Utah politics is full of questions heading into 2012

The Tony award-winning and nationally recognized Utah Shakespearean Festival is underway in Cedar City. We endorse and recommend this cultural experience to all politicos, especially because the bard offers so many insights into human nature, including the tricks and tools of the political trade (character assassination, double-dealing, empire-building, secret assignations, covert machinations, etc.).

An example is the Hamlet-like posturing that occurs as Utah's political princes deliberate their political futures. Currently, we have three "Princes of Denmark" (Jason Chaffetz, Jim Matheson and Dan Liljenquist) feeling angst, wringing their hands, and staring at skulls while trying to divine the next stages of their personal political paths.

National tea party organizations continue to hammer Sen. Orrin Hatch, while pressuring Congressman Chaffetz to challenge him. Chaffetz is certainly making all the right noises about a statewide race, but will he make the plunge?

Pignanelli: "The first rule of politics is never to say never." — William V. Shannon. This must be a grueling time for Chaffetz. He is a bright light in the House Republican Caucus, on a fast track for leadership with GOP elders awarding him incredible opportunities. Also, polling demonstrates that he is a favorite alternative to Hatch, especially with tea party delegates.

Thus the Chaffetz dilemma: does he abandon a great career in the House to challenge Utah's senior senator — who daily builds his campaign in response to such a threat. Many political insiders believe Chaffetz goes right to the edge of the abyss, peers over (and maybe even spits), but returns to his House endeavors. If he hasn't announced by Labor Day, he is unlikely to run.

Webb: By waiting so long to announce, Chaffetz is keeping other prospective Hatch challengers at bay. But if he declines to run, they will have little time to gear up for a statewide race. So some grumbling is occurring over Chaffetz' indecision. Chaffetz is quite confident about the race, based on his visits with delegates. But Hatch is planning to bring a lot of new delegates into the process who don't know Chaffetz. Hatch also enjoys an enormous financial advantage and broad support by the political establishment. The likelihood of a Chaffetz Senate run is 90 percent. But there's still 10 percent uncertainty.

A number of polls have recently affirmed that Congressman Matheson is Utah's most popular politician, and he has a real shot to beat the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate — or even Gov. Gary Herbert. Does Matheson go for higher office?