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Romney drops out of race for GOP nomination

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Ted | 11:07 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Will Utah finally give its electoral votes to a Democrat? My vote just swung to Obama

Mark | 11:03 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I agree with John. (Elect a Republican majority to Congress) Republicans in the 2nd District who keep voting for Matheson need to vote for the Republican who runs against him. The only way to avoid Hillary care and tax increases is to block them in Congress. Mitt's ideal can live on by electing someone who can unite fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, and national security conservatives to Congress. Now if someone who fits that mold would just step up and speak to those groups . . .

Mike | 11:03 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

If he had made the speech we are just hearing from him with all the energy and clear points made he would have gone much further. More people would have been able to rally around him. Instead we mostly saw on the debates someone with little of substance to say, low energy and argumentative with the other candidates. Too bad he would have been a great president if he had shown this level of passion and clarity earlier on and stayed away from the bickering and petty campaigning that lowered him to the level of the other candidates. I think America never saw the side of him that the suspension speech showed. Maybe next time but I doubt it, people will never support a quitter or someone seen as a looser. too bad for America.

Comments continue below

Boston | 11:04 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Thanks for the comments from so many uneducated, disrespectful, bitter people. I especially enjoyed the comment about the "fun" of watching our country unravel. It's the people that have NO CLUE, unfortunately, that are loud mouthed and making the decisions for our nation. People need to take a stand...or we will have another Clinton in the White House. Now that is a highly moral and honest family. If anyone can name ONE politician that says something and NEVER changes on the issue, I would love to hear about it...as I'm sure none of you ever change your mind on an issue. Where have the values of the foundation of our nation gone? Do a little research and find out what kind of person you are voting for. Mitt Romney was the best person for the Presidency.

NVA | 11:09 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

McCain/Huckabee? Noooooooooo!

Terri | 11:04 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I will, for the first time in my adult life, vote Democrate this year...I would not vote for McCain ever...I am so sorry that we will lose the best candidate this country has ever known. Thank You Mitt Romney for trying - I will pray for this countries fate.

Wake up Utah | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Shouldn't it be a pretty clear sign that Mitt is NOT LIKED and you Utah folk are out of your mind by the results of Super Tuesday? He had NO CHOICE but to QUIT because NO ONE is voting for him! All of you Mormons need to realize that NO ONE wants one of you running our Country.

Every Mormon I talk to says they think its so sad that some people decided to NOT vote for Romeny because he is Mormon. Then I simply ask them, "well aren't you voting for him because he IS Mormon!" And they pretty much shut up. No other faith is so controlling of the decisions its members make...from politics, to entertainment, to work. Wake up people!

Obama in 08!

Texas Ex | 11:12 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

It has been my pleasure to live in Utah for 20 years now. I love life and the people here, but the one fault that they tend to have as a group is that they tend to judge people and lump them into a set of pre-established categories. Wake up Utah! HILLARY Clinton IS NOT BILL!!! She was the victim of his behavior and the people in this state, Democrats and Republicans alike, have judged her abilities based on his mistakes. I have never voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate, but if it comes down to Hillary and McCain, I'll break that tradition in a heartbeat. McCain is no leader. The only reason he will win the nomination is because of the bigotry and underhanded tactics that exist between him and Huckabee. I will not vote for that! Hillary has my respect. Anyone who can endure an unfaithful spouse with the class that she did deserves respect. I remember in '72, I think it was John Connelly started the "Democrats for Nixon" movement. It's time we start a "Republicans for Clinton" movement. Elect her for what she can do that McCain can't. Namely, return respect and dignity to this coutry.

Anonymous | 11:13 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

So.. Did Romney FLIP-FLOP on his promise to stay in till the end?? I'm sure you delusional Romney supporters will just call this decision a revelation.

Alex | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Obama has had my support since before he announced his candidacy. I did, and still do, think he's the best option. I don't agree with all of his positions, but feel he'll represent the constituents, rather than himself.
I never really went for Mitt because I never really knew where he stood. Was he liberal? Was he conservative? The MLK thing, the NRA thing. It all seemed a bit much.
That said, I am kind of sad to see him go. I'd take him over McCain or Huckabee any day. Huckabee has no shot, and McCain's temper frightens me. What happens when a dignitary from another country makes him mad? War?
At this point, I believe it's important that Romney's supporters get out and vote for a Democrat, namely Obama. Hillary will do more damage to this country than she'd like us--and probably herself--to believe. She's polarizing, and will further divide the country. McCain will, too. Obama already has Republican supporters--Obamacans--and the more he gets, the less likely a Hillary presidency/dynasty is. Let's bring the country together!

