This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Obama, Dems face credibility fight. Poll: Americans (heart) national parks. State Sen. Reid to retire.

Happy Monday. If you like your poll numbers, that's too bad, because you probably can't keep your poll numbers. That might be the case for Democrats — and especially President Barack Obama — after the disastrous rollout of the new Affordable Care Act website exchanges. Obama and his party have taken a hit and may have a tough time convincing Americans they can be trusted again. [HuffPost]

Topping the news: A new poll shows that some 82 percent of Americans thought the government shutdown reminded them just how important national parks are to the economy and local communities. [Trib]

-> State Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden, says he won't run for re-election again and plans to retire from public service. [UtahPolicy]

-> Sen. Mike Lee says that he doesn't think that he will lead another government shutdown, but still believes that he was on the right side of the last one. [KUTV]

Tweets of the day: From @daveweigel: "Redskins functioning about as well as http://HealthCare.gov today."

Happy birthday: To GOP consultant and lobbyist Renae Cowley.

Opinion section: Pat Bagley gives his take on Christmas coming before Thanksgiving. [Trib]

-> George Pyle compares Attorney General John Swallow to the former governor of New York who resigned because of a scandal even though he wasn't charged by prosecutors. [Trib]

-> Dan Liljenquist says that even though denying any guilt, Swallow has trapped himself and can't blame anyone but him. [DNews]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb discuss various forms of political correctness and if it's necessary. [DNews]

-> Christi Wedig, executive director of the Glen Canyon Institute, says the high-volume release of water at the Glen Canyon Dam only temporarily fixed the problems facing the Grand Canyon. [Trib]

-> Ted Wilson, director of Utah Clean Air Partnership and former Salt Lake City mayor, is asking Utahns everywhere to do their part to help keep the air clean. [Trib]

-> Daniel Conder, a former member of the Salt Lake County GOP Executive Committee, says that the current caucus system was designed to be a model for a republic. [DNews]

-> Paul Rolly discusses how some top state Democrats are opposed to the Count My Vote initiative and would rather see money donated to candidates. [Trib]

-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett says Medicare Part D and responsible health care companies should get credit for lower increases in costs. [DNews]

Weekend in review: State lawmakers are looking to raise the tax on gasoline by 1.5 cents per year over the next five years to provide funding for all state highways. [Trib] [KUTV]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert formally appointed Jon Cox to fill the vacant seat in House District 58 of Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV]

-> Ally Isom, Gov. Gary Herbert's deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman, said she will leave the governor's office to spend more time focusing on her family. [Trib] [DNews]

-> The plans to extend the Sugar House Streetcar are still up in the air, as members of the Salt Lake City Council said there is still an ongoing debate about the route. [Trib]

-> The Utah Transportation Commission was briefed on plans to turn the intersection of Bangerter Highway and Redwood Road in Riverton into a freeway-style model. [Trib]

-> Legacy Initiative volunteers set up a boutique with free clothes, burritos and bottled water outside of Pioneer Park for the homeless. [Trib]

-> After cleaning up election signs and taking a family vacation, West Valley City Mayor-elect Ron Bigelow's priorities are to restore faith in the police department and set the city up on a long-term financial plan. [Trib]

-> From our D.C. Notebook: Ann Romney physically shook Mitt Romney's head to say no when asked if he'd run for the White House again, and Sens. Orrin Hatch and Dick Durbin exchange pleasantries on an elevator. [Trib]

-> Salt Lake County is giving management of the Equestrian Park and Event Center in South Jordan to SMG, the company that already runs the Salt Palace Convention Center and South Towne Exposition Center. [Trib]

Nationally: Billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson, who broke a campaign-spending record back in 2012, is seeking to ban online gambling. [WaPost]

-> The U.S. Postal Service recorded its first revenue gain in five years, but lost $5 billion in fiscal 2013 putting the agency in red ink for the seventh straight year. [WaPost]

-> Liz Cheney, daughter of Dick Cheney and candidate for Senate in Wyoming, is receiving criticism for opposing same-sex marriage from her lesbian sister Mary Cheney and her wife Heather Poe. [WaPost] [Politico] [NYTimes]

-> San Francisco was transformed into Gotham City and a young caped crusader known as Batkid saved the city from destruction. [BuzzFeed] President Barack Obama sent Batkid a video thanking him for the tremendous efforts he made. [WaPost]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz returns to Washington, meets with his staff and votes in the evening.

Gov. Gary Herbert holds meetings with Commissioner Dave Buhler, John Pearce, Blaine Walker and James Evans.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker attends meetings with the Committee on Homelessness meeting, TRCC Advisory Board and on the Sugar House Streetcar.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends the Western Growth Coalition meeting.

President Barack Obama receives the daily briefing in the Oval Office and meets with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.

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 your inbox. [Trib]

— Thomas Burr and Jordan Bailey Twitter.com/thomaswburr Twitter.com/thejordanbailey