The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

"Reagan lost Iowa" Yes he did. Ron was a dedicated, intelligent, kind man. He was genuine. Romney is a phony and losing in Iowa is where the similarity ends. Ron is spinning in the coffin when all you dummys compare Romney to him. Ron had a mind and a brilliant heart. Benevolent, sincere, and inclusive.
Romney is greedy, phony, and condescending.
Give me a break.

I think we need to begin to look more at the candidate's record and experience instead of their words or what is said about them by their opponents. Regardless of what you think about what is said about Mitt Romney, he is the only candidate who has a documented record of success in government and in business and in his own personal life and family. He is conservative on social issues, on fiscal issues, and on defense issues. He has an extraordinary record when it comes to expertise on the economy, and from today's news, this country is definitely going to need all the help it can get. I, for one, hope we elect a president who knows how to strengthen this nation economically to avoid a recession or possible depression.We cannot have a strong defense if we do not have a strong economy. The only candidate with the knowledge and experience to do that is Mitt Romney. We are fools if we pass up the opportunity to have him as our president. How sad if religious bigotry deprives Americans of a great leader.

I'm the Chip Tobey, the guy quoted in the article. Just to share a little more, I was in Iowa from Ohio to support Mitt by being on the phone for three days call the good people of Iowa. And for the most part that's what they were, the good people. I was saddened with the number of people that said they were not caucusing even if they weren't with Mitt. I was able to watch the caucus process directly and it was great, like a town meeting. There were two things that haven't been pickup by the press to share with you. One, there were a number of people that we found that were Republican that vote for Obama just to knock out Hillary (ABC Anybody But Clinton) They'll be back as Republicans this fall. Second, it appeared there was 60% of the vote that was evangelical so Mitt must have gotten a good number of them or else Huckabee would have gotten better than 60% of the vote. It does bother me the evangelicals use "church" time and resources to mobilize. They have that right but should loss their tax exempt status. Where's the ACLU when you need them?

Those of you who state that Mormons are not Christians are about 30 IQ points short of my retarded step brother. I can say until I'm blue in the face that a car is not a car because I define car how I want to define it. But that does not make it so.

Fortunately, smart people invented dictionaries.

Here's the (objective) definition of a Christian: 1 a: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

That's from Merriam-Webster, not the Bigoted Hillbilly's Unabridged Evangelical Dictionary.

So stop already. You making yourselves look even dumber than you already are.

Those of you who state that Mormons are about 30 IQ points short of my retarded step brother. I can say until I'm blue in the face that a car is not a car because I define car how I want to define it. But that does not make it so.

Fortunately, smart people invented dictionaries.

Here's the (objective) definition of a Christian: 1 a: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

That's from Merriam-Webster, not the Bigoted Hillbilly's Unabridged Evangelical Dictionary.

So stop already. You making yourselves look even dumber than you already are.

Just FYI. According to webster the definition of a Cult is as follows

a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc; a particular system of (religious) belief or worship

I guess that means we are cults. :) Lighten up people.

Although I feel that the evangelical get out the vote effort in Iowa was primarily anti-Romney masked behind a "shares-my-values" facade, I don't think the nation has the same views on politics and religion.

As for those who argue about religion in comments sections online, I feel that these simply represent an especially vocal, though statistically negligible, section of American society. I don't think evangelicals, Catholics, Mormons, Jews are on the whole so opinionated as to categorically reject and speak out against a candidate solely based on religious differences. At least I'd hope not.

