This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Hatch pushes back on critics. Dead voters still on the books? Perry blows kisses to Romney.

Happy Tuesday. The Trib's Matt Canham offers a must-read this morning: Sen. Orrin Hatch pushing back on the groups criticizing him, calling them hypocritical and political has-beens. [Trib]

Topping the news: The Boston Globe takes a deep look at how Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman approach their Mormon faith. [Globe]

-> Jon Huntsman and Romney will be in Utah this week, albeit on different days. [Trib]

-> The Utah Democratic Party has a new executive director as Todd Taylor slides into an advisory role. [Trib] [UtahPolicy]

-> BYU's Adam Brown runs the numbers to find the counties with (presumably) the most dead people still registered to vote. Emery County, for example, probably doesn't have 417 people older than 111 years old. [UtahDataPoints]

Tweet of the day: From @benpolitico: "I asked Perry whether he's armed today. He declined to say. 'That's why it's called concealed.'"

Happy birthday: To Chaffetz's legislative director, Mike Jerman, and to state Sen. Brent Goodfellow. Also, happy belated birthday to Matheson's chief of staff, Meg Joseph, who celebrated yesterday.

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert interviews with Fox Business, tours the Department of Technology Services, heads to lunch at O.C. Tanner's headquarters and interviews judicial candidates before meeting with Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.

AG Mark Shurtleff meets with Doug Foxley, then with Mike Croweder and Nik Shelburne with Music Makes Music and then lunches with Scott Sabey.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon meets with Council Chairman Max Burdick and Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn, offers remarks at the RSVP Volunteers recognition lunch, hits the council meetings and then joins the open house for the 2300 East environmental study at Rosecrest Elementary School.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with department directors.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with South Jordan city officials and hits his city's Council meeting.

President Barack Obama hosts the White House Rural Economic Forum at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, Iowa, and tapes interviews with local stations in St. Louis, MO, and Kansas City, MO. The president stays the night in Davenport, Iowa.

In other news: Salt Lake County is looking at a $17 million budget gap, which could mean further reductions in service or a tax hike. There's not much of an appetite for either. [Trib]

-> Holladay city wants a $450,000 loan from the county to relocate a culvert for a new hotel-restaurant development. [DNews]

-> Sen. John Valentine wants to change the state's new fireworks law to the way it was before. [Herald] [Fox13]

-> Beer mini-kegs are on their way out as they become illegal on Oct. 1. [Trib]

-> Peg McEntee has big doubts about the proposed big theater downtown. [Trib]

-> Rep. Rob Bishop is expected in court today as a character witness for a Brigham City doctor. [StandEx]

2012 watch: Huntsman says rock bands tour in buses, not presidents. [ABCNews] ANd CBS News' Mark Knoller has the details on the Secret Service's two new $1.1 million (each) buses. [CBSNews]

-> Romney terms the president's trip the "magical misery bus tour. [ABCNews]

-> Romney responds to a suggestion for a running mate of Sen. Scott Brown (which, as the update notes, isn't allowed under the Constitution.) [ABCNews]

-> Romney changes his game plan as Gov. Rick Perry enters the field. [WaPost]

-> Perry, meanwhile, blows a kiss to Romney and says, "Send him my love." [CNN]

-> Huntsman snags ex-candidate Tim Pawlenty's New Hampshire state director. [UnionLeader]

-> Republican presidential candidates are counting on their bundlers but don't want to disclose who they are. [USAToday]

-> Romney's family charity continues to invest in businesses that have dealings with Iran and with stem-cell research. [WashTimes]

-> Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid doesn't think much of Romney. [LVRJ]

-> The Democratic National Committee says it's been a good weak for the tea party. [YouTube]

-> Pat Bagley takes on Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. [Trib]

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

— Thomas BurrTwitter.com/thomaswburr