Deseret News | Open road for Leavitt

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Open road for Leavitt

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RCS | 1:58 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I'm sure most Utahns wish former Gov. Leavitt well in any new federal assignment that will help the U.S. Government improve its policies and procedures as Utah has done. We applaud anyone who can help the federal government come more into line with its intended role as defined by the Constitution and our inspired Founding Fathers.

Back to Selling Life Insurance? | 5:50 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Sadly, Governor Leavitt did script out his last two national jobs when, as Governor, he made too many decisions based not on what was best for Utah, but on what he thought would make him sail more easily through Senate confirmation hearings. As Governor he was guided too much by what he thought would pad his way to a cabinet job. Not enough statesmanship and too much "what's in it for me-ship." Now the sounding brass and tinkling symbals are fading away Mr. Leavitt. You're left to either selling whole life insurance policies or reviving old fish hatcheries. What goes around whirls around.

Another Rube | 6:22 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Great comment comparing the cost of a knee replacement to buying a car.

Comments continue below

JMT | 6:29 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I agree with the post from 5:50 AM.

Let's not romanticize Governor Leavitt too much. Nice guy, very pandering as Governor. When he left Utah no one was sad he left, minus a few old guard Democrats on Capitol hill. Mainstream Democrats, moderate and conservative Republicans were pretty happy to have him move on. He pandered everything.

Everything was a sales job. I hear that legislators took bets on how many props he would use to give his State of the State speeches. He was Utah's first opinion poll politician.

In my opinion he is very smart but not a statesman. He punted the political football when it was tough. Remember how the Highway Patrolman endorsed the Democrat, after the election Leavitt fired the leaders of the Highway Patrol and elevated some way over their paygrade? To include the head of his personal bodyguard took over the entire Drivers License Division. It was in the Deseret News if anyone wanted to look back.

Please Mike, for the sake of kind politics. Stay in the private sector. Go write a book about Katrina or the Bush Administration behind the scenese. All the best in DC!

federal job | 6:49 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I certainly wish Mr. Leavitt well in any federal job, but let't not have him back in Utah. He'll miss the personal jet that cost taxpayers millions. We don't have any fish hatcheries for him to ruin, poor judicial appointments to be made, no more Olympic scandal cash cow. What's left for him?

RAM | 6:49 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

What a ridiculous comment you just made. This is a good man who has done a good job and represented Utah well both here and in Washington.

To Back to Selling: | 6:54 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

What are you talking about? This guy did a great job for our state and left us in phenomenal shape. Get a life and quit seeking to bring down those who sacrifice much to serve the public. Politics is a hard game, and if it were not for quality people like Mike Leavitt, Jim Matheson and Bob Bennett, this country's government would be much more corrupt than it already is. So, stop lobbing cheap shots from the cheap seats unless you're willing to get your hands dirty and do something about that which you obviously are quick to complain. Also, you need to learn to spell (cymbals), punctuate (use a comma in your 2nd to last sentence) and be more charitable.

Mike | 7:02 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike, tell the truth about Bush and we will vote for you in the future. To try to cover up the worst administration in a century in America will cost you your political future.

An administrator, you are. A leader, we will wait to see ... how much truth you can share with the peons and masses.

Your favorite serf.

Geezer | 7:20 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike Leavitt did Utah a terrible disservice when he made a deal with then-Interior Secretary Gale Norton to ban any further consideration of wilderness designation on BLM public lands. Has he learned anything about considering diverse points of view during his years in Washington? We'll see.

jake_avenues | 7:32 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Good Job? Heck-of-a-job, Mikey.
The only thing he did well in Washington is back out of everything he fought for as governor of Utah. For instance, as Gov he wanted more money for CHIP. In Washington, he said more money for CHIP would be a step toward socialized medicine. The guy is a dweeb. Everyone is calling him a good guy. Good guys don't go to Washington. They fight people in Washington from their own communities and try and make the world a better place. They don't fight to keep uninsured children uninsured. What's so good about that?

