Deseret News | 'Iowa first' — Romney's future may depend on results of 3 state contests

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'Iowa first' — Romney's future may depend on results of 3 state contests

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Andrew Teasdale | 3:29 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

If Romney weren't Mormon, he wouldn't have a prayer in Utah. If the LDS folks in Utah looked at how people stand on the issues, Dr. Paul would be leading in the state. Take just a minute and compare the two. Which one stands by the Constitution (I'm not sure Romney has read it)? Which one is against the war (Hint: it's not Romney). And on and on. Take a few minutes and look at the issues. You'll find Dr. Paul represents what you believe more than your favored son.

Nail the coffin..vote democrat | 3:31 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

The Democrats have no answers and no clue. They wanted to pull out of Iraq and all those lives would have been for not. I'm not a big war supporter, but unfortunately once you're in, you have to win.

The Dems want the government to assume more control of our lives. This IS the clear and present danger.

The Dems will spend us into oblivion with higher taxes for all.

Hilary Clinton (a.k.a. "Cold Case) is bad news period. Edwards is an ambulance chaser, and Obama knows nothing. The Dems have nothing to offer, no sound economic plan, and a defense strategy that requires we keep our fingers crossed. They have no sense of the American sprit, tradtion or heritage. Any vote for a Dem is a vote for the counterculture..plain and simple. Any Republican is better and wins vs. any DEM

Signed,
A Utah Conservative who Will vote for Ron Paul

undecided | 3:35 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

I maybe undecided at this time but how can someone vote for Huchabee, He perdon a rapist and the rapist went and did it again and killed two people.

Comments continue below

Wilkey | 3:37 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Wait - shouldn't the News be opposed to Romney's candidacy?

After all, if Romney does win, much of the credit will be due to his stand on illegal immigration which, while not entirely kosher with the pro-enforcement crowd, is far more so than the positions staked out by his major contenders Giuliani, McCain and Huckabee. In fact Huckabee's recent rise in the polls has been deflated thanks to heavy coverage of his past open border's positions.

Odd that the News should seem so enthusiastic for a candidate who in other circumstances they would refer to as a racist and xenophobe.

re:Romney is immoral and inexper | 3:57 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Immoral -- How??? Please explain.

Inexperienced -- Have you seen his resume'?

Gee, your post wasn't clear at all, and a waste of everyone's time.

john carroll | 4:10 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

I remember Geo Romney i was a missionary in Ala 50 yrs ago. and he was liked then. therefore i do not belive the southern people will have a problem voting for his son.

Romney is a liar. That's how. | 4:14 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

First, Romney has lied and used his religion for his own political gain. Let's take the example of him saying he saw his father march with Martin Luther King. This didn't happen and it was a lie but when confronted about it he said "If you look at the literature, if you look at the dictionary, the term ï¿½sawï¿½ includes ï¿½being aware ofï¿½ in the sense Iï¿½ve described. I did not see it with my own eyes, but I saw him in the sense of being aware of his participation in that great [civil rights] effort."

Then Romney lied about him being endorsed by the National Rifle Association in his 2002 bid for Governor. It didn't happen and Romney is a liar. When caught in this lie he said, "It was, if you will, a support phone bank, which is not an official endorsement." But let's not forget his convenient ability to take positions that will get him elected and changing them to get elected to another office.

Now to his experience. He has been a Governor of a State. We have 50 of them every couple years and let's not forget he is a businessman. How many of those?

Mohan | 4:25 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Romney is the only candidate with the ability to win the Presidential office as a Republican in 2008. He is the only candidate for either party that knows how to turn things around and make them better. He knows how to make America successful and how to have America be looked upon as a successful country. Who cares if he is a Mormon? No one. Who cares if he is the next President? I am in favor. He will be successful because he is a good, hard working man who is smart and effective. Utah saw him at the Olympics, not at Church. That is why Utah will vote for him. Let's just leave religion out of it, except for In God We Trust.

huf | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

ok - Lisa - what is the starting line based on??
"Most Utahns already have decided they want GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney to win the White House in 2008 ï¿½"
Alright I am not a Utahn - but I do not know one 'Utahn' that supports him. And as an LDS person - I am ashamed to be associated with what he and his party represents. So my decision is very much the opposite

Wilkey | 4:32 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

"First, Romney has lied and used his religion for his own political gain. Let's take the example of him saying he saw his father march with Martin Luther King"

Actually thre's evidence that his father did march with King: like a newspaper from the day after the march. Find a new lie to spread.

