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Caucuses are setback for Clinton and Romney

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Pre | 1:15 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
This certainly is not good, but is not a big setback for the Romney campaign. Given that 60% of the voters were Evangelicals/born agagin Christians I think that Mitt did very well against a Baptist Minister. Huckabee winning in Iowa is like Romney winning in Utah, not a huge deal. I expect Romney to well in the other states. Remember, Reagan and George H.W. Bush also lost Iowa...we'll have to wait and see how this plays out.
Robert from NC | 2:09 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I was very pleased by Governor Romney's reaction to his placing second in Iowa. There was no sign of defeat in his voice. He is ready to compete nationwide and hopefully has learned some lessons from this contest.

Number 1 lesson is to put forth more positive ideas such as eliminating unfair taxes and agressively laying out how he will strengthen America. Number 2 lesson is to not appear negative while pointing out the hidden weaknesses of opponents. It would be great if an unbiased group would rate the candidates on truthfullness, their past mistakes, what they have done to remedy these mistakes, and what they intend to do in the future. This election is all about the future.

If a person has done things to hurt his country in the past and is non-repentant that person will continue to do the same things, but in a bigger arena. Mitt is still the man with the best record and the greatest potential to run the US government in a truly conservative fashion. GO MITT!
So.... | 3:55 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Who cares about Romney. Congrats to Obama! I knew Hillary was bad, but to finish third? Behind Edwards? Way to go chick, I love it!
Comments continue below
Jgirl18 | 5:41 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Romney's speech was pathetic. It was among the worst I ever heard from any politician. All he spoke about was "me, me, me" and how he won the "silver" and will go for the gold. He certainly sounds like a man who cares more about winning than serving the people. He doesn't seem to care about anyone other than those people who think the way he currently thinks. He has burned his bridges with Democrats and Independents and how does he expect to win a general election like that?
Hungry for truth | 5:56 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
America is hungry for and demanding of leaders who tell the truth.
Romney would be better off coming clean on the lies he told about his father marching with Martin Luther King in Detroit etc. then ask for forgiveness. If not - he's toast.
russ | 5:57 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
eu contraire: it is a big deal. Good looking candidate, nice looking family, lots of money, est. worth is $350M?, always in royal blue outfits (great sweaters), touting how he ran a liberal state, son of a well-known rich businessman, has Mormon phone banks in Sandy Utah doing his bidding, loses to funky, underfunded, more liberal, poor boy,who still doesn't fit his clothes right, shucks talking guy. That is news! Huck's aw shucks won't get him to the white house, but neither will flip-flopping around by the blue kid. Let's face it: McCain is still popping corks this morning.

And Michele Obama is picking out the furniture that goes with the Presidential seal. If he wins in NH the fat lady has sung.

Bart | 6:19 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I beg to differ. With the amount of money Mitt spent in Iowa and the near double digit whippin., it was a very big defeat. Face it, he's LDS and will not win the nomination. We Utahns have been taken to the cleaners again. It's time we woke up.
need a liberal to lead | 6:41 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
As soon as LDS people can find a liberal-leaning leader (not a flip-flopper) they may have a chance at the big prize.
Until then its Utah - the reddest state in the Union.
wjl | 6:41 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
It is ironic that Huckabee can benefit from his religion but Romney is not allowed to benefit from his. It is the age-old story of how religion only counts when it is "my religion". I will vote Democrat for the first time if Huckabee goes on to win and uses religion to power his campaign.
Ken Baguley | 7:10 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
When you have ALL the media stumping for one and against the other...Who's going to come out ahead?
Bobbie | 7:17 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
After failing to convince Iowa that he was his party's "only true conservative", how is he going to convince New Hampshire that he is now his party's moderate who can deliver independent and democrat votes? He lost it, when he reincarnated himself as the new Mitt. He cannot win a general election. He can't brag about having been governor of the liberal state of MA without bringing up his flipflopping ways. MA won't have any more of him now.
Good For the Goose | 7:23 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
It never ceases to amaze me how what is appropriate for one candidate is not appropriate for another. It's OK that Huckabee preached his campaign from every Baptist pulpit in Iowa, but Romney can't use his Church pulpits, nor the Baptist ones. Separation of Church and State you know. It is OK that Huckabee was admittedly voted in by members of his Church, where if Romney had accomplished that it would be negatively spoken of for months or years. If Romney figuratively speaks of seeing his father march we think it the worst evil imaginable, whereas if Huckabee says "oh, we had no idea that cross was back there" and "we need to get away from all the politicking and just celebrate Jesus birth" we still think he is oh so honorable. People outside his faith are beginning to see what a fake he is and it is going to derail the Hucksters campaign.
Bob Silverman | 7:28 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I agree with those thinking the defeat was huge. Iowa was essentially a two man race in the Republican caucuses - there was next to no campaign activity from any of the candidates except Romney and Huckabee. The "silver" finish translates to a last place finish in Iowa. And it doesn't get any better in NH where McCain has already tracked Romney down in the polls and won the endorsement race. Outside the ranks of the hard core base, even Republican voters recognize Romney's weakness with the truth. And of course Huckabee's religion was a factor in his win, just as it is when Mormons show up to vote for Romney. Bias cuts both ways! Romney's loss wasn't about his Mormonism, it was about his truth devoid character. Time to shed the rose colored glasses out in Utah, and face the facts - Romney is toast.
Two words | 7:43 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Two words define the Iowa 'loss'.

