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Huntsman, Shurtleff riding high in polls

Springmeyer's campaign serves one legitimate purpose. By focusing on campaigning, he has less time to work on RDAs that needlessly divert property tax increments from school districts and other local governments to subsidize retail and recreation projects do not create economic activity that otherwise would not have appeared on its own.

Make the Republicans accountable for their war record. 4000 plus US soldiers dead and rising for a war of deceit and lies. Their performance is much like the deception of the Iraq war" weapons of Mass destruction" that really never eventuated.Money drives war and those with money have power to wield.
Huntsman and Shurtleff are pawns at Washingtons bidding. It was Jesus wo said seek the lowly in heart and humble who are the true leaders, if they can be found.

I am a Democrat, and I am very pleased with Governor Huntsman--he's essentially a Democrat! (see giving teachers raises, defeating vouchers, wanted to extend health care, keep a lower tax-rate on the poor).

I can't think of a single thing that a Democrat governor would be doing differently! Huntsman is a wonderful governor! (the Utah public blindly votes for him because of the "R" by his name).

The only problem I can see is that these polls are WRONG quite often.

As the economy sours, Richie Rich Huntsman will lose popularity. He will have to bend over backwards to shake that elitist image.

Trust me--the first time we get a viable Republican challenger for Shurtleff, he's going to be scrambling like Chris Cannon. His views on immigration, hate crime legislation (let's call it what it really is--making your thoughts a crime...) and opposition to Amendment 3 (Marriage Amendment) have not been forgotten by Utah voters. His swagger and constant "subtle" reminders that he's a "faithful" member of the LDS Church only serve to further irritate.

Huntsman's not far behind in thumbing his nose at conservative values. Chris Cannon's demise should put both on notice re how far out of step they are with Utah voters. We aren't liable to forget by 2010 boys!!

I think Huntsman is the best "Democratic" Governor Utah has had. His not endorsing Mitt was and no backing Cannon was right on!

There are Libertarian candidates in both the gubernatorial and attorney general races.

Interesting that the newspaper run by former Utah Republican Party chairman Joe Cannon decided not to include the names of both candidates in these polls.

I wonder what the purpose of the omission was, other than to exclude those candidates from any upcoming debates, and the minds of the voters ... some of whom turned out Joe Cannon's brother, Rep. Chris Cannon, during last week's primary election?

Don't forget that Shurtleff wanted Rep. Walker to become the next state treasurer. I am hard pressed to find a candidate that is less qualified than Walker and yet here is the AG pushing for his election.

Either Shurtleff has bad judgement because of an unqualified candidate or he has been working to create the same "Bush" league politics that exists in Washington. Either way it surprises me that so many people think that he is doing a wonderful job.

Carl: That's one of the stupidest remarks I've ever heard--like state officials have anything to do with federal or international policy.

There certainly are a lot of bitter people here.

Look I've voted Republican all my life EXCEPT for 1972. You can count the democrats I've voted for on two hands. But Utah government under Huntsman/Shurtleff is very BAD. Look at what they've given us (1) School Vouchers (2) Stole from SL County to fund a soccer stadium (3) decided that Utah shoiuld be run like the federal goverment where it is OK to put both good and bad in a single bill and pass it (Education Omnibus bill), (4) put public school heads in charge of higer education when they don't know a thing about it, (5) supported Mark Walker for treasurer when he had no qualifications for the job. (6) Convicted Warren Jeffs of rape as an accomplice when the courts have never proved that a rape actually occured. Stripped Salt Lake County manicipalities of their powers to zone if the state thinks the local government is wrong. Jon Huntsman is NOTHING LIKE HIS FATHER. He has none of Dad's brains, or compassion. All he does have is a large chunk of Dad's money. Vote Democratic in 2008.

I'm an independent, and I think the governor is doing a GREAT job. Who can complain about having the #1 economy in the nation--especially as states all around us are hard hit and sinking. Governor Huntsman is a breath of fresh air from all the ultra-right-wing politics that seems to permeate much of Utah.

Not so sure about Shurtleff. He seems like a good man, but I wonder how much the immigration and polygamy issues will hurt him with voters. IMO he seems more vulnerable than the governor.