Wilkey can vote for a liar since | 4:50 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Wilkey, there is absolutely no evidence that he marched with Martin Luther King but even if there was let's look at Romney lying about him marching with Martin Luther King and his father. Of course, you will have a newspaper article to support that too. In a 1978 interview Romney said, "My father and I marched with Martin Luther King Jr. through the streets of Detroit." But now, this is not what he says ""If you look at the literature, if you look at the dictionary, the term ï¿½sawï¿½ includes ï¿½being aware ofï¿½ in the sense Iï¿½ve described. I did not see it with my own eyes, but I saw him in the sense of being aware of his participation in that great [civil rights] effort."

Either the 1978 interview is right and he was there with his father and saw him march or Romney only "saw him in the sense of being aware of his participation." He is conveniently pro-choice, and pro-gay rights when he wants to win against Ted Kennedy for the U.S. Senate or when he wants to win for Governor of Massachusetts and then becomes pro-life and anti-gay marriage when it is convenient.

Mark | 4:55 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Mitt Romney has the intellect, leadership, experience, and communication skills (among other things) to make an excellent president for this great country. He has a broad circle of association with many who are subject matter experts in many areas of domestic and foreign policy issues, another very strong asset. I feel like I can trust his judgement and skill in leading this nation as a capable and honorable President. I find that carefully listening the other GOP candidates express their views, positions, or vision for America simply reaffirms my support for Mitt Romney and his much needed leadership.

A sarcastic post about his inexp | 5:12 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Thanks for the talking points Mark. I am sure you can volunteer for the Romney campaign. I love the talk about experience since Romney doesn't have it.

He can say, "My name's Romney and I'm a businessman like thousands of others but this qualifies me to be President, and I was in charge of the Olympics and talked to foreign representatives of the Olympic Committee and this qualifies me to make foreign policy decisions. I know that I don't have any education or real experience on the matter but my English lit degree will be really helpful. Let's not forget that I am one of hundreds of Governors and former Governors but I am more qualified then them. I know I have served in federal and state office for less time than other candidates but I am still more qualified. They aren't business people like me. I would gladly step out of the way if Warren Buffett were to run since he would be really qualified to be President. If another Governor were to run I would do so too. Oops, I am one of a few Governors already running but I am more qualified than they."

Anonymous | 5:39 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

The second half of 2007 saw violence drop dramatically in Iraq, but the progress came at a high price: The year was the deadliest for the U.S. military since the 2003 invasion, with 899 troops killed.

And Mitt Romney supports the Bush Doctrine's illegal and immoral war. Romney is toast.

Gitano | 5:45 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

I don't like Romney but some of the trash about his experience, or lack there of, is moot.

Like him or not, Reagan was a former governor and a former actor with some experience with the acting guild as a leader. Was he a good president?

The most important problem with Romney is not a matter of experience or leadership. His is a problem with integrity. He will say or do anything that he thinks is necessary to get votes. As I stated before: he was pro-choice, he is now pro-life. This is one of many things where he has made a convenient change to enhance his electibility.

No, Mr. Romney would not be a good president. One would always have to wonder out of which side of his mouth Romney is speaking, and when he would cut and run.

Mitt Romney, stay with business pursuits.

bubba | 6:19 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

As a die-hard Democrat and solid Mormon, I'll vote for Hillary. But if she loses the nomination, I will seriously consider voting for Mitt, despite his politics. I feel I can trust any family-values man who has served the LDS community both as a bishop and stake president.

As an Arkansan, I wouldn't trust Mike Huckabee any farther than I can spit.

True data? | 6:25 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Is that comment, "Most Utahns already have decided they want GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney to win the White House in 2008." coming from actual data or simply an assumption? I have a very difficult time believing that it is any more than a cruel assumption. Thanks Des.

If you have actual data I would be very interested to see it. After a statement like that should be something along the lines of, 'according to such and such a study.'

Be a more reliable source please.

russ | 6:56 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

If anyone can get through to Mitt -- here is what he should say about immigration: "Build a big fence, build a big gate."
Our borders have to be secure. Period. If we are to remain a nation, we have to have a border. The big gate is to let in those people who want work, need work, and will work. Photo ids, etc. Use technology. Big fence, big gate.

As to the 12,000,000 illegals already let in, point at GWBjr for that, we have a dilemma. Bussing them back? Get serious. You have to photo id them and fingerprint, and then say, "Get down to the employment office." A candidate who is willing to admit that 12,000,000 people moving back to Mexico by bus is a stupid idea gets my vote. Part of being a leader is to face the facts. Thanks to GWBjr, el presidente in charge, we have this problem. Will any pres. candidate go for big fence, big gate? Makes sense, eh. Then use technology!!

and the band played on | 7:01 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

sure hope he doesn't follow the same foreign policy ...oil business man already tried...but alot of people aren't buying so this election is the best thing ...for showing if the process is for real, so bring on the skull and bones society attitude... good fodder...and hope doesn't gore anyones's ox.