Bill Clinton (slyness) + Jimmy Carter (religion) + GOP cover = Mike Huckabee

"I have no problem hiding the fact that I would not vote for Mitt Romney based on his religion. If that counts as "bigotry," I embrace the title willingly." I have a huge problem with this. Is it Constitutionally right to not vote for a person based on religion. I was a Huckabee supporter, he is Baptist I am Mormon. I've supported past presidents that are of a differing faith than me. I'd support a Mormon president, not because of his faith, but because of his political record and abilities. The reason I withdrew my support from Huckabee is he started making religion the issue by saying God was endorsing his candidacy, "innocently" posing the question to the NYT writer about Mormons believing Jesus and Satan are brothers. He claims that he is THE CHRISTIAN leader. I won't have that kind of religious politics in my country. Many wonder why Romney won't talk more about his religion. It's because it has NO place in politics. Absolutely none. If you still think that Mormons are trying to take over the country and would kill the Constitution, I invite you to read my blog: "http://mittvhuckabee.blogspot.com/2008/01/priority-lds-beliefs-or-oath-to.html"

Let me again state that I don't not vote for Huckabee because of his religion. It would absolutely be wrong to do so. I wouldn't vote for him because he is making religion the issue and lies about his Mormon attacks. I know and support my evangelical friends. I have many and love them. It's nothing about their religion or beliefs, it's politics. Don't think that when Mormons defend their beliefs that it's attacking theirs. You will never see a Mormon congregation being lectured on other's beliefs and what's wrong with them. What you will find is a declaration of our beliefs and why we believe the way we do. Rarely do Mormons as a group go out to protest another religion (they would do so without the support of church leaders). Usually its the other way around. Look at the internet and YouTube for evidence of this. Go to an LDS General Conference and see all the anti-LDS protesters outside that come from hundreds of miles away to do so. Again, it's not about Huckabee's religion. It's about his politics in involving religion.

"You listening to Sean Hannity right now? Huckabee is attacking Romney. I thought he was "above attacking". What a hypocrite!"
______

See what I mean? Huckabee is slime, sugar coated with a folksy smile and a glib delivery.

You listening to Sean Hannity right now? Huckabee is attacking Romney. I thought he was "above attacking". What a hypocrite!

Pretty narrow thinking magicdog. Maybe there are some people out there who don't believe you are Christian??? How about this. Among Christians only Catholics and Mormons even suggest that they have authority from God for their beliefs. None of the founders of reformist churches believed that they were restoring the church and they said so. They were doing the best they could (W/O authority)to reform the church. You belong to a branch of the Catholic church that you also beleive is a cult (at least many evagelicals do). How can the branch be so different from the root???

I am so amazed that even a few uninformed folks are distorting what Mormons believe even when blatantly told differently by Mormon members and leaders. If these comments were even a little Christlike in nature I wouldn't comment. I am ashamed to hear American Citizens behaving in such a coarse and disrespectful manner. Please submit comments with a little more grace and intelligence.

Kyushu2002 made a comment that spurs this additional thought. There has been talk of a Goldwater sized defeat for the GOP if Huckabee is the nominee. Whereas I think that Huckabee will lose most of the "swing states" because he will not get the independent vote and will have many republican defectors (as I have seen in many posts on various sites), I still do not think his loss will be on the scale of Goldwater because his evangelical support will preserve the South for him.

However, what would be poetic justice is if the mormons exhibit the same bigotry towards the evangelicals. Eye for an eye! Mormon resentment and hatred of Huckabee and how he and his supporters have treated the mormon religion and their members will be high. If Huckabee is the GOP nominee, I can see mormons refusing to vote for him at all because of his supporters' cruel treatment and either stay home or vote democratic. Utah might actually cast its electoral votes for the democratic candidate. If it turns out to be a close election, it would be funny if Utah casts the winning electoral vote for the democratic nominee. I would have never thought that Utah would go Blue, but Huckabee is the one man who can do that!

Much of non-Mormon Christianity's desire to refuse to include Mormons in the family of Christianity is, in my opinion, the direct result of early Mormonism's desire to distinguish iteself from all other Christian creeds and sects, beginning with Joseph Smith's own teachings (allegedly from God) on the matter. In his own words, he said:

"My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)--and which I should join.

"I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."

"He again forbade me to join with any of them;

--Joseph Smith, History Chapter 1, verses 18-20 (part of the Mormon Scriptural Cannon).

