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Not Romney? Utah surprised

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Dude | 12:54 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Oh come on! There is no way McCain would have chosen Romney. He would have lost in a landslide if he had! He is still LDS. The southern states and mid-west states still would not have voted for a LDS vice-president. Stop saying "Utah surprised" I for one Utahn was not at all surprised.
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GOP Outcast | 12:56 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I've voted straight-party for the Republicans ever since I was first able to vote years ago, but I've learned some interesting things about my former party over the past year. I'd like to tell you why:

First, the apparent strength of the party are the religious evangelicals that want my vote but not my religion because "Mormons worship the Devil." Second, the party of little government has been the party of big government for the past 7 years. I don't fault President Bush in particular. I fault every Republican in Washington. Third, I feel the only way to reorganize/reenergize conservative Americans is to give the White House back to the Democrats. Newt Gingrich wasn't smart enough to engineer a GOP comeback in 1996. It was merely a call for a counterbalance to President Clinton. The same thing will happen in 2012.

For these reasons, as well as a few others, I invite the Utah Republicans to join me in voting Democratic in November. Let's prove to the Nation why Utah shouldn't be taken for granted, and let's bring our party to the brink of destruction in order to allow for a resurgence in four more years.
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JTM | 1:02 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I wonder if Romney supporters have thought about this: If McCain wins, then Romney can't possibly run for president until 2016 (since incumbent presidents never lose their party's nomination). If that were the case, by 2016 the country would have had 16 years of Republican presidents, and the country would likely be ready for a Democrat no matter what. Soooo, if you want Romney for president during your lifetime, it seems that you'd want Obama to win this election, so he could run against him in 4 years. Hmmmmm...
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Chachi | 1:34 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Romney would've been the better VP--far more qualified and more experienced--but I'm glad McCain chose Palin. She will appeal much better to voters, who often vote by who seems the most likeable, fresh, diverse, etc., and not by what makes the most rational sense. Nonetheless, Obama will win, America will eventually be disillusioned with him, and Romney will be back in 2012 for another go at it.
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Don't be fooled | 1:38 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Clever spin that Utah Democratic Chair Wayne Holland put on this that McCain passed over Romney because he was LDS. Don't fall for it. Obama/Biden stand for everything that's NOT in harmony with LDS values. Shake it off, Utah, and do the right thing.
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No surprise | 1:41 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Sarah Palin is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which does not allow Mormons to join.

When will Utah wake up? the Republican party takes us for granted while mocking LDS behind our backs.

Now I'm 100% sure I'm voting for Obama.
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Not Surprised! | 1:52 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
The reality of politics is that McCain/Romney was never a good fit. After the primaries there is only "unity" to beat the other guy. Just as I pulled for Kobe in the Olympics, Romney pulls for McCain for president but there really is no love there. He may get an economic roll in the cabinet but I for one was glad that Romney did not get stuck with McCain. Not being the guy improves his odds in 2012 or 16 if he chooses.
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xscribe | 1:57 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
This should not be surprising to anyone. It's obvious, as is always the case with the Republicans, that the American people are not what matter in the election; it's about winning the election; not who and what is best for the country, but to keep control of the White House. Picking a woman for a running mate, a far right-leaning one at that, is such an obvious attempt to "go for broke" and try to gain the votes of women. Once that happens, the change we so desperately need and which Obama would implement, will be out the window, and we'll have another four years of failed policy and economic downturn. You do have to hand it to the Republicans: They are very shrewd politicians and know how to win elections. I thought McCain was above this "win at all costs" attitude. Can we really trust him to run the country? And what if he happens to pass on - he is 72 - can we really trust to have a person with so little experience we know nothing about her become President? Sad!!
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Move along | 1:59 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Mitt Romney could have been a good VP. However, McCain needed something different. Palin is a shrewd choice. Romney would be a great Secretary of Commerce.
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rvalens2 | 3:00 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Mitt may have missed out on the Veep selection but he needs to take heart and continue supporting the GOP ticket. A lot can happen over the next few months/years and he may yet get his opportunity in 2012.
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To : No Surprise | 3:03 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
You must be a lying Democrat since I easily found this at: Fellowship of Christian Athletes

�There are Mormon students who have come to the Huddle and raised their hands and said the prayer, so now we�re teaching the kids to ask the right questions and understand exactly what they believe. We�re not making denominational pitches against anyone,"
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HAHAHA | 3:33 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Poor Utah! A Mormon not being selected as the VEEP? The country knows that in Utah there is seperation between church and state......... It's about 4 city blocks!

