Politic Junkie | 12:34 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
No wonder that the presidential candidates have crossed Utah off their travel schedules. According to the political polling website Pollster.com, Utah enjoys the highest polling for the Republican ticket with a 63.9% favorable rating and one of the lowest Democratic favorable rating of 29.6% (only Idaho has a lower Democratic favorable rating of 29.5%.) So, it would be a complete waste of time and money for either the Republican or Democratic candidates to travel to Utah. The 8 swing states of course are getting most of the attention.
Roland Kayser | 12:47 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
If there were no electoral college, Salt Lake City would surely be a large enough metropolitan area to merit visits from all of the candidates.
our own fault | 12:51 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
By always voting for the same party we have made Utah almost irrelevant in politics. Republicans ignore Utah because they take us for granted: Southern Republicans even make fun of LDS, that's much we're taken for granted. The Democrats don't even bother.

I lived in Iowa which is conservative values but swings from Democrat to Republican and gets the attention of both. We need to balance the economy for regular people with conservative values.
Comments continue below
no more mr nice guy | 1:02 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Why oh why would you vote for McCain anyway. He's dissed a large number of Utahans anyway. He's out of touch with the electorate, he knocking on heavens door and if he goes, we get Palin. I wouldn't mind a woman for president, but not this sock puppet! I encourage anyone who is disgusted with the broken republican party to cast a vote for Ralph Nader. The last honest man in politics. McCain stands a snowballs chance of winning anyway..the party blew this bigtime with the huckabee-McCain bag-o-dirty tricks. Let's show em Utah. Send a wake up call, that all is not well.
primary | 1:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Utah needs to hold their presidential primary's Jan. 15 2012.

Or right after the 2010 Winter Olympics,
that would get their attention!
Wasted Vote | 1:51 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
This really says a lot about the state of politics in Utah. Again, your party takes full advantage of your votes and money, but never delivers anything that you guys ever vote for: the banning of abortion & gay marriage. Step up! Think about the real issues at play, and maybe in the future you'll be taken a bit more seriously.
SpySmiley | 4:34 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
"Utah isn't on map for presidential candidates"

No brainer.
rekky | 5:05 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
With Utah's blind loyalty to the party of huge budget deficits, why should anyone bother to show up?
Larry Socie | 5:18 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
States are courted by the candidates like the girls are courted in high school. The guys just don't have to spend effort on girls that are easy. Ohio is playing hard to get and look at the effort the candidates are expending.
It seems counter intuitive but if Utah whats attention it needs a stronger Democratic party in order to be a player.
oldman | 5:27 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Of course not. The LDS church has spoken and we know the choice is already made. No matter what the last 8 years have been like (the majority of LDS thinks its been fine) they - the mormons - will vote for more of the same.
Shar | 5:38 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Utah tends to be a red voting state. McCain probably knows its in the bag for him. He is smart to spend his time in the swing states. Obama knows Utah is a waste of his time.!
Why Bother? | 5:50 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Utah will vote Republican like all good sheep do.
Dude | 6:07 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
They didn't list Idaho as one of the states they are stopping at either. Shouldn't they also be considered the "Rodney Dangerfield" of states?
why? | 6:11 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Why should candidates waste their time in a state where the results are known before the candidates are even known?
rekky | 6:11 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Why should any candidate bother to visit a state that has brought into the socialist Wall Street bailout, huge budget deficit Republican policies hook, line, and sinker?
Anonymous | 6:42 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
It's odd that this even rates as news. Utah is a one party theocratic state.
Brittany | 6:50 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Unless a significantly large portion of the population suddenly moves to Missouri, I don't see Utah becoming a part of the presidential campaign schedule probably ever. If you know what I mean.
Adam | 6:53 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Um. It's clear why Utah doesn't get any political respect. There are too many mindless voters who see the little "R" and have already decided. Dear mindless voters: Democrats will not mandate abortions and force the Church to start marrying gays in the temple. Consider the American worker when you vote this year. Also, consider how it feels to be the thankless rubber-stamp for ANY candidate from the GOP, a party that doesn't even like Mormons, but will gladly take the vote.
Michael Larsen | 7:35 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
If Utah wants to be on the political map, then change sides for once. Go blue. "Utah voted democrat?" What could be more shocking in a presidential election? By creating a new paradigm Utah would be on the front pages and become in time an influential battlefield state.

