Interim v Long-Term Utah Attorney General [POLL RESULTS]

Over the last couple days, Publius Online has hosted a totally non-scientific poll of whether you, the readers, think Governor Gary Herbert should select as the next Utah Attorney General an interim or a long-term appointment.

The person selected will serve a term until the end of 2014, when they must either face reelection in November or step down in January.

Mea culpa: in the language of the poll (which, I might mention is NOT scientific, so back off Utah Data Points), I called the interim position “caretaker” because this is the language that is being commonly used to describe the candidates who will not seek reelection. It was the wrong choice. I should have used “interim” or “short-term” or “non-reelection seeking” or something. Like I said, my bad.

In any case, I think the results would have been the same. One candidate, Bob Smith, gives an excellent argument for why selection of a “interim” or “short-term” or “non-reelection seeking” candidate is not advisable, and I think it’s worth considering. After nearly a year of ineffective management of the office, we need someone who can provide long-term leadership and stability. A short-term leader cannot provide that, regardless of their intent, credentials, or ability.intent, credentials, or ability.

And, without further ado, here are the poll results (did I mention they are NOT scientific?), as well as a list of what candidates would fall under which category:

Also interesting were the comments that respondents posted in response the question:

What should the Republican State Central Committee consider in its vote on the Utah Attorney General nomination?

Here is a sampling, spread out over the course of the poll:

Integrity. Connections to Swallow. Experience, especially with respect to prosecution/defense in criminal law. Management ability.
Proven, unquestionable integrity Proven experience, managerial & prosecutorial A good communicator who can restore the image of the office and the confidence of the citizens
I’d like to see someone put in who is relatively unconnected to help put fresh perspective into the office and really draw us away from the Swallow/Shurtleff crowd.
A well-rounded professional with the ability to handle a state-wide race while effectively putting the AG office in order. One who has already faced the voters and delegates with name recognition. If not, we lose in 2014.
A candidate that is the people’s attorney, protecting them with their liberties intact.
Righting the ship
A clean break from out troubled history. A fresh start. Someone with no connections, alliances, nor debts to anyone in the AG’s office. Totally fresh outside blood is the only way to clean house impartially.
clear slate, clean the air …
Someone who will stand up and fight and not just full the spot and do as the governor says.
no scandals or potential baggage
Don’t vote for Sean Reyes just because he ran for Attorney General last year. That’s probably the worst reason I’ve heard anyone give for why they are voting for one of the seven candidates.
Someone who wants the job long term ..
The Republican SCC should look into what is best for the State. Not to run away as fast as they can from what looks to be the impending avalanche of Swallow/Shurtleff/Lawson news. But to appoint someone who can maintain the office.
Ties to Swallow and his cronies!!
Don’t nominate a lame-duck. All three candidates need to be viable 2014 candidates.
They should consider Sean Reyes.
Integrity and a cultural change.
Someone that can restore the public trust to the office of AG. Also someone that can create continuity and stability to an office that will have it’s third AG in a short period of time.
If you put in a “care-taker,” you are handing the election over to Sim Gill next November. Also, anyone who says they will just be a “care-taker” can change his/her mind “overnight” like Tarbet did. The old regime needs to be wiped out of there. Torgensen, Wallentine, Reed, Tarbet — any and all of Swallow’s cronies.
state lands issues
Past leadership responsibilities, Legal background, Honesty.
Character, Understanding of the job that is in line with the party platform, and competency (leadership skills, comnunication skills, legal skills),. All are Important but they are listed in order of priority.
Experience
Strong qualifications, nonpartisan, and will focus on real issues (white collar crime, child sex abuse and prescription drug abuse) and not imaginary issues like federal lands or Obamacare
Legal experience, management, integrity, fully vetted, ready to rebuild office and run for reelection to keep continuity and allow sufficient time for a rebuild.
A person with strong Utah ties, seasoned legal experience, political experience not important, impeccable, unimpeachable moral character.
If his name is Sean Reyes vote yes, if not, vote no.
Who will reform the office, restore integrity, and improve performance.
An AG that will need to keep a house clean for a full term will be able to clean it out in the next year. The interim term will be a better measure of an AG’s abilities than yet another campaign.
Who will do the best job.
Someone who can work with the governor, the legislature, and other agencies for the good of the state and not be overbearing by pushing their own agenda.
Integrity, honesty, and dedication to public service
Who will do the best job for the people of Utah.
Restore trust, Find someone that will be fair, and also protect our 4th amendment rights…
A non partisan caretaker with impeccable credentials with an eye towards campaign finance reform to bring dignity and respect to the office of A.G.
How they would set priorities for their office.
It is time for the AG’s office to get cleaned up and the long term leader should be part of the plan. The public needs to watch the clean up so their faith will be restored to the office. There is no one better to do this than someone who is committed long term to serve the Utah Citizens in the Attorney General position. This person also needs to mend fences right away with the government agencies the AG’s office oversees. Why would you want someone to do this short term? New positive long term relationships need to be established and trust be rebuilt. AG employees also deserve a strong leader that they can commit to and trust themselves. Fair and ethical employment policies need to be established within the office to insure the office runs fairly and ethically. We need a strong, ethical long term leader to run the Attorney General’s office.
Competence. Distance from the AG office. Impeccable ethics. Complete openness.
Integrity, no conflicts of interest, supports the GOP platform, legal and management experience.
We need a competent woman in top state office. And someone with demonstrated leadership ability, since that is the number one need in an AG.
Experience, lack of scandals
Someone who has the perfect blend of leadership, administrative and prosecutor experience and , yes, minimal political involvement. Arms length away from the Governor.
that office needs someone ethical- no conflict of interests, no political ambitions, not a politician
I think they should consider people who have been the least active in party politics
Reyes already went through the process. Choose him and let’s go!
Who would do the best job.
Whether the candidate is free from taint – especially taint from Swallow.
Experience leading a large agency or law firm is of the utmost importance above all else. We cannot afford to take a chance on a ladder climber that is previously unproven in such an arena.
Integrity, honesty and legal acumen…track record of viable courtroom / legal case success
General Brian Tarbet. No need to look further.
Qualifications, preparation, and plans.
Land use, protected species, ability to manage office, ability to effectively run again
Will they fight for our lands against the federal government.
Someone with a long distinguished legal career who is a “known quantity.” Ideally, not someone who has run for office previously.
Someone whose ethics are above reproach, they also need to be competent and willing to defend our state laws.
Keeping things calm and running a quiet smooth ship over the next year. NO MORE NEWS!