National Journal reports that Gov. Herbert, like Sen. Orrin Hatch, has reason to be worried about Utah's 2012 GOP nominating convention.

The Utah GOP nomination process drew headlines in 2010 when Sen.-elect Mike Lee (R) defeated Sen. Bob Bennett (R) and earned the Republican nomination at the Utah GOP convention. And there has been plenty of speculation surrounding whether Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) will seek the same path to unseating Hatch by taking advantage of the 3,500 Utah delegates being more conservative than the Utah population.

Herbert, who ascended to the governorship when Jon Huntsman (R) became ambassador to China and won a special election this year, could be the next target. And there are plenty of possible contenders. Asked who might have a go at Herbert at the convention in May of 2012, one party insider joked, "Well, any one of the 92 Republican state legislators."

A Republican needs to win 60 percent at the convention to earn the nomination outright.