Wow | 8:14 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Wow. So many Mormon haters out there. It's stupid to say that Mormons would vote for Mitt simply because he's LDS. I would never vote for Harry Reid. And please list any candidate out there who has never flip-flopped on an issue or presented himself as an ugly politician. Is that all that the ignorant masses can come up with to oppose Mitt except that he's also a Mormon?

Here's Johnny | 8:22 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

I remember George Romney and how honorable and honest and hard working he was..I don't think George would have all these issues that his son has. I think he was more into work and people than Mitt is. He wasn't a salesman over treating people well. Alot of people in American Motors really liked him and knew that he would treat them well. Even if his company lost money because of it. Not too sure Mitt would lose money to help the average Joe.......Am I wrong? If I am, then Go Mitt! If I'm right,then he doesn't deserve to win the election......

suzyk | 8:46 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!The sarcasm, bashing, judging in your comments is disheartening. Mitt Romney is running for President because he loves our country...not because he is a Mormon. What I would like to know is how do you know the thoughts and feelings of the Utah population. We think for ourselves and choose whom we think qualifies for the position. Let he or she who has never changed their mind or never committed a small or big sin cast the first stone. Whomever God feels is best qualified or will do the job now, will be elected. It is in his control. Getting angry, ugly or judging people you do not know personally will certainly not be in your favor...and you can take that to the bank. Try looking for the good, we all have that.

Anonymous | 8:46 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

How many of you remember this:

"On August 31, 1967, Governor Romney made a statement that ruined his chances for getting the nomination. In a taped interview with Lou Gordon of WKBD-TV in Detroit, Romney stated, 'When I came back from Viet Nam [in November 1965], I'd just had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get.' He then shifted to opposing the war: 'I no longer believe that it was necessary for us to get involved in South Vietnam to stop Communist aggression in Southeast Asia,' he declared. Decrying the 'tragic' conflict, he urged 'a sound peace in South Vietnam at an early time.' Thus Romney disavowed the war and reversed himself from his earlier stated belief that the war was 'morally right and necessary.'"

If Mitt flip-flopped on the Iraq occupation, Guantanamo, violations against the Constitution and a few other things, maybe I'd vote for him, too.

Wilkey | 10:08 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

Bussing them back? Get serious. You have to photo id them and fingerprint, and then say, "Get down to the employment office." A candidate who is willing to admit that 12,000,000 people moving back to Mexico by bus is a stupid idea gets my vote. - RUss

OK, Russ. Point me to the candidate who has suggested it. I'll go even further: point me to the serious pro-enforcement spokesman who has argued for it. Not Roy Beck at NumbersUSA, not Dan Stein at FAIR, not Peter Brimelow at VDare or Mark Krikorian at CIS, and not Rep. Tom Tancredo. None of them has said "We're gunna bus them all back." Their propositions are all variations of a plan called attrition through enforcement, which involves denial of government ID and benefits and fining and prosecuting businesses who employ them. The idea is that if they can't get a job, or a car, or put their kids on school then they'll go home.

Of course you'll come back and say "that won't work" with zero, zilch, nada to make your case; which is why all the open borders loons are against it - because they know it will work.

maybelle | 10:28 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

I would never vote for the Huckster. There is nothing about him that impresses me.

Romney is the only candidate qualified to be President. He looks like a President--someone to be proud of.

vaase | 10:56 p.m. Dec. 30, 2007

re; immoral and inexperience?
You claim you are a mormon?last time i check Romney was, and is still a worthy Latter Day saint.
He has built and run successful businesses, and a sucessful and what the media wrote the best winter olimpics ever. I belong to the church
of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. And so does romney. And so, the way you sounded like to me. is either you are an inactive mormon, or plain liberal democrat in disquise.
13m people know very well the law that was given by the Lord in order for this land that is promised above all other lands. That is serve
him and keep his commandments and this country will prevail its enemies.
The very Jesus Christ who is the Savior of all mankind period.
In God WE Trust!

Go! romney! Tell 'em Mitt the rights of the Priethood are insepprably connected with the Powers of HEAVEN and that the Powers of HEAVEN cannot be controlled nor handle only upon the principles of righteousness and that's what you have and hold
BEST WISHES!!!!!!

Dennis | 1:59 a.m. Dec. 31, 2007

Be very careful what you are promoting with your Holy diatribe.."Vaase"..The majority of problems that faced the members of the Church in Missouri in the 1840s were a direct result of their bragging about their Priesthood powers and their rights to the land and how they were so much better than everyone else.
I am a Romney supporter because I think he is the only one smart enough and honest enough to do the job right, not simply because he is a Mormon. The church may have taught him about honesty and integrity and hard work but that is as far as its influence will be.
As far as flip floppping is concerned....it is not flip flopping to change ones opinions. It is, however if one changes them back and forth and back and forth. For Romney, or anyone, to recognize a better way and change his mind because there is a better way shows courage and insight. Would you rather see beligerence and blindness in the face of truth just to avoid being labelled a flip flopper, by mocking name-callers.

