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Leavitt to plan Romney transition. Utah is key to Romney plan. Congressional One: the members' flight home.
Happy Monday. Utah is safely in the Mitt Romney column come November, but that doesn't mean the Romney camp doesn't eye the state as critical -- critical for helping turn the west toward the presumptive Republican nominee. Romney's Utah connections -- including his shared Mormon faith -- could be a great asset in turning out volunteers for Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico for the general election. [Globe]
-> Also new this morning, the Romney camp's formula for determining if a story about his faith crosses the line: Subtract "Mormon," add "Jew." [WaPost]
Topping the news: Former Guv Mike Leavitt is chosen to lead Romney's readiness project, literally planning for the his "Day One" in the White House. [Trib] [Politico]
Paul Rolly says the extreme views of the Utah Eagle Forum are losing traction as their legislation and supporters are dropping. [Trib]
-> Call it Congressional One: Several members of Congress take this one flight between D.C. and Utah every week. [Trib]
-> Politico's Kate Nocera looks at the tough election Rep. Jim Matheson faces this year. [Politico]
Today's News: Utah County Republicans ask Sen. Orrin Hatch to tackle entitlements before its too late. [Herald]
-> Democratic nominee debates for Utah's 1st Congressional District are set. Donna McAleer and Ryan Combe will face off four times for the chance to battle Rep. Rob Bishop. [Trib]
-> WVC Mayor Mike Winder is hoping his record as mayor will overcome any concerns about that whole Richard Burwash controversy. [Trib]
-> Travel reimbursements for state workers will most likely go up. Officials say the hikes in gas and food prices are too blame. [Trib]
-> Two GOP lawmakers who once sat together in the legislature must now battle for a the new Weber County district. [Trib]
Opinion section: Rolly explains that Sen. Orrin Hatch is most likely safe, since Utah voters are experiencing a little buyer's remorse after ousting Sen. Bob Bennett. [Trib]
-> A Voices for Utah Children official says the state's new track record of earmarking funds and taking them off the negotiating table is a recipe for disaster. [Trib]
-> The Greater Yellowstone Coalition in Bozeman argues against Utah's land-grab idea. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on the GOP's top concerns of the country, even if they may be a little outdated. [Trib]
-> The Trib points out that Polygamy is illegal in Utah, yet 30,000 polygamists live freely throughout the state, because without headline topping issues like abuse, fraud, incest or underage, there's not point in prosecuting those who are only breaking that one law. [Trib]
-> The Trib applauds Gov. Gary Herbert's support of anti-idling is a step in the right direction and that others need to take it seriously and follow the example. [Trib]
-> Kelli Lundgren says ALEC's dream of a free market education system is not only foolish, but impossible. [Trib]
-> Scott Howell says the U.S. is rampant with problems, but history shows that this has always been the case, and that the country always solves them. [Trib]
-> A BYU assistant professor explains why many Americans aren't so sure about the Mormon faith. [NYTimes]
-> LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli offer their take on the three races that will be decided in the June 26 Utah primary. [DNews]
-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett takes stock of the presidential race and what signs are good and bad for Romney come November. [DNews]
Tweet of the day: From @SamYoungman: "Future inhabitants of Earth will be inspired by records of Lincoln's words and deeds and very disappointed he did a Vampire movie."
Happy birthday: To Sen. Mike Lee and Chaffetz's chief of staff, Justin Harding. And belated birthday wishes to The Tribune's Matt Canham and Snow College's Greg Dart, who celebrated Sunday, and to the Bennett Group's Anna Harris who turned a year older on Friday.
Weekend in review: Governor's Office and other lawmaker's respond to John Swallow's idea of shifting Consumer Protections to the AG's office. They're not a fan of the idea. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Meanwhile, the business owner who recorded the Swallow call says he was just trying to get a fair shake. [Trib]
-> Eagles Coach Andy Reid opens up about why he's a Mormon in a discussion meant to clear up misunderstandings. [Philly.com]
-> Mormons march in the LGBT parade, hoping to build some bridges after some tense years. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Protesters go after Lagoon for caging animals -- and past violations -- asking for the amusement park to let the animals go. [Trib]
2012 Watch: Romney is swooning conservatives for being aggressive towards President Barack Obama, something McCain didn't not do. "This is not the McCain campaign." [BuzzFeed]
-> Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says neither he nor Romney believe Obama was born outside the US. [TheHill]
-> Obama campaign guru David Axelrod says Romney has no qualifiers when he calls himself a job creator, pointing out both government and private sector flubs. [TheHill]
-> Romney-Huckabee ticket? Too far fetched? His name hasn't been thrown around, but they may make a good fit. [WaPost]
-> Religious moderates that gave him an edge before, may slip away from Obama this election, especially with same-sex announcement. [AP]
-> McDonnell says he gives credit where credit's due and says Obama's policies helped the country in the short-term, as he's seen it in Virginia. [MSNBC] [CNN]
-> Obama is shelling out the dough for online ads, twice as much as Romney. [CNN]
-> Latest job analysis shows negative numbers, and both camps begin pointing fingers. [Reuters] [WaPost]
Where are they?
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-- Thomas Burr and Andreas Rivera
Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/andreascrivera
