I think there's little question that John McCain and Huckabee have an agreement. If Huckabee stayed in the race long enough to knock Romney out, then he gets the vice-presidency under McCain. Huckabee will bring in the conservative voters that don't like McCain. I'm a registered Independent, but usually vote Republican. However, they won't get my vote this year. Romney was clearly the best man for our economic troubles. He understands business, whereas McCain hasn't a clue. Claims he'll hire "managers" to do that...huh? Plus McCain is soft on immigration. Also, if you don't like the war now, wait until gung-ho McCain gets in. Remember, he's a military man, and these types like nothing better than a good scrap. Retreat isn't in their vocabulary. So, good luck all you Mormon haters who think a man's religion is more important than his qualification. You're going to get exactly what you deserve.

I'm with you out there. Romney was by far the best qualified candidate. John "I really don't understand economics" McCain will be a great president. Can anyone Say President Clinton or President Obama? Get used to it. The country will be begging for Romney in 2012. I hope by then it isn't too late.

My comments exactly. I am nervous about what our country will become if they ever wins. That's why I am Independent with a leaning vote toward Republican but this situation, I'd switch back to Obama. Probably the only one that can "change" the issues we face. I worry about dirty tricks that McCain might have up in his sleeves if he wins the Presidency card? I am seeing the same pattern that he went through like Bush... I'm biting my nails on this one.

I'm a very conservative republican, and if Obama captures the nod, he'll be the first Democrat I ever vote for. Good job McCain!

I'm switching parties and voting for Obama or Clinton over McCain, and why not, the voting records are simular.

To "Out There",

Amen!!!

If indeed McCain chooses Huckabee as his running mate, I will most definately vote for Senator Obama or even Senator Clinton. Huckabee is a religious bigot of the worst kind. I would advise Govenor Huntsman to have a long talk with his good friend Senator McCain, about the choice of Huckabee as his running mate.

Let me be blunt about this: Most of Conservatives in the Republican party do not like Mormons (period) they tlak to us just for convinience. In this election Obama is the only option for Mormons.

If Romney is out, I won't vote Repuiblican this year. I cannot vote for non-consevative hawk (like McCain) or for an intolerant anti-LDS preacher (who is also a big spender). Maybe I'll stay at home in November, or vote for a third party.

No way will I vote for McCain. Even though I've always been a Republican. I would write in Kermit the Frog before voting for McCain.

I'm voting my conscious in our state Primary and again in the general election. I may be throwing my vote away on Mitt Romney as a write-in, but I can't consciously vote for anyone else currently in the race.

Go for Ron Paul. He is the one from the beginning who has stood by his values. He understands the Constitution of the United States.

With Romney out maybe the LDS can look at Ron Paul and vote according to principles and not religion. He represents conservative thought better than anyone. He is looking for good change. He understands how government should work.

We are writing in Mitt!

I'm writing in Mitt Romney on my ballot! He's still the man, whether officially on ballot or not.....

With McCain on the ballot, I'll painfully vote for him as the lesser of evils. But with Huckabee as the running mate, I think they can kiss the taken for granted Utah vote goodbye.

Dan Jones, you must be on drugs. There is just no question that Utah will not be competitive in this year's presidential race. Obama, if he is the Democrat's nominee (and I hope he is), will not garner even 40% of the vote. The Republican nominee, whoever it is, is guaranteed at least 60% of the vote--a landslide by any measure. Jesus, if he ran as a Democrat, would lose in Utah.

Utah not vote republican. Did the shepards go for coffee or something? Headed over to Hardees? Did the sheep leave the field? Has the flock got lost? Please. Oh well, it sells newspapers and that is the bottom line. Scare the masses with that story!

Democrats will not hold their breath. I am chuckling at the very thought of Utah going democrat in November. If Utah goes democrat then... it is a sign that the end is near. Thank you for the article because it lifted my day.

Thanks for the laugh.

I sure hope Obama gets on the ballot and not Clinton so I have someone I'd feel comfortable voting for. McCain doesn't have much of a presence and the Huckster would destroy this country if allowed to.

Mitt did make the right decision to drop at this time but it is going to be hard on us conservatives when there no longer is a conservative to vote for. Obama seems to be the closest to that.

It is definitely true that Huckabee helped out McCain. However, I am sure that McCain is not going to choose Huckabee as a VP. He is too smart to realize that Huckabee is a big drag, in Utah and out. Huckabee's only pull is Evangelical Christians. He would do better with Gov Pawlanty, Gov Crist, Senator Thompson, Senator Gregg, Senator Dole, etc. There are plenty of more conservative Republicans that aren't crazy that would help in the South or the East.

Even though I don't think they are on the list, Senator Dole (woman), Colin Powell (black), Rep Watts (black), Senator Hutchenson (woman), Sen Reil (woman), or Condeleza Rice (black woman) would be interesting.

McCain may be doing OK in head-to-heads against Hillary right now, but he'd end up getting killed by Obama in the general election if the Democrats pick Obama. The Democrats are likely to figure that out, which is why the democratic Super Delegates, who will likely decide the outcome, may well break for Obama.

