This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Romney distances himself from Mourdock rape comment. Utah Dems: Split the ticket. 13 days until Election Day.

Happy Wednesday. Indiana Republican Sentate candidate Richard Mourdock said that rape-induced pregnancy is "something that God intended to happen," and that abortions should only be allowed if the mother's life is in danger. [WaPost] [Politico] Romney, who backs Mourdock, said he does not agree with the Senate candidate's position. [BuzzFeed]

-> Meanwhile, The Daily Beast's Andrew Sullivan wonders why the media is giving Romney a pass on his Mormon faith's history with black members, charging that had Obama attended a church where white people weren't allowed privileges, the media would be all over it. [DailyBeast] In that vein, Romney's Mormon faith faces increasingly heavy scrutiny as the election draws near, especially its now-void priesthood ban for black males. [BuzzFeed]

Topping the news: National Journal looks at people who might fill a Romney Cabinet and top positions, including Mike Leavitt, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee and former Sen. Bob Bennett. [NJ]

-> The Utah Democratic Party encourages voters to "split the ticket" and not simply vote for candidates strictly by their party. [Fox13]

-> A GOP activist accused of several sexual assaults killed himself at the Heber City cabin where he held political fundraisers. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @RalstonReports: "By the way, someone asked me today if people who have voted early can change their votes later. Ah, America."

In other news: Donna McAleer, Rep. Rob Bishop's Democratic challenger, goes after Bishop for seeking big earmarks for political donors. [Trib]

-> Lightened tax load: Utahns paid 9.3 percent of their income in taxes in 2010, down from the two previous years. [Trib]

-> A study done by an assistant professor at BYU compares Rep. Jim Matheson's ideology not only to his own party, but also to prominent Utah politicans. [UtahDataPoints]

-> El Niño, a weather pattern predicted at one point to be Utah's saving grace, might very well be a no-show. [Trib]

-> Bryan Schott notes that Democrats are having a field day in social media with #TextsfromCrockett, poking fun at SL County mayoral candidate Mark Crockett. [UtahPolicy]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz has no regrets about a document dump that State Department officials say included sensitive information. [HuffPost]

-> A Christian club at Snow College files a lawsuit against the school after the implementation of a new policy they say infringes on their rights. [Trib] [DNews]

-> An 11-year-old Utah boy inspires an "In God We Trust" license plate design. [Trib]

-> The Trib's Paul Rolly discusses the timing of Sen. Karen Mayne's removal from the Interim Business and Labor Committee. [Trib]

The race for 270: The latest Electoral College predictions: FiveThirtyEight: Obama 288.3, Romney 249.7Pollster: Obama 253, Romney 206RealClearPolitics: Obama 281, Romney 257

2012 watch: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid calls himself a "one-man wrecking crew" headed straight for Romney. [LVSun]

-> An editor from Iowa's Des Moines Register thinks an off-the-record conversation with President Barack Obama on Tuesday could sway voters in the swing state if its contents could be made public. [DMRegister]

-> After moderating Monday night's debate, Bob Schieffer said he doesn't expect to do it again. [Politico]

-> Log Cabin Republicans have given Romney a qualified endorsement. [NYTimes]

-> A Romney-Biden administration? Sounds crazy, but it could happen. [ABCNews]

-> AG Mark Shurtleff notes how Romney could win the popular vote but still lose the presidency. [UtahPolicy]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch publishes an op-ed saying that the president's new glossy pamphlet showing what he'd do in a second term doesn't count as a plan. [Politico]

-> It doesn't look like the Romney team will schedule any network interviews for their guy in the final weeks of the campaign. [Politico]

-> Romney supporters have nice things to say about the president, too! [BuzzFeed]

-> What? You didn't hear about the First Lady debate? [WaPost]

Where are they?

Utah Governor Gary Herbert heads to the Smart School Kickoff at North Sevier High School.

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff attends an AMBER alert press conference.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon meets with the SL Chamber Board of Governors, sits down with county elected officials and then hits the United Nations dinner at the U.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker holds a performing arts center meeting and later sits down with constituents one-on-one.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with Corroon and attends the Economic Development Corporation of Utah quarterly update.

President Barack Obama campaigns in Iowa and Colorado.

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