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Hatch says Romney can win presidency
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Bobby Peru | 1:18 a.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Hey Bob Bernick, I've got an idea. Do a story on Romney. You haven't
done one in about two days.
Utah Expatriate in Alaska | 3:30 a.m. Aug. 9, 2007
John McCain is washed up, thank God. I think Mitt Romney will be one of the
three finalists for the Republican nomination, along with Rudy Giuliani (the
liberal) and Ron Paul (the constitutionalist). I still think Romney is the most
"presidential" and "Reaganesque" of the lot. Paul would make
a good running mate for Romney, and Giuliani would be a better Attorney General
than Alberto Gonzales (then again, a crash test dummy would be better than
Gonzales).
Helga Leavitt | 12:09 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
I hope Mitt Romney winns the election. I think he would be 100 times better H.
Clinton.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 12:34 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Romney would be the best president out of the bunch however he has no chance
because of the bigotry towards his faith. The Republican party is dominated by
the southern , right wing, extremists and alot of these characters are as
misinformed and bigoted as it gets. Too bad because Mit certainly has the best
leadership qualities of any of the Republicans and has a proven track record of
success in and out of government. The most likely outcome will be a Clinton vs
Giuliani campaign with Clinton winning the whole thing. Giuliani doen't
impress me. Romney does.
Jeffrey Enquist | 12:54 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Recent poll numbers put Romney at 8% support in the Republican party. Giuliani
is at 39% with second-place going to the guy who hasn't even declared his
candidacy (21% for Fred Thompson). I disagree with Orrin Hatch that Romney
could win the nomination. While I agree that many of the Christian
conservatives hold the LDS faith of Romney against him, I disagree this is the
main reason for his low poll numbers. Romney was a popular governor in a
Deomcratic dominated state. During his tenure there, he had to address issues
of gay marriage and civil unions, and I tend to believe that his record as
governor on this issue is what is really haunting him at this time, not his LDS
faith.
Although I am not a "Rebublican" by any means, Romney was the right politician for Massachusetts and set a wonderful example as to how government should work. Although it was against his personal views, Romney did what he was elected to do and represent the people. It was his contituents views on gay marriage that shaped his decisions as governor, rather than his own. This is what more politicians, including the aformentioned Orrin Hatch, need to remember and work toward. Representing contituents, not their own personal views.
Although I am not a "Rebublican" by any means, Romney was the right politician for Massachusetts and set a wonderful example as to how government should work. Although it was against his personal views, Romney did what he was elected to do and represent the people. It was his contituents views on gay marriage that shaped his decisions as governor, rather than his own. This is what more politicians, including the aformentioned Orrin Hatch, need to remember and work toward. Representing contituents, not their own personal views.
Me | 12:59 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
The clincher with Romney is that he's poised and eloquant, he stays focused
and can sniff out the curve balls that are thrown him; all qualities that Ron
Paul doesn't have. Ron Paul doesn't have a clue. The only ones
supporting him are party spoilers. If you watched the debates you would have
sworn you were listening to a democrat. Huckabee makes a lot more sense as a
potential choice for Vice-President.
David | 1:13 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
I like the Idea that Romney could get the nomination, but we'll just have
to wait and see. The rest of this interview just shows Hatch at his
inside-the-beltway best.
We can rig a solution to the complaint by residents of Washington D.C. by having Utah play the petulant brat/child and rigging a compromise rather than addressing the concerns of D.C. residents through the proper channels - apply for statehood or a constitutional amendment.
Next we should raise the pay for federal judges from $165K to $250K because at $165K bureaucrats would be willing to take the jobs. Does he think that bureaucrats wouldn't be willing to swallow a $250K salary? Judges ought to get a living wage (and I live quite comfortably on a fraction of $165K), but it should not be a path to wealth - they should be serving for the good of the nation. I'm not sure where in our federal budget we've got money laying around to give federal judges a 50% pay increase. If Hatch has found that magic treasure trove he should put the money toward our national debt or reduce our deficit spending.
We can rig a solution to the complaint by residents of Washington D.C. by having Utah play the petulant brat/child and rigging a compromise rather than addressing the concerns of D.C. residents through the proper channels - apply for statehood or a constitutional amendment.