Linda | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Sorry the voters just could not see a good candidate when there finally was one presented. Mitt was head and shoulders above the crowd. And he was criticized for being too perfect, too handsome, too polished.

I guess the American people will get what they deserve. Too bad the Mormon issue was so hard for Mitt to overcome.

Ted | 11:13 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Huckabee's job or taking votes/delegates away from Romney is now complete. He will also drop out by week's end and become the VP selection.

Rob | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

If the democrats are looking good now to you republicans, then what kind of republicans are you? Keep in mind that Obama is the most liberal senator in office. Grow up and stand behind your party. The next president will likely get to put in a bunch of Supreme Court justices that will affect a whole new generation!

Debbie L. | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Why do people imply that Mitt was trying to buy votes? What do they think Hilary is doing with her money?
Anyway, any chance Mitt can be Vice-Pres.? I hope so.

Civil Right | 11:20 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

shoot Mitt Romeny dont make it , he will make great leader for America, I will not vote for McCain, he dont listent or support american their Civil Right, cause I am Deaf guy, I will vote Obana for next Pres where there are Civil Right will be fair of deal. Obana will listen to everyone in american's need, McCian is scare person to us and un health, all he want is felt pride and power for his own goverment to run!!!!!!

Thnak u
Deaf Guy

Say no to GOP | 11:15 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

This is one republican who just might be voting for Obama this go around. There is something about McCain I cannot say what it is but I cannot support him. Remember that the president isn't the only person in our government who represents you so vote wisely.

annon. | 11:16 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

here is a man who really has the best interest of america and its people, he recognizes that he won't win, like Huckabee and Paul and that if he stays in it brings down the party. We need him to be the Rep. candidate but wait he has the sense enough to know whats best for the party unlike Hackabee and what's his name...oh yah Ron Paul. now I have no idea who to vote for.

Romney Fan | 11:23 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

It takes a giant of a man, one with integrity and character, to make sacrifices for the greater good. We all should be thankful for the example of Mitt Romney. Perhaps he will become a member of the next cabinet, as Secretary of State.
Has anyone read the Book of Mormon recently? Studying the cycles of good and evil, of obedience and disobedience? History repeats itself.

Mule | 11:18 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Meanwhile, Flip Romney is all for torture, not being intelligent enough to realize, as many or perhaps most servicemen do, that it is what makes us different from our enemies. We are not supposed to be them; when you fight evil with evil, only evil can win, remember?
No, Flip wanted to make Gitmo twice as large, which makes our Constitution twice as small. Yes, these words are coming from a Ronald Reagan Republican, one that was truely a foot soldier for Ronald Reagan; not by running my mouth from a podium, but by tracking hundreds of muddy miles with a rifle.
Flip, the 'real conservative' as he calls himself, was recently for abortion on demand. Flip promised gays that he would be more liberal for their cause than (choke) Ted Kennedy. Multiple Choice Mitt ran on a platform of 'not being in line with the NRA and their ideology' (what ideology would that be Mitt? Freedom?) and promised that he was 'not a supporter of Ronald Reagan'.
Mitt, the 'lifelong hunter'; Mitt, who 'marched with MLK', who 'watched his father march with MLK' (in his dreams perhaps.)

Anonymous | 11:24 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Sorry, Mitt, you were the only Republican that would get my vote for president. No one else except Obama can or will try to change the things that are "broken" in Washington. I will not vote for McCain even though I am a Republican.

I will not vote for Clinton either if she gets the nomination, I however may consider Obama should he win the nomination (not as Vice President). At least he has given us some hope for a better tomorrow for us and our children. Sad to say that chances are Hillary will be the Democratic choice. I will just stay home, and be depressed!!!!! I have heard so many people say they will not vote as we cannot in good conscience vote for either one.

Maybe in 2012 Mitt!!!!!!!!! We love you.

