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Romney’s
Decision is No Surprise
Lots of talk today about Mitt Romney. His announcement,
however, should be a surprise to no one. It was simply impossible
for him to seek re-election and still run for the 2008 Republican
presidential nomination. He might have done it in another state
not so highly Democratic. But in Massachusetts it would have made
no sense at all to run again for the governorship and then almost
immediately begin a campaign for president. Massachusetts voters
would simply not put up with it and his re-election would have been
in serious doubt. He had to choose one or the other and he chose
to run for president.
By contrast, Hillary Clinton can seek re-election to the
Senate in New York and immediately turn around and run for president.
That’s OK with New York voters. They expect it. But it would not
have worked for Romney.
New EDCUTAH Newsletter
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah is now producing a
weekly newsletter, published every Tuesday, on economic development
issues in Utah. You can link to the newsletter archive from the
EDCUTAH home page www.edcutah.org
or link directly to the
latest edition.
Tis the Chocolate Season
Seen posted on a cubicle in the legal department of Utah Transit
Authority headquarters: “There’s a thin person inside screaming
to get out . . . but I keep her sedated with chocolate.”
Yep, State Spends Money
The Sutherland
Institute wants to remind people about its "Utah
State Government Spending Clock", which keeps a running total,
based on calculations in actual time, of state government expenditure
of taxpayers' funds. Instituted in July, the Spending Clock will
reach its halfway point at the beginning of January -- by which
time, according to this
press release, the "Utah state government will have spent $4,394,166,200
of your money." (The Institute also launched a "Utah
Public Education Spending Clock", which can be found on their
Utah
Schools at a Glance).
Blog Watch
Rep. Steve Mascaro now
has a blog... Wilf Sommerkorn says the issues surrounding
Salt Lake County's decision to amend its water management plan give
him a bad case of deja vu... Dee's 'Dotes questions Sen. Orrin
Hatch's mysterious leverage over the withdrawing
PFS utility co. investors... Lots of reaction to Gov. Mitt
Romney's announcement that he won't seek re-election in Mass.
(a big step toward running for president in '08): here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
and here,
as well as lots of chatter at The
Corner.
Washington Watch
Utah Congressmen Honor Brothers
Rep. Chris Cannon shepherds legislation through the House
of Representatives honoring two brothers, Mont and Mark
Stephensen, killed serving the U.S. during times of war. The
legislation, also supported by Reps. Rob Bishop and Jim
Matheson, will rename the Riverton post office in honor of the
brothers (see
press release).
Cannon: Re-Up Patriot Act
Cannon votes for H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Reauthorization
Act, pointing to ‘sunset’ provisions added at his insistence as
an important factor in his vote (see
press release).
BLM To Implement Hatch Law
BLM announces its plans to implement oil shale and tar sands legislation
sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (see
press release).
On-Site Nuke Storage
Senators Hatch and Bob Bennett join Nevada Senators Harry
Reid and John Ensign in introducing legislation to allow
the federal government to take title and assume liability of spent
nuclear fuel on site at reactors (as opposed to sending them to
Yucca Mountain) (see these
two
press releases and this
Las Vegas Sun story).
Hatch Fighting PFS
Press
release from Sen. Orrin Hatch about Florida Power & Light
pulling out of the Private Fuel Storage consortium that wants to
deliver spent fuel rods to Skull Valley.
Double Meaning Headlines
(By OpinionJournal.com’s James Taranto)
The Lone Ranger Needs a New Horse
"Silver Backs Off Under Fire"--New York Post, Dec. 13
'I'm Warning You, That Rabbit's a Killer!'
"Policemen Destroy Desk After Python Scare"--Associated Press,
Dec. 13
Michael J. Fox Is 'Stuart Little'
"Brain Researchers Put a Little Man Into Mice"-- Sydney Morning
Herald, Dec. 14
Trial by Fire
"Dow Corning CEO Burns to Become Chairman"--Associated Press,
Dec. 14
They'll Keep Wearing Those Stupid Berets
"France Refuses to Budget on CAP Reform"-- Guardian (London),
Dec. 13
They Must Have an Easy Time Sneaking Into Bars
"Millions of Children 'Invisible': UNICEF"--Reuters, Dec.
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