Anonymous | 7:40 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

As I recall, Leavitt parrotted the Bush Administration in resisting giving Medicare the authority to negotiate drug prices. This meant that HHS (thus the taxpayers) paid upwards of 10 times as much as the VA paid for prescriptions. This was a result of the Billy Tauzin legislation passed in the waaning days of the last Republican Congress. Bush and Leavitt have resisted efforts to fix this taxpayer rip-off ever since then. I've met Leavitt, Cheney and others in the Adiministration, and while they are likeable, this should not be confused with public policy that is destructive to this country in favor of a few corporate interests. I'm betting Leavitt will be amply rewarded after he leaves office.

michael | 7:52 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Leavitt was an ineffective wishy-washy governor. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, he has been nothing but a political hack. Good riddance.

Instereo | 8:00 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Leavitt was a Bush loyalist and will be rewarded in his post-Bush life with a job in some nameless think tank or lobby firm and will make 10 times more money to promote anything conservatives want.

Stenar | 8:01 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Leavitt is as corrupt as any corrupt politician out there.

Mc | 8:19 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

People have a tendency to criticize that which they don't understand and those who make decisions based on information that the rest of us don't have take the brunt of that critisism. Mike Leavitt is brighter, more experienced, more knowledgeable, hard-working, and willing to serve than any of the commenters on this board. He is honorable and sincere. He is not one to make decisions based on what will further his own career. That doesn't mean he hasn't made mistakes, but who hasn't? If he tells us his experience working with Pres. Bush and it isn't what you critics want to hear you will say he is just covering up the truth to promote his own career. You think you know it all, but you have nothing to back it up. Mike Leavitt does.

Moss | 8:26 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

The major problem America endures now is the sad event of there being too many Leavitt like bland politicians in office. Unfortunately these type of people are much better at getting their jobs than what they are at doing the job.

Ad Hominem Attacks | 8:36 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Stenar -- do you think you're doing a public service in doing ad hominem attacks on Mike Leavitt by assering that he's as "corrupt" as any politician out there without citing any proof or specific examples? It's easy to take pot shots from behind the anonymity of this forum. You may not agree with Mike Leavitt's personal political philosophy, or specific actions he may have taken as Governor, EPA Administrator, and HHS Secretary, but talk about those, and not some sophomoric and classless comment like yours. You denigrate this forum. I certainly disagreed with some of his actions as Governor, particularly when he sidled up to environmental groups on lands issues... but not for one second would I subscribe to any notion that he is in any sense "corrupt." He's probably one of the least corrupted or corruptible cabinet officials in decades.

Open Road to | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

nowhere. Just leave us alone.

Jason | 8:46 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Why doesn't Mike run for governor again and run the little biker child out of town.

Chase SL | 8:50 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike leavitt is very ethical. People are iggnorant. He serviced Utah greatly. America is a better place for him.

Must be.... | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

nice to have "options" both in the public and private sectors so I guess he is set for life while all of us are living paycheck to paycheck.

Leavitt's Legacy | 8:53 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I'm only commenting because so many commentators choose to use the comment board to take anonymous cheap shots. It's like it is a sport and the meanest comment wins. We'd do well to reflect on the great things Leavitt has done for our state. He left us with a modern transportation system, superb Olympic legacy, the longest economic expansion in our state's history, a much improved foster care system, and a strengthened rural Utah. He led Utah into the information age, promoting a tech-smart economy and wireless connectivity. We are better for his service. Mean may win the comment board competition, but it doesn't change the legacy or the truth.

Here's an idea... | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt could tour the U.S. giving fire safety seminars for people wishing to know the proper way to put up Christmas decorations. "Whirl on that one Mike".

Dave | 8:56 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike Leavitt is the best and most honest politician I know.

Gun lover | 9:00 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Thanks to Leavitt we can take loaded guns into Utah elementary schools. Thanks Mike.

Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I don't care what Leavitt does; just don't let him have any jobs where he messes up Medicaid and Medicare; I think he has done enough damage already; ex, claiming that Health is a luxury; I nver heard anything so stupid; especially when it comes out of the mouth of a Mormon; Leavitt is one reason why would consider leaving the Church. Oh yes, there are Mormons; and than there are Mormons.

