Deseret News | Reader comments: 62% say Mitt's still in race

Reader comments
62% say Mitt's still in race

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Anonymous | 12:33 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

And prior to this no one has ever suggested that Utah exists in a skewed reality?

Doggie | 12:39 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

And the point of this story is???

polls | 12:47 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Have to love them. The poll of 413 Utahns conducted by Dan Jones & Associates say Mitt has 62%.
413 out of about 2 million Utah people? I might as well ask my dogs who they like.

Comments continue below

Bookaholic | 3:24 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

I think Romney will be the Republican candidate and will win the presidency. He is by far the most outstanding individual in the race bar none.

All the snide comments in the world will not make Romney anything other than a decent, superlatively successful and accomplished gentleman with a great family and a great future.

We need our A-game at this dangerous point in our history...and that's Mitt. The world is volatile, the jihadists are hunting us, the economy is strong but wobbling. We need a cool head, a brainiac. We need Romney.

Pray God we get him...and donate to help him. I've decided I'm going to even though I don't have a lot. I want to do my part in that way, get some signs, start helping ring doorbells or something. We need this man as president! I support Mitt!

Bart | 6:09 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Face it Utah. You are not going to get a chance to vote for Mitt. He will have been scuttled long before anything of importance happens here. We have really very little OOMPF in Republican politics nationally. They just take our cash and smile and say "thank you." We are taken for granted. But with our voting record, why not?

GWB | 6:21 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Skewed reality...

According to a nationwide CNN poll taken the same days said, "The poll contained some worrying news for Romney: 62 percent of those surveyed say they will definitely not vote for the former Massachusetts governor in the general election, compared with just 13 percent who say they will definitely support him -- the worst showing of any of the major candidates."

Don't worry Utah, you opinion really matters on these things, right?

When Utahn's opinions come closer to the rest of the antion, then maybe politicians will start paying attention to Utah.

Romney Supporter | 7:11 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Memo to Dan Jones:

Your polling is irrelevant. Why don't you get out of the business? No question that Willard "Mitt" Romney is the best qualified man or woman in the presidential hopeful field from any measurement. But why ask Utahns. What do they know about politics? They elect democrats just like others. This is a liberal state.

Memo to doggie, polls, and annoymous:

You people are hopeless, and are liberals. My dogs would have voted for Mitt, and have more sense than people who think Osama Obama, Hillary, Edwards and all the other democrats combined. The mainstream media, Huckabee, and people around the country of various persuasions have attempted to frame this race in religious terms. Mitt's core beliefs and principles, politically and religiously are correct. He is the most fit to occupy the White House unquestionably.

Odell | 7:20 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Utahn's opinion is meaningful in Utah. I suspect that if Romney is still running, he will win the Utah Republican Primary by a landslide! However, it doesn't appear that he has the legs to get there. He will not do well in the Southern primaries after Michigan. Also, I suspect that McCain will win in Nevada.

At some point, Romney will stop spending his own money and drop out of the race.

oh | 7:50 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

and the universe evolves around utah..i wonder who Missouri wants?

Mitt | 8:15 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

is still in the running and I have some stock to sell you that will return 50 % on the dollar !!!

SLC Resident | 8:29 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Doggie--because it's "The Mitt Morning News". Polls--because they know exactly who those 413 are, and what they'll say.

daniel | 8:35 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Romney doesn't stand a chance and he is only covered in the news here because of his faith . This story has only the purpose of showing off someone with slight Utah ties so we feel part of the nation scene. More coverage of his policies and actions would be more beneficial to potential voters than what the crowd thinks of his chances in the long run. As an important side note, while it is true that a vote for a candidate shouldn't be denied based on any form of prejudice, it should be remembered that a vote shouldn't be given to those who simply are in the same building on Sunday as you are. Actions, policy and character should be weighed first!!! Don't neglect your role in history!!

MINNIE | 9:09 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

I have faith in the descernability of the average voter that Mitt Romney will come out the winner.
WE NEED HIM!

russ | 9:10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Yah gotta love people who lead with their hearts, and not with their minds. Nothing wrong with that, but you do have a tendency to miss reality when you do that.

