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Obama cancels Saturday visit in deference to Hinckley funeral

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Dutchman | 12:03 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Obama is a class act and apparently a very gracious man. But, you can hear it now from the anti Mormon crowd that once again the Mormon Church has rained on their parade. So sorry.

Anonymous | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

What a wonderful gesture but we still want to see him!

samhill | 12:53 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Is there another visit planned sometime later?

Comments continue below

Who knows? | 1:02 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

His visit was to campaign for Tuesday's primaries, where Democrats will be choosing their preference for nomination. I suspect he IS the type of candidate to reach across the divide and visit Utah, if he's the nominee.

To Dutchman: I do not believe ANY political candidate should be at that funeral. But you pro-Mormons will support Romney's appearance, and would have denigrated Obama if he'd attended to "show respect". And you know it.

Mark | 1:00 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Obama is a class act and deserves every consideration from Utah's Democrats for his graciousness.

And if you Utahans don't want to see another President Clinton, perhaps you Republicans should vote as Democrats on Super Tuesday and vote for Obama. It's not like Mitt isn't going to take Utah by a landslide without your vote.

Denise | 1:14 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Thanks for being so gracious.

lenoris Bush | 1:17 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I hope their will be another change to see and talk with Sentor obama.

johndallas | 1:27 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I thought that was impressive. He isn't my candidate but at least he didn't call President Hinckley "Gordon" like "George" did. I wonder if the President would call the Archbishop of Maryland "Bill" Either he didn't read the press release or he really may not be as smart as I thought he was when I voted for him twice.

anna | 1:32 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

very classy. I like Obama.

Dutchman | 1:40 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Who knows? For a moniker like that you sure don't know a lot. I for one would have admired Obama a great deal if he attended to show respect. No problem from me. Mitt doesn't need to attend to pick up points in Utah. He already has the primary won hands down and he has the endorsement of your beloved Salt Lake Tribune. What else does he need? You forget that Mitt worked with Pres. Hinckley during the Olympics because the church owns a lot of property downtown. Also, Mitt was a bishop and stake president in the Boston area. He has reasons to attend other than political. Saturday is the only Saturday before super tuesday. I am sure if he was thinking only of this politcal interests that there are more productive places to be other than Utah. Think about it.

Anonymous | 1:37 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

How considerate. Hey Mitt, take a lesson from Obama and keep your media circus away from the funeral!

Mona | 1:39 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

To Who Knows?: Since when should certain people be barred from a funeral? Attending a funeral is a sign of respect of the deceased and a support for the family. If Romney wants to attend, so what. Now if he attends and asks for a few minutes at the podium to push his candidacy, that would be a different story entirely.

russ | 1:45 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

That's classy. The more I watch him, the better he gets.

To -- who knows? | 1:47 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Dumb!!!! I think Romney will attend the funeral of the prophet out of respect just as thousands of others will. I'm sure people from around the world, if possible, would arrange to attend if it was in their power. I heard they plan to open the tabernacle, assembly hall, and visitors center for overflow crowds. Not all attending, I'm sure, will be politicians, but those who want to show their respect, and I'm sure even politicians, if they dig deep enough can find respect somewhere in their soul.

I'm sure Romney won't be handing out "VOTE FOR ROMNEY" buttons as people file in. I can understand Obama changing his plans, but I for one would like to see the candidates attend the services out of respect, just as they would attend any other funeral of a great leader, and President Hinkley WAS a great leader. The things said at the funeral may help put a new prespective on the race and humble some who may need it.

I'm just waiting to hear the dems, or Huckabee to somehow make this timing all Romney's doing, and Who Knows, sounds like you're starting.

Justin | 1:53 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

To johndallas: "George" not smart? Gee, ya think???

Mike | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I do not want to take anything away from Mr. Obama as to his graciousness. I believe he is acting from good motives. Politically it is probably a good move because he would not get the headlines here on that day. When you have as little time to campaign as you do with the Super Tuesday situation, it would probably be a mistake to spend a day campaigning in a place where you won't even make the top story.

Anonymous | 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I think Obama scored some political points in Utah by showing respect to President Hinckley and cancelling his visit. Very smart. Personally speaking, he would be welcome to attend the funeral of the Prophet.

MoJules | 2:41 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

If Mitt Romney or Obama were to attend the funeral, they would be there with another 20,000+, and I think it would be great for them to be in attendance and not for making points, but out of respect to a great man. I think that was very classy of Obama to release that statement, I do not agree with him as a politician, but I admire him as a man of great character. Who knows, if it is between he and McCain, he may get my vote.

