News roundup: After Romney loss, GOP rudderless

Dabakis to take McAdams' senate seat. Dems gather in Utah. Hatch, Obama trade jabs.

Happy Monday. With Mitt Romney's presidential hopes dashed, the Republican Party is facing a leadership vacuum as it tries to figure out what direction to head: "It's left the GOP rudderless, lacking an overarching agenda and mired in infighting, with competing visions for the way ahead, during what may be the most important policy debate in a generation." [AP]

-> Meanwhile, Romney hasn't returned to Michigan after the race but his plane is there. [Freep]

Topping the news: Delegates have elected Utah Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis to take Salt Lake County Mayor-elect Ben McAdams' state Senate seat. [Trib] [DNews] [UtahPolicy] [Fox13]

-> The Democratic National Executive Committee holds its final meeting of the year in... Utah. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

-> Former Utah coach Rick Majerus passes away while awaiting a heart transplant. [Trib]

-> When it comes to dealing with the fiscal cliff, it all comes down to a last-minute push to see which side caves in first. President Barack Obama has proved to be equally as unyielding as the Republicans. [NYTimes] [WaPost]

Tweets of the day: From @daveweigel: "Another Nate Silver interview in which he mocks his enemies? I think he's killed the grass with all this endzone dancing"

Opinion section: Outgoing Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon stresses the importance of educating homeowners. [Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb look at tough questions the Legislature will have on its plate. [DNews]

-> Rep. Jim Nielson, R-Bountiful, favors the elimination of sales tax on food entirely. [Trib]

-> Brian Bushman, an Ogden psychologist, discusses the science behind political apathy. [Trib]

-> Ex-Sen. Bob Bennett says journalists are failing to do their job with regard to questions raised about U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice. [DNews]

-> Paul Rolly weighs in on hibernating campaign donations, political connections and a clever high schooler's response to thievery. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley offers his take on the burdens teens carry these days. [Trib]

-> George Pyle shares recent web discoveries that may be of interest to political junkies. [Trib]

-> Members of the Southern Utah Anti-Discrimination Coalition think it's time for "Dixie" in "Dixie College" to head for the hills. [Trib]

Weekend in review: Sen. Orrin Hatch counters the president's taped remarks concerning the fiscal cliff, labeling the incumbent's tax plan a "classic bait-and-switch on the American people." [Trib] [DNews]

-> The Utah Republican Party won't challenge Rep. Jim Matheson's slim win but officials plan to push for uniform standards across the counties for counting votes. [Trib]

-> An argument dating back six years has been dealt with (again), resulting in a decision allowing EnergySolutions waste facility to renovate but forcing it to remain approximately the same size. [Trib]

-> In the D.C. Notebook, a look at congressional superlatives as well a question about Sen. Mike Lee's favorite shopping place. [Trib]

-> Congressman-elect Chris Stewart slowly gets the hang of Washington D.C., his part-time home for the unforeseeable future — all starting with the office selection raffle. [Trib]

Where are they?

Utah Governor Gary Herbert meets with Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and makes an Olympic announcement in the afternoon.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon holds a Cabinet meeting and later receives the 2012 Cultural Achievement Award from the Utah Cultural Alliance.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with his senior staff and visits an honors class at the University of Utah.

President Barack Obama hosts Prime Minister Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria and later delivers remarks to the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) symposium being held at the National Defense University.

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