Mitt in second place in Michigan will assure McCain of a great run for the nomination. Mitt will stick around because of three assets: he has money, he has money, and he looks good in blue. McCain will need a running mate, and Mitt might get the nod. That is all he is running for if he tanks and finished 2nd in his childhood state. McCain will be gracious if he wins, and bulldog about coming close if he loses. I don't know thought about picking Mitt for vp. Pawenty of Minn. looks better.

Huck is also trying for a 2nd place slot on the ticket. Hmmmmm.

Problem is: none of the combinations mentioned above can beat the democrats. Hillary and Obama, dynamite combination. Toss in Edwards as a back up to either one of them, and bingo, go pick out the carpets and new furniture.

Good that a small sampling has faith in Mass--Michigan boy. But the rest of the world is not following

Re: Polls | 9:16 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

413 people in Utah only represent 4/10,000ths (0.0004) of Salt Lake County alone and only 2/10,000ths (0.0002) of the entire state of Utah. A piece of paper is thicker in measurement than that. Perhaps they are measuring just the ink on the paper (so this isn't worth the paper it's written on). I'd like to know what area they polled and what they charged for their numbers. Perhaps it was a way for Dan Jones & Associates to get their name in the paper.

Paul | 9:28 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Mitt is an excellent candidate, he would be the best thing that could ever happen to America politicly, he has a wonderful record. Romney is a true leader and should definitely be the Republican candidate for the U.S. elections.

Romney for president!

Arghhh..... | 11:02 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Dan Jones polls just under 500 people out of approximately 200,000 or so registered voters and says that's a viable poll? They're as caught up in the hysteria of the event as Utah's Mormon voters are... totally out of touch with reality!

Utah, with its miserly few electoral votes, is a spit in the bucker of the political process, and still Romney garners money from Utah's Mormons. Which leads me to ask the following:

Mormons are stingy as hell when it comes to investing, contributing or putting their money where there mouth is on things secular, except when it serves their religious interests. Utahns as a population in general put less into savings accounts, retirement programs, are at the bottom of the list for investing in local business start-ups as an investor, pay less per out of pocket student costs/programs (in a State that prides itself on non-welfare philosophy) etc., etc., until the frenzy to get one of their own elected to high office presents itself, then they contribute and pay out to Romney all he asks for.

And after taxes and tithes (also a sort of tax), typical Mormons say they don't have enough. Year right! It's about priorities.

May West | 11:04 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Mitt is done. Time to move on. It would be nice if the Deseret News could report on some of the other candidates.

MoJules | 11:14 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

There are some very influential people that speak very positively about Romney, Rush Limbaugh, Hannity are two that are in my tired brain. They have not endorsed them, but have you heard how they talk about some of the other Republicans? Also, people in Utah need to get over that the media covers the LDS church as much as it does, hello, it is a Mormon state. I live in Missouri and the media covers the Catholic church, the broadcasters even say things about their membership in that church. Someone else said that the reason the polls in Utah were pro-Romney is because Utah is a Mormon state, no duh, and what were the polls in Iowa? There are good points with all the candidates, the big question is, do we want someone that can help the economy or someone that can handle the people out to destroy this country with terrorist attacks? Maybe they need to work together and take the good from each.

well | 11:29 a.m. Jan. 13, 2008

what else would they say even he loses utahn's will say they country is done.

Blake | 12:06 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

I really do love this! You poor people in Utah county that are still hoping that your special little Mitt will have ANY bearing on the next 4-8 years are laughable, at best. Mitt Romney has all the appeal of a wet dog, and that is why he polls so poorly nationally.I would love if he were the nominee...it would be a sweet little road to the White House for Hillary or Obama.

How? | 12:09 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

How is it that ANYONE can project winners
of races, with only THREE (and most people can't
even name the 3rd) out of FIFTY states having
voted?

james stwe | 12:25 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

give it up LDS, Mitt will lose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Native of Michigan ? | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Mitt loved Michigan so much he left it and he ran for governor in other state. They only time Mitt returns to Michigan or Utah is when Mitt wants something.

chase | 12:59 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

mitt will WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walter | 1:32 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Leave Mitt alone he will do fine. He knows how to change directions and, he also knows how to not take a stand. I like Mitt he changes his stance on issues every day. He will make a great president he knows how to go with whats popular. Go Mitt!

