Mormons in America. The AG race isn't going to be cheap. Why did Dabakis give money to the GOP?

Happy Thursday, a sweeping new poll of Mormons in America is out and it includes some interesting political tidbits. Even LDS Dems like Mitt Romney, though the numbers are not as positive for other Mormon politicians. The partisan breakdown of U.S. Mormons? 74 percent Republican, 17 percent Democrat. [Trib] [DNews]

Topping the news: Mormon elected officials from the two main parties explain how their faith matched their politics. [Trib]

-> The race for Attorney General hasn't gotten many headlines, but it has attracted a whole lot of donors. The two GOP candidates — John Swallow and Sean Reyes — have raised a combined $800,000. [Trib]

-> So why did Dem leader Jim Dabakis give the Republicans $1,250? It was all about the Jazz. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @philipaklein: "GOP rivals attacking Romney for being a capitalist is like Ds attacking Obama for having been a civil rights lawyer."

In other news: Dave Clark launches his 2nd Congressional bid promising that he has what it takes to make the "gut-wrenching" decisions. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Bagley's take on Romney's attempts to sympathize with the working stiffs of this nation. [Trib]

-> At a summit in Salt Lake, Catholic bishops reject tough state-based immigration laws, like those passed in Utah. [Trib] [DNews]

-> County auditors would see a big boost in power under draft legislation. [ABC4]

-> Peg McEntee writes about Utahns who attended a public meeting to show their frustration with the liquor laws. [Trib]

-> Salt Lake City Hall veteran Rocky Fluhart dies. [Trib]

-> SLC Mayor Ralph Becker talks about his political future, Democrats chance of redistricting and downtown development. [UtahPolicy]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert prepares to launch a new clean air campaign in the coming weeks. [Trib]

2012 watch: Romney should be all smiles after his New Hampshire win, but a look inside the exit polls provides a bunch of reasons he should be concerned. [CBSNews]

-> Jon Huntsman is condemning a web ad that goes after Romney for being Mormon, and his faith's previous ban on blacks holding the priesthood. [Trib]

-> Huntsman's goal in South Carolina's Jan. 21 primary is to stay relevant. [Politico]

-> Conservative activists see South Carolina as the last, best chance of taking down Romney. [WaPost]

-> Romney's GOP rivals are attacking his business background, beating the Democrats to the punch. [NYTimes] [WaPost]

-> Romney says he never thought Newt Gingrich would lead the attack on his time as a venture capitalist. [WaPost]

-> Huntsman says Romney's weakness is in his gubernatorial record, defends his work at Bain Capital. [APviaWaPost]

-> Romney says he can handle the heat. [NBCNews]

-> The front runner is having no problem raising money. Romney reports raising $24 million in the fourth quarter. [CBSNews]

Where are they?

• Gov. Gary Herbert attends the Wasatch Front economic forum, goes to the Utah chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers event and later meets with representatives of the Ute Tribe.
• AG Mark Shurtleff attends a gang task force meeting.
• S.L. County Mayor Peter Corroon goes to the Salt Lake Chamber's annual economic preview.
• SLC County Mayor Ralph Becker meets with refugee community leaders, the airport director and his diversity coordinator.
• WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends the Utah Winter Open Table Tennis tourney.
• President Barack Obama has no public events today.

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

-- Matt Canham
Twitter.com/mattcanham