Deseret News | Utahns rally for Romney, give Obama edge

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Utahns rally for Romney, give Obama edge

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Pittakos | 1:21 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

To Mitt Knows $$?: Who's money is he spending? His own! He isn't taking it from you or me to give to someone else. He is pulling it out of his own pocket. What a novel idea. Oh, wasn't Mitt the one who didn't take the salary from the Olympic committee. Wasn't it Mitt who turned a huge deficit in the Olympics to a $100 million profit? Wasn't it Mitt who turned Massachusetts deficit into a surplus? I'm not sure what planet you are living on or from which Huckabee Almanac you are getting your information from but honestly, you need to look at the facts.

Amen Pittakos! | 1:35 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

You're hitting it right on the head! Romney really is the man to turn this country around, too bad people can't get over his religion. I guess we don't live in a tolerant enough world yet.

Pete | 1:45 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

It's so shallow to say that the only reason Mormons are voting for Romney is because they are Mormons. I am LDS and voted for Romney, but it's because he is the best choice. It's also hypocritical for people to NOT vote for him because he's Mormon, and even if people don't want to talk about it, Romney's religion IS a factor in his eventually not getting the nomination. It's inevitable: A McCain-Huckabee ticket is a DISASTER for the Republican party, and they will go down in flames!!

Comments continue below

Ethan | 1:52 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I'm LDS and I voted for Obama, so I don't see why people keep saying all Mormons blindly voted for Romney. But if that's what you say to make yourself feel better, okay.

Anonymous | 1:58 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

All of this "Yay Mitt" business is moot. We voted. The Utah moral majority was heard but it wasn't enough. It's now pointless arguing. You should be blogging Seattle newspapers, Texas newspapers, etc. And start facing reality that he isn't likely to win and that someone might have a good idea besides a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I'm not talking about Mitt. I'm talking about you people here and the people I meet at my Mormon church every Sunday who think you have some sort of secret information the rest of us don't have on how the world should be run.

Anonymous | 2:01 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I personally find it insulting that anyone who voted for George W. Bush twice thinks they have any clue at all about how our country should be run.

liberal means open-minded | 2:05 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

The woes for the conservatives seem to keep growing and growing.
You'd think they would step back a moment and entertain other points of view - but they simply cannot do this so they just stay the course.
Sad way to go through life.

Mitt Knows $$? | 2:07 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Re: Pittakos (Gr: 'apoplectic'). The Huckabee Almanac I got my information from was an article posted on Bloomberg.com. I don't believe Huckabee and Bloomberg are in league, and the facts I referred to are not in dispute.

I do live on planet Earth, although judging by my home state's vote totals yesterday, I can see where you might have been misled. My party voted 90% in favor of Mitt Romney - a shameless phoney and panderer to the party's imploding conservative base.

I never meant to sugget Mitt Romney was a bad governor, or a bad Olympic chief, or that there's anything wrong with using one's own money to buy an election. My point is simply that Mitt has not shown the kind of prudence or intellectual honesty that might incline me to vote for him. That and he will soon go the way of Perot & Forbes.

What?? | 2:07 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

There are some really ignorant people living in Utah and judging by the comments most of them are not Mormon. If I'm not mistaken most people vote for a canidate because they best represent their values and views on important issues. I'm sure most people that voted for Mitt did so because of this. If Mitt best represents 90% of the voters in Utah then why shouldn't they vote for him? BTW, I didn't vote in the primaries because I am unaffiliated. Guess I could have paticipated in the Democrat primary but couldn't in good conscience vote for a socialist when I like capitalism. Both parties are full of hot air.

90 percent speaks volumes | 2:12 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Any one here who even attempts to make the statement that Mitt Romney's win did not have to do with the fact that he is a Mormon is either willfully hiding from the truth or just misrepresenting it. C'mon folks, 90 PERCENT! 90 freakin' percent! You show me anywhere else in this country that 90% of people voted for a candidate with a similar characteristic. Obama does not get 90 % of African Americans. Clinton does not get 90% of women. Reagan did not even get 90% of Republicans! And to those who said "well, Utah was founded by Mormons, just deal with it or move." Last time I checked, Utah was still part of the US, and we are supposed to have separation between church and state. Only in Utah, to point out the fact that it is pretty much a theocracy is bigoted.

Brooke | 2:06 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I live in Ma., and did NOT vote for Mitt, because of the obnoxious, incessant phone calls that came EVERY TWO HOURS from the Romney campaign. I heard from his sons, Anne, and even Mitt himself. My numerous emails to stop the calls, and numerous calls to his campaign to be taken off the list were not honored. If Romney cannot even get his staff to take my name off the DNC list as I requested, how effective will he and his staff be running the the federal govenment? But he wants us to believe he has the experience and ability to bring about the change on a national level, and he can't be respectful of another, or change his call list!
_________________________

Anonymous | 2:22 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I just hope that everyone gets what they deserve.