I doubt Mitt would be VP... | 1:39 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

....because the word is out: the other Repubilcan candidates can't stand him (actually, the word a couple used was "hate"). Why? Hubris!

Any of us who were Olympics volunteers know all about it, those "special" visits to the venues where he didn't even bother to look at us. He just marched straight down the hall to the luxurious buffet set up in his honor, and left minutes later after talking to a few select people.

I imagine that's what his campaign is like: don't get your hands dirty.

SLMG | 1:48 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

"There are some very influential people that speak positively about Romney, Rush Limbaugh,Hannity are two that are in my tired brain" I hardly think these two count as very influential people unless you are of the very - very Ultra - ultra right persuasion. The only people that pay any attention to what Limbaugh or Hannity have to say are the sheep of the Republican party that don't think for themselves but are lead or herded along by these two. If I were Mitt Romney I would distance myself as far away as possible from these two they do more harm than good. I read these posts and am amazed at the things that I read. Don't any of you read newspapers outside Utah (they are on the net too) you need to see what the rest of the country has to say about the candidates. But then Utah has the religious faction that can't get beyond Mitt Romney being LDS so he must be the best ever candidate. Sorry folks he does not walk on water nor is he about to translated.

Re: Polls | 3:05 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

413 isn't too small of a sample size if the sample is truly random. Take a basic statistics course-- you'll find out that the margin of error doesn't actually decrease all that much by increasing the sample size.

my2cents | 3:22 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Goes to show that Utahns still got their heads stuck in the sand and need to pull it out and see reality. Shows me that Utahns vote blindly along religios lines, given that Romney is LDS. Just because one is LDS doesn't mean a thing.

Hello! | 3:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

The guy is FIRST right now. He is WINNING. Unlike the General Election, where even a slight winner takes all the state's deligates, in the primary election the nominees keep the same percentage of deligates they won even if they weren't first. Who ever gets the most wins. It doesn't matter AT ALL who wins the state. Romney could ride second place to the finish line.

Seattle | 3:34 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

all anyone should hope for is that Romney will be looked at for his political policys and not against him for his religion.

I find myself hoping he will do well but I dont agree with many of his political comments. He should stop make "absolute comments" (no new taxes, I will fix healthcare, I will fix Washington, I will "change" Washington etc)
Those are such boring policals phrases.

I know he is the rich guy but I am disappointed that all of the other candidates "hate" him so much. His "comparrison" ads have a little to do with that but I dont think they have been overly negative. Romney is not a warm person but there has to be some reason why they feel so strongly about him. Again, it might be the over the top, know it all "tone" that he uses to criticize the others and his undying support of president Bush.

I cant support a president who will spend his time defending President Bush. He is the reason we are in need of such Political change right now.

Statistics | 4:39 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Apparently there is only one person on this forum who has ever taken a statistics class. The sample size (if truly random) is quite sufficient. Maybe you would all do well to realize how many people are polled in every other survey you read about, you'll ever see more than 1,000 people surveyed for a NATIONAL survey.

RE Statistics | 5:17 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Maybe that is why they were so wrong about NH.
Maybe time to up date the manual.

Phone Landlines and Polls maybe used to work , but in todays world with cellphone, your polling only a select group.

More on Statistics | 5:43 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Just to further comment on the issues of sample size. 413 in Utah is probably overkill. As was mentioned above, an average Gallup poll will receive between 1000-1500 responses.

The key in a poll is to assure that the respondents come from a truly random sampling. Sample size plays a much much smaller roll than a casual observer might think.

Dan Jones has been rather accurately gauging the views and opinions of Utahns for over 25 years using these same techniques.

The results concerning Romney may well indicate hope as opposed to true belief, but you can be fairly confident that the results are "accurate".

Hey Paul | 5:46 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Are you serious?? Only in Utah. Mitt has flipped and flopped so much, I think he should be named Mitt Kerry. Although, he is obviously following his focus groups... so maybe Mitt Clinton would be better.