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!!!
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jmm36 | 3:32 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I think Romney should run as an Independent, this year. Since there is no economic solution on the ballot, there is room for a third ticket.

Maybe Mitt could team with Bloomberg or something?

Will he do it? No way. Mitt is following the loyalty train and hopefully will win in 2012 as a Republican. But it would give me someone to vote for.

Who will I vote for? I am thinking Green Party this year. I do not support McCain, and I don't think Obama would be such a hot pick, either. I wish there was a box in the polls that says "apathetic" so I could express myself without staying home.

Congrats to Sarah. I have nothing against her. It is McCain's judgment, first in his marriage, then in his running mate, that brings the ticket into question.

Strategic, but not wise.
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Utah not more enlightened | 3:45 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
A truely enlightened people would not choose a person for office based upon common religion, but on the qualities of the person. Are the people of Utah choosing Romney based on this? perhaps, but given his change of political views (abortion) so close to the time he choose to run for president it is doubtful.

The people of Utah it seems are no more enlightened than the rest of americans.

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Nils | 3:54 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I was honestly surprised that McCain didn't select Romney as a running mate. I think the LDS factor would have meant nothing but success in states that he needs to win the presidency (Nevada and Colorado) but would not have ultimately hurt him in the South. Nevertheless, as a Mormon I am very glad that Romney was not selected. I have a lot of respect for him as a person and he has a great resume. Unfortunately, his strategy in the primary election forced him to portray himself as somebody he is not. If he would have run as the "moderate Republican" he has always been, focusing 90% of his talk on the economy, he would have succeeded. Now, if he were a vice presidential candidate, he would continue to be the most visible Church member, and would support stereotypes of who Mormons are that are simply not true in every case. Hopefully Mormons will not consolidate too much with the Republicans. I would love to see the majority of church members take a big step towards the middle. Moderation in all things - especially politics.
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LDS: compare Reid & Romney | 3:54 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Let's compare the way Democrats vs Republicans have treated their LDS members:

Republicans: mock Mitt Romney, question his religion and its values, choose a much less qualified candidate who is very evangelical

Democrats: elected Harry Reid majority leader, making him highest ranked LDS in the history of US, gave Reid major slot at convention, nominated proud LDS Democrat Udall in Colorado, etc.

Democrats welcome all people regardless of race or religion, a party of regular working people instead of Republican millionaires.

Isn't that what you want for your country and your kids?
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Joseph Atwater | 4:17 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
Lets face it Republicans are for war and power and money, "hell with the poor, ship em off to Iraq". If you got money and vote Republican come to Utah, "your welcome here". Democrats are for abortions and same sex marriage.When will the Mormons get it right and find another party who is God fearing and not whats promoted behind shut doors of Salt Lakes "religious community". They say..." oh we dont promote political parties" we only adopt the Republican way"....shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Like the Wise Teacher said of old...."Hypocrites"
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Klay Peterson | 4:31 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I am a life-long Republican but cannot support this ticket. No disrespect intended to Palin, but to me McCain is a pimp and is only pandering to the undecided Clinton female base. He is not choosing the best candidate for VP. This is achoice of political expediency over what is best for the country. A decision based on meeting her one time? This will back-fire on McCain as voters will see right through this. Given his age and health issues, we should be very concerned as to who is the next in line to the presidency.
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Anonymous | 4:41 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I thank God Almighty that Romney was NOT chosen. WHAT A RELIEF!!!!!
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Utahn | 4:47 a.m. Aug. 30, 2008
I'm not surprised.
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.