In this election, family values - the keystone reasons behind the red in Utah - are far more present in the Democrats than in the Republicans. It's time to let go of the traditional political indoctrination. It's time to burn some brain cells thinking in this election. Send a potent message: Utahns are not political sheep. You want us, come and get us.
utarded | 7:35 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
In Utah, Obama would lose to a mop handle as long as it had an "R" next to its name. Joe the Plumber got more national press than the entire state of Utah this election! Joe the Plumber's plight is the subject of many discussions...who's discussing Utahns' plight?
Adam, | 7:35 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
You're right, the dems won't mandate abortions or gay marriage. They will increase taxes, take money from me to "spread around" to people who pay no taxes, crush the economy under the weight of government regulation, make it more difficult to get a job, stifle creativity and invention, and in nearly every other way adapt the philosophies of Karl Marx.
We have examples of what happens when people like Obama get elected. Think Detroit writ large. It's a frightening, frightening thought.
We've brought this on ourselves | 7:38 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
We have abdicated two-party rule (remember Gov. Matheson? He would never be elected in Utah now.) We have now instead a one-party system dominated by the likes of Chris Buttars.

We (LDS Utahns) have thrown our lot in with the evangelical religious right which has nothing but contempt for us. This was a mistake.

We are, however, waking up . . . hopefully. Romney's shameful treatment members of his own party was the first wake-up call. There will be more.
Give me a break | 7:48 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
All right all you with an inferiority complex - just because the candidates don't visit us doesn't mean we're mindless sheep, following our Republican leaders. (Maybe we do that - the lack of visits isn't a compelling reason, though.)

Due to the electoral college, there are very few states that candidates visit. We just moved from Massachusetts and nobody visits that state either (those mindless sheep-like Democrats!).

We should count ourselves lucky - no endless stream of political advertisements!



Boooorrrring | 8:02 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
The same old anti-LDS boring comments that I hear over and over and over again. I knew before I even clicked on comments what they would say. How predictable. You guys are even more predictable than LDS people voting Republican. I think the canidates don't visit our state because we are not as easily brain washed as the masses.
I've said it before | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
The Democrats call us mindless sheep and we are supposed to embrace them for it? They ridicule our values, and we are supposed to flock to their banner? They engage in bitter name-calling and we are suddenly supposed to abandon our faith and its values and welcome their views?

Let's see, what was that word............NO!
Katlynnelore | 8:21 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Who ever wrote this article is writting foolishly. Don't count McCain out yet!

McCain/Palin 08
a peculiar people = no president | 8:26 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Hey, you reap what you sow, Utah.
Try talking your state legislators into honoring black people on Martin Luther King Day (like the rest of the country) and perhaps you might someday be known as something other than "a peculiar people" (actual description from their last prophet).
FLR | 8:36 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Dont feel bad Utah, Idaho is in the same boat.
market watch | 8:39 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Obama is up in the polls,
small businesses are terrified.

the stock market is dropping like a rock.

Just wait until he gets elected.

Depression!

/get your food storage now!
Dutch | 8:42 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Mormons are not friends of either party - So don't vote Democrat just because of what the GOP has done to Mormons as well - This such a none issue we need to vote for the best person not R or D. I personaly will vote for Obama this year not because of anti mormon actions by the GOP ( Huckabee and crowd) but because

I want the GI's back from Iraq - With the cost of a war out of the way maybe a balanced budget is possible or the money can be used else where
I want an end to the religious right control of policy and law and leave that up the to the free agency of the person
I want an end of eight years of blown opportunities to still be a world leader
I want to be part of an historic moment when this country for the most part will shed its racial image by not caring about the color of a mans skin for a position of high office.