Republican | 2:28 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I am a republican, but if McCain carries the republican nomination, I will vote for Obama. If McCain and Huckabee are on the ticket, I know at least 3 other republicans who will do the same.

Lost Sheep | 2:29 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Do you think liberals vote for conservative canidates? I think not. They all vote for liberal canidates as a block. OMGosh they must be a bunch of sheep. How dare they back canidates just because they share the same backward views.

Frank | 2:34 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Hey, I live in Utah and did not vote for Mitt, I know him, too well.

Working with made me sure I would not like to see him in the White House.

Go McCain...

LIZ | 2:34 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I am a republican who voted for Mitt after much consideration and research. I think the pundits mistake us in so many ways here in Utah it would take days to list. I will NOT be voting for Huckabee or McCain and will send my vote to Obama if that is what is comes to. Religious bigotry is the worst kind of prejudice because it crosses all races, gender, and economic lines. McCain and Huckabee are behaving like the "really nice guy" nextdoor who beats his wife--and she is the crazy one for telling anyone about it. I was listening to NPR just before the S. Carolina primary--they were interviewing a Newspaper editor in the state and he reported that McCain's people were out putting Anit-Mormom pamphlets on cars at the mall. No one said a thing--no one in the media cares--in fact they seem to get a kick out of laughing at Mitt's looks and money. Sad.

liz | 2:35 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I am a republican who voted for Mitt--but I can tell you I will not be putting my vote in for either Huckabee or McCain if he doesn't take the nomination. I will vote for Obama. I am saddened by the religious bigotry displayed by the media and those candidates. The two are behaving like the "really nice guy" next door who beats his wife and everyone thinks SHE has the problem for yelling foul play!

re:90 speaking volumes | 3:08 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

71% of Utahns are LDS. That includes all of the inactive members.

"Any one here who even attempts to make the statement that Mitt Romney's win did not have to do with the fact that he is a Mormon is either willfully hiding from the truth or just misrepresenting it. C'mon folks, 90 PERCENT! 90 freakin' percent!"

So how do 70% of the population get out 90% of the vote, including the inactive and other LDS who did not vote for Romney (myself included)...

People, get off the "hatin" and just allow the LDS to live in peace. Stop telling them how not to vote, what University to cheer for, and how to spend their Sundays.

We still live in a free country.

Dudes | 3:10 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I am so sick and tired of all of the non-LDS telling the mormons what they need to do.

Either be tolerant of get out of the state...

Kjaerbye | 3:05 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

If someone votes for president because of his religion, I find that very awkward. One should vote whoï¿½s most qualified. I find that Senator John McCain is best to be "Commander in Chief" over GOP Mitt Romney. I am sorry to see John McCain did not do better in Utah. For those who voted just because he's Mormon, needs to have their head examined! Mitt is not qualified to be Commander in Chief!

Republicans hate Utah. | 3:14 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

To all you who say:

IF McCain gets the nomination then I'm voting for a Democrat.

We say:

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Pete | 3:16 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Hey FRANK, whatever your problem with Mitt, it can't be worse than McCain. I know what you'll probably say ï¿½ "Mitt is a flip-flopper". Let's be honest, they've all changed positions on things. McCain is a blow-in-the-wind, making friends on the other side of the aisle and making legislation with them just to get what he wants at the time, fake! I don't have to work with McCain to know that he's a phoney and a weak candidate. He will get crushed by either Obama or Hillary!

Anonymous | 3:15 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Lost sheep -
Liberals voting in blocks?
You're going to have to define the word liberal.
My definition and Limbaugh's are polar opposite.

Duderotemy | 3:22 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I'm sick and tired of LDS telling non-LDS what they need to do.

Either be tolerant or head for Missouri as foretold.

Mormons for Obama 08 | 3:39 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Obama is da man! Utah vote for Obama 08!
I don't see Romney having much of a chance even after McCain and Huckabee both cheated him out of the election.
Hopefully this shows America just what kind of dishonest sorry excuses for President McCain and Huckabee are.
Obama is the best choice! No quseions asked. Hillary has already been President. We need change!

JE | 3:40 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I am a republican who voted for Mitt because I think he is the best choice and yes I have done my research on the others and if one of the reasons I voted for him is because he is LDS and so am I - so what, its my choice and my right! I won't support McCain/Huckleberry or the Demos, so guess I won't be voting for President at all come Nov. and that is my right too. But at least I won't have to claim any of them as MY President. The Mormon sheep thing is so yesterday people - get over yourselves!

