In normal years, reporters might have asked Gov. Mike Leavitt about progress on his Legislative agenda.
They might have asked for odds the Utah Jazz will make the NBA Finals.They might have asked about the state budget.
Snowpack.
Anything.
But the first month of 1999 has been remarkable -- a black cloud has positioned itself over Utah's image in the wake of the Winter Olympics scandal.
And so at Gov. Mike Leavitt's monthly televised KUED press conference Tuesday, there were no questions about his reading initiative, Centennial Highway funds or the Quality Growth Act of 1999.
The Olympics scandal dominated all but a few seconds of the 30-minute "unedited exchange" with Utah reporters. In fact, the governor said lately, the scandal has nearly consumed his life.
"It's been a very demanding time," Leavitt said at the end of the news conference. There are days that in 17 or 18 hours of work, 15 or 16 have been devoted to the Olympics, he said.
That can't continue if he's going to best complete the state's business, he said.
He agreed with a reporter's assessment that the Olympic scandal is the 5,000-pound gorilla sitting on his daily agenda. It dominates most questions he is asked during the day.
He has become the "chief explainer" of the complex and intriguing Olympic troubles.
On Tuesday, Leavitt reiterated many statements he has made in recent weeks on ABC's "Nightline," Fox Sports, national morning news programs, Radio Australia and public television's "McNeil-Lehrer News Hour."
"The IOC must "step up" and ensure the Winter Olympic Games in 2002 are successful, he said.
But discussion in recent days that the scandal surrounding bribes used to attract the Games will detract from financial gains are "much ado about nothing," he said.
"We will operate the Olympics within revenues," he said. Corporate sponsors are still supportive.
What about International Olympic Committee Chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch? Should he resign? How is it that Salt Lake Organizing Committee former president and CEO Frank Joklik can resign during the controversy but Samaranch declares himself "too important" to leave IOC operations?
"I've chosen not to get into that debate," Leavitt said. "That's for the IOC. We're cleaning our own house.
"I thought Frank Joklik did a statesmanlike thing. I think he did see a need for the Games to be able to move forward unencumbered by controversy. President Samaranch is obviously going to have to make a similar decision."
Can the IOC "cleanse itself" with Samaranch at the helm?
"Time will tell."
And how is it, another reporter asked, that although Leavitt has declared a "new level of openness" about the Olympics scandal, SLOC officials still made only short -- and according to some, tight-lipped -- comments this weekend after the IOC's announcements about ethics violations.
"When the full ethics report comes out . . . it's going to be as complete as can possibly be made available," he said. "I think it will be startling in its openness" in comparison to what the Olympic community is used to.
"I hope it establishes a new standard."
The real losers are the people of Utah, many of whom donated their money, hours of time and much energy to the bid. "The world has reflected on our city in the context of the negative, and that's not a happy event."
Leavitt will not entertain suggestions that Salt Lake City cancel the Games here.
"It makes no sense at all for us to even consider at this point backing out," he said. "We were the best city in the world. We still are. "
Leavitt did not have much new information about how Utah will address the topic plastered throughout local, national and international news since the story broke this winter.
Like everyone else, he is looking forward to the ethics report, which could be released as early as the end of the week.
"Hopefully through all of this we will get back to the point that the Games will be about altruism and athleticism, not about money and materialism."