Next we should raise the pay for federal judges from $165K to $250K because at $165K bureaucrats would be willing to take the jobs. Does he think that bureaucrats wouldn't be willing to swallow a $250K salary? Judges ought to get a living wage (and I live quite comfortably on a fraction of $165K), but it should not be a path to wealth - they should be serving for the good of the nation. I'm not sure where in our federal budget we've got money laying around to give federal judges a 50% pay increase. If Hatch has found that magic treasure trove he should put the money toward our national debt or reduce our deficit spending.
Lowell Nelson | 1:37 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Except for RON PAUL, I do not think ANY of the Republican candidates have a good
chance to win against the Democrat nominee in November because of the damage the
GOP has done to its rank and file party faithful by REPUDIATING its PRINCIPLES
(small government, humble foreign policy, etc.). Only Ron Paul, who understands
the importance of adhering to the CONSTITUTION (minimizing collective government
and maximizing individual liberty), securing our BORDERS, adopting a
non-interventionist FOREIGN POLICY, and returning to an honest MONETARY SYSTEM,
can win in November against the Democrat nominee.
Connor | 1:44 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Romney is "handsome and super clean, he's smooth"???
Since when did the nation's highest executive office depend upon his hgiene and attractiveness?
Not only does this show how far we've drifted as an electorate if we find such things to be important; it also shows what a baffoon Hatch, an elected leader, really is if he thinks that they are of value.
Since when did the nation's highest executive office depend upon his hgiene and attractiveness?
Not only does this show how far we've drifted as an electorate if we find such things to be important; it also shows what a baffoon Hatch, an elected leader, really is if he thinks that they are of value.
Cameron | 2:25 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
I wish I wanted to vote for Romney but he between his major changes of policy
(trying to please Dems in Mass. and now the Republicans) really bother me.
I'm guessing his business experience would help things, but his position on
immigration is unsupportable to me (and I know I appear to be a minority
Republican here). I can't see his position as reasonable or humane. I think
we need to make it harder to get in to the country illegally, but easier legally
and do something with those who are here. It's not rationale to try to send
them all home. My $0.02
UTWoodsman | 3:28 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Cameron: "I wish I wanted to vote for Romney but he between his major
changes of policy (trying to please Dems in Mass. and now the Republicans)
really bother me."
I felt the same way and was sitting on the fence until I watched Governor Romney's off-air YouTube interview w/radio talk show host Jan Mickelson referenced in Tuesday's Des News. After listening to his detailed explanation regarding his public positions vis-a-vis his personal convictions, it makes total sense to me. Romney DOES need to give the complete explanation to the public, and I think most will agree with me that it's much ado about nothing.
I felt the same way and was sitting on the fence until I watched Governor Romney's off-air YouTube interview w/radio talk show host Jan Mickelson referenced in Tuesday's Des News. After listening to his detailed explanation regarding his public positions vis-a-vis his personal convictions, it makes total sense to me. Romney DOES need to give the complete explanation to the public, and I think most will agree with me that it's much ado about nothing.
PGNative | 3:39 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Upping judicial pay is Hatch cronyism at its finest. His friends probably want
to be paid more money. The argument about bureaucrats seeking the jobs is
spurious. I would rather have someone willing to take a job on principle than
someone looking for a high salary. I don't pity the poor judges only making
$165K.
UT'n | 3:55 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Connor, I sure wish that a presidents appearance didn't sway people to
vote, but history has dictated just that on quite a few presidents. JFK,
Clinton, Reagan just to name a few. Granted the Bush family is anything but
smooth, but the far majority of presidents in the past century have been just
that, smooth and clean cut.
Besides, when you end up at name calling (baffoon? Gotta love it), you loose credibility.
I do find it interesting that Ron Paul has been brought up as a contender though. He's no where near close to being close to the big 4 for president with the polls. We're still over a year away from elections and it's too soon to decide anything, even for Hatch.
Besides, when you end up at name calling (baffoon? Gotta love it), you loose credibility.
I do find it interesting that Ron Paul has been brought up as a contender though. He's no where near close to being close to the big 4 for president with the polls. We're still over a year away from elections and it's too soon to decide anything, even for Hatch.
Matt | 7:57 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Romney changes his tune much too much. He is a different man than he was as
governor of Massachusetts. It will be a tough fight for him but he still could
have a chance at it. His Mormonism will hurt him in the south and the northeast.