How does 70%...? | 3:59 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

How does 70% of the Utah population make up 90% of the vote? Remember, it was not 90% of the total vote, but 90% of the registered Republicans who actually voted. I would wager that around 90% of Utah's registered Republicans who voted in yesterday's primary were Mormon.

Did all Mormons vote for Mitt? Of course not. I know a lot who voted for Obama. I'm sure that Mormons voted for Hillary, McCain, and maybe even Huckabee; but not nearly as many as voted for Mitt. It is ridiculous to deny that Mitt did as well as he did in Utah because of his religion. And that's OK. People can vote for whom ever they'd like. Southerners voted for Huckabee because he was one of their own.

Pittakos | 4:12 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Mormons for Obama 08 , Can you please tell us why you believe Obama is the man? Honestly, I've looked at his platform and if you enjoy more government control of your life and paying more taxes, then yes, he would be your man. But please, tell me what you believe he has to offer.

Jerry | 4:11 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

In response to all who claim that Mitt got all the votes because he is Mormon let me say wrong. He got the votes because he is Republican. Utahns would still vote for Nixon.
Mitt is an embarassment to Mormons who value honesty as a virtue. He lies so much he cannot even remember from one moment to the next. But, it Utah he will always carry the day!

re: re:90 speaking volumes | 4:21 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

CNN's political webpage published Utah's exit polls. 90% of the Republicans who voted in Utah were Mormon. 94% of them voted for Romney. 3% of them voted for McCain and 3% for Paul.

Mormons made up 37% of the Democratic voters yesterday. 61% of them voted for Obama; 33% for Clinton; 4% for Edwards.

Don't you love exit polls?

Re: JE | 4:28 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Of course it's your right. You have the right to stay home and sulk just because your guy didn't get the nod.

I think it's a rather defeatist attitude not to mention contrary to the encouragement of the brethren to get out and vote your conscience, but it is your right. I'm anticipating that you'll be coming on these boards and complaining about the nominee while you didn't even take the time to vote.

All of us will feel zero sympathy.

Too Bad | 4:31 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Too bad he lost. All i know is that he is a multi-million genius, and ya'll just hatin.

Too bad | 4:31 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Its too bad he lost. All I know is he's worth over 250 million dollars and yall just hatin.

To "Anonymous" | 4:36 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

"I find it insulting that anyone who voted for George W. Bush twice thinks they have any clue how our country should be run"

HAHAHA. Okay. Genius. You get out there and run it. Clearly you didn't vote for him twice, you MUST know how to run it! Here's a trivia question: T or F George W. Bush kept the USA safe for six years.

Here's another: T or F 911 was a result of Bill Clinton being TOO peaceful and allowing Al Qaida to build up. By the time Bush was elected, it was too late. The Democrats, because of their "love, feel good, peaceful" ideas, 2500 people were murdered.

Key: T and T.

which mitt?? | 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

so all of you who think Mitt is the best candidate for you....which Mitt are you talking about?? The Mitt who was pro-abortion and pro-gay rights or the Mitt is opposed to those ideas. Or perhaps it was the Mitt that "saved" the Olympics??

Please give me a break - I really don't care what his religion is...but any claim that Mitt is the most qualified candidate is so wrong. What he does do better than any other candidate is tell people what they want to hear and take whatever side will get him elected.

John Kerry was painted as a "flip-flopper" in the last election for changing his views on the Iraq war after the truth came out. The concepts that Mitt had "changed his mind" on are core platforms to the republican party.

The first version of Mitt would probably be viewed as a liberal democrat......so really which Mitt are you voting for??

Craig | 4:43 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

It's no more surprising that Mormons would like to see a Mormon become President than it is for women to want a woman President or black people wishing for the first black President. We all take pride when one of our own makes it big. But 91% says to me that Mormons place too high a value on getting a Mormon President. It's a big risk on a Mormon candidate with a credibility problem. No one questions Romney's faith or basic decency. But when a conservative outlet like the Wall Street Journal questions whether or not Romney has any deep convictions, you know there's a problem.

poor JE | 4:48 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

If you can't vote for Mit then you won't even vote eh? Realy grown-up idea. And you problem with sheep, isn't only yesterday, it is the present and most likely the future as well.

Mahonri | 4:50 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Mormons should not run for nor be electedt to public office as their first allegiance is their church, NOT their country.
As for voting for Obama..., the seed of Cain before a woman? Must be Utahthink to rationalize this one.

Anonymous | 4:49 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Hickabee is so damaging to Mitt because they are fighting over them same hicks.

what the ...? | 4:49 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Mormons for Obama?
What's next?
The Utah legislature taking Martin Luther King Day off?
A black man deemed worthy for the LDS priesthood?
Is this a great state or what?

