Deseret News | 'Uneven performance' hurt Mitt, Rove says

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'Uneven performance' hurt Mitt, Rove says

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Mark B | 11:31 a.m. July 15, 2008

Dozens of comments, but no one bothers to rebuke Rove for his refusal to appear before a Congressional committee last week. That act ALONE takes him away from the side of the angels. As someone already wrote, he IS a weasel.

As for Utah's Mitt fans, I'm still waiting for the scales to fall off your eyes. Sure, the GOP takes your votes, given freely without even much money spent to keep you in line. But let someone run with a tie to your deepest beliefs, and how do the bigshots respond? You got the back of their hand, which, the next time you see it, will be back to its old position - palm up, looking for another payment to keep talking (but not DOING anything) about "family values". Some day you'll see how you've been played.

Krudd | 11:34 a.m. July 15, 2008

McCain is week on dollar issues. He needs Mitt to help him out on that and get this country back and bring the dollar back up......the housing market to repair itself, and save banks.
If we can't get someone in the White House to do that, (doubt either canidate can do it....alone), we are all in trouble.
Mitt is used to taking company's in trouble and the Olympic's and making them work.......can't we forget he's LDS? Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeese it dosen't hurt Harry Reid. No one ever talks about his faith.

All is well... | 11:41 a.m. July 15, 2008

Prescription:

Divide, Demonize, Pander, Flip-Flop.

Result:

McCain/Obama.

Sincerely,

Karl Rove

Comments continue below

neocon slime | 11:44 a.m. July 15, 2008

Karl Rove is just another slimy "whatever it takes" Neocon who will lie, cheat and steal to meet the objective.
Just imagine how this unethical group of monsters might be viewed by our children.

Winning is everything is the motto. Doesn't matter how its done.

Weird | 11:45 a.m. July 15, 2008

My posting that was on here last night isn't here today. - In summary - I'm LDS like Romney and I graduated from Olympus High School, like Rove. I like down to earth politicians like Ronald Reagan was and George Bush Jr. is - If Newt Gangrich were running for president, I'd vote for him. I hate to say it, but I don't have the most optimistic feelings about ANY of the candidates right now. Being LDS, I'm supposed to be involved with what goes on - this comment is one way to be involved. thanks

VF | 11:54 a.m. July 15, 2008

I have lived in New Hampshire for the last 30 plus years and have known Mitt for the last 20 of those years. He is as straight an arrow as they come and is without faulure a man of his word. Classic Conservative, Sunnykc, Observe and several others have hit the nail on the head, Mitt can always be counted on to give a helping hand to those in need and will one day be a great President of this great free land we all live in.

I assisted Mitt's campaign here in NH and one of the things that really caused him to lose the primary here was the "Union Leader" newspaper. This paper has been well known as a backer of Republicans. This time around they backed McCain and told lie after lie about Mitt. I canceled my long subscription with them and will never let another one into my house.

Mitt is now asking those of us in NH to get behind McCain and help him win up here. I guess I'll do what I never thought I would and that is to hold my nose and go along with Mitt.

Best wishes to you all.

Weird II | 11:56 a.m. July 15, 2008

I just want to clarify that Newt's tendancy of infedility in his personal life is a horrible stain on what would otherwise be a very capable person for president. I don't know that he'd last on that merit. I yet feel that the optimistic men like the Bush family and the Reagans are what are needed in Amercian politics. There's something to be said about the down to earth, ranchers and freedom people. Barrack Obama's wanting to cut off governmental backing of the war, however, freaks me out the worst.

Gus Talwynd | 12:03 p.m. July 15, 2008

Karl Rove mastered his craft at the knee of Lee Atwater. Although his skill at undermining an opponent and politicizing everything he touches, his forte remains innuendo and personal assassination.

His insight into the underbelly of politics is without peer. If a politician wants to win at any price, he is the man. Many do not have his amoral style, and it has been extremely lucrative to work in the sewer all his career.

The "High Road" is not the "Rove Road". Once you get past the flash and cunning, he reveals himself as just another political flack. Nothing of substance comes from his labors. A plumber or an auto mechanic produces more value to American than a Karl Rove.

