Letter: Smith has an agenda | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Tribune Dec. 15 advises that Robert Smith (now one of the three remaining candidates for the office of attorney general) has declared that he is committed to (i) demand that the federal government turn over public lands to the state (ii) defend Utah's constitutional amendment banning gay rights and (iii) fight Obamacare.

It is seen that Mr. Smith will use the office of the attorney general to advance his personal right-wing political causes rather than act as an effective and impartial attorney for the state of Utah.

Utah deserves an attorney general that sees and conducts himself as a respected attorney for Utah rather than using the office to advance his personal views.

Mr. Smith has thus quickly, immediately and unreservedly disqualified himself from the office he seeks.

The governor would do well to just as quickly eliminate Mr. Smith from his consideration in filling the vacancy.

James P. Cowley

Salt Lake City