It takes a silver-tongued politician to rationalize this slimy rip off.

A voter gives a candidate a campaign contribution because the citizen wants to help the politician get elected. Other than lobbyists, no honest Joe thinks of the donation as a gift the pol can use to buy a boat or take a vacation.

But Utah politicians, who are seldom confused with honest Joes, think congtributions are some kind of gratuity — a tip for being such great guys.

It's perfectly legal for Utah politicians to spend left-over campaign money on anything they want. And if they have a pile of donations collecting dust when they retire, they can blow it on themselves — and often do.

For instance, Sen. Mike Dmitrich retired this year with $13,400 languishing in his campaign fund. With his usual breathtaking candor, the Price Dem, above, says:

I might support other candidates with it, but it would have to be somebody I really liked. I'll probably just keep it and pay taxes on it.

Looks like some high times ahead on the links for Mike's pals.

Former House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander, $62,000, and former Sen. Al Mansell, $45,600, haven't said what they'll do with their surpluses.

Former Rep. Karen Hale sponsored a bill to require candidates to put any left-overs into political campaigns, charities or the state's general fund rather than buy a boat with it. But other lawmakers bitterly fought her proposal:

They would say 'I really earned this money. I've given up personal time and sacrificed for this office.'

But public service is just that: service.