Modern Mormons have a hard time understanding why so many Christians seem to be "anti-Mormon"--the truth is, they are so only because Mormons were, in their beginning, so "anti-Rest-of-Christianity."

I have no problem hiding the fact that I would not vote for Mitt Romney based on his religion. If that counts as "bigotry," I embrace the title willingly. Religion is a system of belief which affects--even GUIDES--the decisions one makes. To ignore the importance of religion in how a person lives his or her life would be foolish. Mormons are only considered to be in good standing when they obey church leaders. Mitt Romney could not consider himself to be "a Mormon in good standing" if he publically disobeyed the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the temple, Mormons covenant (promise) "before Gods, angels, and witnesses" that they will devote all that they posses (or which the Lord will bless them with, including their time and talents) "to the establishment of Zion, and the building up of the kingdom of God." Romney has made such a covenant, and Mormons are taught that obedience to God superceeds all earthy authority or law (in the Book of Mormon, Nephi's killing of Laban is a good example of this kind of justification; the secrecy of Polygamy in the early days of the LDS church is another).

As an individual who was born and raised LDS, served a Mormon mission, graduated from BYU, married in the SL temple, and served for many years within Mormonism, I do not speak from ignorance; I can appreciate the good Mormonism brought to my life, and still value the many benefits I have, today. But I would not vote for a Mormon to represent all American's interests.

I say these things, in support of the Democratic Party, Amen. ;-)

I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. I am not extremely conservative. Nor am I extremely liberal. I am however extremely disappointed with Iowa. Could Iowa have picked two worse candidates?

First, Obama is wrong on so many levels. He is too liberal, weak on foreign policy, and wrong on health care. Hillary is obviously the strongest candidate from the Democratic field. She would be be tough on national security and has a good, politically viable, and perhaps even efficiency enhancing health care plan.

Second, and more importantly, Huck is nothing more than political suicide. Iowans have chosen a man who will violate the no establishment clause of the constitution. All those ignorant evangelicals would be well served to read James Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance. As a founding father he would turn in his grave to learn that a professional pastor is succeeding based on his religious beliefs. Does any rational person doubt that he would use the power of the presidency to support and further establish the his religious beliefs? This is a man who uses churches to preach his politics. He uses religious messages to motivate his base. He openly talks of taking back the nation for christ. A vote for Huck is a vote for a man who will violate one of the fundamental precepts of the Constitution. No moderate person will vote for Huck. THe evangelical wacko right may vote based on religion. Luckily, they are a minority of the U.S. I, as many other moderate people will never vote for Huck. If Huck is the nominee, a Democrat is sure to win the election. Even all you who hate Hillary must admit the nation will be better off with her in charge than Huck. Romney is the viable Republican Candidate.

Romney or Hillary. It is your choice. Either way, i will be happy.

It's painfully clear from several of the postings above that LDS doctrine in regard to Jesus Christ is not correctly understood. Evangelical Christians and any others, who would like to have a correct understanding of LDS doctrine (and the doctrinal differences between Latter-day Saints and other Christian denominations), are invited and encouraged to go to LDS.org and/or Mormon.org. I recommend, in particular, a 1998 general conference address given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles entitled, "Have You Been Saved?". This address is very insightful and can be found by clicking on the Gospel Library hyper-link and selecting the General Conference link.

Let's stop the bickering between our denominations and look for common ground--there's more of it out there than you think. We need to elect a President, who will protect this nation from its enemies and preserve our freedom to worship how, where or what we may.

Any one who says that Mormons are not Christians is only exposing their own ignorance. The continuos use of Biblical references, artistic images, and scholastic studies within the Church's official publications and public declarations; plus the much
acknowledged "Christ like" life style of it's members is overwhelming evidence of the true Christian nature of it's worship.
As a people, Mormons accept the piety of main stream Christian churches as sincere and honest.
Why do so many people in these Churches chose to be un-Christian, by name calling and spreading lies?. If they are as Christian as they would have us believe, why don't they DAJWD, you know, "..love thy neighbor..." To me it seems incredibly hypocritical and exposes a great deal of ignornace to say that the, Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints, is not Christian.

