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Huntsman: It was just a thank you note. Utah's redistricting maps already done? 1 in 10 homeowners facing foreclosure.
Happy Friday. Jon Huntsman Jr. sits down with ABC's George Stephanopolous and explains that note to President Barack Obama where he calls the president a remarkable leader: "I wrote that to him by way of a thank you note. And thank you notes are a proud tradition for a lot of people. And it's a good thing that people don't go through George Bush Senior's thank you notes, because he wrote a lot of them. And I do a lot of them too. And it was my way of expressing what I thought about his election." [ABCNews]
-> Meanwhile, in a bit of shameless self-promotion, take a read of my story about the reality of the age-old notion that a Mormon presidential candidate can't win in the South. Things may have changed over time. [Trib]
Topping the news: Maps for Utah's new House, Senate and congressional districts may be already drafted before the first public hearing. [ABC4]
-> Times continue to be tough, with one of 10 Utahns struggling to pay his/her mortgage or in foreclosure. [Trib]
-> On a brighter note, unemployment claims continue to drop. [Trib]
2012 Watch: Think Progress looks at Huntsman progressive streak. [ThinkProgress]
-> Huntsman is following in then-candidate Barack Obama's footsteps in New Hampshire. [ABCNews] And doing his best to explain his service in the Obama administration. [ABCNews]
-> NPR's Liz Halloran takes a look at Huntsman's first test visit to New Hampshire. [NPR]
-> Politico notes that Huntsman's Orlando headquarters is as far from Utah that one can go without dropping off the continental United States. [Politico]
-> Mitt Romney is taking off as the leader of the pack. [HuffPost]
-> Tea Party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint has not ruled out endorsing Romney. [TheHill]
Tweet of the day: From @governorherbert: "I've decided to form a Commission for the Construction of an ark -- does anyone know how long a cubit is? #utahweather." (I checked and this was legit from the guv's office; they thought it would be a bit of fun for a dreary day.)
Happy birthday: On Saturday to Elly Muth and on Sunday to the House Republicans spokesdude Joe Pyrah and Janeen Halverson, executive assistant to the Senate Democrats.
Check it out: The new U.'s Hinckley Journal of Politics is out and includes an analysis of Utah's caucus-convention system, a look at Utah's energy future and electronic signatures in addition to contributions from Gov. Gary Herbert and Sen. Pat Jones. [Utah.edu] (PDF)
Out of Context catchup: Take a listen to my weekly politics discussion with KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Topics this time: Huntsman's new home base, the federal delegation's finances and Sen. Mike Lee's new book. [KCPW]
Where are they?
In other news: Hatch and Lee side with Republicans against Goodwin Liu's nomination to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals -- but with Lee having an interesting twist. Among other reasons for his opposition was Liu's earlier criticism of now-Justice Samuel Alito, Lee's friend, mentor and former boss. [Trib]
-> Utah advocates for seniors and low-income folks raise the warning about consequences of a balanced-budget amendment on Medicare and Medicaid, the programs that provide health care for millions of Americans. [Trib]
-> Shurtleff honored for his work against child exploitation. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Utah Policy's Bryan Schott sits down with the House Republicans' Joe Pyrah to discuss this week's political happenings. [UtahPolicy]
-> Rep. Carl Wimmer wants to make sure no state money flows to Planned Parenthood. [Fox13]
-> State lawmakers want Cedar Hills residents to be able to vote on a golf clubhouse. [Herald]
-> Has Utah essentially abandoned its mercury cleanup effort? A working group questions what's ahead given the lack of funding, resources -- and by some interests it seems -- commitment. [Trib]
-> Former Olympics booster Alma Welch, subject of a recent Tribune profile, will NOT have a civil stalking injunction entered against her. [Trib]
-> A National Park ranger recounts his shooting and fight for survival after being ambushed last year. [Trib] [KUTV]
-> Blue skies may be absent from Utah this spring, but bad-weather blues are definitely here. [Trib]
-> A city councilman in Eastern Utah resigns from his post after facing a dog-killing charge. [Trib] [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly writes that the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission apparently tapped a designated driver to face furious lawmakers this week. [Trib]
-> A retired university lecturer and tour guide from Murray says he never intended to cause an international incident. [Trib] [DNews]
-> West Valley City's push to create a downtown finally has a name: Fairbourne Station. [Trib]
-> Rep. Matheson sides with owners on the issue of testing NFL players for use of human growth hormone. [Trib]
-> The Utah Transit Authority will hold its bike bonanza today, with prizes and events. [Trib]
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.
-- Thomas Burr
with editor Dan Harrie