Utah & ID are awfully red states with long red traditions. UT&ID Mormons may be be mad right now, but my guess is that they will eventually get over McCain's mother bashing Mormons, Huckabee's cross commercial and the anti-Mormon push-polling that the supporters of one of those two (probably Huckabee) did in Iowa. However, for those of us Mormons who live outside of Utah and had the anti-Mormon scorn heaped upon us by the Southern-based, traditionally Republican religious groups, we won't get over it nearly as easily.

If 50% of the Mormons in AZ, CO, MT, NV, OR and WY vote for Obama like I think they will, then McCain will lose all the Western battleground states and the election. McCain better pray that the opponent isn't Hillary and he better not choose Huckabee as VP.

I appreciate this article. Only two days ago the Deseret News ran an article suggesting no matter who the republican nominee was they were sure to carry Utah. Give the good voters of Utah a little more credit; as this poll suggests they are not Republican robots.

I can't believe that you all seriously think that the country would be better off with a super-liberal like Obama or Clinton in the White House. Come on, let's get realistic and vote for McCain in the general. I'm a huge Mitt Romney fan, and am as dismayed as you all are that we find ourselves in this conundrum, but let's be realistic and do what is best for our country. McCain is not the perfect candidate, but he is way better than the other viable alternatives.

My wish from the republicans of Utah would be Romney take the state in the general election through write-in. In such an election losing only one state could throw the election to one side or the other. This would be nothing else but to make a statement that you can't trash someone based one their religion and then ask for their support in the election. Write-in Romney, make a statement!

Write in Romney....Make a statement!

I have wondered for years why Utah Mormons (and so many outside of Utah) have such an undying devotion to the Republican Party. The plot by the-powers-that-be in the GOP against Romney I hope has punctuated for most that Republicans are some of the biggest antis in this country. Sure they will take Mormons' votes, but then they will turn around and churn out more hateful literature and rhetoric against our core beliefs. Wake up people! It is time Utahns realize that dedicating ourselves to solely one party makes that party feel like they can abuse and we will still vote for their bigoted candidates!!

All you "conservatives" need to get a grip. I can only hope you will by November. To vote for someone for charisma over experience, ability, and a long GOP track record is weak, I think. A long line of Republicans, starting with Bob Dole no less, have tried to explain that McCain is a Republican, plain and simple, with a history in the Senate of supporting most Republican initiatives.

THE FACT THAT HE'S WILLING TO BUCK THE PARTY ELDERS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND TO WORK ACROSS THE ISLE, SHOULD BE SEEN AS A STRENGTH IN A FUTURE PRESIDENT, NOT A WEAKNESS!

He's simply one of the very few politicians who will tell it like it is, and not pander and just tell you what you want to hear. If you reject him for that, then you will get what you deserve....another slick willy.

And he will not choose Huckabee. He is way too savvy for that (incidentally, did anyone hear McCain has an IQ of 133?)

Turn off Rush Limbaugh for a minute, and give McCain a chance to prove himself to you! ROMNEY said he stepped aside early specifically to give McCain a chance to do just that!!

Ron Paul has earned every bit of my support with both his exemplary Christian character and his unwavering support of sound political principles. As long as he has a chance, no matter how slim, I'll keep fighting for it.

I won't write in Mitt and waste my vote.

If the Ticket is McCain/Huckabee my vote is not Republican.

If the Ticket is McCain/Not Huckabee v Hillary undecided, depends on who is most likely to implement energy independence.

If the Ticket is McCain/Not Huckabee v Obama my vote is McCain

Been a Republican since I was 18 and do not like what Bush and Co have done to the party and Country.

I don't watch/listen to Limbaugh. I watched the debates, listened to the issues and have made an informed decision......Now that Mitts out, I like 'none of the above'. Some posts still show ignorance the the LDS religion by stating that it is a 'Republican' religion. Not true! There are Democrats, Independents, Libertarians ect., throughout the Church. The Church has no official position on political issues. Each individual makes his/her own choices and there are consequences to those choices, those consequences being good or not. If people truly follow/live the principals of the teachings of Christ, then yes, that would influence their choice making.

As a resident from Illinois, (and a 20 year residen of Utah) those of you looking at Obama should look at his record. He is very liberal and votes that way -- if he votes - mostly he votes 'present' rather than take a stand. He teaches well but I've never seen him 'do' anything. He does not have any experience except in teaching. And as you know when you get out in the real world to do a job it is more on the job training - I don't think we have the time for someone leading the country in these times to do that.

I am a Mitt Romney supporter and am not happy with McCain or Huckabee, or the liberal democratic party.

Hold your noses, I agree with your comment. I would rather have a conservative with some liberal values than a liberal with all liberal values. Stay true to the conservative party and vote McCain. MITT 2012!!!

