It seems he can't mention Utah or Salt Lake City by name. When boasting on the presidential campaign trail about his role as savior of the scandal-plagued Winter Games, he prefers to say "at the Olympics" or "in the Olympics."

That all changes, of course, when he comes to this state to pick fawning residents' pockets. Then, it's one big family reunion.

"The appreciation, the love, we feel for the people of Utah is hard to express," Romney said this week, in town for a lickety-split fundraising trip, hopping and skipping his way from Salt Lake City to St. George.

As a political strategy, it's brilliant. Romney does not want to unnecessarily remind the rest of the country that he is Mormon. At the same time, he's savvy enough to recognize the deep pockets of other members of his faith - including Jon Huntsman Sr. and the Marriott family - can help bankroll his run at the White House. If nothing else, he's practical.

But I don't understand why Utahns are going along with it.

He has ties to the state, no doubt. His children have attended Brigham Young University. He owns a swanky home in Deer Valley. And Romney himself has lived here full time - first during college and then for a few years when he "saved" the Olympics.

But then he got out. As fast as he could. All the begging and pleading from Utah's power brokers couldn't convince him to run for Senate or governor in a land-locked state at the western edge of the campaign flyover zone. Romney was out of here.

Nevertheless, the cult of Mitt persists in Utah conservative circles.

On Tuesday night, Republicans kept up the hero worship. House Speaker Greg Curtis said Romney's leadership during the Olympics was "almost intoxicating." Sen. Orrin Hatch dubbed him "our Mitty." And Lieutenant Gov. Gary Herbert called Romney "an adopted son of Utah."

Ever the politician, Romney reciprocated by not-so-mistakenly calling Herbert "governor," twice - a slap at Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who is backing Sen. John McCain in the 2008 race.

About 25 state lawmakers paid up to $2,300 each for the chance to be in a group photo and shake hands with Romney. They aren't alone. An analysis in the Deseret Morning News found that more than 60 percent of the money in Romney's Commonwealth Political Action Committee as of last June came from Utah. And overall, 44 percent of the funds Romney has raised for PACs in five presidential primary states come from Utahns. Romney says Utah is in his "Top 10" for fundraising, "one of our very important states."

It's possible many Utahns believe Romney is the best man for the job and are ready to spend any amount of money to get one of "us" elected.

But Romney's convenient affection for Utah and the state's residents only extends as far as his bank account. Utahns - particularly those of the dominant faith and political party - can't be so desperate for validation that they're willing to be used by a politician who thumbs his nose at them when he isn't here to shake their hands and feed their egos with smooth platitudes. It was one thing when Hatch tilted at windmills. But Romney is even less a native son than Utah's Pittsburgh-born senior senator.

I suggest we cut him off now.

Otherwise, the parasitic relationship will continue. Since January, Romney has collected $2 million from Beehive State faithful. It's easy money. He can't afford not to swing through town again soon.

walsh@sltrib.com