But what does he care? He has his loving wingnut following and lives a very good lifestyle, probably in a gated community. And he never had to put his life on the line like the men and women he helped send off to war on Bush's lies.

gratedane | 12:15 p.m. July 15, 2008

Proud to wear the NEOCON label. Cheney is a great vice-president who doesn't give a rat's posterior what the media or liberal elitists think, which is a virtue in my book. Liberals are such hypocrites. They villify someone like Rove, who is simply a smart (he won 2 presidential races, by the way) political animal --- and then when some of their "ilk," like Dennis Kookinich, I mean, Kucinich, takes to the House Floor this very day and, for the second time, tries to Impeach President Bush... all when the stock market is going nuts because of skyrocketing OIL PRICES... and Nancy Pelosi and her rainbow consituents are fiddling while the rest of us burn paying hundreds more each month out of our paychecks for gas and food... Now that truly is creepy.

re: gratedane | 12:39 p.m. July 15, 2008

Cheney is a neocon monster. Likes to shoot people in the face. He's the closest thing the great country has ever seen to fascism.
Bush is his boy.
It's people like greatedane who should take the blame for voting the slimy Cheney/Bush dream team into office and now look where America is.

RL | 1:23 p.m. July 15, 2008

Mitt didn't appear as another Bush. What planet are you on? There is no doubt, it was his religion. There are way too many out there still being taught and believing lies about mormons. The name of the political game today, as Obama has grossly proven, is just change your religion to match your political desires... not enough people are smart enought to see through it for what it really is, or are so dishonest in their own dealings, they see nothing wrong with it.

forked tongue | 1:50 p.m. July 15, 2008

Romney lost because he couldn't make up his mind just what it was that he actually stood for; this might be expected from a teenager or young adult, but this is from a man near the last decades of his life.

Worse than that, he was caught in what amounted to several lies. Nobody trusts him. He comes across as a used-car salesman. The electorate is smarter than it looks; sadly it is given the choice to pick between the lesser of two (or more) evils far too often.

If Romney is chosen for VP (isn't going to happen...McCain wants to win), I simply will write in a candidate. I won't do anything that gives him a chance to become POTUS.

Looking for a leader | 2:05 p.m. July 15, 2008

Mitt Romney changed his views to fit the views of the Rebublican base. A true leader will lead the base to change their views. That is true leadership. Like Reagan, Kennedy, Lincoln ect. I am looking for a leader not a panderer. Mitt changed almost every position he held as Governor, all in the same direction. He is merely a follower, looking to get elected. To solve the problems in America it will require a different kind of thinking than what got us to where we are in this place in history.

Ross | 2:18 p.m. July 15, 2008

There's no better way to come to understand what it is like to run for president than to run for president. Mitt has now been around the block and seems to have a much better understanding of what running for president is all about. Reagan didn't do so good his first time either. Mitt is a great presidential candidate, He'll be back.

logicmeister | 2:24 p.m. July 15, 2008

Obama will win, but it will only set the stage for Romney in 2012. Sometimes you have to have a Carter to get a Reagan.

that's that | 2:44 p.m. July 15, 2008

Romney will always carry Utah. So?
The rest of the country will want to know more about polygamy and that, as they say, will be that.

JA | 2:46 p.m. July 15, 2008

So he might get charged with contempt of congress. Well that is laughable. There is nothing more horrible, corrupt, dishonest or a bigger joke than the United States Congress.

Jerry W | 4:08 p.m. July 15, 2008

Carl Rove to be charged with contempt of congress? I think that is laughable considering what congress has been doing for the past few years. They have sit on their hands playing partisan politics while some very important issues vital to our welfare have been put on the back burner or ignored. Alternative sources of energy, the financial mess, securing our borders. For heaven sake, who is minding the store back there.

Anonymous | 5:03 p.m. July 15, 2008

Nobama is just another slimy "what ever it takes" liberal.

I can play that too.

gene | 5:13 p.m. July 15, 2008

Interesting comments:
LIBERAL LARRY-Mitt good manager,weak politician.Just
what we need in the white house!(this is my comment)

OTHERS:
Mormons being just water carriers for the GOP- probably right!(Iam LDS)
Mitt go Independent...!!! AMEN!
Religion- played a key role in some states..true!
Kennedy- had a harder time..WRONG! DID YOU HEAR WHAT
MANY EVANGELISTS WERE SAYING..CATHOLICS CLOSER TO
OUR CONCEPTS THAN MORMONS!I HEARD IT SO MANY TIMES IT BECOME BORING BUT IT DEMONSTRATES MY POINT!
We haven't heard the last of Romney.

