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The dramatic overhaul of power for Democrats in Washington will have a definite effect on Utah's own Congressman Jim Matheson. Today we asked him what that effect would be and what he planned to do with it.
Matheson's view is that times are so hard, the issues so pressing and complex that voters are urging him and others away from partisan politics. He says he sees himself as a consensus builder and feels comfortable about what's to come.
"I think you're going to see a greater rise in statesmanship from both parties. I just think we face some real challenges, and America faces some real challenges. So, I think you're going to see less of the partisan bickering and more of an effort for consensus building," Matheson said.
Matheson says an Obama White House may affect some of his ongoing battles in Washington: for example, keeping nuclear waste out of Utah.
Monday, a top Obama staffer talked about limiting the sale of oil and natural gas leases in Utah. Matheson will have an opportunity to guide proposals like that, and voters will no doubt give him input on what to do.
"His ability to have an impact on Obama's decision making is huge," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. "Of course, it puts more pressure on him as well, because now the Democrats have the majorities and have the White House, and will he be able to act? Will he be able to have some sort of impact on legislation?"
Of course, Matheson is head of the "blue dog" Democrats, the conservative end of the party. He and other blue dogs will be very leery of an Obama presidency that leans too far left.