Laura | 9:22 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I don't know where he goes...I just hope it's not here.....

Honest? I'd need your definition of honest before I could comment.

My experience with him personally is that he's anything but honest and forthright.

What always got me was that he left a state with the second worse air quality next to LA and they gave him what job? EPA?????

How about | 9:39 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

VP for Romney?.......LOL!!

CITIZEN | 10:09 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Our present form of government is the most corrupt the world has ever known.(FED.RESERVE,C.F.R.TRILATERAL COMM.SENATORS,CONGRESSMEN,LOBBYIST,THE CONSPRICY TOO KILL J.F.K.ETC,ETC,ETC.

Jason, SLC | 10:20 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike Leavitt hasn't had an original thought since his last one died of loneliness. I would defy anyone to come up with three initiatives he championed that has left Utah or the USA a better place.

Mary L. | 10:23 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

The sports equivalent of Health and Human Services Secretary is "end of the bench" or "waterboy."

Grateful | 10:23 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

America and Utah have been privileged to enjoy the services and talents of Mike Leavitt. He has offered great leadership. I extend my appreciation and best wishes. He was the bright, competent spot in a disasterous Bush administration.

L.B. | 10:36 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

A church job please!

friend | 10:39 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike Leavitt is a very nice person. We like him and Jackie. It will be nice to have them back home.

Crusader | 10:42 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Suffice it to say, if Mike Leavitt had been put in charge of Homeland Security every U.S. town with a population of 5,000 or more would have a mosque!

SMC | 10:59 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

As JMT you said:

. . . When he left Utah no one was sad he left, minus a few old guard Democrats on Capitol hill. Mainstream Democrats, moderate and conservative Republicans were pretty happy to have him move on. . . . .

And your evidence is that 55.7% of voters went for him in his third election? Sounds like a poor definition of "no one"

Why? | 11:14 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Why did I once again read these stupid comments from bitter Mormon haters? I would like to meet some of these know-it-all hacks in person to see what they are like and find out what they have ever done to make the state or country a better place. Maybe the message boards are the only place for such losers to seem important. It's easy to sit at the computer and complain. Now, get off your butts and do something to make the world a better place.

Oh Please | 11:18 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Name ONE accomplishment of Mike Leavitt's in the HHS job. He was a do-nothing Fed just as he was a do-nothing Gov. Why do we keep electing these pretty salesmen who have absolutely no substance at all?

Send him..... | 11:22 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

to be Mission President somewhere.....LOL!!

Oh Please Response | 11:33 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Oh Please, the reason you can't name ONE accomplishment Leavitt achieved at HHS is because you're an uninformed idiot. Didn't you read George Will's article last week, its chuck full of Leavitt HHS achievements.

JMT | 11:41 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

SMC, having worked at the capitol for many a year I speak of those who worked with him on a daily basis. A dead Republican will get 55% of the votes. Please don't translate that into the love fest you want. Now, let Leavitt get 75% etc and we will talk another tune. Until then, spare me the stories right out of his future campaign manual.

Interesting to read all of the Leavitt operatives posting like mad. Considering the Desnews doesn't screen in any way all of these posts are likely all coming from the Loa area.

I do like the requests to name one accomplishment. I know he did the New Century Schools, then the Schools of the 21st Century, then the Pioneer schools. All these special programs and awards. After the third round of PR even the UEA was rolling their eyes. He was not into solving education just creating new programs with new press conferences so it looked like he was doing something.

He is ALL gimick. Just like his flying around the country on government jets to promote himself, I mean talk about??? What was so important he had to meet with swing state governors?

AW | 11:52 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

In my personal dealings with the Secretary, he's been a stand up guy who didn't let the politics get in the way of what he believed.

I think we'd be fortunate to have him back in the state - if he chooses to leave Washington, that is.

