Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Gene Kennedy reportingThe story everyone's talking about today is the change of power -- Democrats in control with Republicans in the minority.
Utah Republicans and Democrats say a lot is going to change. Not only will there be a different agenda, but there will be different perspectives as well.
Last night's election puts someone like Congressman Jim Matheson in a unique position. He's never been in the majority. He's never had this much clout.
Congressman Jim Matheson's 4th term will be unlike any other, but he's unlike the leadership of the new majority. He is a conservative Democrat who thinks other conservative Democrats need to set the tone. They're a part of a group called "The Blue Dog Coalition."
Congressman Jim Matheson: "It's not gonna be Nancy Pelosi's hidden agenda, it will be the Blue Dogs setting the agenda."
Wayne Holland, Chairman, Utah Democratic Party: "What you're really going to see, I think, is the incumbent Republican delegation in Utah is going to face a lot of votes. They now have to take minimum wage, prescription drug negotiations, student loans, that are not going to be popular."
The big question is can two opposing sides and a Republican president work together to resolve some of the country's toughest problems, like the inflated national debt and the War in Iraq?
Rep. Chris Cannon,(R) Utah: "I think being in the minority on those committees is going to be quite a hard thing. I think you're gonna see a lot of activity that's anti-administration, and that's gonna take some time to respond and sort of check the democrats as they try to attack."
Rep. Rob Bishop,(R) Utah: "It's not just Utah that loses power. I think it's the entire nation that loses some significant forward momentum."
We also talked to the executive director of the Utah Republican Party. Jeff Hartley feels Congressman Matheson could be an asset if other democrats swing towards his conservative agenda. But if they lean towards someone like Nancy Pelosi, Matheson could be fighting a losing battle for the next two years.
There is also the issue of whether the Democrats can work with President Bush. All eyes will be on this new majority, especially with the War in Iraq.
