Good Wednesday morning Utah! Thanks for reading The Rundown.
Slide into my DMs. I love to hear from readers, and I read every email. Send me your news tips, feedback about this newsletter, or anything else on your mind. Send me an email or find me on Twitter @SchottHappens.
Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up for free here.
Its no secret that many hardcore Utah Republicans are no fan of Sen. Mitt Romney. Witness the less than cordial reception he got at this years GOP convention when he was mercilessly booed from the stage.
A new poll suggests Romney may no longer fit neatly in the Trumpified version of todays Republican Party.
OH Predictive Insights finds only 42% of Utah Republicans believe theres room for Romney in todays GOP. 44% say Romney does not belong.
Graphic via OH Predictive Insights
Trump, on the other hand, would find a much more welcoming atmosphere. 58% say theres room for the twice-impeached former President.
Romney is not popular among Republicans in Utah, with almost two-thirds (63%) saying they would rather see someone else in the Senate instead of Romney.
In the 2012 Presidential election, Mit Romney earned the largest share of the vote in Utah of any Republican presidential candidate since Reagan in 1984. The data shows that Utahns opinions have flipped since 2012 with two-thirds of GOP voters preferring a Republican senator other than Mitt Romney, he is more vulnerable than ever in a primary election, Mike Noble, OHPI Chief of Research said in a press release.
The good thing for Romney is he has more than 3 years before hes up for re-election. Another factor working in his favor is there are very few Utah Republicans with the political juice to mount a credible challenge to Romney. The Tribunes Robert Gehrke makes a compelling case that former congressman (and friend of the newsletter) Jason Chaffetz is preparing to challenge Romney in 2024. Thats certainly a possibility, but its difficult to see him giving up his prime gig on Fox News.
You can see the question and crosstabs here.
Breaking overnight: A Texas law banning most abortions after six weeks goes into effect after the Supreme Court declines to step in and stop it. [WaPo]
Gov. Spencer Cox will meet with Utah lawmakers today to discuss how to address the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the state. But, its likely nothing will come from the meeting as legislative leaders dont think theres much they can do to help the situation in the short term. [Tribune]
President Joe Biden defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, calling the airlift to evacuate thousands of Americans and Afghans an extraordinary success. [AP]
The Taliban stopped a bus loaded with explosives headed toward the Kabul Airport shortly before the U.S. finished its withdrawal from Afghanistan. [NBC News]
An Afghan interpreter who helped rescue then-Senator Joe Biden in 2008 was left behind after refusing to leave his family. [WSJ]
A Republican congressman from Oklahoma threatened staffers at the U.S. embassy in Tajikistan as he attempted to cross into Afghanistan with a large amount of cash. Rep. Markwayne Mullin was going to rescue five American citizens and planned to hire a helicopter to get them out. [WaPo]
House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy threatened to punish companies that turn over phone records to the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection. [Politico]
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, one of former President Donald Trumps most vocal supporters in Congress, was caught on hidden camera blaming Trump for his election defeat. Theres nothing obviously skewed about the election results, Johnson said in the recording. [WaPo]
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan says its really clear former President Trump lost the 2020 election. It was not rigged. It was not stolen, Ryan said during a local television interview. [The Hill]
The CEO of Intermountain Healthcare pleaded with Utahns to wear a mask to stem the surge of coronavirus infections in the state. [Tribune]
The CDC is asking unvaccinated Americans not to travel over the Labor Day holiday because of the risk of further spreading COVID-19. [CNN]
Social Security will have to start cutting benefits in 2034, a full year earlier than expected, because of a projected shortfall due to the pandemic. [CNN]
Democrats are sounding the alarm about anemic Latino turnout in the California recall election. [Politico]
Google again pushed back their plans for employees to return to the office until mid-January. [AP]
Last week I asked readers if they thought the ferocious debate around COVID-19, vaccines and masks was bound to tear the country apart, or if it was more of a tempest in a teapot.