Michael_New Zealand | 11:19 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Mr Romney did a good job as a touchstone,It is now time for him to move on and contribute to nationhood in his time and destinys calling. The ridicule and misrepresentation that took place over the past few months by Americans against good people (fellow Americans) was a sad eye opener for me! Sanctimonious couleur de rose of sad self calling bugaboo! Maybe they will spend some of their money on other people if they are not too tortured with envy? Mr Romney at least spent his own money not yours like the others.

Viking | 11:27 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Hey, maybe Mitt can flip flop again and run for President as a Democrat. It would be consistent with his former positions, but not his other former positions.
Vote Romney (D) '08!

Mitt, meet Huck | 11:22 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Mike Huckabee, THANK YOU! A greatful nation owes you a great debt.

See you in four years Mitt! | 11:23 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Mitt will be back in 4 years. He'll be in prime position. Now we know how the Democrats felt last year when John Kerry won the nomination. Go McCain?
Ho Hummmm.

ScottAZ | 11:28 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Wow....so many unkind words about Mitt Romney. Must be a lot of envy or hatred towards him. I think it was a great decision for him to suspend his campaign. After 4-8 yrs of a Democrat President America will be more than ready for a Republican (Mitt) to clean up the mess once again just like Republicans are STILL trying to clean up after the Clinton years.

Great day | 11:24 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I wouldn't have voted for Mitt Romney for anything in the world,now I can see McCain being the next president unless Mitt becomes McCain's Vice President and the look out I will go for MRS Clinton. I guess you can't pay your way to being the president.

Indiana | 11:31 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Well, for all of you who are scoffing and being riude and unkind. How foolish you are. It is fools like you that have just cost America the best man there was. He was head and shoulders above everyone in the field! He still is. His integrity is intact. At some future time, I feel even you foolish ones will be sorry to have helped to scuttle someone worthwhile. He has the most integrity. He is the most honest. He is a very righteous man and sadly, you have let him go. More than that, you have helped to force him out. It is too bad that the rest of this failing nation is not as wise as Utah, if it was, he would have rightfully locked this thing up long ago.. America will yet mourn.

Wesley | 11:27 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Mitt Romney defines the word "class". The best candidate is out of the race. Please, good folks, don't sell your soul to Satan and vote for a liberal. There are other candidates besides Republicans and Democrats. I'll be voting that way.

DAN | 11:27 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Too Bad but we need to support the nominee now. Huckabee and Paul should drop out and we should have 4 more years with a republican. Just say no to democrats higher taxes.

interesting | 11:28 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

"for our party, and our country"

Interesting he mentions party first. This is what's wrong with our country, politicians (and voters) putting their political party first, country second.

shadow | 11:34 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Mitt is done. McCain is the man. Huck will stay around as long as McCain tells him to. Huck will energize the conservatives, and get set to be annointed vp.

Mitt in the future? There is no mitt in the future, everyone will be playing soccer instead.

Republicans for Obama | 11:34 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I can't believe this! Both McCain and Huckabee used anti mormon rhetoric in their campaigns. They will never represent me. McCain is just as liberal as Obama. I would rather have someone who didn't attack my beliefs for president.

Ron Paul! Ron Paul! | 11:29 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Ron Paul is the only person I will vote for. No way I vote for McCain. Ill vote for Obama over McCain.

Anonymous | 11:29 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

A good man was rejected, partly because f his religious beliefs. If the democrats carried Utah, maybe the good old boys in the GOP would wake up to how much underlying despise there is for the Mormons in the party and how much we are tired of it. O.Hatch had tepid support even in Utah because he is not presidential material. Mitt had strong support because of his work ethic.

disappointed | 11:30 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I don't know what I am going to do..I don't know if I can bring myself to vote for a democrat (especially when the only choices are an untested, inexperienced senator and a pseudo-socialist), and at this point, I don't feel very good about McCain, either. Any ideas?

St. George Resident | 11:30 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

WE WON'T VOTE FOR MCCAIN!

We will write Mitt in......

Hatuletoh | 11:35 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I don't begrudge anyone their political preferences, but why do some posters describe Mr. Rommney as a "class act"? His campaign strategy was aggressive and negative; he was (according to Time magazine) universally disliked by the other candidates.