Most people in these areas do not consider Mormons as Christians...and now with
Big Love on HBO.....and there will be a third season of Big Love....it really
shows the LDS church in a negative light.
idaho falls | 9:07 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Romney is the most feared Republican and I have read that insiders/Democratic
strategists recognize this fact. Many of the liberal based media including CNN
also recognize that fact and are very negative in their reporting of the Romney
campaign. The last story I saw them report was "Romney will say anything
to be President..." Because of negative media coverage and religious
obstacles in the South I still think he is a longshot.
As for Judges being paid more...I agree, you want the best and the best will seek jobs in the private sector if the Federal Government will not pay. If the Jazz refused to pay only slightly more than the minimum they, well, you get the drift...
As for Judges being paid more...I agree, you want the best and the best will seek jobs in the private sector if the Federal Government will not pay. If the Jazz refused to pay only slightly more than the minimum they, well, you get the drift...
Duane Hansen | 9:31 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Keep doing stories on Romney!
He can use the name recognition in Utah where it should be a no-brainer, but I sense there are unfortunately a few doubters out there that need additonal education on him.
We are doing what we can in Zion East.
Cary, NC
Duane Hansen | 9:34 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Keep doing stories on Romney!
He can use the name recognition in Utah where it should be a no-brainer, but I sense there are unfortunately a few doubters out there that need additonal education on him.
We are doing what we can in Zion East.
Cary, NC
Bilbo Baggins | 11:22 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
Why is it Republicans will turn on Romney because he used to support abortion
then accept Rudy who still supports it? Makes absolutely no sense. Face it
folks, this race right now is nothing more than a name recognition contest!
Besides, when Rudy had the chance to run against Hillary in NY he chickened out.
Guilani won't stand up when this race really heats up.
Craig | 11:27 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
I am so sick of hearing people call Romney a flip-flopper. Flip-flopping is
changing your mind, changing it back again, and then back again and
again....etc. Romney changed his mind once. That's all. He is not a
flip-flopper. Who hasn't changed their minds before? Only closed minded
ignoramouses. Giuliani is the huge flip-flopper (I like this wife, no that
wife, maybe this wife...I mean the New York liberals love the liberal in
elephant clothing.
Peter | 11:48 p.m. Aug. 9, 2007
I really think Rommey is a faker and a political charlatan.
Mike | 6:37 a.m. Aug. 10, 2007
Like it or not, Romney is funded largely by large corporate donor's. Like
Bush II he will have little interest in the day to day problems of the common
man. And what will he do to end this useless war in Iraq?
With is flip floping on social issues I just don't think that he shows real leadership. He just seems to bend with the political tide.
With is flip floping on social issues I just don't think that he shows real leadership. He just seems to bend with the political tide.
R, M. | 8:29 a.m. Aug. 10, 2007
I have watched some of Mitt Romney and am very impressed. He doesn't build
his campaign on attacking other like Hilary does. He is a good person (of
course not perfect) but he has values and morals that the country needs. Those
values do still mean something to most people in our country.
Mom | 8:32 a.m. Aug. 10, 2007
He might win in Utah, where lying, and flip-flopping is par for the course, but
never national.
Bush has crumbled the Republican party.
Bush has crumbled the Republican party.
Anonymous | 9:07 a.m. Aug. 10, 2007
Mitt is our Man for the job- clean, honest, with business sense and "get
'er done" attitude RECORD and the moral values to show America is not
morally debased as other see us since Clinton and the things on TV that MANY of
us refuse to even watch, much less are they ANY representation of who we are! GO
MITT!!!!!!
Thomas Thompson | 11:51 a.m. Aug. 10, 2007
Yesterday, Governor Romney was quoted as saying that one reason none of his sons
have volunteered to fight in Iraq is that they're defending their country
at home by supporting Romney's presidential campaign. I think it is
starlingly revelatory of Romney's character that he would compare the
sacrifies of life and limb by our troops in Iraq to his sons' willingness
to campaign for him here. Such a comparison speaks for itself and reflects very
poorly on Romney.
Daniel S. | 1:37 p.m. Aug. 10, 2007
Orrin Hatch once thought that Orrin Hatch could win the presidency. Remember how
well that turned out?