Many readers responded to my query with some very insightful thoughts about our hyperpolarized political culture. Here are some of those responses:
I think that Covid-19 and all the accompanying disruptions to peoples lives may have affected peoples mental health more deeply than we realize. I think that most people found a way to trudge through and will recover in time but for some people, the perfect storm of last years presidential election and Covid-19 pushed them over the edge. There will always be wackos but I think that the rancor will start to subside rather than get worse barring another catastrophe. Alex White
Mask mandates arent the problem. Vaccine hesitancy isnt the problem. The problem is poor quality education that has led to a large portion of the population being unable to use reason and scientific thought to analyze a problem and come to a solution. Distrust of the pillars of society has caused these people to seek out alternative news, alt-facts, quacks, charlatans, and psychics. They dont trust mainstream media, mainstream politicians, or the best and brightest doctors and scientists. This is not a new problem but it is a steadily worsening problem. As more and more school boards are taken over by these people the quality of education diminishes. Books are altered to present half-truths and tall tales as fact. Those educated in these systems of less knowledge go on to multiply and their progeny have issues with even more facts. This is not so much a political problem though it seems the majority of these people have flocked to the new Republican Party. The Democrats are not exempt from this as many on the far left have never studied and have little knowledge of the problems of communism and other extreme socialist governments and societies. David Crispin
I am a 72-year-old retired physician who has cancer in remission. I spent March 2020-July 2021 essentially homebound, only leaving home for doctor appointments. I do not understand those who do not want to be vaccinated. When I was a child, Polio was the disease we all feared When the Polio vaccine became available, our parents lined us up as soon as it was available so we would be safe. The vaccines are safe. Also, face masks are safe. If we do not use face masks in school, children are going to become infected. Some with underlying conditions may die. In previous crises our country has pulled together for the greater good, I just dont understand why our citizens are so resistant to doing the same with this crisis. Kathie Coopersmith, MD
I am appalled by the current political climate surrounding COVID, and I am fearful that the longer it continues the more lives it will cost. This Is a health crisis! Death does not distinguish whether its victims are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or other. At the end of it all people are dying from this Thing. How many people reading these columns remember the days when, in order to even attend public schools, you had to produce your immunization records? The purpose then, as it should be now, was to make sure that all children were SAFE! Where are the politics in that? I understand people who are claiming parents rights but What about the children? I just wish that everyone would recognize this pandemic for what it is: a killer! It is the enemy Not my neighbor down the street. Maybe if we applied something other than political views, like a sense of unity to defeat this enemy we could make a difference? Perhaps this may sound pollyannish but what have we got to lose? B. Murphy
Utah
$10,000 reward offered for information in Moab double homicide. [Tribune]
Advocates want a needle exchange program in St. George to help the citys homeless, but not everyones on board. [Tribune]
Afghan and Iraqi refugees can ask to be resettled in Salt Lake City. [Tribune]
Eccles Theater requiring vaccination or negative result to enter live shows. [ABC4]
COVID-19
The rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Utah is the highest in 7 months. [Tribune]
Davis County reopens mass vaccination center with COVID-19 surging. [FOX13]
Weber County officials prepare to offer booster COVID-19 shots. [Standard Examiner]
Is COVID vaccine safe while pregnant? A pregnant infectious disease doctor answers. [KSL]
Bear River Health Department outlines plan to keep kids in school despite COVID concerns. [ABC4]
Environment
Why indoor air can be just as bad as the pollution outside and what you can do about it. [Tribune]
BLM resumes oil and gas leasing in Utah. [Tribune]
Floods
Month after devastating flooding hit Enoch, community still working to rebuild. [FOX13]
Herriman homeowner asks city to pay for flood damage despite law saying it doesnt have to. [KUTV]
Water
Davis and Weber Counties Canal Company shutting off secondary water early due to drought. [KSL]
Orem building moratorium amended after City Council inundated with emails and calls. [Daily Herald]
Richins Ranch conservation easement approved, preserving 851 acres near Chalk Creek. [Park Record]
On the Opinion Pages
How Cox let dirty industry take over Utahs air quality planning, Tribune Editorial Board writes. [Tribune]
Will oil and gas foxes be watching Utahs air quality henhouse? Robert Gehrke asks. [Tribune]
Gerald Elias: Public health measures through the years were called demagoguery. [Tribune]
Paul Krugman: The snake oil theory of the modern right. [Tribune]
The Tribunes Connor Sanders contributed to this report
Here is the original post:
A new poll shows Utah Republicans may be ready to move on from Mitt Romney - Salt Lake Tribune
- NBC's Chuck Todd Explains Why He's Changed How He Reports On Republicans - The Daily Wire [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- 'Red State Blues' Explores What Bolsters And Tempers Republicans' Success - Texas Standard [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- In leaked audio, a top Trump adviser said the Republican party has 'traditionally' relied on voter suppression - Business Insider [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- 'A rocky road': Wisconsin Republicans recap the first year of split control under Gov. Tony Evers - Madison.com [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Iowa swung fiercely to Trump. Will it swing back in 2020? - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- In the Time of Trump, Are Republicans Crazies or Cowards? - The Daily Beast [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- How a 'legislative terrorist' conquered the Republican Party - The Week [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Republican group to run ads in target states demanding testimony from White House officials in Trump impeachment trial | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Decade in review: Justice Antonin Scalias death and the Republican delay in filling the seat - SCOTUSblog [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Republicans Are Fiscally Reckless and Irresponsible - Washington Monthly [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Fear and Loyalty: How Donald Trump Took Over the Republican Party - The New York Times [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Blumenthal: Five to 10 Republicans have 'severe misgivings' about McConnell strategy | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- House Republicans and Democratic governor feud over the Louisiana budget, again - The Advocate [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Republican governors grapple with whether to accept refugees - Press Herald [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Why Shouldnt Pelosi Try to Strong-Arm the Republicans? It Has Worked for Decades. | News and Politics - PJ Media [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Outmaneuvering the Republicans (letter) | Letters To The Editor - LancasterOnline [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Wisconsin Democrats say Republicans have made thwarting Gov. Tony Evers their priority - Madison.com [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Republicans are leaving the House at a record pace. Why? - CBS News [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- ANOTHER OPINION: Trump completes takeover of