As much as I would love to have the Libertarian Party be a viable party in Utah (and there's no reason it can't be in the future), right now there just isn't the support for it, so I don't think the omission of the Libertarian Party candidates from the story was motivated by partisanship; they also didn't include any candidates from any other of the smaller parties.

My guess is that when Bob Bar does well this election, and (hopefully) costs John McCain the election, that the Libertarian Party will begin to be mentioned more as their public image improves and they are seen as a political force of some consequence.

Jon Boy is going to be nearly invincible in November but there is a small crack in his armor that can be exploited. Many people in this state are tired of the legislative leadership. Most of these so-called leaders are corrupt, arrogant, petty, and vindictive. Jon Boy does not have the backbone to stand up to Curtis, Stephensen, Bramble, Valentine, Kilpack, Harper, et. al. He caved on the voucher law and it took a citizen's petition drive to kill it. Springmeyer should campaign against these clowns (legislature)and promise voters that he will veto any stupid piece of legislation that comes his way. If the legislature overides the veto, then so be it. I think he can convince many voters that he can represent at least a small measure of balance in state government. Springmeyer doesn't stand a chance if he does not heed my advice and insists on campaigning on traditional democratic party policies (which most of the people in this state do not agree with).

To: Utah Libertarian. You had a perfect opportunity to mention "SuperDell" Schanze (gubernatorial candidate) and Andrew McCullogh (attorney general candidate), but then again, they are in the 2% "other" part of each poll.

To James Tucker: Huntsman endorsed John McCain--the guy who won the Republican primaries. That doesn't make him Huntsman a "Democrat." Not endorsing Romney, doesn't make him a "Democrat."

To Huntsman = Democrat: Vouchers in the form that were voted on in Utah were originally proposed by Eugene McCarthy and are a "liberal" idea curiously embraced by some conservatives these days. They are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist in Utah (failing public schools and the inability or poor families to get their children out of failing schools into something else), and given the relatively small number of private schools in Utah (compared to almost every other state), it is highly doubtful the private schools could have absorbed the anticipated flow--thus it was curious to watch my home state go through that process and the ridiculous positions taken by people on both sides of the debate.

Huntsman's high numbers are either a reflection of Utahns underlying love for socialism or their naivete.

Huntsman is the most liberal governor this state has had in my memory. The only reason people voted him in (and I believe, continue to support him) was because of his name (and his party).

The newspapers love him because he's a socialist and so show him almost daily on the front page out "doing good."

Personally, I think he's an arrogant phony and it's only too bad that no one dares question him.

I can't help but feel both of these men are the ultimate politicians. Backing Walker for Treasurer showed me a lot about Mr. Shurtleff - he isn't trustworthy, just another party hack watching his buddies' backs. Gov. Huntsman refuses to do anything that might tarnish his image, vouchers being the prime example. He'll support them with the legislature, but once the public has a referendum he is nowhere to be seen. He's not the worst gov, but I can't figure out his guiding principles. Big plus: he doesn't blindly follow the party - while I may disagree with him frequently, he is no GOP lap dog at least.

Huntsman has done nothing but say yes signing through all the garbage our East heavy handed legislator has sent through. Tolls roads, hurtful district splits, Tom Dolan soccer stadiums, and yes he was a major supporter of the Voucher program.

I am afraid I will cross party lines this year. Huntsman stands the few, not all of Utah.

The only way I would vote for Huntsman is if he were running against Rocky Anderson and then I would need to think about it. I am a Republican and always have been. I voted for Huntsman because he was a Rebublican. But not this year. I wish other people would look and see what he has done. His political grandstanding during the Crandall Canyon Mine incident was disgusting. He follows Annold Schwarzenegger around like a little puppy. This is Utah not California. I am proud that we are not like other states. However Huntsman with his Energy Policies and social agenda has Utah following in the footsteps of one of the most socialist states of the Union.

Huntsman is very liberal, but not as liberal as Olene Walker (and possibly Mike Leavitt).

A lot of people don't realize how good they have it. Governor Huntsman is doing a commendable job.