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In our opinion: Family comes first

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Prayers 2 Your Family | 7:02 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

God blessd your family Mark and M'Liss

Snow | 7:24 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I do wish Shurtleff and his daughter the best. God bless you and your family.

Saintly Gent | 8:03 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I prey!

Comments continue below

Appearance | 8:41 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Appearances are often deceptive, especially in politics.

I will not make any accusations; I won't say Mark is either genuine or disingenuous.

I will say it is a pity, perhaps, that having come out as the main Republican opponent to Bob Bennett, and having taken large amounts of money from supporters, he is now dumping his candidacy. ( I said the same about Mitt Romney in his presidential bid). I said the same about Ross Perot, therefore this is not an attack upon Mr Shurtleff.

Of course I believe that family comes first, and that might mean giving up your job ambitions. May others do the same then.

I do hope that conservatives will find an alternative to Bob Bennett, who was a prime mover in the Bank bailouts.

Robert | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I agree whole-heartedly with the editorial, and wish the Shurtleff family well. "Not only is it the best decision for Danielle, publicly sharing the family's struggles provides another occasion for Utahns to learn more about mental illness. It can affect any person in any family. But with proper treatment and management, there is hope." Well said.

Jill | 1:08 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Kudos to Shurtleff for putting his family first.

But I'm glad he's not in the race any longer. His ethics on questionable on the financing of his campaign and certainly on his conduct as Attorney General. Do readers remember his neglect in bringing charges against Rick Kroeber? And then there is the reality that he supported Mark Walker for State Treasurer who later pleaded guilty to bribery. Mr. Walker was completely unqualified to be State Treasurer.

Michelle | 2:18 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I think he is doing the right thing in putting his family first but I don't think he should broadcast his daughters mental health issues to the whole world. I would not want the whole state to know if I was having problems.

TJ | 3:51 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I agree with Michelle. I don't think he should publicize his daughter's mental illness or give that as the reason he is quiting the campaign. If his first concern is with his daughter, he should respect her medical privacy at all costs. She will need more counseling to get over being blamed for a failed campaign. He is a grown man and should be able to handle his stress, not blame a teenager.
I think there are many reasons Shurtleff has quit. The Rick Kroeber issue, ethics, the handling of the poligamy issue and money. His daughter is a scapegoat. I do wish her well and hope she recovers. Perhaps if Shurtleff had been more vocal and supportive of the Mental Health community and had fought for funding during the last legislative session when so many funds were cut, I would think he was more sincere.

lisa | 10:04 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I applaude him for putting family first. Mental illness and depression need to be destigmatised and accepted as a part of life.Why should he hide his challenges every family has story of it maybe this will help more families to accept treatment for themselves or loved ones. Kudos and good luck Shurtleff family.

He gets 'it' | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

Every now and then, we get a poltician who actually 'gets it'. He does not put his daughter up on stage for all to gawk at, he does not tell us were 'just like him', he takes his responsiblities as a father seriously.

If only we saw more polticans putting their family first, and their desires for fame and fortune on the back burner until a better time and place.

Jenny | 8:14 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Oh but wait a minute, Mark is going to write a book so he still hopes to get your money for his needs. Sorry about his daughter but he is far from alone but does have good health care anb income to deal with it. Not like those on the streets etc Too bad he thought the BCS was more important than the illegals, poligs and ponsi schemers (his friends) Take care of the family first always Mark then your illegals buddies

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