Tai H. | 5:18 p.m. July 15, 2008

Mitt Romney lost because he is a liberal with a liberal record. He raised the capital gains tax, legislated gay civil unions, banned the Boy Scouts from the olympics, and was anti-gun.

Lewt | 5:36 p.m. July 15, 2008

I guess what I'm hearing from JA and Jerry W is - Rove doesn't have to appear before Congress. It isn't worthy of HIM. Sounds an awfully lot like a government of men and not of laws to me. This isn't a matter of Congress' ability or the lack of it. Until GWB announces his long (and getting longer) pardon list, Rove doesn't have the choice NOT to appear. Anyone opposed to that principle should find a new country.

slime | 5:45 p.m. July 15, 2008

Slimy man.
Slimy GOP.
Slimy supporters.

Ridgerunner | 6:47 p.m. July 15, 2008

Leadership is hard to define. Someone said it is doing the "right" things at the "right" times for the "right" reasons. I like that definition but it leaves an obvious problem of what "right" means. To a conservative, what is "right" is very different than what a liberal thinks is "right." We all want "leaders" who agree with our definitions of "right" and push forward. Bill Clinton said it best, It depends on what "is" is! The political battle (as well as all other battles)for each of us is defending the "right". We each tend to draw our own lines in the sand about right and wrong. The battle rages on! God (the ultimate authority on "right and wrong) has His own definitions of right and wrong too! I hope I agree with Him! If I don't, well, it aint' going to matter too much in the end how I define right! How do you define it? Ahhh, there is a great question! Isn't life great?

Uneven in Mass too | 7:03 p.m. July 15, 2008

I actually got to vote for Mitt Romney in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, his performance as governor was so uneven that Romney didn't even bother to run for re-election because he knew he would lose.
First he was pro-choice, pro-gay and anti-big government. Within a year, Mitt became pro-life, anti-gay and signed the MassHealth law that will cost billions every year forever.

Caroline | 7:31 p.m. July 15, 2008

Mitt Romney is the best candidate out there. Too bad too may anti-Mormons. These bigots spreading and feeding lies to our ignorant fellowmen are truly unAmerican and disrespectful. MAY God Bless them though so that they will open their eyes and feel the pain of regret someday.

GENE | 8:26 p.m. July 15, 2008

YES....ROMNEY COULD HAVE BEEN A MORE IMPRESSIVE POLITICIAN...BUT HAS GREAT MANAGEMENT ABILITY! BOY,THAT'S WHAT I WANT IN THE WHITE HOUSE..!!
QUITE FRNAKLY,I THINK HE'S SMARTER THAN ALL THE CANDIDATES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE!
YES,RELIGION PLAYED A ROLE--SOMEWHAT!AND I THINK MITT SHOULD PASS IF ASKED BY JOHN MC CAIN!GO INDEPENDENT...PUKE ON BOTH PARTIES! LIKE GEO. WALLACE SAID IN 1968..THERE'S NOT TEN CENTS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES!

Mark B | 9:07 p.m. July 15, 2008

Let's see. Who was the last candidate to actually improve his standing by going independent/3rd party? I guess that would be Jesse Ventura, former governor of Minnesota. Maybe it wouldn't be too late for Mitt to move to the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and proceed to whip Al Frankin and Norm Coleman in the Senate race. Of course, they might have bigots there, too.

religion is legitimate reason | 9:11 p.m. July 15, 2008

When relatives from New Hampshire called to ask what I think of Romney, this is what I told them: Because I now live in Utah, where the LDS Church is so intrusive and controlling in its politics, I do not feel comfortable having a man who describes himself as a "true blue" Mormon as President of the United States.

It may be politically incorrect, but I admit I would never vote for an active Mormon.

jwr | 9:17 p.m. July 15, 2008

How about just plain old hypocrsy hurt Mitt, his teflon smile, his flips and flops just plain flopped. He is a user and insincere and it came through loud and clear. Mitt is out for himself totally

gene | 9:25 p.m. July 15, 2008

When all is said and done..Mitt Romney is/was the smartest of all the candidates !!!
He is probably one of the best candidates to come
along in a long time..in some ways he reminds me of
a former GOV. of Calif. who became prez of the US!

