Utah politicos full of gratitude

• Gary Herbert, Curtis Bramble, Jason Chaffetz, LaVar Christensen, John Jacob, Steve Urquhart, and who knows how many more congressional wannabes: For the possibility of a fourth congressional seat and maybe a chance to run for Congress.

• House Speaker Greg Curtis: For the efforts of the state Republican Party and many others in turning over every rock in Sandy to find those 19 votes to win re-election.

• Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.: For a booming economy; for improved legislative relationships; for passage of Proposition 3 and Opinion Question so he can check off transit funding as done. The governor is also grateful that his endorsement of Greg Curtis was worth at least 19 votes.

• Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: For all the stupid remarks made by conservative U.S. senators in their unsuccessful re-election bids, thereby eliminating potential opposition for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination.

• Salt Lake County Republican officials: For the pleasure of breathing a sigh of relief now that a Republican district attorney has been elected (no more investigations!). Salt Lake County Democrats: For the fact that the new prosecutor may not have felony prosecution experience.

• Larry Miller: For the best Jazz start ever. Who cares if the arena is named after a waste dump if the Jazz are winning like this.

• Mormon Democrats: For the serious bragging rights they now have with Harry Reid as U.S. Senate majority leader. Despite GOP dominance in the LDS Church, the Mormon achieving the highest elective position ever just happens to be a Democrat.

• Mormon Republicans: For the progress Mitt Romney is making in his presidential race, which exceeds anyone's expectations.

• Mormon political observers: For the possibility (granted, a very long shot) for a Mormon president and a Mormon Senate majority leader, and a Washington Post headline: "Mormons Dominate Washington!"

• Utah Senate President John Valentine: For a tougher, hard-nosed Senate leadership team with which to do battle with the House and governor's office.