California Man | 3:24 p.m. Aug. 10, 2007
Romney has a good chance! Hillary and the main stream media are scared.
It's a long shot but I think he can do it as the winner of a primary can
change in a moment. Most of the polls are flawed in the questions they ask and
have little to do with how people really vote. It will be a long hard road both
to the White House and then to get anything done but I think the way things are
going with a Democrat controlled congress his chances are even better. As for
all the hype about his religion they say that any publicity is good publicity.
It get people thinking and they often look into it for themselves. His
controversial membership in The Church of Jesus Christ gets him headlines and
his measured defense wins him points too. I really think it could happen.
Diana | 3:31 p.m. Aug. 10, 2007
What Romney has been able to accomplish in his business life, by reorganizing
and reshaping businesses to become more streamlined and efficient, is exactly
what our government needs. He would be able take an objective look at
Washington and for once get rid of the duplication of services as well as taxes.
There is no one better educated and trained for the job.
Spencer W. Morgan | 5:54 p.m. Aug. 10, 2007
Romney represents no significant departure from the Globalist policies of G.W.
Bush or those of the Democratic front-runners, and he is NOT conservative or in
harmony with revealed principles about the proper role of government. (D&C
98, 134)
He is an enemy of the 2nd amendment: Gun Control
As governor, Romney signed a 2004 measure instituting
a permanent Massachusetts ban on so-called �assault
weapons�. Romney supported the law with the
comment: �These guns are not made for recreation or
self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.�
That's right, Mr. Romney and that's exactly why government should not have a monopoly on them!
Spencer W. Kimball said: �We are a warlike people,
easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the
coming of the Lord. When enemies rise up, we commit
vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and
steel�ships, planes, missiles, fortifications�and depend
on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened,
we become antienemy instead of pro-kingdom
of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a
patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan�s counterfeit of
true patriotism, perverting the Savior�s teaching...�
(�The False Gods We Worship,� Ensign, June 1976)
The Constitution makes it clear that the Executive has no authority to declare war. Only Congress can do this.
Since this war was not commenced with a congressional declaration, it is clearly unconstitutional. Instead of championing the cause of constitutional law, Romney seems all too eager to accept the broad war powers that have been put into place by the previous administration.
He is an enemy of the 2nd amendment: Gun Control
As governor, Romney signed a 2004 measure instituting
a permanent Massachusetts ban on so-called �assault
weapons�. Romney supported the law with the
comment: �These guns are not made for recreation or
self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.�
That's right, Mr. Romney and that's exactly why government should not have a monopoly on them!
Spencer W. Kimball said: �We are a warlike people,
easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the
coming of the Lord. When enemies rise up, we commit
vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and
steel�ships, planes, missiles, fortifications�and depend
on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened,
we become antienemy instead of pro-kingdom
of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a
patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan�s counterfeit of
true patriotism, perverting the Savior�s teaching...�
(�The False Gods We Worship,� Ensign, June 1976)
The Constitution makes it clear that the Executive has no authority to declare war. Only Congress can do this.
Since this war was not commenced with a congressional declaration, it is clearly unconstitutional. Instead of championing the cause of constitutional law, Romney seems all too eager to accept the broad war powers that have been put into place by the previous administration.
McGill | 11:14 p.m. Aug. 10, 2007
I love Connor's point. So good looks makes a winner? Why don't we just
nominate Ken and Barbie? Ken couldn't possibly do worse than Bush could he?
The only problem is that Ken might melt under heat.
BTW. i have one major issue with Romney--he doesn't even know what he believes in. Lets not talk religion here. Lets just talk abortion. One day he's down and the next day he isn't? Maybe today he's a Mormon and tomorrow he isn't.
Don't be fooled by the flip and the flop.
BTW. i have one major issue with Romney--he doesn't even know what he believes in. Lets not talk religion here. Lets just talk abortion. One day he's down and the next day he isn't? Maybe today he's a Mormon and tomorrow he isn't.
Don't be fooled by the flip and the flop.
Spencer W. Morgan | 11:48 a.m. Aug. 11, 2007
idaho falls:
That makes no sense. The Democratic strategists have much more to fear from a Paul nomination because they are planning on riding anti-war and anti-Bush sentiment to victory in 08. Ron Paul turns all of this back on them because he has a stronger record opposing Bush and opposing the Iraq war than the likely Democratic frontrunners even do...