This does not make me think ill of Mr. Rommney--politics are a rough and dirty business, and it's probably a virtue to be disliked by the other politicians. But . . . what exactly did he do to earn the distinction of a "class act"? It certainly wasn't his speech about religion wherein he buddied up to the evangelicals, then intimated that "freedom requires religion", or some such similar hogwash. Again, one must play to one's audience, but how exactly does doing so make a person a "class act"?

Do you.. | 11:37 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

think McCain has the momentum to win the White House? Too bad to see that Romney is stepping aside for the sake of the party.

I just hope that McCain will be able to withstand the people who are saying that he is from the old school and part of the elite powerful people and a new face and idea needed to be put in the White House...

To Late | 11:37 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

His speech that he just gave was the best one I have heard him give. It wasn't until now that I have even found him looking honest or likable. He should have relaxed and been himself in the first place, he wouldn't have had this problem.

Doom 'n Gloom | 11:32 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Hasten the Second Coming ... vote Hillary in 2008!

Parker | 11:37 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

If it is between Obama and McCain, I will vote Obama.

Could Utah's electoral votes go to a Democratic candidate? Yes they can!

Colorado LDS | 11:38 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I love all the voices of reason, but we are looking at one big mess.The Congress is in control now and we have always needed to vote for someone that can stand up to them and supply checks and balances. McCain will start more wars, Huckeeee says he is Christain but Mormans are not, Hillary says she did not know what her husband was doing in the White House but we want her as President. Obama is 8 years too early. Yes he is exciting to listen to but he is to green and he will have a hard time working with Israel and keeping them from using their bombs on the Middle East. The person in White House has to be a man of God because only God will be able to stop this mess that is going on. It is more inportant to change Congress now and get new ideas in place to help shape this country's future. The President is just someone for 50% to love and 50% to hate. Don't worry about the President just made a good vote for people for Congress.

Harry Reid for President??? | 11:34 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Ask yourself this hypothetical question... If Harry Reid was the only Mormon candidate running for president, do you honestly think all us Mormons would be voting for him... just because he's Mormon? I've got news for you.

Could it possibly be that Mormon's identify with Romney based on his policies, and values not to mention his past success as a businessman, and as a governor in the same fashion that we identified with Bush and Reagan?

Were Bush and Reagan Mormons? They must have been because us hollow-minded Mormons identified with them the same way that many of us identify with Romney.

As a Mormon... I vote on issues... not what religion a candidate happens to be!

Jeffrey | 11:35 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Obama has had my vote ever since Ron Paul's campaign faltered, but I am glad to see one more neo-con out of the race.

For all of you preaching such garbage as "Grow up and support your party," I have a better idea.

How about "Grow up and support your country!"

The party mentality is one of the major problems in this county (and in Utah especially).

Have you ever wondered who goes to the Celestial Kingdom? Ask most Utahns and they'll say 1) you're Mormon, and 2) you have an (R) next to your name.

Captain Obvious | 11:35 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Looser. Put the GOP spin on it anyway you like....

Elise | 11:35 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

So will Romney FLIP-FLOP on this decision to quit?

Maybe he's just saying that to get more attention?

FLIP FLOP........he's back.

We live in interesting times!!!!
Long live the constitution!!!!!!!!

ELISE

RE: Wake Up Utah | 11:41 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

In reply to Wake Up Utah stating that the ony reason people voted for Mitt was because he was Mormon....I'm mormon and I voted for Mitt not because I am mormon but because he was the best person in my view for the job based on the debates I watched and his views on the different issues.

Run as an Independent... | 11:42 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Mitt....Runs as an independent!

Obama Romney '08 | 11:43 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

Who hopes for Obama and Romney for president? It would be cool, especially if McCain picks Liberman as his vice. That would be true bipartisanship.

Robo | 11:39 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008

I don't know Mitt, but I would guess he is done and won't run again. Oh, and some of you people are just ruthless. Do you enjoy being so harsh and unkind to people?

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LM Otero, Associated Press

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney arrives at his campaign headquarters in Boston.

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Romney drops out of race for GOP nomination

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Reader comments Romney drops out of race for GOP nomination

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Romney drops out of race for GOP nomination