News roundup: GOP employs Romney strategy against Dems

GOP uses Romney strategy against Dems. Warren Jeffs' letter to lawmakers. Trib/DNews case pushed to September.

Happy Tuesday. Democrats in 2012 tried to paint Mitt Romney as rich and therefore, out of touch. But that strategy is now being employed by Republicans against some Dems who are running for office — not the least of which, of course, is Hillary Clinton, who remarked how poor she and former President Bill Clinton were when they left the White House. Some strategies, of course, are re-usable, no matter the party. [WSJ]

Topping the news: Jailed polygamist leader Warren Jeffs sends strange letter to the Utah State Legislature. [Trib] [Fox13]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is calling for a religious exemption to President Barack Obama's executive order protecting LGBT employees from discrimination with government contractors. [Trib] [KUTV] [Fox13]

-> The court case on the Joint Operating Agreement with The Salt Lake Tribune and The Deseret News will be heard again before a judge in September to see if the case is worth pursuing. [Trib] [DNews] [KSL]

Tweet of the day: From @BenWinslow: "Many in the #utleg refuse to open Warren Jeffs' letters. Other lawmakers say it's not the craziest thing they've gotten."

-> From @UTStateCapitol: "We did tell them that tater tots are extremely popular among the legislative session crowd!"

-> From @jpaceDC: "Pet peeve: When WH tries to discredit stories bc of use of anonymous sources. Then why do WH officials speak to reporters anonymously?"

Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, and West Valley City Councilman Corey Rushton.

In other news: Congressional candidate Doug Owens switched his campaign manager in his race for District 4, a move he says was planned, but his top aide says wasn't. [Trib]

-> More than 20 activists were arrested during a protest at a tar sands development in eastern Utah, and the group accused Uintah County deputies of "brutality." [Trib]

-> SLC Councilman Luke Garrott could challenge Mayor Ralph Becker should the incumbent mayor seek a third term. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley suggests the scary spot unaccompanied minors find themselves between Mexico and the United States. [Trib]

-> The mayor of South Jordan is against the city's split from Jordan School District. [Trib]

-> Utah Supreme Court Justice Ronald Nehring will retire in February after 11 years of service. [Trib]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz appears to be the only candidate actually raising money in the 3rd Congressional District race. [UtahPolicy]

-> A communications company in Utah is increasing its Salt Lake branch, bringing 1,000 new jobs to the city. [DNews]

Nationally: Texas Gov. Rick Perry sent 1,000 troops from the National Guard to the Mexican border to help with the immigration overload. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [WSJ] [LATimes]

-> When signing the executive order to protect LGBT employees from workplace discrimination, President Barack Obama said, "We're on the right side of history." [NYTimes] [Politico]

-> Obama also condemned anyone in Russia or Ukraine trying to hinder investigation of the downed Malaysian airliner. [NYTimes] [WSJ] [Politico]

-> Check out this profile of Vice President Joe Biden in which Obama says Biden would make a "superb" president in 2016. [NewYorker] [WaPost]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz travels back to Washington, meets with SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams, talks with Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, votes in the evening and attends a Young Guns dinner.

Rep. Chris Stewart also flies to Washington, conducts a staff meeting and hosts a telephone town hall event.

President Barack Obama talks with representatives of Apollo 11, signs HR803 on workplace innovation and travels to Seattle. He later attends a party fundraiser and a Senate Majority PAC roundtable before flying to San Francisco.

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 Courtney Tanner Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner