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Religion rose to divide us

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Socalmon | 12:52 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
This was an excellently written article. I could not concur more. Religion was definately the loser of this campaign circus. Romney was the biggest pinata of them all, wedged between the Huckabigots of Iowa, Dixieland and every other bigoted outpost, to the far left wing radicals, who fear the LDS organization.
Romney had the brains, (top of his class in both business, at BYU and law, at Harvard), leadership, at Bain Corp., the SLC Olympics, the looks, on and on and on.
Now, we will be stuck with another Jimmy Carteresque 4 years.
Romney in 2012!!!!
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Gordon S | 12:57 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
John Mc Cain did not pick Mitt Romney as a running mate most likely because many Christians do not consider Mormons to be Christians and feared they would not vote for him. Sarah Palin will probably be his downfall. Religion does count, however John Kennedy was brilliant and was very charismatic. Mr. Obama being a black (or half black) man is in the right place at the right time. If people did not hate Bush so much he would probably not have the wide support he has.
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Republicans don't like us | 2:27 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
The Republican party is no longer recognizable. Why do we even support it?

Republicans despise Mormons, yet we're willing to tow the ridiculous party line!

Pathetic!
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downfall? | 2:59 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
ZOGBY SATURDAY: Republican John McCain has pulled back within the margin of error... The three-day average holds steady, but McCain out polled Obama 48% to 47% in Friday, one day, polling. He is beginning to cut into Obama's lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all...
Should get a Presidential medal!
heh...
We redneck, gun toting, religious nuts WILL win this after all.... And no offense to Mormons.
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Anonymous | 3:04 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Romney did not lose because of his religion--it was more a question of his appeal to the other politicians and the public at large. They did not identify with him or support him. He did not come across as real and authentic. I don't think he will fare any better in 2012. The same issues, tapes, etc. will be played over and over again in the next cycle. Utah needs to move on and let go. The mourning period is over.
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Timj | 4:08 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Saddleback Forum, mentioned in the article, is a great place to go for the candidate's views on religion.
Look it up. You'll be surprised.
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Where's truth in journalism? | 5:32 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
"Even with all the attention on Wright, a recent poll indicated that 12 percent of the public persisted in believing the false rumor that Obama was a Muslim"

False rumor? Wait a minute - Obama is a Muslim! I don't know where the Deseret News gathers its statistics or what research its staff really has done on Obama's childhood and Muslim law as it relates to a son born to a Muslim father; but just a week ago in an interview Obama had with the press, he slipped and referred to himself as a Muslim, then quickly attempted to correct himself by saying he's a Christian. No one would make that kind of mistake about his religous beliefs, accept of course, on purpose.

Like many other issues associated with Obama's past, the press goes out of its way to suppress his "true identity" and excuse his past associations. I find it more than a simple "leftist" agenda on the part of the press. I find it unforgivable!

If we think Bush is bad (and he is), just wait until Obama is president - all hell will break out and the America we once knew, will be gone.
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sob | 5:54 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
religion should not be a reason to vote for or against any one for the presidency.
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religious hatred | 6:27 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Michael Otterson is 100% accurate this year will be remembered for the hatred and intolerance which has characterised American politics.
Ironically such behaviour has diverted attention from the real issues affecting everyone so seriously.
Is it possible for Americans to unite behind a newly elected president or is the nation so divided that this year marks what is to come?
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oldman | 6:33 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Better than being stuck with a warmonger - corporate - silver spoon fed - environmental - religious fanatic - for the next four years. Any GOP president guts the country before they are through. The Democrats always come in and HAVE to clean up the damage the GOP makes. Just what is the purpose of the GOP - except corporate pandering.
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Gary | 6:54 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Romney deserved well his failure. When he made his famous speech on religion, he specifically rejected any place for irreligious people in leadership, stating that "there is no freedom without religion." He wants to have it both ways: Christians should overlook their differences with his religion, but fellow-Mormons should discriminate against agnostics or atheists seeking office. It was a pleasure to see him rejected by the very people (the Christian right) to whom he was pandering.
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Anonymous | 7:04 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
This is not news. We have known for centuries that religion devides. It does nothing else. Religion is devisive. That is all it is. It does no other good in the world. It just divides people. Some religions are more divisive than others. Those religions that teach that they are the one and only true "church" are the most divisive. Radical Islam. Mormonism. Fundamentalist LDS. These are some examples of the most divisive religions in the world today.
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Robert F. O'Rourke | 7:25 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Great article and very true. There is a really good book that just came out titled, "A Different God? Mitt Romney, the Religious Right, and the Mormon Question" that goes into detail about the anti-Mormon bigotry Mitt Romney faced when he ran for president. The book is available at places like Deseret Book, etc.
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Romney's Problem | 7:42 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Yes, many in the ultra-conservative wing of the Republican party are biased against Romney, but his other big problem was that he tried to pander to them by flopping on many issues. He rejected many of his smart and moderate views that made him a good governor in Massachusetts, in a misguided attempt to transform himself into an ultra conservative. Eventually (and it's happening to some extent already), Republicans in Utah are going to wake up and stop supporting the ultra-right-wing conservative nut jobs (like Huckabee and Palin).
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Romney has no chance | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
How convenient to blame anti-Mormon sentiment for Mitt Romney's failure in the election. It's funny that people would think so in 2008: after all a self-made African American candidate was able to rise to the top, but a good looking all-American billionaire who inherited his privilege supposedly lost because he is LDS? Baloney.

Romney lost because he is a shameless flip-flopper with no convictions and no moral backbone. Romney was pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-Reagan, and he admitted as much on TV many times. Somehow in 2008 we were supposed to believe that Romney is pro-life, anti-gay, and a "Reagan Republican." Give me a break.

At least both McCain and Obama are consistent in their values and don't treat the voters as potential customers who can be swindled by smooth salesmanship.

After revealing himself to be a total flip-flopper and a craven fraud, Mitt Romney has zero chance of being elected president.
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John S. | 8:07 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
McCain relied on luck rather than skill to run his campaign. Choosing Sarah Palin over Romney was one of the dumber things he did. The states where Romney won, McCain is sendng Romney over and over again to visit. However it isn't working because the people who voted for Romney just aren't excited about McCain. I hope McCain staffers look at prop 8 and see how a small minority is making a large influence. Romney would have had that engine behind him.
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schreinervideo | 8:34 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Romney was a victim of hate and most Utahans will reward the bigots with their votes. Ironic, huh?
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Mulligan | 8:36 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Based upon how this election cycle has played out, the conservative wing of the Republican party -- read the Reagan true and faithful -- got to the primary party a little late and will have their "mulligan" in 2012 when they nominate Mitt Romney.
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Anonymous | 8:39 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
To Slavery,

Well said. Well said.
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jan | 8:46 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008
Afraid of Romney and he IS a Christian btw....in favor of a Muslim candidate. Interesting.
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