Comments about ‘Herbert may name No. 2 this week’

Hey, I'm just a normal gal and i think the best choice is someone whom Herbert knows will not agree with him on everything. He doesn't need a twin.

A moderate sounds great, someone with the ideals to listen to all parties and make a reasonable decision. We do not need another oppressive conservative.

I've seen her collaberative approach. She is successful in everything she undertakes. Not only should she be the Lt. Gov., but Herbert should give her a role not traditionally filled by the Lt. Gov. and she should have her hands on policy issues (not just counting ballots). Herbert would be a huge beneficiary of her approach.

But the crew supporting Gochnour seems to misunderstand the politics that are in play, here. How can a guy, currently the Lieutenant Governor, simply put someone in because she's a woman or because she once worked in the governor's office? Our current Lt. Governor worked pretty dang hard and faced voters on numerous occasions to get where he is.

So why would anyone think that someone like Gochnour, who really hasn't proven anything to voters, would be his choice as No.2?

Oh, and why would anyone else think that Gayle Ruzicka would have any influence on Herbert, anyway? Just because both claim to be members of the GOP and she makes a stink on TV? Do people think Herbert is so shallow as to pick a Lt.Gov. based on a 'news-at-nine' complaint from a hatemonger like Ruzicka?

If so, that might be the last time you underestimate him I think.

Anyone and everyone who has worked with Natalie Gochnour knows she would be an exceptional choice for the Lt. Governorship.

Gochnour has a history of public service in the Leavitt administration and served as the primary architect for the Downtown Rising vision. Clearly she balances Herbert--she's a moderate female from Salt Lake County. More importantly, she is a coalition builder determined to make good things happen.

The Utah GOP delegates may be extreem right but the majority of the voters in the state are not. The field is clearing for Mr. Herbert at convention and Gochnour can only help him in the general election where he will have to gain votes in Salt Lake County.

A great executive surrounds himself with those who make his team stronger and that is exactly what Gochnour does. She would be the perfect choice for the new administration and the state would benefit from her experience, intelligence and remarkable skill.

There is no downside to selecting Natalie Gochnour for the state. If she is not the choice, that's to the benefit of only the Salt Lake Chamber.

Thanks for trying to rewrite history, Lisa. Herbert was added to the Huntsman ticket to bring Utah Co, which Huntsman needed to secure the nomination. Huntsman originally ran as a conservative, saying all the right things. Unfortunately he was a snake oil salesman who rarely did what he said.

...surrounds himself with those who make his team stronger."

I totally agree with that previous posters statement. I disagree that Natalie Gochnour makes Herbert 'stronger.'

Come on, guys - she brings nothing to the general-election table that can't be attained by a sitting elected official. The bonus to having an elected official is that that person has actually stood for election and won the vote of the people.

Natalie brings only gender to the ticket and, frankly, that 'quality' isn't enough for me to be comfortable with her becoming Governor in case of a Herbert disaster.

Is she qualified to be Governor? No. Is Senator Waddoups? Probably.

Here we go again. Who is the genius who keeps suggesting that one must have already served in an elected capacity to bring wisdom and talent to the public. Merrill Cook is the man for whoever keeps posting this.

Also, Gochnour isn't valuable to Herbert because she is a woman or because she is moderate. It's because she is remarkably talented and is an amazing consensus builder. She also has an incredible knowledge of state government as she has seen it from the inside (former Chief Economist for the state running the gov's budget) and from the outside (COO of the Chamber working to promote policy that creates strong business in Utah). Simply put, she's the most talented, skilled and experienced person for the job.

The idea that only previously elected officials work hard for the people of Utah merits no consideration. I wish more non-career politicians would get involved and manage as though they are in the private sector and not long time government employees.

Gochnour for Lt. Gov.

Here are my qualifications to be the second-in-command and the next possible Governor:

Being press secretary to a Governor is not a qualification to BE the Governor.

I hate Gayle Ruzicka, the Eagle Forum, and all that they stand for. They spew hate. I urge the Governor to choose a moderate Lt. Gov.

Is available and would be perfect!

Unfortunately Enid Greene ran against Herbert for Lieutenant Governor in 2004, when she was the sitting Vice-Chair of the State Republican Party. That sort of disloyalty shouldn't be dismissed. The disloyalty wasn't just against Herbert, but also the entire GOP who elected her at the time to be non-biased.

As for Gochnour, please. Please give someone a reason as to why she should be the next Governor-In-Wait. Ok, ok - I get it. She's a wonderful woman who is a great communicator and has the 'ear' of the Salt Lake Chamber.

And?

Is that to argue that the incumbent Governor DOESN'T have the ear of businesses? That he needs her to get support?

Newsflash: The Governor gets all the attention he needs. And the woman that will help him get re-elected won't be his Lt.Governor, rather the First Lady.

Jason Perry is the "Top Aide" to Herbert? What happened to that kid from Florida? I thought he was his right-hand man who helped navigate the waters? Did Herbert get rid of everyone, without thoughts to loyalty and productivity?

Very disappointing, if so.

Hey Gochnour doubter (the same guy who is posting three or four times on each DesNews article), why don't you quit the ad hominem attacks and aspersions and start ponying-up on some evidence.

Here are the chief qualities that qualify Gochnour to be Lt. Gov.

1) Her life goal isn't to become Lt. Gov.

2) She doesn't aspire to become the Gov.

3) She is incredibly mature. She takes difficult situations head on and doesn't burn bridges with anybody.

4) She is an economist and possesses significant skill in that profession. Such skill is incredibly valuable during any economic situation, but even more so in our current economy.

5) She is very intelligent. Very.

6) Gochnour understands good policy and better yet, knows how to get it done. She builds consensus better than 99.9% of people and knows how to get the right people on board to get the right policy passed. And no, that isn't a skill that most people possess. She's unique in this ability.

Oh, and spare us the heartbeat away from the governorship argument... She'd be a wonderful governor (although she is no Merrill Cook!).

You neglected to name any one achievement of Gouchner. A resume is simple to develop. Accomplishments are not so easy.

Let me be clear: I don't think Gouchner is a bad choice necessarily. I just hate to see someone put up a resume of generalities and then expect people to go, "Oh, now she's qualified."

For example, I know Mitt Romney is a competent executive based upon his success in the private sector with several companies and Bane Capital. I know Gary Herbert is qualified to be Governor because he has been an executive before (his own successful real estate ventures, time on Utah County Commission, and Lt. Governor service.) that has received some acclaim for his work. I know Greg Bell has been mayor and legislator, and the people of Farmington think he's outstanding for the work he did there.

What of Gouchner?

Marion Barry should be the Lt. Gov. I hear he has some significant executive experience.

Re: Re: Gochner (sic) hater

First of all, she can correctly spell Gochnour.

You questioned the "qualities" she posesses to maker her a good candidate for the Lt. Governorship. I listed several.

If you would like a complete resume, I'll need the character limit of this posting extended well beyond the limit of 200.

Or call Lt. Gov. Herbert, I'm sure he has it.