Politics | 11:58 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Let's get to the meat of the matter.....politics is a messy business, and subject to corruptions just as the private sector. Let us watch Michael Leavitt ride off into the sunset, and get individuals into office who have no agendas, as in moving up the ladder. Politics has turned into an elitist class, which the founders did not envision at all. Do your so-called citizen duty; service the community, state, federal government, for one or two terms each, and then get back to Joe Citizen status again. Politics/lawyers were never intended to be a selfperpetuating life long CAREER; that is the problem in todays world. This is what corrupts the system....self-interest, self-perpetuating power. Get back to being a private citizen without all the trappings of public office and neverending pensions (double/triple dipping), etc. This is what I object to. If you want a pension in government, then join the military; those are the ones deserving of a pension; not politicians. If these politicians did not have the power to vote themselves all their benefits, they would return to a regular job like the rest of us. COME ON!

Capital Observer | 12:21 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

In a recent State of the Union address, the networks would identify each of the cabinet members as they entered the chamber...none recognized Leavitt by name because they simply didn't know who he was. He was at best, a marginal member of the cabinet with no clout and absolutely no impact. He must be very embarrassed by his term in national politics.

Skip | 12:28 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Trust Me when saying..
If you think you know what public service means, and you despise Mike Leavitt... Your a low life Nutcase! I ll leave it at that.

He is the best Governor Utah has ever had.
As HHS sec. he will be missed by us here in Washington.

Just like the rest. | 12:28 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I really liked him during his first term, but then he showed his true colors. But then look at Bush, his last month in office he became a "Socialistic President". There are not too many people in office that I have much respect for, and trust me, there are some Mormon's that baffle me, such as Reid. I believe it is important to keep government separated from religion, but never should a person turn away from their religion in order to participate in government. Too many, in all religions have turned away from the values that their church represents in order to get where they are.

SLC | 12:41 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I'm not from Loa and I will defend Mike Leavitt. I agree with Oh Please Response 11:33 AM: the critics can't think of any Leavitt accomplishments because they are uninformed, not because there weren't any. The other reason is that the media hasn't addressed those accomplishments much. They are overshadowed by the news of the day: war, economy, elections, etc. It is also difficult to accomplish anything when you have to work with a stalemated Congress only concerned with being re-elected. Read Mike Leavitt's Blog and you will more appreciate his efforts as a cabinet member. Not one of you negative commenters could do what he does in one day on the job at HHS.

Capital Observer II | 12:46 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Attn Skip:::I have lived inside the beltway for 50+ years. Leavitt is considered a lightweight by every impact player in both the Legislative and Executive branches. Over the years, there is not a single quote by GWB that would suggest his "heartfelt" appreciation for Leavitt. Truth be known, Leavitt was far from the top of the original list of contenders for Health and Human Services Secretary!!!

SCJ | 12:52 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Leavitt was a good Governor his first term and a half. Towards the end of his second term, I lost faith in him to adequatly do his job and chose to vote against him when he ran a third time. After that I conveniently moved from the state and was glad he wasn't around when I moved back.

Thread flooding again | 12:53 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Once again, we've been victimized by a couple of posters hiding under the Deseret News' flawed discussion-board system where one person can post an unlimited number of times under different names on the same thread. There appear to be a couple of people whose oxes were gored by Leavitt (or his family) at some point in the past who've chosen this thread to "get even". Their writing style gives them away.

I really wish the DN would adopt the Trib's aproach. While it doesn't preclude someone from acquiring multiple IDs and flooding a thread, it makes it much more difficult (you'd have to use multiple email addresses and then log out and log back in under a different ID for each comment). It really dilutes the value of the discussions here and makes it a mere anonymous cheapshot platform instead of a give-and-take discussion forum between individuals. Yes, you're anonymous on the Trib forums, but you at least have an online "identity" that develops over time.

As far as Mike Leavitt, my interactions with him have always been positive. He was always attentive to the little guy, and followed through when he said he'd do something. 'Nuf said!

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7 photos

Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt speaks at the Treasury Department on March 25 in Washington, D.C. Leavitt will leave office on Jan. 20.

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