Names sell newspapers

The decline of newspapers has us worried. But we've been told that "names sell newspapers." So here's our contribution to preserving print journalism, the First Amendment, the American Way, Utah's oldest newspaper, lining for bird cages (with our photo as bull's-eye) — and our jobs as columnists:

Jon Huntsman Jr.: Winning national attention peddling "Conservative Mormon Lite" as a political philosophy.

Orrin Hatch: Loves celebrity status as someone Obama picks up the phone and calls. Still has plenty of energy to frustrate Obama judicial picks if nominees are too activist.

Any warm-blooded Republican: Wants to run against Jim Matheson. Possibilities include Doug Wright, Natalie Gochnour, Michael Kennedy.

Mark Shurtleff: Finally announces last week about challenging Bennett for the GOP Senate nomination. Even if he does not run, all the drama, speculation and unintentional "tweeting" has been an unexpected dose of fun for politicos.

Bob Bennett: The born-again archconservative is campaigning hard, having found the fountain of youth in the invigorating potential challenges from Shurtleff and Tim Bridgewater. The old guy is still front-runner in the "Master of the Senate" game.

Tim Bridgewater: Hoping the "third time is the charm" in running for a seat in Congress.

Dave Hansen: Shoo-in for state GOP chair, elevating Orrin Hatch's clout in state GOP politics (Hansen is Hatch's political advisor).

Rocky Anderson: Political comeback a possibility in 2012, depending on how Legislature carves up the congressional districts.

Jim Matheson: Resisting pressure from the White House to challenge Bennett but enjoying leadership of the conservative Blue Dogs and driving congressional activity.

Jim Matheson/Pat Jones: Democratic dream ticket for 2012 governor/lieutenant governor?

Rob Bishop: Increasing visibility as chair of GOP Western Caucus, which is promoting a federalism agenda.

Mitt Romney: Keeping the 2012 hopes alive with lots of appearances … but does he still have fire in the belly, and can he finally jettison flip-flopper image?

Mike Leavitt: Golf and drafting memoirs get boring pretty fast. Heavyweight leader with lots to offer, but nothing very apparent on the horizon. Mission president? General authority?