Reader comments
Presidential race looks up for grabs in Utah

I think there's little question that John McCain and Huckabee have an agreement. If Huckabee stayed in the race long enough to knock Romney out, then he gets the vice-presidency under McCain. Huckabee will bring in the conservative voters that don't like McCain. I'm a registered Independent, but usually vote Republican. However, they won't get my vote this year. Romney was clearly the best man for our economic troubles. He understands business, whereas McCain hasn't a clue. Claims he'll hire "managers" to do that...huh? Plus McCain is soft on immigration. Also, if you don't like the war now, wait until gung-ho McCain gets in. Remember, he's a military man, and these types like nothing better than a good scrap. Retreat isn't in their vocabulary. So, good luck all you Mormon haters who think a man's religion is more important than his qualification. You're going to get exactly what you deserve.

I'm with you out there. Romney was by far the best qualified candidate. John "I really don't understand economics" McCain will be a great president. Can anyone Say President Clinton or President Obama? Get used to it. The country will be begging for Romney in 2012. I hope by then it isn't too late.

My comments exactly. I am nervous about what our country will become if they ever wins. That's why I am Independent with a leaning vote toward Republican but this situation, I'd switch back to Obama. Probably the only one that can "change" the issues we face. I worry about dirty tricks that McCain might have up in his sleeves if he wins the Presidency card? I am seeing the same pattern that he went through like Bush... I'm biting my nails on this one.

I'm a very conservative republican, and if Obama captures the nod, he'll be the first Democrat I ever vote for. Good job McCain!

To "Out There",

Amen!!!

I'm switching parties and voting for Obama or Clinton over McCain, and why not, the voting records are simular.

If indeed McCain chooses Huckabee as his running mate, I will most definately vote for Senator Obama or even Senator Clinton. Huckabee is a religious bigot of the worst kind. I would advise Govenor Huntsman to have a long talk with his good friend Senator McCain, about the choice of Huckabee as his running mate.

Let me be blunt about this: Most of Conservatives in the Republican party do not like Mormons (period) they tlak to us just for convinience. In this election Obama is the only option for Mormons.

I'm voting my conscious in our state Primary and again in the general election. I may be throwing my vote away on Mitt Romney as a write-in, but I can't consciously vote for anyone else currently in the race.

If Romney is out, I won't vote Repuiblican this year. I cannot vote for non-consevative hawk (like McCain) or for an intolerant anti-LDS preacher (who is also a big spender). Maybe I'll stay at home in November, or vote for a third party.

No way will I vote for McCain. Even though I've always been a Republican. I would write in Kermit the Frog before voting for McCain.

Go for Ron Paul. He is the one from the beginning who has stood by his values. He understands the Constitution of the United States.

With Romney out maybe the LDS can look at Ron Paul and vote according to principles and not religion. He represents conservative thought better than anyone. He is looking for good change. He understands how government should work.

We are writing in Mitt!

I'm writing in Mitt Romney on my ballot! He's still the man, whether officially on ballot or not.....

Dan Jones, you must be on drugs. There is just no question that Utah will not be competitive in this year's presidential race. Obama, if he is the Democrat's nominee (and I hope he is), will not garner even 40% of the vote. The Republican nominee, whoever it is, is guaranteed at least 60% of the vote--a landslide by any measure. Jesus, if he ran as a Democrat, would lose in Utah.

With McCain on the ballot, I'll painfully vote for him as the lesser of evils. But with Huckabee as the running mate, I think they can kiss the taken for granted Utah vote goodbye.

I sure hope Obama gets on the ballot and not Clinton so I have someone I'd feel comfortable voting for. McCain doesn't have much of a presence and the Huckster would destroy this country if allowed to.

Mitt did make the right decision to drop at this time but it is going to be hard on us conservatives when there no longer is a conservative to vote for. Obama seems to be the closest to that.

Utah not vote republican. Did the shepards go for coffee or something? Headed over to Hardees? Did the sheep leave the field? Has the flock got lost? Please. Oh well, it sells newspapers and that is the bottom line. Scare the masses with that story!

Democrats will not hold their breath. I am chuckling at the very thought of Utah going democrat in November. If Utah goes democrat then... it is a sign that the end is near. Thank you for the article because it lifted my day.

Thanks for the laugh.

It is definitely true that Huckabee helped out McCain. However, I am sure that McCain is not going to choose Huckabee as a VP. He is too smart to realize that Huckabee is a big drag, in Utah and out. Huckabee's only pull is Evangelical Christians. He would do better with Gov Pawlanty, Gov Crist, Senator Thompson, Senator Gregg, Senator Dole, etc. There are plenty of more conservative Republicans that aren't crazy that would help in the South or the East.

Even though I don't think they are on the list, Senator Dole (woman), Colin Powell (black), Rep Watts (black), Senator Hutchenson (woman), Sen Reil (woman), or Condeleza Rice (black woman) would be interesting.

I appreciate this article. Only two days ago the Deseret News ran an article suggesting no matter who the republican nominee was they were sure to carry Utah. Give the good voters of Utah a little more credit; as this poll suggests they are not Republican robots.