A Democrat could be elected by Utah...hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Now that Romney is out, my choice is clear. I will definitely be voting for Obama (if he can make it to the nomination) and I am strongly considering putting a huge Obama sign on my front lawn as encouragement to my neighbors to not be afraid to reject McCain.

Vote for McCain? Are you kidding me. He cheated Romney out the election and lowered himself to the likes of Mike Huckaberry. Shows what kind of President this man will be. Utah for OBAMA!

I agree with Garber. Ron Paul has been very consistent with the issues. His doctrines are sound. It is the same every time and has been for years. His principles are not based on the direction of the wind. He has respect and honor for the constitution and will not be influenced by the "flattery of prominent men". He understands that our country is a Republic and not a democracy. His loyalty will be to that document which laid the foundation for this country by WISE men not by the whims of the people. He is against this war, his views have never changed and neither has mine from day one! Waste my Vote? I don't think so. My conscience wont allow me to vote for any other.

I agree with Garber. Ron Paul is still my choice. His principles are sound. He doesn't change because of the direction of the wind on a given day. He respects and honors the constitution of this land that was written by WISE men. He understands that this country is a Republic and not a Democracy and that his loyalties will always be to that document and not to the whims of the people. He will not be influenced by "the flattery of prominentment men". He is against this war his views have never changed and neither have mine!

Do people these days even look at the issues these days. There are only an elite few out there that actually read up on the candidates before they vote. That is why you get a majority voting for imbeciles.
Are you one of the elite few? Have you actually read about your candidate?

When its Romney your talking about, religion doesn't matter. But say what you want, you oppose Huckabee because he's evangelical. And you have a persecution complex if you think McCain and Huckabee colluded to oust Romney. What a joke.

Add me to the anti-McCain voters. What a loser. And Huckabee. Just stayed in to make sure Romney wouldn't get the nomination just because he hates Mormons. I would love to see a McCain/Huckabee ticket. Watch Utah and Idaho vote Democratic. That'd be great. Mitt in 2012. We need him. I repeat again I hope again it's not too late in 2012.

I'm voting for Ron Paul too. He is the only one that doesn't have the "all about me" syndrome that is so prominent in America these days. I probably counted McCain and Romney say "I" and "me" about 10,000 times in their debates...it's disgusting to listen to.
Ron Paul refers to the Constitution for every solution...which is the way it should be. I trust the constitution and will trust any president who abides by it.

C'mon people. Obama is way more liberal the McCain. you're being downright emotional and dumb if you are switching your vote from Romney to Obama because you don't like McCain. McCain has been much more consistent than Romney ever was.

I am a retired senior living in southern Utah(Washington Co.) a transplant from the northern part of the state. I was born, raised, educated in Utah and truly love this state and would choose no where else to live, and I have trveled and lived in several other states in my life. The one thing I have never been able to crasp, is the extreme voting preference by citizens of this beautiful state. We are the Reddest of the Red, and the laughing stock of the media and informed voters. Where does this mentality come from? Why not look at the candidate from either party based on his or her merits,and background and choose new leadership based on that instead of just the party? It scares me that this present mentality resembles cult tendencies. Please be open minded, informed and vote accordinly. Look at where this last party has lead us, do you really want more of the same?

Romney's main point in his final speech was to win the war in Iraq no matter what. The Democrats will get out as soon as possible. I will be voting, very very reluctantly, for McCain. Mitt 2012!

Why would LDS church members be upset about Huckabee's question? I'm in the LDS church, and I've learned that Jesus and the Devil were brothers since I was in primary.

I can't vote for a democrat but I will not vote for McCain who is a two-bit political Washington insider. I especially dislike the fact that he has made a career of wearing his war hero history on his sleeve and cannot conduct a 5 minute conversation without bringing it up. Real heroes don't do that. One of my family members served 4 years in a German concentration camp during world war II. When he died his bio told of this which came as a surprise to many who knew him but did not know his hero credentials. That is what makes him a real hero.

This is great news! Utah will lean Democrat this year as most Republicans will throw away their vote with a write in. The Lord really does work in mysterious ways.

We were treated as second class citizens by the Republican Party. If Utah votes for a democrat watch how quickly the Republicans come running back. It is the only power we have. Barack showed more respect then any other republican candidate to the church. Give him a chance what do we have to lose. Make Huckabee and McCain pay for their hate speech. Let them run for govenor of Missouri

Obama may not be "ready". He may not be as "experienced" as the others. But he is sincere, smart, and authentic. And his judgment on Iraq proved to be better than his "elders".

Perhaps his exuberant youth and lack of knowledge of how the game "should" be played might be actually be an advantage.

OBAMA HAS MY VOTE!!!

It appears that many in Utah find it offensive to have their fitness for political office judged on the basis of religion. Did it ever occur to these people that those of us in the religious minority here in Utah get the exact same treatment from them?

There's a reason why the founding founders wanted a separation of Church and State and that is because when their isn't, we all lose eventually.

2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2028--if he's still alive--Mitt will have abou the same chance of winning the election as he did this year. But by golly, I'll bet he'll try.