As reported earlier, Jowers is considering Josh Romney as his Lt Governor. I guess he is going for a "big name" supporter-Josh's daddy. That's the kind of elitism I can't stand, and Utah delegates won't fall for.

On a private level Kirk Jowers is very accomplished. On the public level his only accomplishment is his adoration of Mitt Romney.

For me Mitt Romney is worse than a dud. While rank and file Americans are opposed to socialized medicine they find themselves being forced to consider Obama-Kennedy junk. This is the almost identical plan that Mitt Romney put into Massachusetts.

A vote for Jowers is a vote for socialized medicine. I will actively and aggressively campaign against Jowers, with or without the patronizing tone of appointing Josh as Lt Governor.

Holy cow does Kirk think little of the voters of Utah. He will get a big time wakeup call if or when he jumps in.

JMT--I agree on the private level, but how do get to socialized medicine and nothing in the public sector but Mitt?

The Hinckley Institute is public and provides opportunities for thousands of students to get involved with government and for the community to hear from dozens of speakers each year. Jowers also heads the Governor's Commission on Strengthening Utah's Democracy and sits on the Constitutional Revision Commission.

The people of Utah deserve a choice. I hope Jowers and Beattie both jump in so they can debate the important issues. The water should be fine for either of them . . . .

JMT hit the nail on the head with Kirk Jowers. Romney-care in Massachusetts is a failure. Premiums have gone up, taxes have gone up, healthcare is being rationed, waiting times to see your doctor is now heading towards two months on average and they still have 150,000+ who are uninsured.

It is a MASSIVE failure. And Obama-Kennedy is basically trying to impose this on America. This is why I could never support Mitt Romney, or his crew. Sorry Kirk.

As for Lane Beattie, nice guy. Where is he coming from? Is he another big government Republican? Does he believe in balanced budgets? Or is he the type to constantly promote more and more government agencies and power?

I don't know. I guess this is why we have campaigns though I think the most telling aspect will be NOT what he tells us in the campaign but what he did as President of the Senate and with the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Did he support the Soccer Stadium? I don't know. If he did, he is a NO vote for me. If he does that, who knows what else he will do with our money.

These egocentric guys have nothing to offer Utah. They are both threatened by working with people who have different viewpoints and are as smart as they are. Neither have a passion for anything but self-promotion.

Still a LOOOONG time left in this race. Herbert's not even Governor yet, has no LT Gov, and no track record since he was County Commissioner (which record, admittedly, is pretty good). It will be hard for either of these challengers to run at Herbert with any clear view of the road.

Herbert remains the prohibitive favorite until further notice.

Jowers is the sharpest of the bunch, hands down. This talk of ego and prestige is garbage. You won't meet a more grounded guy. We'd be lucky to have him in the race.

I have met Kirk Jowers and had the opportunity to hear him speak. I have also talked with several people who have worked closely with him. He has an amazing reputation among those who know him as someone who is very smart, honest, hard-working and fair-minded. He seems like exactly what our state needs. I hope negative comments don't keep those who actually may be great leaders from running.

Beattie is a squishy Republican who loves power and making deals. Typical politician.

Jowers may be "very smart, honest, hard working and fair-minded" but the same could be said for Obama (well, maybe not honest) and what really matters is the candidates principles and what direction he wants to move the state.

Herbert is a solid conservative, and will move the state in the direction which will improve our economy, keep government limited, control spending and enhance our freedom, not impose added restrictions.

We need Gary Herbert as GOVERNOR, and the other two gents can continue to be POLITICIANS.

Beattie is a solid guy with a track record of being consistent and working in favor of the people, not himself. Beattie not had 12 successful years of experience in Utah politics, working across the aisle, and understanding Utah from budgets, law, policy, and commerce, but is also the President of the Utah Chamber of Commerce. As such, he and the mayor have worked very closely to initiate and direct "Downtown Rising" and a whole host of other projects to enhance Salt Lake City itself and the merchants and companies that that work there or will in the future, because of Beattie's hard work.

Jowers has no public political experience, has not run for office, has no experience with budgets, no experience on the hill, and certainly no experience with trade, commerce, and business.

Governorship is not just about politics and some time as head of the Hinckley Institute does not qualify anyone to lead the state of Utah. Beattie has two decades of experience in politics, business, service, budgets, law, and relations. Anyone who has talked to Beattie personally knows what a kind, selfless, and service-oriented person he is.

Here is the truth from someone who has spent a lifetime in politics: Utah Republicans eat their own! And this blog demonstrates how. By the time a candidate has cleared the hard-Right agenda and criteria to get through convention he or she has given up electability in the general election. Look at the demographics. To win the governorship a candidate will need to be moderate, whether Republican or Democrat. Unless the Republicans can front a moderate, someone like Jim Matheson will eat the hard-Right's lunch in the general election.