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Romney drops out of race for GOP nomination

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Anonymous | 11:39 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
The GOP is finished. It's only salvation is a McCain-Romney ticket.
To you complainers... | 11:44 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
To everyone who's complained or critisized Mitt on this blog about Mitt dropping out: If you had the money, how many of you have the "brass" to spend $40 million of your own money for a political campaign? What, I can't hear you because the silence is deafening! Enough said.
Melissa | 11:50 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Some of you are concerned with the choice for a conservative voice in the Republican Party. Look to Ron Paul! He is better than Romney and will do what is Constitutionally right for this country! WAKE UP EVERYONE!
Comments continue below
Deseret Dawg | 11:51 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Too bad Mitt Romney has chosen to exit the race. He was a class act! I describe him as a class act because his personal life was beyond reproach. Character still counts for some of us.

However, there still is an alternative for Romney supporters. Ron Paul is still in the race, and he doesn't intend to quit any time soon. Don't hand the Republican Party over to the McCain-Huckabee Axis of Arrogance; get behind Ron Paul's effort to make the Republican Party Republican once again.
Islandrat | 11:53 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
With Mitt gone, Obama could run with a corpse for VP and I'd vote for him because Hillary and McCain are worthless. Right now my vote is for the guy who wants to penalize American companies for outsourcing our jobs to the rest of the world. I believe that every company that off-shores should have to pay a fine equivalent to the base salary of every job that they eliminate. Maybe then they would start creating jobs instead of reducing them.
what a Man | 11:53 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
What a man to put him self aside for the best of the GOP and America. That deserves respect.
Mitt for Mission President | 11:50 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Mitt will make a fine Mission President or Missionary Couple with his sweet wife. I bet the Brethren are looking at him right now for something.
Anonymous | 11:56 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
No one has used their religion to influence voters like "Hucklebery"(I liked that). He is right about one thing. We all need to pray for our Country...thats all we have left. Prayer does work.
awakefield | 11:51 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Mitt was a big-business and big-military politician. And he tried courting the religious right which backfired on him precisely because of his religion--many on the religious right don't consider Mormons to be Christians. This should be a lesson to Mormons: Mormonism is still fringe and perceived as eccentric in this country. The Mormon conservatives, who almost unquestioningly and unanimously backed Romney, might realize that religion should not be used as a political tool for uniting or dividing voting blocks. This process marginalizes Jews, Muslims, and Mormons.

As for Mitt: he got cut by the knife that he was using. Now we just need to watch out for McCain who is willing to wage a 100-year-war in Iraq.
Jim D. Calif | 11:51 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Where can I buy a bumper sticker that say's,

"Don't blame me,I voted for Romney".

I have a feeling we are going to need it regardless of who now wins the Presidency.
sno | 11:51 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Brett (above), McCain switched from Episcopalian church to Southern Baptist.
Too bad | 11:52 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
First election I've actually wanted a candidate, instead of felt forced to choose the lesser if two evils.

Can't believe the comments here though. Just goes to show that no matter what he did, many of you would be just as rotten.

And, to anonymous--he wasn't representing your church, he was a candidate for US President. And, since both front runners in the Dems have a pretty strong position of getting out of Iraq and calling it quits on the war on terror, where's the inaccuracy in his statement?

I'm thinking you're not such a good representative of your (my) church.
Let me help u help Romney | 11:58 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Utahns- save you pennies for 2012! In the meantime there is a guy in my ward you can invest that money with, and it will be returned to you + 100 FOLD just in time for the elections!
So much for your prayers! | 11:54 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
I guess it wasn't "gods will" afterall! I'm sad to see so much time, effort and money wasted from this state on this loser. Monday he "said he's not going to quit until he gets in the Whitehouse". More flip-floped lies once again.
Republicans have had their time | 11:57 a.m. Feb. 7, 2008
in the white house... and look at the mess we are in:

- Deficit (neg. $400+ Billion) - tax cuts worked
- never ending war w/Iraq
- Taliban and Al Queda stronger than ever.
- Economy heading to recession
- steriods in baseball
Heidi | 12:03 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
How disappointing. But at least Huntsman and Shurtleff are happy. To bad they supported the liberal candidate and not the conservative issues.
RP | 12:03 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Ron Paul is still the best choice.
Supported Mitt but now . . . | 12:04 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
. . it's Obama time!
re: awakefield | 12:05 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Mormonism is a fringe and perceived as eccentric to those who are uneducated & uninformed. Read up on the more educated people of the world and you'll find that you're a few years behind. Opinions are changing as people open their minds.

