Reader comments
Opponents' 'terrific' hits give Romney an opening

1. do I agree with his position on key issues?
2. will he actually do what he says he'll do?
3. can he beat Hillary or Obama?

These are the questions everyone should be asking about your favorite republican candidate. I like McCain - Ron Paul's okay (a little weird) - I like Fred. They're good guys. But, the only one I can answer yes to on all three questions is Romney. If we split the conservative and moderate votes with an independent, Obama wins! If we can't get together on this we're dead - literally (because 9/11 number 2 will be right around the corner - and we probably won't recover from the next one).

As one who has been lukewarm about Romney at best he now has my whole support. The way they gang tackled him at the national televised debate. Disgusting at best. McCain was especially bad. That man wouldn't get my vote for city dog catcher. We need a businessman to run this country. Romney is the one.

Romney said, "There's nothing wrong with changing one's mind," and then goes on to say that "Some politicians, as I've said, are more interested in insults than issues and I'm interested in issues."

That was a very nicely worded insult from Romney and all of his attack ads on the other candidates and their responses to him are then turned against them as if they are the people who attack others. He is free to insult them like this but they are the ones left defending themselves from someone like Romney.

Let's not forget that it was Romney who lowered the dialogue and has used the LDS Church as a way to round up votes. We should also never forget that John McCain was long-time friends with a Mormon Democrat who was his mentor in the U.S. House. He isn't a bigot and compared to Romney he is a much nicer man. I wouldn't vote for him because I don't agree with him but if the Republicans had any decency they would nominate someone who at least pretends to be a nice person instead of Romney who is demonstrating that he isn't.

As for me, I am a Mormon Democrat.

That is Romney's "terrific" issue? One empty phrase with no substance. I realize your faith's leaders, instructed it's flock to defend its faith, but come up with something substantial, and not meaningless responses. On Sat, the only response Romney had that was independent was that he supported the pharmaceutical companies, (which I don't), but at least he did state a clear opinion.

I've been watching all of the debates. One thing that sticks out to me is how whenever Romney mentions his family, he never mentions his wife. Once when asked about how he made his decision to run, he stated that he got his family together - his sons and daughter-in-laws to discuss how a run would affect them. This past weekend when talking about his "values" he stated "family" and then talked about how much he loved his children and grandchildren - again no mention of his wife. I know she is in the audience, and I wonder if she is hurt by his exclusion of her or if that behavior is so ingrain that she is used to being taken for granted.

Romney did quite well. People are really waking up to what he has to offer.

I am really heartened to see the positive attention he is getting when people begin looking past the negative whispers about his religion and supposed flip-flopping. He stands up to the scrutiny and comes off well.

Saturday's debate was an eye-opener for McCain and Huckabee supporters. Both came off VERY poorly, kind of smarmy with their grins and giggles back and forth as they punched at Romney. They appeared more sophomoric than presidential. Romney stayed out of the food fight. He remained calm, countered their inaccuracies in an adult fashion, and tried to address the issues. He did well.

Sunday's debate was another good one for Mitt. McCain/Huckabee had obviously been told their approach was counter-productive and so were somewhat better behaved. McCain did fair but seemed a dour old curmudgeon. Huckabee had a poor showing, refused to answer questions, tried to dance around issues. Seemed really out of his league.

Thompson and Guiliani were pretty good both nights. Both have things to recommend them. We'll see how they do.

Mitt was the one who really showed well. I'm liking what I see in Romney.

I just don't trust Mitt Romney, he reminds me of a republican John Kerry. But at least John Kerry served in Vietnam. I think I'll vote for either John McCain or Rudy.

Romney hit a home run Sunday night. Just what the Dr. ordered and what he needed to turn things around in the granite state.

Mitt is right, cleverly timed insults aren't going to sway voters minds, people want someone with some solidarity. The fact is that McCain is defensive because everyone in this country knows his stance on immigration is wrong and it killed his last go at the presidency.

As a former New Englander I know the Granite State well. Folks in New Hampshire are aware that Romney campaigned in Massachusetts as a moderate, went missing for half his term and then was reborn as a fire-breathing pseudo-conservative. Those folks understand a change in point of view: it's the suddenness of Mitt's conversion that makes them suspicious. If Mitt had stayed as a moderate/conservative, he'd have them eating out of his hand. Of course, in Utah they call that viewpoint "liberal", but in Utah a liberal is anyone with indoor plumbing.

to curious nh, you don't trust mitt, but you trust rudy? wierd.

i've seen romney's ads, and they are not attack ads.

To New Englander: It sounds to me like you don't know any more about the Granite State citizens than you do about Utahns. It's about time the 'Easterners' began to understand the Utahns better. A start would be to accept them as equals even though, in my estimation, the Utahns are superior in many areas.
Romney is "THE MAN".

Mitt Romney comes across as unauthentic. You can feel that he's not sincere or that he doesn't believe what he's saying. Exit polls in Iowa showed his greatest support came from moderate republicans. So if he would just be Mitt and stop pandering to the religious right of his party, he'd be more believable and you could see it in his eyes... As for right now... he's heading down the wrong path and this Tuesday will be painful for him.

Jim, your point is exactly what is wrong with mormon utahns. You state that you want to be "understood" and to be treated as equals with other citizens in the country. Yet you then state exactly what others feel and that is you have a sense of superiority about you over others. Perhaps if you would treat others as equal instead of thinking you are right you might experience getting what you give.

There was a time, I wasn't sure who I'd vote for. At this point, I'm a firm supporter of Romney. The Democrats talk about change, but what change? This country had serious problems. Romney has shown that he has orgainzational skills and can get things done. Also, I believe he can deal with the Washington press corps. He's more like Reagan than any other candidate.

What has Romney done to round up the Mormon Votes?

I'm LDS, and have not been approached.

Mitt Romney was impressive. I was very impressed with how he stayed above all the smirking etc. the supposive adults Huckabee and McCain did. I couldn't believe how grade schoolish they acted. I think Mitt was pretty surprised how imature they were and I was. I want a person who will lead our beautiful county not be smirky. Can you imagine how far the President would get if he treated dignitaries of other countries the way Huckabee and McCain treated Mitt? What about how they would treat us? Are they smirking about what we feel is important?

If Romeny wins the nomination, Hillary will easily defeat him.

Romney's got my vote. Seeing the way that Huckabee and McCain have attacked him with bigoted snide comments instead of addressing real issues makes me sick.

The biggest threat this country faces (long term) is bankruptcy. With Medicare and Social Security AND A 9 TRILLION DOLLAR DEBT, we need some business/numbers savvy.

While I'm not comfortable with Mitt's original position as Pro-Choice (how can a member of the Church ((LDS)) be pro-choice?) I can accept a politician changing his position.

I guess for me it comes down to FINALLY having a successful businessman (at the national and international level) run the country from the Oval Office.