Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis announced to his Republican caucus members last week that their fearless leaders will do something this year they have not done before: give Republican incumbents money from the House Republican political action committee in races against other Republicans.

His generous offer is the latest indication that legislative bosses are more nervous than they let on about the possibility their loyal soldiers might not be around to sustain their leadership positions in the next legislative session.

The PAC, fed mostly by lobbyists' contributions made at fundraising breakfasts, fundraising bowling outings, fundraising golf tournaments, fundraising whatevers, etc., etc., etc., traditionally is used to help Republican incumbents defeat challenges from Democrats and other political parties.

But with numerous incumbents challenged this year by credible candidates from within their own party, Curtis has decided to change the priorities a bit - moving from the idea of protecting Republicans to the notion of protecting certain kinds of Republicans.

He told his colleagues at the caucus meeting Wednesday that he will give $500 to every incumbent who has an intraparty fight in his or her county convention. He will give $2,000 to every Republican incumbent who has a primary.

With more than a dozen Republicans facing substantial opposition from within their own party this year, that means the House Republican PAC could dole out between $25,000 and $30,000 just to get the incumbents to the general election. The PAC currently has about $189,000. But with lobbyists always at the ready to aid the lawmakers they need to keep their clients happy, it shouldn't be too hard to replenish that fund.

So Republican legislative leaders are using their friendly-lobbyist stash to give certain Republicans an advantage over other Republicans, while party leaders are telling the outside-looking-in Republicans they can't say anything bad about the incumbents because Republicans don't do that to each other.

Many of the Republican challengers are going after incumbents because of their passage last year of a private school voucher law that voters rejected, believing that showed the current GOP-dominated Legislature is out of touch with the public's sentiments. Many challengers also are touting ethics reform - a dirty couple of words in the hallowed halls of the Capitol.

So Curtis is trying to keep the incumbent army intact with some defense spending. There also is a worry that Rep. Mel Brown, a former speaker of the House, is hoping enough newcomers will join the caucus next year that he might have a shot at unseating the speaker when legislators pick their leaders after the general election in November. Brown says he is not actively seeking the speakership, but won't discount a possible draft by legislators unhappy with Curtis.

Lobbyists worried about their own cozy relationships with incumbents are doing their part to protect the family jewels. The fundraiser earlier this month for the so-called "Fabulous Five" - first-term Republicans crucial to leadership's goal of passing the voucher bill last year - was organized by well-connected lobbyist Paul Rogers. Four of the five "Fabs" have Republican challenges and the fifth is opposed by former Republican Rep. David Hogue, who has switched to the Democratic Party this year.

And the far-right Eagle Forum's top priority this year is re-electing their favorite homophobe - Sen. Chris Buttars - who has challenges from within and without the Republican Party.