Herbert is still finding his style of leadership

Gov. Gary Herbert clearly sounded frustrated at being asked yet again where he stands on several campaign reform issues, including a pair of citizen initiatives.

Standing among a group of reporters continuing to push him on his positions after a recent press conference, the state's new governor attempted to explain his decisionmaking process.

Herbert said while he may not have the diplomatic skills of his predecessor, U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr., he is willing to listen to all sides.

"If I'm wrong, I'll modify. I then run the risk of being a flip-flopper. So I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't," he said. "But I am pretty open."

It's that openness, however, that may be leading Herbert to remain undecided about any number of issues since he took over as governor in early August.

Take the citizens' initiatives, one each on legislative ethics and redistricting. Herbert has said he's not sure if he'll support or oppose the efforts of the residents behind the petition drives, even though he labeled their goals "laudable."

The governor also, in the words of his staff, continues "exploring" whether to begin disclosing contributions made to his political action committee as they are received, a concept he has said he backs for all candidates in lieu of putting limits on contributions.

And climate change? While Herbert publicly questioned global warming at a Western Governors Association meeting in Park City this summer, before he became governor, he's now called for the state to host a major forum to hear from both sides.

Words such as "indecisive" and even "waffling" are starting to come up in conversations about how Herbert is doing in his new role — and whether voters will want to keep him in office.

Under a new constitutional amendment on succession, Herbert must run next year for the remainder of Huntsman's term. While some potential GOP challengers have already stepped aside, others are waiting, especially the Democrats.

"He seems to be in that stage of having your cake and eating it, too, afraid to offend anybody," said Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland. "The longer he delays taking positions on virtually anything, the more vulnerable he is."

Holland said the governor may be more timid on issues such as climate change and gay rights than Huntsman was out of fear of offending the far right of the Republican Party.

"Right now, he wants to keep the base kind of appeased, at the same time giving himself some room to appeal to the more mainstream voter in the fall of next year," Holland said. "Whether he can continue to juggle all those balls remains to be seen."

Even Republicans have noticed.