This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Ron Paul calls secession a "deeply American principle." Mia Love gets one last chance. GOP protectionism may have boosted Matheson.

Happy Tuesday. Former GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul reacting to some post election petitions says states should be allowed to secede whenever they want to: "If a people cannot secede from an oppressive government, they cannot truly be considered free." [Politico]

Topping the news: Today's the deadline for tallying Utah's final provisional and absentee votes. [Trib] And The Trib's Robert Gehrke walks us through the math, showing how it appears unlikely but possible for Mia Love to overtake Rep. Jim Matheson. [Trib]

-> Newly released redistricting documents show that Republicans, such as Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz, acting in self-interest may have inadvertently helped Matheson win re-election. [Trib]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert has no plans to start a health insurance exchange as required under Obamacare, at least not until he get some questions answered by Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

Tweets of the day: From @KTLincoln: "Too bad I can't unmarry this Twinkie I married so as to grant it U.S. citizenship"

From @RepRonPaul: "Secession: Are We Free To Go? http://1.usa.gov/TccSQr";

Happy birthday: To state House Speaker Rebecca Lockhart and state Rep. Francis Gibson.

In other news: Forced to release the information, Utah Transit Authority says former general manager receives a $200,000/year pension, garnering criticism from government watchdog groups. [DNews]

-> Those looking to take the state Senate seat left behind by SL Co. Mayor-elect Ben McAdams will debate on Nov. 27. [DNews]

-> Beyond a proposed tax increase, Salt Lake County Council members consider boosting library and dump fees. [Trib]

-> TV cameras, cell phones, laptops, tablets and the like will be allowed inside Utah trial courts beginning April 1. [Trib]

-> Utah lawmakers plan to go after chemists who are making drugs similar to spice and bath salts. [Trib]

-> Peg McEntee argues that Utah's redistricting process short-changed both Democrats and democracy. [Trib]

-> Bryan Schott questions why midterm vacancies in the state Legislature are filled by a vote of delegates and not a special election. [UtahPolicy]

Nationally: Conflict in the Gaza Strip threatens Obama's plan to rejuvenate Middle Eastern diplomacy. [LATimes] [Politico]

-> Nearly two -thirds of Americans believe Obama will make an honest effort to reach bipartisan solutions to the nation's problems, while only 48 percent believe in Republicans in Congress and 57 percent believe in congressional Democrats. [Gallup]

-> News coverage of Obama and Romney on Fox News and MSNBC grew more extreme in the final week preceding the election, according to a Pew Research Center poll. [Politico]

-> Conservatives blame the GOP's woes on moderate presidential candidates, arguing that in 2016 it is time for someone from the right wing of the party. [WaPost]

-> Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is taking early steps to be seen as a 2016 front runner. [TheHill]

-> The GOP has loudly let New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie know that they are disappointed he lavished praise on President Barack Obama after Hurricane Sandy and now he's trying to repair those relationships. [NYTimes]

-> Why it's cool to be a liberal again. [WaPost]

Where are they?

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon hits up the 2013 budget workshops, the Council Committee of the Whole and a City Council meeting.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker attends a department directors meeting, a performing arts center meeting and tops it all off with a City Council meeting.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with Rep. Jim Matheson, attends the gratitude feast at Allianza Academy, recognizes achievers in city's English Language Initiative at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center and conducts a City Council meeting.

President Barack Obama participates in the Trans-Pacific Partnership meeting at the Peace Palace, meets with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan on the margins of the East Asia Summit and Premier Wen Jiabao of China there as well.

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]

— Matt Canham and Betsy Blanchard Twitter.com/mattcanham and Twitter.com/betsyblanchard