President Dean.

Remember? He won Iowa by a landslide?
My2cents | 7:48 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Utahns need to wake up, Bart? You know, Just because theres a lot of LDS here, does not make us dumb and dumber. I do support Mitt, but not just because he's LDS. I don't think the 'victory' in Iowa was a solid one, as folks voted religion, rather than the merrits of the man. Huckabee is a religious bigot. I'd believe he wasent if he did not have so much anti-mormon on his website. He spoke the evang. message. Romney is strong is NH.
nolan | 7:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Things are not looking to good for Mitt. What we know is even spending over $400 a vote in Iowa could not make them believe him. Thank goodness they could see through the insincerity of this candidate. New Hampshire, I hope you get a clue, too.

Smiling | 7:58 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
With Obama's win, this can't be a good day for Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton, the two who have made a forture of race hussling.
Flint | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Huckabee is showing us ordinary people can have a chance to be President and you do not need to sell your soul for the job, and flip flop on issues.
I am so releived Mitt could not just buy a State.
Non-believer | 8:10 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
If
Romney were to win the nomination (which he will not) or the presidency (which he will not) he will be the perfect example that if you have enough money you can buy anything. Iowa is the writing on the wall, Mitt. You should not have run. Come on, Utah. Would you vote for him if he were not Mormon. Anyone who is Mormon has to be little closer to the angels. NOT. Can't we just use our heads and not let our entire intellect be based on religion?????????? God told us to use our intellect, not to be a bunch of sheep. The LDS church stays out of politics for a very good reason. I think that reason is obvious.
REP | 8:26 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Bart, you hit the nail on the head. What you and your members, [and I know you don't want to hear this],is challange your high up church officals to bring LDS, out of it's cult-like status and join the rest of america,[the majority],lose the secracy,and isolation. Debate openly, your beliefs that a few years ago, a young boy had a vision that began this religion,to show the right way,that most others struggle with. Debate things such as paligamy, that is know forbidden [I think],but remember, this is america- we can all agree to disagree. While your at it, check into how LDS seems to be getting into hot water, concerning wrongful adoptions, this should be corrected before it becomes another eye catching, finger pointing ordeal for future political ambitions. but don't give up, this is america.
Re:Non Believer | 8:40 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Apply your reasoning in Iowa. Romeny lost becuase of evangilicals. Hickabee (sic on purpose) did not win on reason. You are more naivee than those you acuse (though you have some justification.)
Park City Resident | 8:44 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Winning Iowa is bad juju. Remember Howard Dean...
Iowa is a state full of religious bigots that voted for a religious bigot. When folks pin down Huckabee on the issues they will see him for what he is... a liberal.
Believer | 8:53 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Non-believer, For someone who claims to be so rational your post has no logical flow whatsoever. However, in an attempt to respond to your questions, would you vote for Romney if he were NOT Mormon? I would guess yes or there would be a greater chance... is that rational? Have you heard of Harry Reid? Well, let me enlighten you� he is Mormon and a Democrat and I would never vote for him. Also, why don't you tell all the other candidates to stop raising funds for their campaigns and stop inserting there own money into campaigning, then we can talk about the injustice of money and power. Face it, it is the system we live in. By the way, who controls the media channels and all the money going into that industry? Answer... the majority of the left wing. So, I don't think you want to start the �what's fair and what's not fair� debate.
Utahns 4 Uncle Mitt | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I hope the Republican Party has enough sense to avoid nominating a bozo like Huckabee. We're electing a President, not a next-door neighbor.
Believer cont... | 8:58 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Non-believer, also, the LDS church has stayed out of politics unlike many other churches. However, that does not mean members of the church do not have the right to vote as a citizen of this great country. No one expected Romney to make it even this far, so your antics and opinions about what Romney might do really have no basis. On a side note, the Savior is the Good Shepard and we are His flock... think about it... sheep... shephard. The logical thing to do is to follow the all-knowing creater of the Universe.
Ed | 9:07 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Believer, if you really think that the LDS Church has stayed OUT of elections.....my goodness, I have beachfront real estate for sale in Oklahoma, if you are interested.
Uncle Ricco | 9:15 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
The Huckleberry victory was the clearest case of a religious block vote. Romney was leading in the polls in Iowa for months, then some evangelical preachers got together and simply couldn't let a mormon win - he didn't fit their definition of Christianity, etc. So, they got behind Huckleberry and in effect killed Romney's chances in Iowa. The GOP has counted on LDS voters support for many decades. It appears that the LDS is vote is taken for granted. Is this a fair way to be treated?
I would urge LDS voters to do the following:
1. Vote for democrat in the general election or vote for a 3rd party candidate who you could support. If the next election is a close as 2000 or 2004, one state could sway to election and that would certainly get the attention of party bosses and future politicians to not take the LDS vote for granted. Imagine if Utah went with the democrat or to a 3rd party candidate? 5 million LDS people in the US is not a huge base, but it could certainly play a major factor in states like Utah, Nevada, California, Idaho, etc.
Reasons | 9:24 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Romney can't win for the following reasons: he changed his position on abortion, he is trying to court the religious right who are bigots, and he has turned off moderates and the not so religious republicans and independents. He has also failed to tell us why he is running and what kind of president he would be (specific plans for change).