Some of the comments sound as bad as a Shiite/Sunni Holy war.

Can't anybody recognize Mitt Romney for his leadership skills? I was a 2002 Olympics volunteer after he took over the leadership. He assembled a senior leadership team that turned the Olympics around. The teamwork was amazing. The team he brought together delivered results. It was all about international sports and had nothing to do with religion. I have no doubt that when he is elected to be the leader of this country that he will assemble a top notch team who will also deliver results without regard to religion.

One other note. The early stages of the political process in this country are not as much for declaring a winner as they are for filtering out candidates. Bye-Bye Biden and Dodd (Thompson, Hunter too???). The big win comes at the party convention later this year. Go Mitt! Catch the dream!

What's the difference between Imam's in the Middle East spewing hatred and lies against Jews and Christians and Evangelical leaders spewing hatred and lies against Mormons and Catholics? Hmm...

kyushu2002: Thank you too! I couldn't agree more.

"Otherwise we are descending into the dark ages right along with Bin Laden." We could thank Huckabee for this.

It is sad when we as America vote or don't vote for a candidate based upon which religious doctrine he follows. If Huckabee were to have one based on the issues, then there would be no problem. Voting for Huckabee because of his religion flies in the face of the Constitution (Article VI), the moral and political fabric of this nation. Likewise, if Utah were to vote for Romney because he is Mormon, there should be outrage like there should be in Iowa. We are electing a politician not a pastor. It's great to vote for a person on moral issues but to extend that into religion is detrimental to this nation.

"I just don't see how they can believe that Joseph Smith was the first guy since the first century to seriously implore God for the truth about Him." Nothing could be further from the truth. In addresses by LDS leaders, they have repeatedly acknowledged the great sacrifices of the reformers and the great things they have done to try to bring Christianity back to the teachings found in the Bible. I admire Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, John Smith (founder of the Baptist religion), and others. We should honor them for their sacrifices and I believe God does too. Their prayers were heard and answered. God does not ignore his people. You claim that according to Mormon belief that God must have ignored his reformist children in Europe. By that same reasoning, God must have ignored his own people: the Jews in WWII. He must have ignored his people in the Crusades and in other atrocities. Of course, we know that this reasoning is untrue. God is the God of all and loves all of His children. He hears and answers all prayers...though sometimes differently.

"these arguments about whether Mitt Romney is a true christian or not are INSANE and remind me of Osama bin Laden's mentality." Thank you!

This is a discussion of people running for Prsident of the United States, not lobbying for Deaconship of a church! these arguments about whether Mitt Romney is a true christian or not are INSANE and remind me of Osama bin Laden's mentality. when President Lincoln was confronted with the fact that General Grant wasn't a true Christian and only a womanizing drunk, he said "Tell me what brand of wiskey he drinks so I can send a case of it to my other Generals." Look at the person''s qualifications and accomplishments and make your judgements based that. Not What religion the person is. Otherwise we are descending into the dark ages right along with Bin Laden.

Christians are called Christians because back in Antioch the people there used to term to make fun of them saying they were trying to act just like Christ. If Mormons acted like Christ they probably would have been called Christ, but I guess since they probably believe they ARE acting just like Christ that point won't go over well to them. I just don't see how they can believe that Joseph Smith was the first guy since the first century to seriously implore God for the truth about Him. None of those other people who were willing to stand there and burn to death or be eaten by a lion were actually serious enough that God would impart this new doctrine to them? There WERE churches after the Apostles that lived and believed according to ONLY what Scripture they had and not the evolving traditions of the times. They were called Donatists, Montanists, Paulacians, Albegincians, Bogomils, and so on through history, but Joseph Smith and the other founders of Mormonism didn't know that piece of European history at the time. God would have known though, and to say that God ignored those people to hold out His truth for 1800 years paints a horribly different picture of God.