Anonymous | 2:52 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I to think Obama is proving to be a very classy guy. I am not a democrat and I dont necessarily like his policies but I do think that he is a very decent person and I wont be disappointed if he were to win.

Now Hilary on the other hand......Heaven help us all if she takes it.

LDSTEX | 2:55 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Very classy move on the part of Obama.

Jason | 2:50 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Who Knows: How dare you! I would welcome Obama just as I would welcome Romney. It amazes me that we moan because the candidates seem to not be like the "common folks" but then we moan when they attend the funeral of President Hinckley like the "common folks" Politician or not if they want to come let them come, and I am not one of those so called "pro-Mormons" by the way, what is a "pro Mormon" and is it the same as a "pro-Catholic, pro-Jew, Pro Baptist, Pro-Athiest, Pro-Methodist. etc etc etc

Jared | 3:01 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

johndallas: What's wrong with Pres. Bush calling Pres. Hinckley "Gordon"? That is his name. Joseph Smith liked to be called Brother Joseph or just plain Joseph. Pres. Bush was not being disrespectful - he had spent quite a bit of time with Pres. Hinckley and they knew each other decently well.

I do agree with others though that what Obama did was classy.

Anonymous | 3:11 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Proud to support this guy.

Observor | 3:15 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I agree with previous posts that this was definitely a class act on the part of Obama. I hope no one's holding their breath waiting for Huckabees' call.

Branson | 3:24 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Classy move on Obama's part. Its cool that he would be sensitive to something so dear to me, and other Latter-day Saints. I respect that. Now if we could just persuade him to cut taxes!

Mary Ellen | 3:33 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Barack Obama continues to impress me with his sensitivities to all people, which definitely adds a needed layer of character to the role of presidential candidate.

Bee | 3:31 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I saw the report that Mitt would attend, way before the funeral plans were announced.

mensa58 | 3:38 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I'm not sure whether or not I support Obama for President -- but his statement in this case shows he's a real class act.

CMK | 3:41 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Branson....

I think it was more "Political Tactics" than a"classy move".

Now if we could just persuade Obama to terminate his total dedicated membership to a church that supports a country that he is not a citizen of, or that does not allow others of a different race! That would be a classy move!

LAS | 4:20 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I actually think that Obama's cancellation has more to do with the fact that he wouldn't get the press coverage he always wants if he was competing with the Hinckley funeral. He will go where he can get the most media coverage.

Of course, in typical Obama fashion, he clouds his real motives with his self-congratulatory, I am so sensitive talk. It is so laughable that so many people fall for it and mistake it for real sympathy and sensitivity.

russ | 4:20 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

CMK. I don't understand your comment. Obama is a Christian. He is not the head of a church, and the church where he bows his head does not mix church and politics. Christians understand what I am saying. I don't understand your comment.

Obama did a classy thing, even if it doesn't fit your paradigm.

NY | 4:17 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Very nice Mr. Obama. I don't think it was political. He was just being polite and respectful. Some people are still that way -- even some politicians.

Wait just a minute | 4:33 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I am "Who knows?".....and I was responding to the ACCUSATION from Dutchman. All I did was turn the tables on him (ie, I switched the statement's focus) , and *I* ended up being attacked!

sadie | 4:45 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I think Obama changed his plans because he didn't think he could compete with President Hinckley's funeral. Afterall, why come to Utah if he can't draw a crowd?

If Romney doesn't get the nomination, Obama will get my vote. He is a very gifted speaker but I'm not so sure what he can do. Talk is cheap. He is impressive which is something that McCain is not.

Re: LAS | 4:50 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Way to read between the lines Einstein. Hard to pull the wool over your eyes. He is a politician so of course it's a political and practical move. But it was still the right move and a classy one at that.....I would also find it awkward if he attended the funeral, as some have suggested he should. That is just down right arrogant and unrealistic to think everyone will drop campaigning to come to politically nonbeneficial Utah. Why would you want to mix politics with honoring the prophet anyway?

Bookaholic | 4:52 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Mitt may attend the funeral as he was well-acquainted with President Hinckley through his work on the Olympics, and as bishop and stake president. I've read about the extremely high regard in which Mitt held the prophet.

If he does not attend, I think it will be because of the bodyguards and media circus he may unwillingly have tagging behind him. If it won't be overly intrusive, if is workable at all, I think he will be there.

porky | 4:55 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Obama could've come and attended the funeral. Maybe as 1 of 25,000+ he didn't like the odds.

Anonymous | 5:04 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Um really the hang ups on The President calling President Hinkley "Gordon" are so annoying. I bet his wife called him Gordon, and his kids called him Dad, and his Grandkids called him Grandpa. I promise there were many people that called him Gordon. Please Relax and quit worrying about something so meaningless

NMP | 5:16 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Thank you, Senator Obama. I appreciate your decision and I appreciate you.