I want to vote for the man because I can imagine what someone with his background and capabilities could do in the White House. Romney himself has got to articulate that message or he will never get above 30% of any voter base. At this point, the Republicans are still really searching for the right candidate. In 6 more weeks it will be too late.
re: ed | 9:24 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
You made a poor choice to buy that property.
Skeptic | 9:25 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
The tone of these posts is so much more civil than what I find on the SL Trib site.
Romney did Great | 9:29 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Romney did a great job and had plenty of people voting him in Iowa.

Huckabee won't be able to stump at churches in New Hampshire like he did in Iowa. I live in Iowa, I listened to talk show host appeal to the evangelical vote, talking only to their "christian brothers" to unite against Romney (yes those words were used). Huckster stands no chance in real world policts, just to show you look at the third or fourth place finish he'll have in N.H.

Bigotry won't work in America.
Huckabee is not a winner! | 9:29 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
If you look at statistics it is clear that Huckabee only won because of the support of evangelicals. Hopefully, the other Republicans will see that the party needs someone who can win the election. Romney needs to win N.H.
What Irony? | 9:32 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
WJL and many others on this post...it is not so "ironic that Huckabee can benefit from his religion but Romney is not allowed to benefit from his.." It is sad that you basically deny that is exactly what happens here in Utah in every election cycle where Utah Repbublicans benefit by accessing their religion all across the state. At least those in the majority who are LDS. Meanwhile opposing Democrats, even the LDS, do not get that same benefit...as if something is wrong with them for not being LDS and Republican. Perhaps now you know what it feels like to be "used" and to have "religion power a campaign."
Mike | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
It's time for LDS to look at the Republican party in detail. Iowa picked Huck over Romney. Hmmm, let's see why:

Mitt:
Got a Law degree and MBA degree SIMULTANEOUSLY from one of the most elite schools in the nation. I don't know anyone who could do that personally.

Made millions of dollars on his own.

Huck:
Got his bachelor's in Religion, dropped out after that.

If Huck were Mormon and Mitt were Baptist, I could see Utah picking Mitt over Huck.

mjk | 9:39 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I think you need to step back a bit from what you are saying here. You seem to say that evangelicals will not vote for Romney simply because he is Mormon, yet you also imply voters here in Utah would, simply because he is LDS. You can not have it both ways. Give the people who voted some credit for voting their individual consciences or suffer in silence when they claim Utahns will only vote LDS candidates without voting their consciences.
Huckabee alienates! | 9:42 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I have heard some LDS Republicans say they will vote for Obama or Clinton over Huckabee because of his bigoted religious attacks.
Barefaced Liar | 9:43 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
It's not just the flip-flopping (one day he's a liberal, the next day he's a conservative) It's the barefaced lies (like seeing his father march with Martin Luther King in Detroit that never happened to try to cover for his church's racist past)
Not everybody is comfortable living a lie as Utahns seem to be.
botton line | 9:46 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
the u.s. does not deserve a leader like a mr. romney. all you idiot will regret your statement when we have another 9/11. i can see hillary hiding behind bill or huck playing his banjo while americans are being killed in our own land. oh for those who think the world hate us. news flash, they have alway hated us. they envy our freedom, right to govern and freedom of religion.