Please do not count me as one of the so called Utah sheep - It is unfair who will vote correctly
I think | 8:45 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I think both the Democrat and Republican bashers are right on. Both political parties are horribly corrupt. I've also lost a lot of respect for the Deseret News because they won't give any honest reports on the other candidates.
re: FLR | 9:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Don't forget Arizona, Wyoming ... all the backwards red states.
Robo | 9:10 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Like voters in NY, MA, CT, RI, CA, OR, HI, IL, MN, DC, NJ, DE, etc. don't pull the lever just because there is a D by it. There are other highly Republican states in the center and south of the country and it certainly isn't because they have a lot of Mormons.
Because Utah�s already decided | 9:25 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Why the strong tie between Utah and the Republican Party? I know there are other states that are republican but they report we are way off the scale even when compared to those states. There must be some reason for this oddity. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but it seems we are slightly out of step with the rest of America. Maybe we�re out in front of the crowd or maybe slightly behind, but we sure have wander away from the norm for political diversity. Republican seems more of an obsession than a choice in Utah.
Why Utah? | 9:34 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Why would anyone waste money or effort on a state that is never in play?

Quite frankly, the state disses itself. If the state does not care about its politics then it should play no role in national politics.

Vote for Jason Chaffetz.
AHL | 9:41 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I want to ask Gov. Jon Huntsman why he supports Senator McCain when more than any other politician, McCain is identified with the war in Iraq? Is the governor aware the medium income in Utah is well below $100,000. and McCain's tax system favors the rich over the poor? Does the Governor support McCain's health care system that stills lacks substance. Surley the Governor is aware that John McCain is very old and has chosen a running mate who is very young and has little understanding of the Constitution. John McCain's campaign is without any specific solutions to our problems and his smear tactics are uncalled for. If McCain is elected President (heaven forbid) what is in it for Governor Huntsman who has stated he will only serve two terms?
Rich | 9:49 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
And what does it matter, it is the rich elite that determine who runs our country and government, they own us. We would get better and more objective national leaders via a lottery system.
Not News | 9:50 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Has Utah EVER been on the map politically?

DN: Please tell us something we didn't already know.

NEXT!
Ben | 10:01 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I find it sad (but realistic) that Chaffetz is in the lead in Utah's third district. Cannon may have been a partisan, but at least he wasn't this guy. He's said a lot of divisive and cruel things. He's not going to be a very effective congressional representative - especially with a Democratic majority in the House.
DMH | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Well, if I am a sheep, then I am one the most unobediant of them all. I will not be voting Red or Blue this year. Both McCain and Obama make me sick and our country is going to truly suffer under either one of them. This year I am voting for a third party candidate, and I do not feel that this a waste of my vote. I would rather sleep well knowing that I voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party and stuck with my values that conform with our great Constitution, than pick between two of the most greedy political parties that I have ever seen. I used to go along with the crowd, but not anymore. The rest of you Utah voters need to start thinking about who we are putting into Congress and the Presidency this year and vote according to your conscience.
Campaign where you need to | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
The GOP who are upset about this should ask themselves. Do they want McCain/Palin to spend time and money in Utah where they are guaranteed the electoral vote or to spend time in money where they aren't sure if they will get the vote or not. The best thing Utah can do to get more attention is to become evenly divided between the parties such that nobody knows who will win here.
Rita | 10:07 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
I understand there are more people registered in the political parties, examples, Libertarians, Constitution, Green, etc than Republicans and Democrats. If these could be combined on common grounds couldn't we get back to less government and closer ties to the constitution? Waiting for comments! Would Bob Barr have a chance if the above ideas were possible?
Just Remember | 10:21 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Vote out your local incumbents this election and next. This is where we will make a change Utah. The president and VP are not that important when looking at the big picture. All incumbents out of State and national office is the only right thing to do. You know who I mean, Hatch, Bennett, Bishop, and Matheson need to go. Nationally we need the same thing done, then and only then will we get the CHANGE that both parties are campaigning for done and reconstruct this D.C. mess.
Lynn | 10:28 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Dear Republicans.
Wake up!!!!!
Your candidate, McCain, is pro-choice.
He (like his opponent) is for some sort of recognition of gay relationships, though not marriage.
They are the same in those two important issues.
The Republicans are the big spenders now.
It is the Republicans who have driven us into this horrendous national debt.
It is the Republican deregulation of the financial institutions which has made possible this huge financial crisis of credit and debt.
Your party is not what it once was.
They can't even be bothered to stop by for 5 minutes to say thanks.
It's time to kill the electoral college system.
It's pointless to go to the polls for the presidentail election in this state, although I will. My vote and yours are meaningless here in Utah because of the electoral college.
It's a presidential election. Every vote should count, but it doesn't.
So Dem's get out there and make your presence felt, even if only for the statement.
Republicans, get your heads out of the sand and really look at your party. It's changed.
GWB | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Utah became irrelevant on the national political scene the day that the majority of Utahns decided that elections should be decided on a single issue.

