So our Washington bureau and several friends and colleagues thought we should help other candidates spice it up some and maybe pick a truly fitting song.

Some were easier than others. There are plenty of options, for example, for Utah's adopted son, Mitt Romney. Jimmy Buffet's "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" seemed fitting for the candidate most often dinged for changing his positions.

But here's what we settled on for each candidate:

Hillary Clinton: "Devil with A Blue Dress" by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels

Barack Obama: "Smokin' in the Boys Room" by Motley Crüe

John Edwards: "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon

Joe Biden: "Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin

Bill Richardson: "Don't Stand So Close to Me" by The Police

Chris Dodd: "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne

Dennis Kucinich: "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?" by Elvis Costello

Mike Gravel: "Who Are You?" by The Who

And the Republicans:

Rudy Giuliani: "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" by Aerosmith

John McCain: "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne

Fred Thompson: "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown

Mitt Romney: "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.

Mike Huckabee: "[Let's Get] Physical" by Olivia Newton-John

Sam Brownback: "Lust for Life" by Iggy Pop

Tommy Thompson: "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles

Tom Tancredo: "The Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin

Duncan Hunter: "California Dreamin' " by The Mamas and The Papas

Ron Paul: "I Fought the Law" by The Clash

It's one mean mix tape. Of course, after hearing these songs over and over for the next 18 months, we'll all be glad when the election is over.

Mission

Accomplished

As you read this I'm probably hurtling across America's heartland in a big, yellow moving truck. It is one of the hardest things I've ever done - and not merely because I dented the truck twice driving home from the rental garage.

I decided I wanted to be a reporter early on, when I realized journalists don't have to do math. (Fact: 90 percent of reporters can't do math; the other 20 percent can.) It wasn't too long after that I decided to become a political reporter and I set my sights on Washington.

It didn't disappoint.

In my six years here I've stood in the Oval Office, walked along the levees in New Orleans, watched fireworks on the White House lawn and been lost in the Capitol more times than I can count.

I had smoke from the Pentagon fill my house on Sept. 11, 2001, seen the run-up to two wars and been in Walter Reed Army Medical Center to witness their toll.

More than any of that, I will miss the people I've gotten to know here, personally and professionally.

But, for now, I leave you in Thomas Burr's capable hands, along with my yet-to-be-named successor. So long, Washington. Look out, Utah.

Seriously. Look out. I can barely drive this truck.

gehrke@sltrib.com, tburr@sltrib.com