Utah governor tries to have it all - dipsy doodle

As I understood it, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, a Republican, signed the school voucher law to create an entitlement program for people who want to be given public tax dollars to send their children to private school. It seems like a non-conservative position to take. Especially for people who call themselves Republicans.

While the voucher effort unfolded, the Governor said he supported vouchers, but would not campaign actively for them.

Subsequently, in a news conference, he gave a lukewarm endorsement for vouchers and urged Utah voters to take a good hard look at the issue and decide for themselves. I liked that part. He gave voters credit for being able to study the issue and make up their own minds. A friend sent me the story, and I'll put a link to it here.

But there comes another story saying that the Governor is appearing in a television ad produced and paid for by the pro-voucher folks. Huh? I thought he wasn't going to do that.

And then today yet another story that quotes the good Governor as saying he "can't control" his public image, or what people film while he is in public.

(I'll try to paste some of it in and give a link, but am still technically inept.)

"Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said Thursday he had no control over the use of his public statements backing school vouchers in television commercials and other advertising paid for by a pro-voucher group.

"Huntsman has said repeatedly he would not become involved in the referendum campaign beyond reiterating his longtime support for vouchers. The governor has stopped short, however, of asking Utahns to join him in voting for the referendum."

Link to the news story: here.

Where I am from, we call that a "dipsy-doodle" or trying to have it both ways. He wants to mollify the pro-voucher folks, and not rile up the majority of Utahns who seem to oppose vouchers. That's disappointing. I thought the guy had some promise.