Lewt | 10:23 p.m. July 15, 2008

How do we measure the "smartest"? If it's assets accumulated, Mitt's #1, far ahead of all previous presidents - combined. Otherwise,.......

mockingbird | 11:15 p.m. July 15, 2008

People's lack of knowledge scares me. Some should take a crash course in socialism before they vote. Libs reject capitalism because they don't understand it and except socialism because they don't understand it either. Even politicians thinks they want socialism which is Communism and Nazism. Which are the same. Communist rulers think they're the head of communism, the American Monopoly thinks their the head of socialism but Satin is. And he can't get out of it. It's hell. Hell's for bad people. Mitt isn't bad. He's done bad things like clean up corrupt politics. They don't want him in the White House because he would clean them out over there too. Then we would be like we were when the poorest man in America was richer than the richest Kings and rulers in other countries. That's the real America. I can't understand any sane man not wanting freedom. But that's what his election is about do we want Capitalism or Socialism.

poyman | 1:03 a.m. July 16, 2008

Sashay to the Right.... I can't help myself, I have to respond to your ignorant, no, laughable comments about Romney....

First, to say that Huck is more conservative than Romney is to say that Kennedy is more Catholic than the Pope.....The only things that Huck is conservative on are Socail issues and the war, period.... and he really doesn't understand the war or foreign affairs very well.... He is almost as liberal as you and yoour hero Obama are on spending and the economy....

Second, if you know anything about how Romney actually governed in Massachusetts, you know that he was very conservative.... He changed his position on abortion and believed that there should be some limitations on "rambo type guns" but that is really the only sins he commited with the radical right... He was and is very conservative on fiscal issues (i.e. spending and on general economics), he is conservative on the war and he is conservative on Gay Marriage and immigration....

He ran according to his conscience as one should.... Now Obama, on the other hand, would appear to have no conscience or moral anchor.... He shows his inexperience and lack of direction daily.

our ignorant fellowmen? | 2:14 a.m. July 16, 2008

"... Caroline | 7:31 p.m. July 15, 2008
Mitt Romney is the best candidate out there. Too bad too may anti-Mormons. These bigots spreading and feeding lies to our ignorant fellowmen are truly unAmerican and disrespectful..."

Dear Caroline,

Could it be possible that many, perhaps even 'most' of those opposing Romney are in fact, not 'bigots', but rather do not agree with Romney's political views?
It is ironic that we heard 'it isn't about religion' through the primaries, and now we're hearing 'it is all about religion!' from the same quarters. You cannot have it both ways my friend.

Please, cast down that mantle of victimhood that you've assumed; every little thing that happens in the world that you do not happen to like is not necessarily 'persecution'.

Peace to you.

a creepy man | 7:02 a.m. July 16, 2008

Just one glance at this weird-looking and acting man and I get creeped out!

And all the damage he is responsible for!!!

Roger | 7:14 a.m. July 16, 2008

And who is nuts enough to listen to Rove; the man should be in jail.

The Huckster | 9:28 a.m. July 16, 2008

Check the math, and the per centages. The Huckster used his "preacherman" style and played the role as spoiler. He captured the hearts of the liberial media. When Romney revealed the facts concerning Huck's record, Romney was presented as attacking the preacher. Nevermind what the facts state.

The real battlegrounds were Florida, Georgia and Mo.
All of which, Romney did very well but the Huckster bled off just enough votes to give the win to Big Mac.

Agreed religion played

Rich | 9:53 a.m. July 16, 2008

Attacks on Rove based on his stupidity, lack of model looks and supposed dishonest do nothing but show their author's lack of independent and logical thinking and their prejudice against conservatives. Liberals are clearly angry that Rove so successfully defeated them during his service, blinding them to the fact that Rove is a brilliant strategist and masterful analyst and politician. And yet it is their own congressmen and Senators who have voted to support almost all of President Bush's programs, including tax cuts, support of the military in Iraq, the Patriot Act, and lately the granting of immunity to companies who aided the government's anti-terrorism phone tapping.

Yet I think Rove is wrong when it comes to Romney. Mitt lost because of two things: First, some conservatives refused to believe his political stands because he had changed his views on a couple of bellwether issues, such as whether government should be allowed to interfere with a woman wishing to end a pregnancy for the sake of convenience, and whether government should have the right to prevent its citizens from protecting themselves with arms. Second, the evangelical Christians in Iowa fell for the propaganda that Mormons are non-Christian cultists.