Ronald A. Young | 4:56 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I read the sheep callling the other sheep, sheep as if there is something wrong with being a sheep. You can be Mormon and anything Political that you you want to be "remember the free agency thing" You can be Mormon and not follow the Standards Of The Church, thousands do. You can be a Social Mormon and in private say and do what you want. You can be Mormon even a leader at Ward, or Stake and do so because it is easier then resisting the family. You can be sexuallly active or returned unopened your chooice. You can do all of that. Many do!!! It is all up to you because you have free agency. One persons good is another persons ill. However you get what you pay for. If you want to Vote for someone because they are going to be the winner and you want be a person who Voted for the winner as that in some small microscopic way makes you a winner also. Then go ahead. However do not complain When Abortion remains Legal and your Boss says you have to work on Sunday Selling Retail or lose you job. YOU PICKED A WINNER.

Pittakos | 5:04 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

which mitt??, How about the one that can fix the $9+ trillion debt?

Oktober | 5:15 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

to "To Anonymous":

T or F - George W. Bush has kept this country safe for six years because he hasn't ordered another attack yet.

Key: T

No Ronald | 5:22 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Agency is NOT FREE my friend. Definitely not free. Someone PAID for the agency. With His life, rembember? It ain't free brotha.

Anonymous | 5:31 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

To Mr. Ronald Young- its not 1950 anymore!

Abortion is still legal, do you think 8 more years of Bush would fix that?

America must be the greatest country in the world. No other country would have survived 8 whole years of the Bush-neocon policy of financial ruin.

creepy stuff | 5:44 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

Oktober 5:15 -
as creepy as it sounds, when you realize that the Bush family and Saudis were once bosom business buddies and suddenly out of nowhere, Saudi suicide pilots smash into the Twin Towers - it makes your blood run cold trying to comprehend the whole thing.
Is it November yet?

Re:RE:RRRRRRRe: Duderomney | 6:34 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I have a great idea...

I'll move to Utah and then complain about all of the mormons.

Let's get the LDS out of town and fill the place up with a bunch of hard partying, gangsta, tagging, drive-by shooting Thugs...

We all own RES, and there will be no one there...

Sure, you mormons head to Missouri, and leave us here to wallow in our own self hate.

Suburbs of SLC | 6:57 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

November will be fascinating...the Utah Mormon Majority cries foul play when Huckabee insults their religion, but then they come and say they'll vote for Obama over McCain/Huckabee, largely because of likability/religion, not because of their policy. Sounds like some are being poor losers. I too was shocked to see the 80+ percent vote for Romney...I hadn't believed it would be that high.

Just fyi, I am a Mormon and an Obama supporter. I'm glad to see my state will help him defeat the Bush subjects. But, at the same time, I can't help but wince at the thought of so many voting for someone whose policy they don't support, just because they dislike candidates who were mean to their favorite. The worst was speaking to a friend who felt 'McCain was too liberal' so they'd probably support Obama. Wow. The political process at work.

new democrat in Colorado | 7:04 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I was a McCain supporter when this all started as I was a Viet Nam vet. then as I saw what he was up to I started to lean to the Romney camp, but was still wavering until super Tuesday and what happened in West Virginia. I saw the good old boys go to work in deceitful ways. Same old political BS...
I have not voted Democrat since Carter in 76. He wasn't a good president, but he was honest and truthful..I was proud of voting for a honest man. I am going to go back to the Democrats this election if Obama is the party choice.... I know Hillary is dishonest as McCain and Huckabee, so I can't vote for her, but Obama seems to be honest, so, unless something comes up on him I will vote democratic again..If not, I will not vote for a president this go around.....To me, honesty is one the most important things about a president. Maybe a democrat in office will assure the Republicans will look at their party and see the need for a big change and honest forthright persons to run for office in the future. Colorado vote for Obama!

Freethinker | 7:20 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

So many of you keep missing the point of my indicating the 90% figure. (90% speaks volumes). To be clear:
Yes, some women vote for Hillary because she is a woman, but not 90%
Yes, some blacks vote for Obama because he is black, but not 90%
Yes, some evangelicals/southerners voted for Huckabee because they are also evangelicals/southerners, but not 90% (btw - he is not an evangelical...he belongs to the Christian Church/Church of Christ)
I have a number of problems with the religion of the Latter Day Saints, but I denounce anyone who would engage in anti-Mormon bigotry (personally, I find the way in which Romney made his money -- buying failing companies, firing the workers, shutting down the plants and selling them off piecemeal). I am just saying that a state which is close to a theocracy as it is (yes, I know, not all Mormons like it) looks out of the mainstream when 90% of Republican voters vote for a Mormon. I, myself, thought that the number would be around 70%, but 90%???

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Utahns rally for Romney, give Obama edge