shurtleff, who notes the new air of cooperation with the governor's office is much appreciated.

Even Democrats tread lightly.

House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, says he's known Huntsman since they served together on Envision Utah, an open-space initiative.

"Change is healthy. We've basically had 12 years of the same administration, and you have to expect change," Becker said Friday. He declined specific comment on the DCED shake-up "because I don't know all the issues there."

"He has the right to reorganize — with the Legislature overseeing as need be — to suit his objectives," Becker said. "It's unfortunate if some were left out of the loop" in the decisionmaking process. "But you can't make everyone happy with change."

While Huntsman may have stumbled a bit early on, it's not unusual for a new governor, who seeks change in a somewhat staid state government, to hit a few bumps.

While few may remember it today, former Gov. Mike Leavitt had a few boo-boos early in his administration, as well.

Leavitt, like Huntsman, had never held elective public office when he won the governorship in a close 1992 election; Leavitt won a three-way race with only 42 percent of the popular vote. Leavitt vowed change, taking over from GOP Gov. Norm Bangerter who had been in office eight years.

Leavitt, young and aggressive — 42 when he took office, Huntsman is 44 — was running smooth until he picked former Salt Lake County Commissioner Mike Stewart to be head of the state's large Human Services Department. It seemed a safe, good choice. As commissioner, Stewart had overseen Salt Lake County's human services organization and was well-versed in the field.

Despite Stewart having been in the public eye for years, several code violations and past-due property taxes on personally owned, low-rent housing units surfaced.