This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Condi possible VP for Romney. Clinton to fundraise for Obama in Utah. Utah: Drought country.

Happy Friday. The Drudge Report is floating the idea that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is now on the top of the list for Mitt Romney's running mate. The conservative website says that Romney's vice presidential choices are narrowing and Condi is looking better and better as a choice to round out the GOP ticket. The Stanford professor has said she's not interested but then again, everyone says that until they're picked. [Drudge]

Topping the news: Former president Bill Clinton is on his way to Utah to fundraise for his foundation. [ABC4]

-> The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared a big swath of America — including nearly all of Utah — as in a drought emergency. It's the biggest declaration in history. [Trib]

-> Mia Love says the best thing for young people entering the job market is for them to get into politics. [DailyCaller]

Tweet of the day: From @RockyAnderson: "Why is politics so much of a team sport? 'Our' guy can commit atrocities, but it's ok — when if the 'other' did it, we'd be raising hell."

Happy birthday: To Rep. Rob Bishop, USU President Stan Albrecht, Jim Burr and Aaron Perkins. And on Saturday, send your birthday wishes to state Rep. Keith Grover.

Endorsement: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce officially endorses 2nd Congressional District candidate Chris Stewart citing his "record of support on pro-business issues."

In other news: Officials say Red Butte Creek is as clean as it's going to get, two years after the disastrous spill. [Trib] [DNews] [KCPW]

-> Paul Rolly says that a group against a national standard curriculum stole its name from a well-established education group which favors the Common Core standards. [Trib]

-> Advocates encourage the public to submit comments and ways to preserve the Great Salt Lake. [Trib]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch blasts so-called "death tax" on the estates of the deceased. [DNews]

-> Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick discuss the Salt Lake County mayor's race now that the ballot is set. [UtahPolicy]

-> The Trib's Thomas Burr talks about Rep. Jim Matheson's voting record when it comes to the Affordable Care Act. [KCPW]

-> The LDS Church issues a lengthy piece on its financial holdings in response to the BusinessWeek story. [LDSNewsroom] [DNews]

2012 watch: After booing Romney, the NAACP greets and applauds Vice President Joe Biden for promising more voter's rights. [TheHill]

-> Congressional candidate Mia Love says Romney was brave to speak to the NAACP and that it was unfortunate he got booed. [Trib]

-> Was Romney working for Bain longer than initially told? The candidate's camp denies it. [Politico] [WaPost] Obama's team accuses Romney of being either a felon or a liar. [Politco]

-> Obama acknowledges the mistakes of his first-term. He says he will inspire and explain more if re-elected. [CNN]

-> Obama could be the first incumbent president to be out-fundraised, but does it matter? Past elections indicate stranger things have happened. [WaPost]

-> Obama has his Bain attacks, and Romney has his Big Gov attacks. [WaPost]

-> Romney and House Speaker John Boehner face their first disagreement on how to deal with Chinese currency. [Reuters]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz visits China to review patent enforcement and port security.

Gov. Gary Herbert participates in the National Governors Association's summer meeting.

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell greets BYU Idaho students and then attends a Utah Health Exchange meeting.

AG Mark Shurtleff meets with Matt Sanderson of the Count My Vote Project.

President Barack Obama appears at several campaign events in Virginia.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to you inbox. [Trib]

— Thomas Burr and Andreas RiveraTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/andreascrivera