What the heck...why waste the effort on people like you.
Yes We Can!!! | 12:06 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
OBAMA!!!
Anonymous | 12:07 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
we really do need to prayi HATE McCain and feel i cannot vote for him but my number 1 issue is the staying in the war so sadly i must vote for him. too bad every other issue he goes against.well Obama is my next vote and i havent decided 100% who i am voting for.

OBAMA STAY IN IRAQ AND BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT!!!
Another RE: Wake Up Utah | 12:03 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Another reply to Wake Up Utah. If you think that Mormons voted for Romney because he is Mormon you are more ignorant than you assume us to be. I voted for him because he was the closest candidate to keep our country going the way our founding fathers intended it to be. This country was founded and has survived on morals, honesty, and intergrity, none of which will be in the White House with ANY of the candidates left.
Utah goes Blue | 12:04 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Obama just gained another supporter...
YEAH | 12:10 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
So all the negative and positive comments for Mitt on this site are laughable. Mitt is a neo-con and Hillary is a socialist. What this country needs after 8 years of incompetence is someone that is in the middle. Obama or McCain will fill that need. Partisan politics is stupid and it is not aiding our cause to save the country. There are good Democrats and good Republicans out there. All of this back biting and name calling is childish. Lets all face the music and answer the real problems of the day. Vote Obama or McCain in November.
Rosie | 12:11 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
CONGRATS YOU DEMO(s) WITH THE CHOICES WE HAVE �NO MATTER WHO WIN THE DEVIL WIN THIS TIME.
It was meant to be | 12:08 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Mitt's extremist anti-Christian faith and flip-flop on the issues did him in.

Americans don't get warm-fuzzies over either.
McCain / Huckleberry | 12:10 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
McCain / Huckleberry ticket in november. YUK! Here is one GOP member that will be voting for the dems.
VA Mormon | 12:15 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Well, with Mitt gone, I'm voting for the Democrats. I'm sorry Mitt, you leaving did not help the party, I think it weakened it. I wouldn't vote for McCain if he was the only cantidate. He scares me to death.
wallyworld | 12:11 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
I have said it before, now you'll see. If Mitt Romney quits the race then the Republican party is done. McCain and/or Huckabee will run the Republican Party into the ground. You pepole should has listen to Rush L. Mitt Romney was our last chance for the years to come. Johnny McCain and Mikey Huckabee are as much as a Liberal as is Clinton and Obama. Thanks to all of the so called Conservatives for letting McCain get to nomination.
Oppression | 12:16 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
The way I see it is strictly voting for a politcal party is a type of oppression. I don't want a political party telling me who to vote for!!!!
Yuck | 12:17 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
I, too, cannot in good conscience support McCain. And Hilary is even worse. If those are our choices, I suppose life will go on, but it may be even worse than it has been for the past 7+ years. I already voted for Obama once this week and I plan to do so again, but the rest of the Republicans will come around to insure our electoral votes go to McCain. I've always said that Utahns would vote for teh R even it it was the devil himself.
Pete | 12:18 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Hey "Wake up Utah" nice choice of words there. "NO ONE wants one of you" Good one. Do you really know what "NO ONE" means. That is stating that there is not a single person on this nations soil that wanted Mitt for president. If you don't have the information to make a correct statement, don't write it. A more correct statement would be that not everyone wants one of you and of course that would be obvious. Thank you. Hey maybe you should run in 2012? Just a thought.
YouTube | 12:18 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Mr. Romney gave an amazing speech today, too honest for the political culture of America just now.

I hope somebody got the full 10 minutes and will put it up on YouTube.

You know the media will never let you hear it.