Republican Party - Goshen News [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- For evangelicals, climate change causes a split between young and old that could hurt Republicans - The Boston Globe [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Eric Hubner: Republican senators should stand up to the appeasement of Trump - Salt Lake Tribune [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Brent Budowsky: The patriotic duty of Senate Republicans | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- 'Too personally invested': Republicans demand FISA court explain why Obama official picked to oversee reforms - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Never Trumpers flame out - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republican leader who sent their child to conversion therapy says child abuse makes people gay - LGBTQ Nation [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- As Democrats resurrect carbon bill, Republicans leave all options on the table including another walkout - malheurenterprise.com [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Pen-t up anger: Republicans pounce on Pelosi over ceremonial writing tools - The Guardian [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Franklin Republican wants to make it a crime to burn symbol of liberty - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans vote down teacher pay boost plan - The Herald [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- How Tim Kaine convinced Republicans to vote to rein in Trump's war powers - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans face reckoning on impeachment witnesses - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Matt Gaetz Is in an Internecine Beef With Another Florida Republican - Esquire.com [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don't think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment' - msnNOW [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- 'The New York Times' Is Enabling Republican Lies - The Nation [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Trump and Republicans are courting Florida's Latinos. Democrats in the state are worried. - NBC News [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans face internal brawl over impeachment witnesses | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Rand Paul threatens fellow Republicans with explosive witness votes - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- The Real Risks of Republicans Burying Their Heads in the Sand - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Abortion laws give Republican politicians what they crave control | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans will pay on Election Day for politicizing Trump's impeachment | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Nationalist 'antics' or the future of the GOP? College Republicans are at war - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- A Few Republicans And The American Public: Democrats Target Their Impeachment Message - NPR [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans Are Bathed in Shame - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- There Were No 'Moderate Republicans' in the Senate on Tuesday. Only Collaborators. - Esquire [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- The Values We Share (or Why I Am A Republican) - The Bulwark [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republicans are schooling us in the definition of 'chutzpah' - Cape Cod Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Grieder: Dan Crenshaw is right to say that Republicans cant afford to ignore climate change - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- This Former Co-Host of 'The View' Says She Was Told To 'Act Republican' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Sorry, But Democrats Have to Compromise and Republicans Don't - Mother Jones [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Flake: Republicans don't speak out against Trump 'because they want to keep their jobs' | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republicans upping investment in Florida and other key battlegrounds - Florida Politics [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- No Republican in Congress Is Thinking Past Tomorrow's Lunch Menu - Esquire [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- DCCC to run ads tying 11 House Republicans to Trump remarks on entitlements | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- How Republicans made millions on the 2017 tax cuts they pushed through Congress - Vox.com [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republican Senators May Save Trump, but Trump has Already F*cked Them - The Daily Beast [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Why Democrats Still Have to Appeal to the Center, but Republicans Dont - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Why Hillary Clinton is the world's greatest gift to Republicans - New York Post [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Buttigieg on plan to win over Republicans: 'I'm not trying to trick anybody' - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Readers respond: Republicans must do the right thing - oregonlive.com [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Commentary: Note To Republicans- When You Are Innocent, Witnesses And Documents Should Be Welcomed - KRWG [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Equality Should Not Be A Partisan Issue: Where Do Key Republicans Stand On It? - InsiderNJ [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Republican senate candidates disagree about whether a border wall is the solution to illegal immigration - Chicago Daily Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Kobe Bryant: Reaction to his tragic death; career highlights - Waterbury Republican American [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Democrats step up pressure over witnesses after Bolton bombshell | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Republicans grew our economy - and in the process, turned Arizona purple - AZCentral [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans have final chance to stand for country - The Daily Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Managing an unruly world far and near: Q&A with Republican congressional candidate Todd Kent - Waco Tribune-Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- After Trumps Acquittal, It Will Only Get Worse for Republicans - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans push back on calls for more impeachment witnesses - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Trump Boasts That Republican Lawmakers Have Turned Him Into A King - PoliticusUSA [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Meet the Candidate She's aiming to be the next Republican Jewish woman in Congress - Jewish Insider [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- 'What Have We Become?' New Republican Video Rips Trump Revenge On Lt. Col. Vindman - HuffPost [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Why Democrats And Republicans May Make The Best Teammates At Work - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Anderson: Why the Democrats - and Republicans - are doomed - The Ledger [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Democrats and Republicans agree on this: Social Security and Medicare need help and soon - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Trump struggles to win over Republicans on immigration - POLITICO [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- The Democratic Party Is Collapsing. Just Like the Republican Party Did. - The Bulwark [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Republicans Think President Trump Had Every Right To Fire Government Officials Who Testified Against Him - BuzzFeed News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- With Republicans, the best is yet to come - Youngstown Vindicator [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Washington-Based Republican Partnership Supports Non-Sitting Candidate In Iowa Race For First Time - 1380 KCIM [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]