Salt Lake Crawler

When newly re-elected Democratic Party state chairman Wayne Holland predicted Utah's next elected governor in 2010 will be a member of Utah's underdog party, most Utahns who payed any attention at all thought it was bluster.

But Gov. Jon Huntsman's premature exit from the governor's mansion will give Democrats the best opportunity in years to take the top job. Here's why:

• Republicans tried to crush Congressman Jim Matheson with a gerrymandered district, but instead created a blue dog monster that can win statewide. It helps that most of Matheson's conservative constitutents don't even know he's a Democrat.

• Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon has gained a reputation as one of the most effective elected officials in the state. A Draft-Corroon Facebook group is steadily growing.

• Huntsman proved that even Republicans prefer a governor who skews toward the center, especially if that person is halfway intelligent. When Huntsman endorsed civil unions, it barely registered a blip in his enormous popularity.

• Republican Party activists, who control the conventions, force GOP candidates in the other direction. Gary Herbert or someone who runs to his right will likely be the 2010 nominee.

Bottom line: Matheson or Corroon will look good to a majority of Utah voters, who have traditionally liked a "goal keeper" in the governor's office to block the Legislature's more idiotic bills.

The Democrats hopes could be dumped, however, if the GOP nominates a moderate non-boob candidate — let's say the Hinckley Institute's Kirk Jowers. Like that'll happen.