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Richard Piatt ReportingGovernor Olene Walker is getting support from an unlikely source after her defeat at Saturday's Republican Convention.
Here's an offer the Governor politely refused: To be an honorary Democrat. In fact, Democrats are offering her an honorary membership in the Democrat Chairman's circle.
The reason, according to Chairman Donald Dunn and Legislative leaders, is how easy she's been for Democrats to work with. They claim Republicans could loose some people, because Governor Walker is so popular.
Sen. Gene Davis, (D) Salt Lake City: "By knocking Olene Walker out of the governorship, they showed the radical right is really in control of things in that party."
Republicans picked Nolan Karras and Jon Huntsman, Junior to face off in the June Primary. Both are conservative, but neither is considered part of the so-called 'radical right'.
Today, Governor Walker is taking her defeat in stride, concentrating on her remaining days in office.
Gov. Olene Walker: "I will continue to do the things I think are right. I think I will do the things that will benefit the state of Utah, and I will keep doing them until December 31st."
Among her priorities is the enormous task of proposing an overhaul to Utah's outdated tax structure. Who knows where it will go, but she wants it to at least be a part of the debate.
