This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Dowd: Romney's secrecy 'antithetical' to faith. Romney was a lobbyist. Chaffetz pitches legal immigration overhaul.
Happy Friday. The NY Times' Maureen Dowd says Mitt Romney's penchant for secrecy is "antithetical" to his Mormon faith's push to save documents and notes that the Republican candidate is hesitant to talk about his religion despite voters' interest in getting to know the candidate. [NYTimes]
Topping the news: Did you know: Romney actually registered as a lobbyist with the state of Utah leading the Salt Lake Olympics. [HuffPost]
The American Legislative Exchange Council meeting in Salt Lake City may be prompting lawmakers from surrounding states to follow Utah's lead on demanding the feds turn over federal land. [Trib]
-> The British Prime minister takes offense to Romney's London criticisms and takes a stab at the 2002 Olympics, saying that of course it would be easier to host the games "in the middle of nowhere." [Trib] [NYTimes] [AP] (Scroll down for more Romney Olympic news)
Tweet of the day: From @daveweigel: "Actually you forgot Provo RT @reidepstein: With all due respect, Salt Lake City is the middle of nowhere, right?" Referring to the British Prime minister's remarks about the 2002 Olympic Games.
Happy birthday: Today to Weber State's Julie Snowball and on Saturday to state Rep. Todd Kiser, state Sen. Ralph Okerlund and Caroline Updike.
Grouping politicians: So it seems pretty clear that our loyal readers aren't fans of politicians given the answers we got to what you should call a group of politicians. One person suggested a group of politicians should be called the "A-word(s)," while another called it a "clowder" and another, a "poggle." One reader said it was a "crock" of politicians. But our favorite was from Paul Werner who called the group a "plague of politicians." For the record, no one suggested this name, but a quick Google search shows a group of politicians in one place is called "inmates."
New book: Former southern Utah journalist Ed Kociela (and a valued Cornflakes reader) is out with a new novel called "Plygs," which he describes as a "journalistic novel, meaning its fact-based fiction." The book looks at "deals with social, cultural and political aspects of the mainstream and fundamentalist churches." [Amazon]
Endorsements: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Rep. Jim Matheson in his reelection bid for his "record of support on pro-business issues."
Happening today: Rep. Jason Chaffetz is hosting a townhall meeting at 6 pm at the New West Jordan Library located at 8030 S. 1825 West.
In other news: Rep. Jason Chaffetz drafts a bill that would streamline the process for immigrants to work in the U.S. if they're entrepreneurs. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly says the National Republican Committee has asked Democrat Ben McAdams to stop using the GOP elephant on his Republicans for Ben site. [Trib]
-> Sen. Mike Lee cites the Boston Tea Party in pushing for a balanced budget amendment. [TheBlaze]
-> Yellowstone will begin allowing more snowcoaches and snowmobile, after a mixed history restrictions on the machines in the park. [Trib]
-> Activists take the opportunity to protest corporate control of government on the anniversary of Tim Christopher's imprisonment for civil disobedience. [Trib]
-> A U. law student is making the case that Move to Amend, the national movement to overthrow Citizens United, should be put on ballot, saying that the will of the people should be law. [Trib]
-> WVC Mayor Mike Winder sits in for Bob Bernick and discusses the importance of politicians in parades with Utah Policy's Bryan Schott. [UtahPolicy]
Romneylympics: How Romney handled the Olympics in the wake of 9/11 will also speak to his leadership during a crisis. [DNews]
-> After the prime minister's comments, Romney "gets the hint," and praises the success of the London Olympics. [Telegraph]
-> An Obama ad using footage of the Olympic games has been taken down at the request of the Olympic Committee. [WaPost]
-> No Olympic pin collector's set would be complete without the 2002 Olympic pin shaped like Romney's head — and that was made in China. [ABCNews]
-> The Tribune's Thomas Burr talks about Romney's Olympic record and what impact it will make on the election. [KCPW]
-> As Rafalca, Ann Romney's dressage horse, makes its Olympic debut, don't expect Mitt to be in the stands cheering it on. [NYTimes]
2012 watch: While Romney's away, President Barack Obama will play. The president will take the opportunity to build up a positive image after months of negative ads that have left a sour taste in voter's mouths. [TheHill]
-> The latest poll says that voters are comfortable with Romney's religion and that it doesn't factor into their choice. [Trib] [DNews] [Reuters]
-> A new documentary coming out looks at Mormon founder Joseph Smith's run for the White House but clearly has Romney's bid in mind, too. [ABC4]
-> The Manchester Union Leader says Romney's refusal to release tax returns creates the impression of something to hide, "justly or not." [NYTimes]
-> If Obama wins, it may not help his popularity and he'd be the second president in a row to be reelected by a smaller margin than when first elected. [WaPost]
-> A poll finds that Obama is losing the confidence of business owners, based on economic performance. [WaPost]
-> Voter enthusiasm will determine the winner of the election. Its all about who shows up to the polls. [WaPost]
-> With a debate to be set in Colorado, it's inevitable that gun control will be a topic, one that both candidates aren't keen on discussing. [Reuters]
-> New Obama ad raises fears of what Romney would do to women's rights if elected. [WaPost]
-> Obama gets a much needed campaign funding boost from the District of Columbia. [WaPost]
Where are they?
Rep. Rob Bishop speaks to the ALEC conference at its noon luncheon.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz tours the Xactware software company, visits the Utah County Republican Party, has lunch at the ALEC conference and then holds the town hall meeting.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with Westminster President Brian Levin-Stankevich, meets with Kingsbury Hall Executive Director Greg Geilmann and then conducts a Performing Arts Center meeting.
WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with Economic Development Corp. of Utah's Jeff Edwards, Wasatch Front Regional Council's Andrew Grubar and Utah Transit Authority's Mike Allegra.
President Barack Obama signs the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act and then attends campaign events in Washington and 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