Common sense says that a Ron Paul nomination is the biggest threat to the Democrats in 08. Anyone else is a dead horse, including Romney. Try as he will, he will not be able to Out-socialist Hillary.
That makes no sense. The Democratic strategists have much more to fear from a Paul nomination because they are planning on riding anti-war and anti-Bush sentiment to victory in 08. Ron Paul turns all of this back on them because he has a stronger record opposing Bush and opposing the Iraq war than the likely Democratic frontrunners even do...
Common sense says that a Ron Paul nomination is the biggest threat to the Democrats in 08. Anyone else is a dead horse, including Romney. Try as he will, he will not be able to Out-socialist Hillary.
Sandra T. | 10:40 a.m. Aug. 12, 2007
Romney hasn't a snowball chance. No Mormon is ever going to be elected
President. I am LDS and I wouldn't even vote for him!
budbud | 2:41 a.m. Sept. 20, 2007
Romney will fall on the very sword his own pary has used as a weapon in every
election...bigottry and division.
As a Southerner,I find it laughable that the Republican party has captured the South solely because of biggotry. The GOP is considered the "White" party in the South and they still openly run on being the Christian party and the Straight party. They have all the support they have here by appealing to the closed minded and fearmongering about "those people...". Gays, Non-Christians, etc. Romney is guilty of this himself.
Now he want's those same people...to not hold his faith against him? It's his party that's told them to not vote for those liberals who support those "immoral" gays, non-Christians etc! What leg does he now have to stand on when those very same people say they won't vote for Mitt cuz they find HIS religion "immoral" and unacceptable?
My, my, when the seeds of bigotry that his party sews, finally come around to bite someone like Mitt on the but...I can't help but smile.
As a Southerner,I find it laughable that the Republican party has captured the South solely because of biggotry. The GOP is considered the "White" party in the South and they still openly run on being the Christian party and the Straight party. They have all the support they have here by appealing to the closed minded and fearmongering about "those people...". Gays, Non-Christians, etc. Romney is guilty of this himself.
Now he want's those same people...to not hold his faith against him? It's his party that's told them to not vote for those liberals who support those "immoral" gays, non-Christians etc! What leg does he now have to stand on when those very same people say they won't vote for Mitt cuz they find HIS religion "immoral" and unacceptable?
My, my, when the seeds of bigotry that his party sews, finally come around to bite someone like Mitt on the but...I can't help but smile.
Anonymous | 2:58 a.m. Sept. 20, 2007
Romney is anti-gay because his religious beliefs tell him that he can't do
ANYTHING to support those who would live their lives in any manner contradictory
to the teaching of HIS FAITH. We aren't supposed to question this, because,
as the GOP has taught us, bigottry in the name of religion is a noble and good
thing.
The flipside for Mitt and his GOP cheerleaders. Most Southern protestants are strongly anti Mitt and are so because their religious beliefs tell them that they can't do anything to support those who would live their lives in a manner contradictory to the teaching of THEIR FAITH!
To this crowd, Mormans and their faith are highly offensive and contradictory to the teachings of their faith, just like gays. How dare Mitt and his cheerleaders now whine about biggotry! Isn't Mitt STILL running on being anti-gay...for religious reasons?
If biggotry based on religion is good for one minority, like gays, isn't it also good for another minority, like Mormans.
Hey Mitt. Live by the biggot sword,fall by the biggot sword. Biggotry cuts two ways.
The flipside for Mitt and his GOP cheerleaders. Most Southern protestants are strongly anti Mitt and are so because their religious beliefs tell them that they can't do anything to support those who would live their lives in a manner contradictory to the teaching of THEIR FAITH!
To this crowd, Mormans and their faith are highly offensive and contradictory to the teachings of their faith, just like gays. How dare Mitt and his cheerleaders now whine about biggotry! Isn't Mitt STILL running on being anti-gay...for religious reasons?
If biggotry based on religion is good for one minority, like gays, isn't it also good for another minority, like Mormans.
Hey Mitt. Live by the biggot sword,fall by the biggot sword. Biggotry cuts two ways.
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