Leaders with Utah ties face challenges of renewal

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. Politicians, who face re-election every few years in new and different circumstances, also have to renew their mandates with voters. The political dynamics now, and into the foreseeable future, are vastly different than they were just last year.

The state and country are now in the throes of a historic recession; incredible economic and political power have been amassed and centralized in Washington, D.C.; and an articulate, energetic and popular president occupies the White House who may again alter the role of government. Americans are frustrated with elected officials and have lost patience with both parties.

In this new and unpredictable political environment, here's a look at some political leaders with Utah ties and the challenges of renewal they face:

Mitt Romney must grapple with a major renewal project. He was tagged as a flip-flopper in 2008, veering from moderate Massachusetts governor to conservative presidential candidate. To become the acknowledged Republican front-runner and a presidential candidate with a realistic chance of winning, he must provide practical, conservative, free-market alternatives to the Obama administration's policies. Romney's positions must appeal to conservatives and moderates. Eliminating the "Mormon issue" is an absolute necessity. If the economy turns around, Obama will get the credit and may look invincible in 2012.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. must navigate through the recession and avoid losing popularity in Utah, while building a national reputation as an innovative, pragmatic governor who seeks solutions, not ideological purity. To demonstrate viability at higher levels, Huntsman must continue to attract the attention of national political reporters and show major accomplishments in creative governance to distinguish him from other GOP presidential wannabes. Through sharp critiques of Republican congressional leadership, Huntsman is carving a niche as a "New Republican" — a potentially valuable commodity in 2012. Knowing this strategy will anger party elders, Huntsman is banking on younger like-minded conservatives flooding the party membership in the near future. Like Romney, he must resolve the Mormon issue. Huntsman is relatively young, and 2012 isn't the end of the road for him. His quest for national office is a long-term project.