All that being said, when it comes to the Presidency I have no problem supporting Romney because I think he actually does believe his moral standards as opposed to just having them as a mask to put on in front of voters. The President is not a religious leader and he won't be directing my or my family's religious beliefs in any direction but I do want him to be moral and Romney's morals line up generally with mine. I also think he has the fiscal leadership abilities to handle some of the big crises we will see in the next few years and that's what I'm really concerned about and you should be too. Who else is going to stop the drop of the dollar in the world market? I guess some of Thompson's fiscal policies would make a significant change in that area too.

Please reconsider ranting about Iowa churches becoming involved in the political process on behalf of Huckabee. How do you think Democrats rally their minority base? Black churches, of course.
Enough said.

frankrier - who told you the mormons are trying to take over america? certainly not a mormon, because it isn't true.

About the person who wrote that or said it or propagated it, it's a lie. Lies are the tools of the devil. And God never borrows the devil's tools. He doesn't need to.

MagicDog,

You say mormons aren't Christian, but that depends on your definition of Christian. Here are a few:

1) One who believes in Christ as our Savior
2) A person who strives to do what Christ asked us to do: loving God, loving everyone, condemning no one, helping the down trodden, pulling the beam out of your own eye, blessing those that curse you, etc.
3) A person or group who practices adherence to post-biblical traditions and dogma

There are other definitions out there too. Mormons don't meet all of them. Do you? Does anyone? How about instead of running around judging and labeling each other, we focus on doing our best as individuals and as brothers and sisters, and let God decide the rest?

kyushu2002, I appreciate your passion and understand why you think Utah would not vote for Huckabee. My theory was based on both Romney and Thompson being out of the race before Utah's primary. I must concede your point. McCain would probably get the Utah vote being the only anti abortion and pro marriage candidate left. There will be a huge mormon backlash at Huckabee in Utah for the way Huckabee treated Romney's religion. My overall argument remains though. Utah is not enough to tip the scale. Your argument and mine though did share the same premise. Huckabee's support is all about religion. There are those supporters who have considered his positions and agree with his stances, but by and large, it is his evangelical support that is propelling him.

I would enthusiastically vote for a rotten head of lettuce over Hillary Clinton, but, if it comes to it, I may vote for Obama over Huckabee, as Obama is smartish, tallish and youngish, and appears to be really no further to the left than Huckabee.

Great Job Iowa!

You've once again proven that anti-mormon bigotry is alive and well in the midwest among evangelicals! I thought this was a caucus for the most qualified, conservative RNC candidate for President, not an anti-mormon referandum lead by a populist priestcraft preacher preying on your bigotry. Maybe it's the corn. Ferments in your bellies and heads....

To those who think religion was a non-issue in Huckabee's win:

AP: "Eight in 10 Huckabee supporters said they are born again or evangelical Christians, according to an entrance poll for The Associated Press and television networks. Another six in 10 said it was very important to share their candidate's religious beliefs. In both categories, none of the former Arkansas governor's opponents came close to that kind of support.

In addition, six in 10 Huckabee supporters -- more than his rivals -- said it was most important that their candidate shared their values. Only 4 percent of his backers said they wanted a contender with experience, and 2 percent said they were looking for a Republican who can win the White House in November."

Huckabee to take Utah if Romney drops out by Feb 5? Not a chance in hell. Huckabee went to Utah in 1998 and told all the Mormons they were going to hell. Huckabee was the keynote speaker at the Southern Baptist convention. Witnesses claim that Huckabee was ranting and raving about Mormons and their beliefs. And he innocently says that he knows nothing about Mormons. There's a very good reason why his sermons are under lock and key.