KJB | 9:37 a.m. Dec. 31, 2007

Ah, the Deseret News boards, where Democrats are vile demons who sacrifice puppies on altars and drink their blood. I'm leaning towards Edwards myself (and really hope that Hillary doesn't win it), but ANY Democrat would be a huge improvement over what we've had to endure over the past two terms. If you want to dig yourself deeper into a pointless, unwinnable war and ignore the nearly 50 million without health insurance, vote Republican by all means. If you were to point a gun at my head and pick one of them, I'd have to go with Huckabee: Romney's an insincere flip-flopper and Paul just gives me the creeps (anti-war position aside.)

And, yes, I'm LDS...

Cyndi | 11:39 a.m. Dec. 31, 2007

As a Republican from the state of Washington, it might interest people to know that in southwest Washington, Mitt Romney has raised more funds & support than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican. In fact, it's about six times more than the next top candidate. Also, much of that support is from those that are not LDS. (See "The Columbian" newspaper article published this month in Vancouver, WA)

Registered Independent | 9:40 a.m. Jan. 2, 2008

During the presidential election in November, I'm voting for the Democratic candidate mostly because I feel it's the only way to restore confidence again with our allies. I feel that we must show our allies that the Bush administration made a mistake in invading Iraq and we are working towards correcting that. The Republicans seem to continue to justify our presence in Iraq instead of expressing regret.

Having said that, the next president could possibly be Republican. McCain and Huckabee both scare me because they seem to be too radical, unpredictable and capable of going off the deep end. Romney, though far from being the ideal candidate, seems to be the most mentally stable and would be the best alternate should a Republican be voted into office. Even though I wonï¿½t be voting for him in November, I hope he gets the Republican bid so that America doesnï¿½t go further into the quagmire.

church teachings? | 10:19 a.m. Jan. 2, 2008

I wonder if Dennis 1:59 would think THIS a good example of Romney's church "teaching him about honesty and integrity"? -
Romney told the Boston Herald in 1978: "My father and I marched with Martin Luther King Jr. through the streets of Detroit."

The Romney campaign admits that the claim is false, which means only that it's now time for Romney himself to explain what he meant by that.

I'm not a "Mormon Hater" | 11:23 a.m. Jan. 3, 2008

But I do dislike Mormons or anyone else that can't "think outside the box". Religion has traditionally kept people down with it's guilt ridden teachings, but no longer for most of us. If we can't speak the truth without being interpreted as "haters" then it's not our problem it's yours'!

Anonymous | 12:04 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

Why does the word "Aryan" come to mind when I think of the average Mormon?

Anonymous | 12:34 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

Can't you just picture Romney's press conferences with questions such as, "Do you think God has ever spoken to anybody since Moses?"
Again and again.

DM | 1:40 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

I can understand the feelings of those who see religion as a strict, confining set of beliefs. As a "Mormon" myself as well as a person who is proud of thinking outside of the box, I have found my faith to be very freeing rather than confining. I am far from the traditional church member in the sense that I don't have a family ancestry of pioneers, along with their traditions handed down through the years. Instead I closely examine what my church leaders are saying now and listen to what my heart says. I find there is a consistency between the two.

For example, one of my favorite statements from an LDS Church leader is: ï¿½Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive. ï¿½ God does not look on sin with [the least degree of] allowance, but ï¿½ the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.ï¿½

Anonymous | 2:11 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

Oh no!
Why does every subject always deteriorate in somebody doing their testimony thing?
Don't they get enough of that for 3 straight hours every Sunday?

re church teachings | 4:34 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

Didn't Romney claim his father marched with MLK? Didn't a couple of people come forward and verify that was the case. How old was Mitt in 1978?

Romney's vision | 4:55 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

In the most-watched speech of his political career, speaking on ï¿½Faith in Americaï¿½ at College Station, Texas, earlier this month, Mitt Romney evoked the strongest of all symbolic claims to civil-rights credentials: ï¿½I saw my father march with Martin Luther King.ï¿½
His father George Romney would later lead a 10,000-person protest march through Detroit, but not with King.
(aren't protest marches something the evil liberals do?)
It appears that the whole story was a lie that only Romney himself can try to explain - but has remained silent after his campaign people confirmed that the even never happened. Maybe Romney had a vision or something?
I don't think this is something Romney's church taught him - was it?

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'Iowa first' — Romney's future may depend on results of 3 state contests

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'Iowa first' — Romney's future may depend on results of 3 state contests