Not MY heroes. | 10:09 a.m. July 16, 2008

Sorry, Rich.
People bent on the total polarization of this great country such as Karl Rove, are not on my list of heroes.
I'm afraid you (like so many other neoconservatives) have lost your mind and common sense to the nasty side of political partisanship that neocons are legendary for.

It's no wonder they majority of them only exist in Utah.

poyman | 2:34 p.m. July 16, 2008

Not my heroes.... "the majority of the neocons only exist in UT".... That statement is laughable let alone inaccurate.... Your definition of "neocon" is about as reliable as Obama's position on the second amendment or the war on terror... it never stays in one place and moves right or left depending upon who he's talking with or the point he is trying to make at any given hour of the day.....

Utah is a state controlled by conservatives (with the exception of a radical left pocket in SLC that got Mayor Rocky elected... and I be that includes you)... It is a state with a well informed electorate and one that is dependable to take conservative positions on Economic, Social and Foreign Affairs issues.... Very similar to most southern states (TX,LA,AL,GE,MS,FL,SC etc.).... and what is great is that they are able to neutralize Liberal Windbags such as yourself, who live in the state....

I happen to be a non-mormon from TX and I love the conservative consistancy of UT....

Anonymous | 2:53 p.m. July 16, 2008

Conservatism is dead.
It only exists on these blogs. (and quite childishly I might add)
It was big just after 9/11 but America knows better now.
The right-wing has been exposed for the war-mongering torturing lot that they are.
The America I remember is coming back.
Wait until November.

Defender of the Faith | 7:11 p.m. July 16, 2008

"...Second, the evangelical Christians in Iowa fell for the propaganda that Mormons are non-Christian cultists. ..."

From a Christian perspective, Mormons ARE non-Christian cultists. Christians believe in only one God, Almighty God, the God of Abraham; the same God that tells us in scripture that he knows of no other Gods beside himself, neither before nor after. No councils of Gods, no 'many Gods', etc. This is only the most basic example, there are many, many more.

In summary, Mormonism: polytheism, Christianity: monotheism.

Anonymous | 9:40 a.m. July 17, 2008

Mormonism is more of a business venture or political movement rather than a religion.

obama republican | 10:10 a.m. July 18, 2008

Romney as I have said was put in his place. As a republican a Mormon will never get past the Christian Right. The christian right in my mind wants a theocracy, they will not put up with any religion that will not spew their dogma.

Remember the mobs that drove the saints were all good Christians.....

One of the main reasons I will vote for obama is to try to stop the Radical Christian Right or should I say Reich?

Re: Anonymous 9:40 | 10:29 a.m. July 18, 2008

I'm LDS - I'm not rich - I believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings - I'm imperfect - I believe Jesus Christ was the only perfect individual to walk the planet. I'm LDS because of Jesus Christ, and I don't have ulterior motives. I do have to eat like yourself there's no doubt - "God causes the Sun to shine on the just and the unjust." - we die - we are mortal you and I. To anyone who wants to second guess my faith for me, it's not right - - - Jesus has said that we can gain eternal life if we follow him - I strive to do so. Joseph Smith Jr.'s life was extremely Christlike. - I don't care what any political adviser might say, I think Mitt would do well to speak MORE about his religion and not less. Why become someone you're not? - I believe in Jesus Christ and he's my Savior. If you want to call my belief in Christ a 'business venture', or a 'political movement' then so be it. I don't know that those are sins regardless.

Anonymous | 12:50 p.m. July 18, 2008

Sorry, Re: Anon 9:40 -
But you have not convinced me Mormonism is a church rather than a business with political overtones.

Do away with the tax exemptions and watch how fast membership disappears.

Sometimes I just wonder | 12:55 p.m. July 18, 2008

Regarding the comment about Mormonism being more of a business venture...

That has to be the dumbest statement I have ever heard.

Come on!

If I were mor of a business | 1:07 p.m. July 18, 2008

Would I invest in real estate that basically has no other value than church meetings?

Would my leadership make less than a floor manager at Home Depot?

Would I give away more in aid than the GDP of most countries?

Would my main product to sell be a free Book of Mormon.

This business comment is so innane that I wonder if I should really address it.

If I were a political movement | 1:17 p.m. July 18, 2008

I give you a little more latitude here. However, I would call it a political entity. The church does have a definite policy or system of government and it is concerned with legislative or judicial actions --What religion does not? The church does not endorse candidates but it does support or criticize government actions. It encourages its members to take action where moral issues are at stake. I wonder if Christ ever did that?

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