Canadiandy | 5:59 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Sorry to be a little cynical but Canadians are hoping you elect anyone but Mitt.

Hillary or Rudy or Gomer Pyle Huckabee would wreak havoc on your economy and with our new conservative government we would only watch ours improve. Our money may look like Monopoly money, but at least it will be worth more.

Don't get me wrong, I don't wish you ill, but if your compatriots are as bigoted against Mormons as it appears, it looks like that's good for Canada. I can't remember for the life of me ever hearing about the religion of our Prime Ministerial candidates. I don't vote against them based on religion, I vote against them because they support the tobacco lobby, or they are involved in patronage scandals. You guys finally get a clean politician, and you drag him through the mud.

Go ahead, attack Mitt. We await like buzzards to feed off your foolishness. (Insert evil laugh).

Your Neighbour to the North,

Canadiandy

From Michigan | 6:01 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Romney won't carry Michigan because he needs Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids will never vote for a Mormon. All of the conservatives on the west side of the state also live in a Dutch-Reformed area that is a prime producer of anti-Mormon literature. Many Utahns don't understand the level of bias against Mormons in other parts of the country. Add to us the Southern states...he really doesn't stand a chance.

Makes me wonder.... | 7:14 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

As of my post, there are now about 35 comments or so on this story and about 70% are against Romney. AND YET!.....when I read other blogs on-line, the "for" and "against" comments run at LEAST 50-50. I've even read quite a few articles on Newsweek, a decidely liberal venue, and was surprised to see that about 2/3 of the blog comments recently were actually FOR Romney. Makes me wonder if some rabid Romney haters (or more accurately, probably Mormon-haters) are posting more than once under different names, etc in an effort to try to sway the public's opinion of "what the average DNews reader" thinks of Romney. I can't prove it, and no doubt the Romney haters will freak out over my suspicion, but why else would there consistently be SO many negative-Romney comments in a state that is still primarily LDS? Of all the blogs I've been reading, for months, Romney gets ripped the most in the Trib and the DesNews.

To: Statistics | 7:22 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Yes, these numbers are so meaningful and spread among the population that they keep getting the polls wrong, right down to missing the electoral counts, all based on statistical driven polling.

I have taken statistics and use them extensively in my work. One important fact gets missed that those who take one statistics class seem to miss... statistical analysis of a highly subjective indicator(s) (i.e. human behavior) will not give as accurate reading as that done for a more objective factored indicator(s). The respondent (or indicator) is everything and the more subjective the indicator feedback the greater the number of feedbacks must be culled for.

A few years ago I read a comment by a doctorate of statistics in the Economist who stated that statistics was getting over confident and sloppy by believing its own statistical factor that less could be as viable as more... which he said the most basic rudiments of mathematics, the core of good statistical analysis, simply does not nor ever will support.

He foretold that polls would begin to fail because of a sloppy hastily accepted model for expediency sake. The past few years has on numerous occasions proven his comments to be prophetic.

Lived in Michigan | 7:42 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

When I read these comments, it seems a good portion are from people who dislike mormons or Utah, or they want us understand how backward we are or make sure we know how much we are despised by the rest of the world for some reason. What is the point of that? What do you hope to accomplish?
Are we so stupid and disillusioned that we have the worst unemployment? Do we have the most unsuccessful small businesses or the worst educated children (based on test scores)? Do we trail in technology? Do we have the worst inner city area crime stats?
Comparatively the state does pretty well nationally for a bunch of idiots floating around in a bubble.
I just lived 5 years in Michigan and I didn't EVER encounter any anti-mormons. I wasn't out looking for it thought. But if Michigan is so anti-mormon, how did Romney's father serve three terms there?

So True, From Michigan | 7:53 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Just like in the late 19th century, people are bigoted toward Mormons and hate them because they don't understand them and are afraid of them. That is what is hurting Mitt more than anything, the people that just won't vote from him out of either bigotry or ignorance.

Jimminy Cricket | 9:10 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

The comments here seem clearly written by either "LDS" or "I'm making-a-point-of-not-being-LDS" folks. Both groups are swimming in a small fishpond.