are all you liberal so short sighted as to not remember the the current war was started when Billy-Hill did not want to take out bin ladin when they had the chance?

yes bush has made some mistake but i don't see you thanking him from stopping the bombs blowing up in your neighborhood or that you can fly without another airplane be hyjacked. i know you want your party to win but get real. lets vote for someone who is educated and will protect our rights.
SLC | 9:48 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
The Mormon alibiing defense of their candidate Romney's loss gives reason for not having a Mormon in the White House. Mormons spin their folklore and then convince themselves to believe it, and then condemn others who do not accept their non-sense.
lifer | 9:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008


Obama's victory speech was Bobby Kennedy in 1968. His lack of experience makes me nervous. But his vision is inspirational.


Mitt's loss was huge! He was soooo banking (literally and figuratively) on Iowa AND NH to get him going into S.Car. and super tuesday.


As for a double standard regarding Mitt and Shucksabee talking about religion -- it was Mitt's choice to play down his mormonism.


MITT's choice!


And, I am positive, a very very calculated choice it was -- a choice focus-group tested at great expense across all relevant demographics.

Educator | 9:51 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I am always disturbed when we place so much emphasis on one's race/ethnicity. Now living the the South, I am constantly reminded that if one has "one drop of Black blood" in one's body, they are "considered Black." Mr. Obama had an African father and a Caucasian mother, yet he is an "African-American"? Why is it that he is not called what he really is, and that is bi-racial?
AzMom | 10:08 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
The use of the term "flip-flopping" sounds just like the media's use of the term "gravitas" a few years ago! Enough, already. Mitt only changed his mind on abortion. Would you rather have a democrat in office?? We LDS are now aware that not much has changed in the good ol' midwest since 1846, when the Nauvoo folks crossed the Mississippi on their way out of town, heading west.






ron | 10:10 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
wow! seems that the lion and the lamb will lie down together much sooner than the children can get together on religion or politics.
Change is good | 10:11 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Reading some of these backwoods, backwards posts I can see why Utah is called "the reddest state in the country.
I sincerely hope these poor souls can handle the change that is coming.
word games | 10:15 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
It seems to me "AzMom" that the political term flip-flopping will cease to be negative when the term liberal ceases to be negative.
Isn't It Ironic | 10:42 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
I find it so Ironic that Iowa Evangelicals chose the candidate they felt most represented Christian values. Yet, these Evangelicals have NO IDEA that the LDS faith is led by The Savior himself! If Christians in America want a leader who has faith in Christ, Then THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THAN A LATTER DAY SAINT. All these 'Born-Agains' will be totally shocked one day to learn that Mormonism is led by the Very One they Worship.
lifer | 10:43 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
to AzMom:

2008 midwest and Nauvoo?

Wow. . . .
SLC Native | 10:49 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Could the Nations Biggest Political Story next Election be that Utah goes Democrat? It's the times--they're-a-changin'!
Utah Resident | 10:59 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Memo to all the democrats/liberals:

Iowa means little or nothing to republicans and to Mitt in particular. It is a liberal state. The media did not cover this fact. The results were only a snapshot of what the convoluted thinking is all about in Iowa. Democrats think government is the way to fix every aspect of our lives. Mitt said after the results last night that he is in it for the long haul (all fifty states), yet the talking heads kept trying to bait and badger him into making statements to the contrary, together with how much money he spent in Iowa, and much less Mike spent. Mitt has money...what is wrong with that? The state is bigoted towards Mitt on the religion issue, pure and simple, and Mitt is much more conservative in his positions on the issues that matter. Mike is a populist/moderate, which is another way of saying he is liberal.

Mitt is doing just fine. New Hampshire is another bastion of liberalism. The point coming out of Iowa and undoubably New Hampshire next Tuesday with validate liberalism again. Mitt should come out 2nd or 3rd at least, and maybe even 1st.

Go Mitt!!!!
Anonymous | 11:04 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008
Utahns- get over your Mit-flopper and check out OBAMA!

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Supporters of Sen. Barack Obama, including Eric Kiltz, left, cheer as they watch the results from Iowa on Thursday in Salt Lake City.

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