Romney outdid Huckabee with the non-Evangelical voters 2-1. 2-1! With Huckabee getting 60% of the evangelical vote it was definitely about religion and the warm fuzzies they get from the Baptist preacher. Iowa let the whole country down by voting for the preacher based on religion and not politics. Put it this way. Suppose that Romney were an evangelical himself. What would the outcome be then? Would the evangelicals show up in droves more so attendance would go from 40% to 60% over the last caucus?

"I see from many of the posts here that Mormons are following their Prophet's recent instructions to become more active and visible on the internet promoting the Mormon perspective." Actually it was an Apostle. The Prophet hasn't said anything. And why shouldn't Mormons do it? They are defending their religion for those that would incessantly trash it.

See what I mean?: "Not when they believe that God resides on the planet Kolob, which orbits a star that draws its light from our sun, and not when they believe that God the Father was once a man and that he physically impregnated Mary to produce Jesus Christ." Your facts are abhorrently distorted. Telling me that I believe this stuff is ludicrous! Why don't you actually spout off credible LDS doctrine sometime? It's insulting doing what you're doing.

"I have read that part of the Mormon creed is to take over the USA. Believe it or not, I don't care. Brother Mittey is trying to fulfill the prophecy." You couldn't be further from the truth. You actually believe the letter from Mr. Boyd? Not once in his letter did he have ANY sources to back up his claims. You can read my response to his disparaging and frankly bigoted letter here: "www.mittvhuckabee.blogspot.com"

Huckabee should be ashamed of himself by making religion the issue in a nation where religion is free to practice and in a nation where we value ourselves on religious tolerance. Huckabee has done an incredible disservice to this nation. Being a life-long Republican, I would rather vote for Obama before I'd vote for Huckabee. Sad.

Wow. You people that spew Mormon hatred need to find another hobby. I have never heard such satanic hatred in all my life. Can you hear yourself? Are you an American? If you talk about Mormons with such deep hatred, who else do you hate, and where does it end?

Let's talk about the issues.
Immigration.
Iraq.
Social Security.
Abortion.
Build up your candidate. Stop tearing mine down. Your not changing minds with your dialogue.

The real winner was Giuliani. I am a huge Mitt supporter but I Giuliani won tonight. It now seems like the results will be murkey heading into Super Tuesday which will mean that Giuliani can win NY, NJ and possibly CA all in one day. As long as there's still a race on Feb 5, Giuliani is the front runner. God help the Republican Party.

The question asked by Bot1 is: "Why must Evangelical Pastors be so negative & engender bigotry in their adherents?" The reason is that the Mormon Churches get their converts from the Evangelical Churches, Baptist Churches, etc. When these pastors lose members to the Mormon Churches, they lose MONEY! Preachers can't
perpetuate their idologies without money...
lots of it. Mormons don't get paid to run
their Churches. The Work is done voluntarily by Mormon members, whereas, the
Preachers draw a salery. Mormons never pass 'the plate' in worship services. Its
all about MONEY to the Preachers. Thats why they hate Mormons. Print this if you dare!

Baptist Party 1, Republican Party 0.

I am a registered Independent who as always voted Republican for President. If Huckabee gets the nomination, I will vote Democrat, whether it's Obama, Edwards, or Clinton. Huckabee scares me more than any of those three. He is so slick, so smooth, so subtle--he talks well, but his actions belie his manner. I watch him and he reminds me of a magician or a thief: while you're watching his right hand, his left hand is stealing your watch.

To rusty_crtr, well said. The general election WILL NOT allow Huckabee the Presidency. The 15% independent vote of the general electorate do not and will not want someone who wears his religion on his shoulders to become President. A Huckabee nomination is a guarantee victory for the Democrats.

If you really think that people vote for Huckabee for reasons other than he was a evangelical pastor, then you are foolish for not seeing the strategy that even Huckabee knows when it comes to the demographics and the type of political base associated with it. I dont need to explain this, except to say: look at exit polling data.