The article should have summed things up with one word to describe this phenomenon - ABORTION.

Think about it, when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's, we had a Democrat in the Senate (Frank Moss) and Democratic governors (Matheson and Rampton) who were very popular.

The minute that Republican's announced their opposition to Roe v Wade, Utah embraced the GOP and became irrelevant nationally.

So, what has the embrace of the GOP gotten Utah after all these years?

Is abortion illegal yet?

Has Roe v Wade been overturned?

Now, keep in mind that 7 of 9 Supreme Court Justices have been appointed by Republican Presidents.

Seems to me that the rich NY Wall Street Tycoons have made out like bandits by embracing the religous voters, without having to give much on the legal front.

This will continue to be the case until voters start voting on more than the abortion issue.

As for me, I have a hard time seeing where the GOP has given Utah their moneys worth.

NewsFlash!!! | 10:32 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Attention Utahn's. There are more than just two parties...Crazy? I Know. So if your really want your vote to stand for something vote for a third party.
ECR | 10:37 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Robo - the difference in the states you list and the state of Utah is that most of those actually have elected Republicans in recent history. Mitt Romney, governor of Massachusetts. George Pataki, Governor of New York, to name a few. Yes, I know Utah has one Democratic congressman.

All of you Mormon bashers whining about the big, bad Mormon church controlling politics in Utah - drink your milk and go back to bed. I remeber living in or near Utah in the days when Utah had a Democratic Governor, one Democratic senator and one Democratic congressman - back when Utah only had two congressman - all at the same time. I may be old but I'm not that old so please stop your complaining about the power of the Mormon Church and go out and tell your neighbors that the teachings of the Mormon Church actually line up with the Democratic platform far more than the Republican platform. OF COURSE, there's that abortion issue that has everybody seeing red. But it's just that, a red herring to get the majority to stop investigating and just thinking Republican. Stop whining and do your job.
Robb | 10:39 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
Why would this article be printed, let alone even written? Neither party would be foolish enough to waste valuable time and resources to campaign in Utah when they both know that Utah is a solid red state and has been for years and years!! It's in the bag for the Republicans, so they wouldn't and shouldn't come here, and the Dems know they can't get any play here, so it would be completely pointless. This article just plays up the "persecution complex" that Utahns are so good at playing. Give me a break!
randy | 11:00 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
congrats on the story .... maybe this will kick our butts a little and get us to think that we have been picking the same guys for way too many years

utah has earned this no-show status .. maybe we can get out and vote a different way and bring some respect back to this stupid political state

remember the new slogan in utah for voting ... incumbents out .. challengers in ...

huntsman out , matheson out, hatch out , bennett out, bishop out (cannon is already out)

quit voting like sheep as mentioned above ... get new blood around instead of the same-old same old

good luck on your vote
Anonymous | 11:19 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008
to all the people who are saying "why campaign where you'll lose?" or conversely, "why campaign where you'll win?" or "why waste the money?"

Well its called the 50 State Strategy, and it means that the Obama campaign made the strategic decision ahead of time to have a presence in each state, regardless of its likelihood to be red or blue.

It's the right thing to do, and its paid off dramatically in small donors/donation and feet on the ground.

Hundreds of campaign volunteers are going weekly to Nevada and Colorado (both swing states) and will be there on election day as well.

the 50 State Strategy has not only solidified small (and large bases) in the states that are givens but have electrified the dialogue. and its working.

McCain takes you for granted. Obama wants you to be heard by him, even though he knows in the end you won't elect him.

What does that tell you?

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