This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
While Utah senators were attending interim committee meetings Wednesday at the Capitol, their wives were listening to a sales presentation for a magic cleaning cloth that was arranged by the spouse of the Senate majority leader and held in the Senate Rules Committee room.
"Hey Senate sisters: I have arranged for a great demo of Norwex cleaning cloths for our next interim day August 15th at the Capitol at 10 a.m.," said the email from Becky Jenkins, wife of Senate Majority Leader Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, to wives of Republican senators.
"These amazing cloths clean everything with only water and no cleaning chemicals. Fantastic for cleaning windows streak free! Come see these amazing products and never have to use Windex or paper towels again! Plus we can all go to lunch afterward together to renew friendships. Hope you can arrange busy schedules to join us that morning."
An accompanying email was sent by Anna Kay Waddoups, wife of Senate President Michael Waddoups, lending support to the Capitol Hill sales pitch.
"Hi Ladies, Wow, summer is almost over. My how time flies. Can't believe it's time for interim already this month. Becky has arranged for a demonstration at the Capitol at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. We will do that and then plan to go to lunch afterwards. Any suggestion as to where we should eat? See ya then."
Jenkins said his wife made no money on the presentation and arranged the presentation with an acquaintance as a fun activity for the wives.
"I do understand that some purchases were made and some money was exchanged," Jenkins told me. "When my wife told me what she was doing, I didn't pay much attention to it. Now, my eyes are wide open, and they should not have done it at the Capitol."
Jenkins said the wives often get together for an activity while their husbands are in committee meetings all day.
Two wives told me they felt obligated to go to the meeting because it was arranged by the wife of the Senate president and they didn't want to jeopardize their husbands' standing in the Republican caucus.
Jenkins told me they never have to worry about that.
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Jason who? • When House Speaker John Boehner was in Utah for congressional candidate Mia Love's fundraiser Wednesday, he first attended an exclusive and expensive roundtable for donors who gave at least $10,000. At that event, he greeted well-wishers, shook hands and acknowledged prominent Republicans — except for Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was there but seemed invisible to Boehner.
Then, at the larger luncheon where donors paid $500 apiece to attend, he espoused best wishes to Gov. Gary Herbert, to Congressman Rob Bishop, to state Republican Party Chairman Thomas Wright, to GOP National Committeewoman Enid Greene Mickelson and to former Congressman Jim Hansen.
Again, Chaffetz was ignored.
Could it be that Chaffetz's well-known alignment with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor could be the cause for Boehner's alienation of affection? Cantor and Boehner have been at odds at times, and his faction held tight against Boehner's attempt to negotiate a budget comprise with President Barack Obama.
"Speaker Boehner has treated me well," Chaffetz told me after he was snubbed at the event. "I've had good committee assignments, gotten some bills through. And this was Mia's event."
Still, it had to sting a little bit.