.
Ryan | 12:14 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Well I now will not take place in the general elections. I can't support any of the candidates running.
Marc | 12:14 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
This is very disappointing and troubling news to hear. Mitt Romney is not only a man who values things our country needs at this time including a strong economy, and better recognition of what true democracy is, but is a very intelligent, charismatic leader. I have stood by his campaign from the first day, and I still will stand for him as it ends, knowing he was always the best candidate.

John McCain sickens me by his demeanor as a politician and especially the way he claims to be the master interpreter of another man's words. I have found my beliefs to be congruous with the Republican party for as long as I can remember, but I will never vote for a man who can't even give a speech without sounding like a complete moron! What a tragedy...the first year I have the opportunity to vote, and I have to choose between a liberal(Obama), or a war-hungry idiot! I hope the great state of Utah will not just simply vote Republican this year because it is what we always do. McCain is a lying weasel!
Adam | 12:15 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
If Mccain were to win he would be up for re-election as the incumbent in 2012 leaving no chance for Romney until 2016 when he will be too old.

Let's vote for the Dems so that Romney has a chance in 2012. The GOP should not have our unconditional support. Especially since a major part of the party actually appears to hate western/northern conservatives and their values.
Anonymous | 12:17 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Whether we have a Democrat or a Republican in office, we're still in for 4 more years of total nonsense...the problem isn't with the candidates, but the people electing them. It's time we get "our" houses in order....power to the people!
Middle of the Road | 12:24 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
This country is always better off when we have one party in control of the congress and the other in the Whitehouse. It seems to be the only way to get compromise. Either party, if in total control, tends to take us too far to the right or left.
To BOSTON | 12:26 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
You said: "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."

I hope that one day you'll have a son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter in the military, and that he/she as sacrificed for the good of the country.

Only then will you understand what moral really means. I have somebody who is important in my life who have fought 2 wars already, Afghanistan and Iraq, and he is only 22 years old.

So, you talk too much, put your words of lack of morality and what not by putting your words in your mouth and sacrifice yourself or your family, and see whether putting innocent lives into danger is a moral thing.

Enlist in the military tomorrow why don't ya. Until you or your family is willing to die for this country, then your words are like a sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.
Jill | 12:21 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
I can't believe that some people say they would vote for Obama if they can't vote for Romney. Hold your nose and vote for McCain. If the liberals win, the Muslem extremists will have won the war on terror! Don't be so ignorant, by not voting for the Republican nominee you are voting for Hillary or Obama and everyone loses.

Remember what happened in 1992 with Perot? All of his votes would probably have gone to Bush and we would have been spared the Clinton years.
Marriott Survivor | 12:25 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Confession:

I and others have used anti-Mormon rhetoric to derail Mitt Romney. It has been successful, and I make no apology.
Mitt courted the gay vote in Massachusetts, and even won a majority of gay voters in 2002.

In 2006, while still Mass. governor, Mitt turned on the anti-gay rhetoric to appeal to conservatives. In response, anti-Mormon rhetoric helped defeat Mitt; now you know how it feels.

So long, Utah, it's been an education.
Benny | 12:25 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
I voted for Mitt, but not because he is Mormon. I am Mormon myself.

I voted for Mitt because he is a leader.

Let's look at how he has proven his leadership. You can't argue with the facts. Sure, he has changed position sometimes. I think every person running for office changes positions sometimes and some of those changes are real while others are only "political."

Now, lets look at the "leadership" -- becasue after all, the country must be led by a true leader.

First, Mitt was the leader of a very successful company that helped turn around and make successful numerous other companies.

Second, Mitt turned around a quasi-government, quasi-business (the 2002 Olympic Winter Games) and made it successful. It was well managed, smooth, and profitable. How many Olympics out there have been well-managed and smooth, let alone made more money than it expended? The answer is, well--I don't know of any others.

Third, Mitt was the governor of a liberal state, and was respected by both sides of the aisle. Yes, Mitt did well leading a full governmental organization.

