Why such a furor over treasurer?
Doug Robinson
Probably not. He's only been on the job for 28 years.
Let's face it, the treasurer's office, even under the fine direction of Ed Alter, is an anonymous calling, even if the state's economy is booming, which has usually been the case on Alter's watch.
It follows that an election campaign for state treasurer elicits a yawn, if that. A fight between two accountants? Who cares?
So why is the race for the Republican nomination for treasurer between Rep. Mark Walker and Rich Ellis eliciting an inordinate amount of talk and press coverage, not to mention the attention (or inattention) of the lieutenant governor, another guy most people couldn't name? Suddenly, big-shot Republicans are getting in line to weigh in on a candidate for treasurer.
See if you think this is a tough choice. In this corner, there is Walker, a 32-year-old guy whose qualifications consist largely of a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and former employment with Zions Bank, supposedly as the bank's "manager of government finance," although the title sounds a lot more important than what he actually did, which, according to the Salt Lake Tribune's interview with a Zions rep, included "sourcing and developing prospects and new clients, selling business banking services and products and developing sales strategies and expanding referral sources." Walker's supporters tout the legislator as a champion of conservative legislation and a hard worker, but good luck finding it on his Web site, which notes that he sponsored three bills — licensing for real estate agents, rental fees and access to landlocked parcels.
Now, who do you want to manage $12 billion worth of state taxpayer money?
The office of treasurer isn't — or shouldn't be — a political position. Just hire the best man for managing the state's billions and get on with it. This is a no-brainer, right?
Not according to the Republican Party. Walker has the political backing of House Speaker Greg Curtis, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, House Majority Leader Dave Clark and Senate President John Valentine.
Rep. Steven Mascaro, another Republican, noted all this and was baffled. About two weeks ago, he contacted me after reading a column I wrote about how Republicans in this state do what they want because they answer to no one, especially voters, since they're guaranteed re-election. In what was a variation on the theme, Mascaro began his complaint about the treasurer's nomination.
Recent comments
Want to know why Walker is supported by the Republican hot shots...
Ralph | June 18, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.
You're an idiot, and you're confusing a politician's...
RE: Imagine | June 16, 2008 at 9:34 a.m.
What if after 28 years in office as a US Senator, Orrin Hatch backed...
Imagine | June 12, 2008 at 4:36 p.m.