Leland | 5:27 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I definitely don't agree with his political views, but that is a very respectful gesture. GO ROMNEY!! If he happens to not get the nomination, I will most likely vote Obama.

Ken | 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I don't think President Hinckley would care who attended his funeral, as long as they showed the proper respect and dignity that is required at this time. President Hinckley truly loved everyone, as we should.

WC | 5:31 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Obama '08!

Karl Oleson | 5:46 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Before I heard this news, I had already gone down and changed my party affiliation to Democrat, just so I can vote for Obama on Tuesday.

It would be even nicer if to have Sem. Obama elected President --> with Mitt Romney as V.P.

Steve | 5:56 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I am sure that Mitt Romney is coming to the funeral because he can. He is not coming as a politician, but as a Church member. (Yes, big "C" Church). If it were being done for politics it would not be happening. I rather doubt that Mitt Romney is concerned about whether he will win Utah, and coming out just to clinch it. If this were politics, he would be in a tight state.

Anonymous | 6:04 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I think that people need to stop and just realize, whether it was for political gain, or to be just a nice guy Obama showed respect for the LDS Church by not coming so that people could mourn the death of our beloved prophet. I respect him for it.

what up! | 5:59 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Who knows why Obama chose to cancel.

It could have been because he new heï¿½d be overlooked because of the funeral.

Maybe he really didnï¿½t want to come and this was a great excuse.

But I imagine he realized that a political engagement would have taken away from the day of mourning and added to the complexities of the day (traffic, peopleï¿½s priorities exc.)

I would really respect him if he made a quite unannounced visit to the funeral.

But as it is he showed great class and consideration in making such a statement.

To (who knows?) I thought (Dutchmanï¿½s) comment about anti Mormons was tacky. You did not need to respond to such stupidity. Reversing stupid comments creates stupid comments. Thatï¿½s why you were attacked.

JJ | 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Once again, we are making this a political thing. Everything seems to be about politics. I think what Mr. Obama did was wonderful. He was considerate enough to members of a church that he is not affiliated with. Let us quit second guessing him on why he did it.

President Hinckley's funeral is open to the world. He would never tell anyone they are not welcome. We should all remember the open, loving, caring person he was. After reading some of the comments, I realize many people have not learned from him. Remember what he stood for, and how he lived his life.

Wombat | 7:07 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Russ - CMK is referring to Sen. Obama's membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Part of its ministry involves issues concerning Africans in Africa (http://www.tucc.org/ministries.htm), and the congregation describes itself as "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian" (http://www.tucc.org/about.htm) -- in Chicago, which is 93% racially segregated by neighborhood, it's no surprise a church calls itself "black" - but people of all races are welcome to worship there, and often do.

If CMK is LDS, or Southern Baptist, he might look into the recent past history of both those churches to see whether they have any race-related skeletons in their closets before casting stones at Sen. Obama.

As for CMK's comment that Obama's church should give up its ministry to Africa (or that the Senator should renounce his church for that ministry), that's just patently unChristian - ministering to the poorest and most afflicted (Jesus's charge to Christians) has to mean ministering to Africa and Africans. Or does CMK imply that it's only proper to worship with people who are narrowly-focused on their immediate communities, without regard to the rest of the world? It's hard to tell ...

russ | 7:17 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Wombat: thank you for your thoughtful and accurate information. Thanks for filling me in. It brings to my mind that a long time ago I attended a UCC mission or outreach church in Sandy, Utah. It was up on a sandy plateau and had a fabulous view of the southern part of Salt Lake Valley. I do not know what happened to that church or the building.

But I recall how giving and caring UCC was. Today that same denomination is at the forefront of helping all kinds of people. I kind of like the idea that Obama is a member of that particular national denomination. It makes me think he is broad minded and caring.

Now as to tonight's election returns, about half are in and Mitt and McCain are still very close. It could swing either way. I might have to stay up late and call in to work with my usual excuse: car wouldn't start. After all, where I am it will be -20F tonight, with wind chills that make a man wonder why he is not in Florida!

respectful | 7:24 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

lets leave the judgement the to Lord. A wonderful man has passed away....this is no time for name calling. I am no fan of Obamas by any means, but I just don't feel this is the time to make such a fuss over something as small as who will be in attendance or not in attendance and for what reasons. Life is short, and precious, there are things you should worry about (sick children, bills, etc ) and there are things that simply just don't matter. President Hinckley was and is a wonderful man, lets take this time to reflect upon the things he taught us.....not fight over petty things like this.

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