Somehow Utah still is maintaining a tenuous link with the presidential campaign. Although 2002 Olympic hero Mitt Romney bowed out of the campaign for president, he is being promoted by the Bush wing of the GOP (W, Jeb Bush and Karl Rove) as McCain's veep. That, of course, could add up to three votes against Romney.

The Weekly Standard says Romney's religion is not a problem. But Mitt's reputation for turning companies around by laying off workers could be an issue. "It might have resonance if a recession hits and unemployment is increasing."

Meanwhile, other pundits say the ancient GOP candidate needs a youthy veep. They point to Gov. Jon Huntsman, left on dirt bike, along with guvs Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Charlie Crist of Florida.

"John McCain, if he were elected, would be the oldest person to serve as president of the United States," says Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute. "He wants a running mate who is younger."