Mitt Romney seeks votes in Iowa

ATLANTIC, Iowa — Voters crammed into the Family Table restaurant in this tiny town Sunday afternoon to catch a glimpse of caucus frontrunner Mitt Romney during a brief campaign stop.

Many, like Curt Blaskey who'd traveled from Des Moines with his 10-year-old son Jacob, said they came because they were still undecided over which presidential candidate to support.

For Blaskey, a truck driver who said he hasn't voted for a Republican for president since Ronald Reagan, the choice was between another vote this year for President Barack Obama, a Democrat, or Romney.

He made up his mind to vote in next Tuesday's GOP caucus for Romney after hearing the candidate criticize Obama for failed policies here and abroad and promise to restore America as a economic powerhouse,

"These last three years are not our destiny," Romney told a dining room packed with at least as many reporters and camera crews as customers. "They're a detour."

After his brief speech, Romney chatted with many in the crowd, including Blaskey and his son. "I'm going to do it," a beaming Blaskey told a reporter. "I agree with what he said."

Atlantic resident Dennis Butler wore a Romney for president sticker but said he also liked the other candidate in the race with Utah ties, former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Huntsman has decided to skip the Iowa caucuses and campaign instead in New Hampshire this week, where the nation's first presidential primary will be held Jan. 10.

"I don't blame Huntsman for not campaigning in Iowa," Butler, a former Iowa legislator, said. Still, Butler said he might end up voting for Romney on Tuesday.

"He has a better chance," Butler said.

Another retiree, Philip Poe of Ankeny, said he also wanted to vote for the candidate who'll be the strongest in the November general election.

But Poe's list of favored candidates were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in addition to Romney.

Poe said he has concerns about Romney's Mormon faith but is willing to put them aside. "We are Christians, so we look at that a little differently," he said. "But the most important thing is what he can do for this country."

Dale Willenberg, who serves as the LDS Church's branch president in Atlantic, said with Romney in the race it's "a big problem in the election" for those voters who want to support a Republican but mistakenly don't view Mormons as fellow Christians.