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Romney in Utah today. Howell: Hatch could die in office. 49 days until Nov. 6.
Happy Tuesday. Damaging video appeared yesterday showing Mitt Romney telling donors that it is not his responsibility to worry about the 47 percent of voters who "believe they are victims" and expect the government to take care of them:
-> From the tape: "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what... These are people who pay no income tax. ...[M]y job is is not to worry about those people."
-> Within hours of the Mother Jones posting, Communications Director Gail Gitcho emails: "Mitt Romney wants to help all Americans struggling in the Obama economy. As the governor has made clear all year, he is concerned about the growing number of people who are dependent on the federal government, including the record number of people who are on food stamps, nearly one in six Americans in poverty, and the 23 million Americans who are struggling to find work." [MotherJones] [WaPost] [BuzzFeed] [CBSNews]
-> Instant analysis: This is akin to President Barack Obama's "clinging to their guns and religion" moment and it'll sting. The Washington Post's Fix calls this Romney's "Darkest Hour." [WaPost]
Topping the news: In a fund-raising letter, Democratic Senate candidate Scott Howell says Sen. Orrin Hatch is too old to be re-elected, noting that the senator could "die before his term is through." [ABC4] [UtahPolicy]
-> Romney takes a break from the trail to hit Utah for a fundraiser at the Grand America today. His jet lands at 11:10 a.m. at Salt Lake International. Look for more online updates as the day progresses. [Trib]
-> Obama ekes out a lead both nationally and in critical swing states. [Globe] [APviaWaPost]
-> State Sen. Ben McAdams raises twice as much money as his Republican rival, Mark Crockett. [Trib]
Tweet of the day: From @daveweigel: "At this point I'm amazed that the Salt Lake City Olympics went off without constant fires and explosions."
Happy birthday: to Former Sen. Bob Bennett.
In other news: KUTV fact checks a claim by Rep. Jim Matheson and finds he's wrongabout how much the crime rate when up under Mayor Mia Love. It also shows Love offering a rosier picture of her city's crime rate as opposed to BYU. [KUTV]
-> The Utah Transit Authority is looking to borrow up to $320 million for commuter rail projects and refinancing. [Trib]
-> The Tribune profiles Jay Seegmiller, Amtrak conductor and former Utah representative who is running for Utah's 2nd Congressional District seat. [Trib]
-> Love ventured to Las Vegas on Sunday to speak to Romney campaign volunteers. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on the Energy Solutions brouhaha over the state audit of the Radiation Control Board. [Trib]
-> Peg McEntee says the nonpartisan "Utah League of Women's Voters' Voters Guide" is a must-read for politicals junkies and newbies alike. [Trib]
-> SLC Mayor Ralph Becker invites residents to meet with him one-on-one on Wednesday, Sept. 26. [SLCGov]
-> Bryan Schott wonders whether there is an anti-Romney swath of voters in Salt Lake County. [UtahPolicy]
-> The race for state Senate leadership is heating up, already. [UtahPolicy]
-> On Constitution Day, lawyers help teach students the basics of the law. [Trib]
2012 watch: In a Monday conference call, the Romney camp promises to reveal more specifics. [CBSNews] [ABCNews]
-> After receiving threatening phone calls, a Kansas resident dropped the investigation of Obama's birthplace, ending efforts to keep the president's name off of the state's ballot. [CNN]
-> Romney received his first intelligence briefings on Monday. [FoxNews]
-> For the first time since February, Obama plans to make a stop in Wisconsin on Saturday, a state where his lead has dropped significantly after the selection of WI-native Paul Ryan as Romney's running mate. [WaPost]
-> The Romney campaign takes a risk in the race's final days, shifting their current message from economy, economy, economy to ask voters if they are fine with all aspects of the current status quo. [CBSNews] [Reuters]
-> Obama spoke at a park in Cincinnati, OH, a Republican area of the Democratic city. [CBSNews]
-> Romney trails Obama in the Latina vote by 53 percent. [Politico] Spanish-speaking Craig Romney stays optimistic about the numbers. [FoxLatino]
-> A GOP group publishes an online ad comparing the current president's rhetoric to that of former President Jimmy Carter's. [WashExaminer]
-> A national group focused on voter fraud plans to monitor swing states very carefully for the coming election. [NYTimes]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends the Romney event in Utah and then heads to Washington in the evening.
Gov. Gary Herbert meets with the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association in New York City.
Lt. Gov. Greg Bell sits down with the Multicultural Commission.
SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon speaks at a meeting of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with Gangneugn, South Korea Mayor Myeonghee Choi and delegation.
WVC Mayor Mike Winder heads to his City Council meeting.
President Barack Obama hosts WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx at the White House before heading to New York to tape an appearance with David Letterman on the Late Show.
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 Betsy BlanchardTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/betsyblanchard