Voters: President should believe in God, be Christian. Huntsman plays keys on Letterman. 3rd District nominee withdraws.

Happy Thursday. More on the Tribune's nationwide poll out today: Most voters want their presidential candidate to believe in God and be Christians -- and for the most part, voters believe Mormons are Christians. [Trib] Watch Matt Canham on KUTV talking about his story. [KUTV]

Topping the news: The must-see video of the day, in case you missed it live, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman plays the keys on The Late Show with David Letterman. [CBS]

-> Utah clocks in as the second-fastest growing state -- behind the District of Columbia -- though the economic downturn has slowed growth. [Trib]

-> The Concord Monitor endorses Huntsman. [Monitor]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert's 3rd District nominee withdraws his nomination. [Trib] [DNews]

Bonus: A song for Rep. Chaffetz: "Grandma Got Indefinitely Detained by TSA." [YouTube]

Tweet of the day: From @SLCMayorsOffice (joining the White House effort to gin up stories about the Republicans' rejection of a payroll tax extension): "Lapsing of payroll tax cut affects avg budget by 40/paycheck. Tell @whitehouse what #40Dollars means to you -1.usa.gov/t1JrF8"

In other news: Utahns join the White House push to show what $40 means. [Trib]

-> A state lawmaker wants to do away with Daylight Savings Time because its a federal intrusion. [Trib]

-> UTA approves its new budget, which includes funding for light-rail extensions and the Sugar House streetcar. [Trib]

-> Salt Lake City's parking enforcers are going green with bikes and energy-efficient vehicles. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Chaffetz says that if Attorney General Eric Holder can't handle the criticism over Fast & Furious, it's time for him to get another job. [DailyCaller]

-> Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick continue their countdown of their 2011 stories of the year with No. 6: Utah finally has a budget surplus. [UtahPolicy]

-> Environmental advocates herald the new EPA rules on power plants -- rules that Utah's top officials tried to stop at one point. [Trib]

-> Spanish Fork is offering incentives for Costco. [Trib]

2012 watch: Huntsman says he appreciates former President Bill Clinton doing due diligence in looking at his record; Clinton said Huntsman was the had the most conservative record of any GOP candidate as governor. [TheHill]

-> Huntsman's campaign goes after Romney over his former company's involvement in layoffs in New Hampshire. [Globe]

-> Romney says Newt Gingrich can't stand the heat of a general election. [Salon]

-> Voters say they're confused by Huntsman's campaign and aren't sure whether he's running as a liberal or conservative. [Monitor]

-> Romney finishes up his first day of a New Hampshire bus tour after serving pasta to voters. [ABCNews] [WaPost]

-> Romney says he would deport President Barack Obama's uncle. [ABCNews]

Where are they?

• Gov. Gary Herbert is taking personal time.
• SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon visits offices at the County Government Center.
• WVC Mayor Mike Winder signs his "When the White House Comes to Zion" book at the Salt Lake Costco and meets with Sheriff Jim Winder.
• Obama speaks to the news media in the afternoon about the payroll tax cut extension.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

-- Thomas Burr
Twitter.com/thomaswburr