Gov. Mike Leavitt is really popular. Again.
But what is he doing with his popularity, his "political capital," to lead Utah and take actions that might be unpopular but necessary? Some prominent Utahns think he could do more.The latest Deseret News poll, conducted by Dan Jones & Associates, finds that 80 percent of Utahns strongly or somewhat approve of the job Leavitt is doing as governor.
Most Utahns even like the Legislature. Sixty percent think the 104 part-time lawmakers are doing a good job.
But while Leavitt's job approval rating is still in the stratosphere and the lawmakers' is good by legislative standards, both have seen their ratings drop a bit.
And most likely road construction has caused the slight falling off, says Jones. "Several (of the people polled) were concerned about roads; said they should have been taken care of earlier in (Leavitt's) administration and that they were inconvenienced by all the construction," said Jones.
One person told Jones: "What's the governor thinking, giving (contractors) permission to close all the roads at once?" Another said: "We should have started on the roads a long time ago and worked our way into it rather than rushing everything for 2002" and the Olympics.
In March 1996 the Legislature had a 69 percent approval rating after its session.
In 1995 Leavitt had an 83 percent rating, in 1994 an 85 percent rating, Jones found in previous polls. Both are outstanding ratings when compared to other politicians' in the state.
Leavitt isn't worried about a slight drop. "These approval ratings are just snapshots in time. It's natural they go up and down," Leavitt said in an interview from his Loa ranch where he was vacationing last week. "It's an honor to serve and gratifying that so many people think I'm doing a good job."
High approval ratings are considered by politicians and academics as "political capital." The ratings, like money in the bank, can be "spent" on programs or issues that may not be popular with voters, but are needed or just plain right.
The Deseret News contacted a number of Utahns who work in public policy matters, asking them how Leavitt should spend some of that political capital - that good will - over the next three years of his second term.
Leavitt himself said he spent much of his two-week Loa vacation thinking about what he wants to concentrate on now. He plans a two-day retreat next week with his senior staff - "My new senior staff, since so many have left (for jobs in the private sector)" - and over the following three months will announce major new policy initiatives or significant changes to programs he's already started, the governor said.
"I'm going to relook at education, for one thing." In a speech earlier this month Leavitt said his Centennial Schools program needs to be modified.
"We have to continue to work, change and improve" health-care reform and welfare reform, said Leavitt.
A week ago a University of Utah economic professor said a study he conducted shows Leavitt's Health-Print program, aimed at getting health insurance for poorer Utahns, is not making a real dent into the percent of Utahns who don't have health insurance.
Of course, reconstruction of I-15 in Salt Lake County must be finished, said the governor. "The 2002 Olympics are big, very big. And they have to, just have to, be run well. But after the freeways are finished, the (Salt Lake International) airport rebuilt and the Olympics finished, what next?" he asks.
"I'm working on plans and programs that will make the years 2003 and 2004 - after the Olympics - a success. We have to deal with the economy of rural Utah. We have to find a way to integrate higher education with new technologies; provide for open space and a whole, working transportation system beyond new freeways."
So there's many challenges ahead, says Leavitt. "Long after people forget about my job approval ratings they will remember what I did and didn't do over these next few years."
Here's some suggestions on what Leavitt should and shouldn't do:
Ted Wilson, former Salt Lake mayor and current director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics: "I hope he just uses some of that political capital in some manner. He seems to have been reluctant in the past to do that. Clearly, his biggest challenge is to finish the roads, particularly if the feds don't come through with all their money. The roads are still a tar baby. If the feds don't play ball, he may have to raise taxes again to do all that's promised. How will he react to that?"
Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah Eagle Forum: "There are so many things I want that man to do. He says education is his thing, but he's allowing our schools to be Clintonized. He needs to defend the conservative position on School-to-Work, outcome-based education, Goals 2000 and now the idea that we're going to have preschools in every grade school. We need to chisel away at abortion, do all we can to make it illegal in this state. Finally, we want real, honest tax credits for education, no charter schools. Let parents use that tax money for any school, public or private, no strings attached."
Claire Geddes, executive director of United We Stand Utah: "He should lead on campaign and government ethics reform. Less than 50 percent of the people vote; only 1 percent to 2 percent closely follow government issues. People are cynical, they don't trust their government. But we tried to get him to do something on this before and he wouldn't, so I wouldn't hold my breath."
Salt Lake Mayor Deedee Corradini: "We have to have a partnership on starting and finishing the Gateway Project" - the revitalization of the cities near the west side. "If he helps us, we can change the face of the capital city forever."
Nolan Karras, former House speaker and longtime Leavitt adviser: "The 80 percent rating allows Mike to push national issues, play on that larger field. It gives him credibility with those guys. Things stable at home gives him confidence to branch out a little. If he only had a 51 percent approval rating here he'd have to stick close to home and not deal with needed long-range issues. He's on the national stage now and he belongs there."
Bud Scruggs, banker and political compatriot to Leavitt: "High approval ratings let him accelerate his programs, really push. Such ratings may find some resentment in the Legislature, jealousy, but high ratings let him overcome that as well."
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Deseret News Poll
Do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of the following?
Mike Leavitt
Strongly approve 56%
Somewhat approve 24%
Somewhat disapprove 5%
Strongly disapprove 7%
Don't know 8%
Utah State Legislature
Strongly approve 13%
Somewhat approve 47%
Somewhat disapprove 12%
Strongly disapprove 12%
Don't know 16%
This poll of 409 Utah residents was conducted by Dan Jones & Associates July, 28-30. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. Copyright 1997 Deseret News.