Do you all see a pattern? Mitt is a leader! The best leader of all the candidates!
wrz | 12:32 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
If Romney plans to be president some day, he should shoot for McCain's running mate. It's much easier to run for pres if you have national exposure as veep. Plus, McCain, being an old geezer, will only stay for one term. Of course, he'd have to hold his nose just like the rest of us Republicans if we decide to vote for McCain.
sad but not surprised | 12:27 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
congratulations to Hillary...she just won...and our taxes just went up...and I just got my wages garnished to buy health insurance for my neighor who refuses to get a job because he has spent so many years being told by the left that, as an American, those jobs are beneath him, that he has come to believe it. Congratulations to the self proclaimed "progressives". You may well be able to complete your mission of dismantling and destroying the country I love now that we have a choice of a volatile leftist America hater, A volatile veteran exP.O.W. who left most of his grey matter in the jungles (can someone explain why being a veteran makes you a better president now but not when Clinton ran against Bush and Dole?), and a man who got elected so he could run for president...The Illinois election basically allocated Obama a federal salary to run for president. I wish I could say I didn't see this coming but we live in the age where volume trumps quality every day and politics is no more than a reflection of our culture of incompetence.
SAD | 12:33 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Hope Mitt will run again in 4 years. We need his leadership and solid personality. I guess you Democrats have a hard time with a politician so clean as him. If there was some dirt to be stirred up, you'd like him much better. Hope he doesn't give, the gadianton robbers are jealous of all the secret combinations Hillary and McCain have - this country is going down hill fast.
Don't give up Mitt, you have lots of people looking up to you.
Dem in Utah | 12:40 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Romney leaving the race didn't weaken the republican party at all. They were weak at best from the get go. There is no way this country is going to have another war mongering republican in the white house again. It's laughable how many here think republicans are "cleaning up after the mess Bill Clinton made". The war in Iraq is the biggest mess this country has ever been involved in, and thanks to Mr. Bush for that. He's destroyed the world for Americans, smeared our name and made millions in the process. It sickens me.
Raymond Takashi Swenson | 12:40 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Politics is very much a game of margins, and like the winner-take-all contest in Florida, it tends to exaggerate those margins. The entire presidential primary process has long been irrational and unplanned, and with the changes in the schedule it has become down right nonsensical. It is not a system designed to create a candidate who is the best qualified or the most representative of the voters in each party. Whatever else happens in this election, we need to overhaul and rationalize the primary process so that it creates consensus rather than an outcome like this one, where the majority of Republican voters in almost every state voted AGAINST the nominee of the party!

The interesting question will be, What will Mitt Romney be doing for the next few years? He is a national resource that needs to be put in harness. Is it possible that McCain could ask him to be VP, and Romney accept? Stranger pair ups happen all the time. Some McCain supporters think he can get conservatives on his side by having Huckabee as VP, but Huckabee is an economic liberal. Only Romney as VP could act as a real McCain reach out to conservatives.
hogwash | 12:36 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
Yet and still, Utahns are on the outside looking in. Ain't life grand?
harbinger | 12:41 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
There goes the White Horse Prophecy.
Accidental fracturing of the GOP | 12:36 p.m. Feb. 7, 2008
A lot of the hatred of Romney is because of his Mormon religion. Even though I disagree with a lot of the Mormon religions basic tenets, Romney was the best man for a conservative choice in the White House!

Southerners made a HUGE mistake voicing their irrational displeasure with Mormonism by backing their Baptist son Huckabee. Huckabee has no chance to win the nomination. Romney did. They split the conservative vote in the south giving the edge to McCain. All for hatred of a religion.

This year's fracturing of the Republican party can be blamed on the democrats strategy way back in 2000. Remember when McCain was the early favorite then? Only to be unseated in South Carolina by real republicans that were energized and finally turned out to take back their party from democratic infiltrators supporting a weak McCain candidate.

Well McCain took that defeat personally. He along with some democratic strategists are using his candidacy to weaken the republican party. They have succeeded.

It would be better to vote Democrat in 2008 and live through 4 short years of insanity than to unseat Pres McCain for re-election in 2012.

Obama or Clinton is conservatives only choice.

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LM Otero, Associated Press

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

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