This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Huntsman hits on both parties. Romney: JFK and FDR were rich. Ryan for Love.
Happy Thursday. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman goes off on what he calls a broken political system during a conference call with the group No Labels: "I'm downright embarrassed with where we are as a nation and what we're about to pass on to the next generation. So we have a choice as citizens and public elected officials to stand on the sidelines and watch it play out or step up and do something about it." [Trib] [UtahPolicy]
Topping the news: Mitt Romney points out that FDR and JFK were rich, too, dismissing the idea that a successful business guy can't be elected to the White House. [Politico]
-> United Fire Authority/SL County Councilman Michael Jensen can run for office without running afoul of the federal Hatch Act, the feds rule. [Trib]
-> House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan is headed to Utah to help raise money for Mia Love. [UtahPolicy]
Tweet of the day: From @AP: "This is a little awkward. Obama, who often disses George W. Bush, must welcome him to the White House tomorrow: http://apne.ws/JRyPhB"
Happy birthday: To State Rep. John Mathis and The Salt Lake Tribune's own Robert Gehrke.
In other news: A high amount of citizens and protesters show up to Orem's budget open house. UTOPIA project would raise taxes or slash budgets, either way, it's happening. [DailyHerald]
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch invites Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming to Utah to help him campaign. [Trib]
-> Peg McEntee says our lawmakers need to stand by legislation that protects women from violence and helps them cope with rape. [Trib]
-> A new $8 million UTA bus garage is on the way thanks to federal funding. [Trib]
-> A Logan road with a reputation finally gets a safety barrier after 25 accidents in the last five years. [Trib]
-> ABC4's Chris Vanocur takes a long, hard look at the Capitol's creepy clown. [ABC4]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on Donald Trump idea for "a better Amercia." [Trib]
2012 watch: Obama calls Romney for a "brief and cordial" congratulations on officially becoming the presumptive GOP nominee. [CNN]
-> Romney chides Obama for past Las Vegas remarks. He says Obama's negative comments on Sin City lend to his point that the president doesn't get the economy. [CNN]
-> "A Better Amercia." The title of Romney's official campaign app. See anything wrong with it? [CNN]
-> Condi Rice backs Romney. Not a shock. [WaPost]
-> Is there such a thing as "the Latino vote." Some say candidates and the news media shouldn't homogenize the community as a single voting bloc, as it is far too diverse. [CNN]
-> Author Ronald Scott explains the tough role that Mormon bishops find themselves in, noting that Romney's time as a lay leader in the faith wasn't easy. [WaPost]
-> When it comes to government and business partnerships, is Romney a saint or hypocrite? [Reuters]
-> Clash of the celebrity donors. Romney camp counters all the negative Trump attention with Bill Maher and his Obama donations. [TheHill]
-> Legend of GOP foreign policy, Henry Kissinger, withholds endorsement after Romney's harsh words on China, Russia and Syria. [NYTimes]
-> Planned Parenthood begins the assault on Romney, with a $1.4 million ad campaign. [NYTimes] [ABC]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz heads to committee meetings.
Gov. Gary Herbert speaks at an Idle Reduction press event and then presents the Governor's Awards for Excellence to outstanding state employees.
SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon attends the National Association of Counties meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker sits in on the Jordan River Commission Governing Board Meeting, participates in a White House conference call and then attends an Olympics Exploratory Committee Meeting.
President Barack Obama and the First Lady hosts George and Laura Bush at the White House for the unveiling of their official portrait.
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