If you live outside Utah - or think outside it anyway - the faith just isn't important. Yes, Mitt has a good chance of winning, which is why Huck and Cain dislike him so much.

Stating whether he'll win the nomination on either side is as credible as the media's take on Clinton/Obama 10 hours before the NH primary.

To Canadiandy, the Seer | 9:24 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

To Wit: John McCain with his Mr. Goody Two-Shoes countenance and his condescending attitude when he speaks to the American people and Huckleberry who can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, etc. (Honest Abe had it right). But, Huck, you can't fool the Lord anytime. He read your devious, bigoted heart as you conveyed subliminal messages to your evangelical flock regarding Mitt's religion, i.e. No, I don't believe Mormonism is a sect but (wink, wink) don't they believe Jesus Christ and Lucifer are brothers? How clever of you, Huck. Yes, Canadiandy, you hit the nail on the head, our compatriots are as bigoted against Mormons as they appear to you to be and Canadians should be cheering. Many of the most firmly held beliefs of the Mormon-haters are based solidly on ignorance and deception. And, yes, I believe many of the deceivers are writing multiple comments because there is nothing more terrifying than ignorance in action.

Zzyzx | 9:49 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Romney's only hope is to win enough delegates to barter for the VP position at the convention. The GOP likes Giuliani well enough for the convention to become a "coronation." Romney, who has played the election process as an "auction," could then secure his position on the ticket with a few delegates and a few dollars. Sooo......good Utah Mormons.....a vote for Romney may actually be a vote for Giuliani!

jane | 10:04 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Interesting that CNN News on the web shows a chart which shows that Mitt has the MOST Rep. **delegates**- which is MORE important than who "won" a state. I find it amazing how LITTLE the TV news says about THAT!!

I do not live in Utah, but I am LDS, and I also think there is an over usual # of ANTI on here, as I read a LOT of comments in other forums.

My husband and I totally see his experience of SUCCESS in the business world, his honesty, and his willingness to spend his OWN money along with what we supporters can scrape up, is what we need to run the BUSINESS of the USA. We like his health care SUCCESS for MA and his SAVING of the Olympics! He is our BEST chance for progress in America. GO MITT!!!

Conservative Mormon | 10:21 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

Disdain for Mitt Romney and disdain for Mormonism are two separate ideologies. Let's keep them separate.

Support for Mike Huckabee is based on conservatism, not a zealous take on Evangelical Christianity.

I will vote for Mike Huckabee, and I will wear my CTR ring when I do.

CAG | 11:26 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008

I was reading the "bashers" and was thinking, what do they really believe? I think the majority of these get excited that "George Soros" has the money to help move their cause along.
Things like:
*Legalize drugs
*freedom to kill babies (call it what it is)
*Good thing to have sex with same gender *Schools decide what is best to teach children
*Parents don't know what is best for their own kids
*Animals are just as important as people
*we don't need God in our Country
*Patriotism is a bad thing, over the top to pledge to the flag.
*burn the flag is good idea
*many more wonderful ideas

Even on the Republican side Mayor Gulliani has embraced some of these ideas. McCain has turned into a wimp. Huck has figured out how to use bigotry to move his cause along. Ron Paul is way over the edge. Thompson, I think he is alive afterall.

Mitt is the one that is the most presidential. He wants to put the records on the table and everyone wants to call it negative. He has the guts to try to fix things. The others don't like him because he is pushing accountability

J. Carlyle Parker | 12:45 a.m. Jan. 14, 2008

I am a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raised in Utah as a steadfast Democrat; a New England missionary; a Korean War veteran; educated in Utah and at UC Berkeley Library School; three-year resident of Hawaii; forty-nine year resident of California; Christian; LDS ward and stake musician and officer. I plan to vote for the best U.S. Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney.

uritaata | 4:55 a.m. Jan. 14, 2008

Mitt's strategy missed 4 key factors
1)He supports a Bush 2 type policy that is despised by 2/3 of the country
2)He alienated the republicans moderate and idenpendants that vote in primaries
3)He failed to gain the support of the evangelicals
4)He has unclear at times

The last hope is to hang on until the pack clears up
and hope that voters who favored a previous candidate will now support him.

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