Let me put this another way using the Democrat caucus. If Barack Obama and all his character and qualifications remain the same except you change his skin color to caucasion and changed his name to John Smith; do you really think he would have had a snowballs'c chance of beating hillary? I think we all know the anwser to that.

So please, don't kid yourselves with Huckabee spin.

Those of you who think that Huckabee is a one-state wonder or that he will not last long are in for a rude awakening. He doesn't really need to expand his evangelical base that much to win the nomination. He will ride the evangelicals to victory in South Carolina and force Thompson out. He will ride that same group to victory in Michigan forcing Romney out. That will leave McCain and Guiliani splitting the Anti-Huckabee vote on Feb 5. With Thompson out before Feb 5, Huckabee wins Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tenessee, Oklahoma, West Virginia, North Dakota, MInnesota and maybe Missouri and Illinois riding those same evangelicals. Rudy will win NJ, CT, NY, DE, MA, ME leaving the rest up for grabs and possibly forcing McCain out who will only win AZ. With Romney out before Feb 5, Huckabee might even win Utah. CA is up for grabs though leaning Rudy.

After Feb 5, Huckabee and Rudy are left standing. What are the next big events? Feb 9: Louisiana and Kansas --> Both Huckabee wins riding evangelical. After that?
Feb 12 Rudy will win Maryland & DC, but Huckabee will probably win Virginia due to the evangelicals.
March 4th: Texas & Ohio are Huckabee vicotries riding evangelicals, Rudy wins Vermont & Rhode Island which are peanuts compared to TX & Ohio.

The point is simple. Huckabee CAN win the nomination without expanding his base too much beyond the evangelicals. He will church hop to the GOP nominations only to get trounced in the general election.

There is a reason that the GOP is strong in the south --> Evangelicals. He will ride them to the GOP nomination and a subsequent Goldwater sized defeat. Voting for Huckabee might send a message to the GOP party, but it will also hand the Democrats the Presidency.

Given his victory in Iowa, it might be too late to stop him. When this process started it was the "social values" conservatives who were split and couldn't find their man. Well they have found it, and the Anti-Huckabee vote is now split which will only help him gain the nomination.

What I find amusing is how so-called 'evangelicals' like MagicDog love to bash on Mormons when their lives better reflect Christ's teachings than his. Who wants to place a bet on how many strip clubs MagicDog has gone to? Heck Huckabee's favorite show is admittedly the Sopranos. Glad to see you have chosen such a righteous and moral leader. But heaven forbid that Mormons don't believe in the Trinity - that means they aren't Christian... MagicDog needs to read his Bible again: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." FYI, MagicDog, that 'whoever' includes Mormons. You are the perfect example of the audience Huckabee appeals to. Bigots like yourself who don't even know their Bible.

Huckabee won Iowa not because he is a Christian but because he was able to connect with the people. Romney lost not because he is a Mormon but because he ran negative, distorted ads. I think he now has learned the lesson.

For those who compares Huckabee with Clinton need to understand that both are folksy but their stands are as far as from east to west. Social conservatives (that includes Mormons too) need to be sure not to put anybody who support baby-killing to be in the office. The Ban for late term abortion Acts could have been the law if Clinton did not veto it. That's just one example. With Huckabee, you can sleep well at night knowing where he stands on issues. Romney is "phony" because you can't really read his inner mind.

Tax reform? I know what Ron Paul is going to do. I know what Mike Huckabee is going to do. But, what is Romney going to do with taxes? Spare more to the big corps and CEOs and tax up middle class? Is he going to cut the government? If so, where and how? Lack of platform has failed Romney. His new warm and fuzzy ads only show that he sees the problems but did not spell out what he will do.

Huckabee won. Romney lost. In SC on Jan 19th, the history will be repeated.

Mitt Romney lost because of the religious issue. It is too bad Religion was THE major factor in Iowa. We all believe in a God (Well most of us) and that is important. But, someone should not vote for someone solely because they are a Preacher, or because they are Black, or a female or Catholic, etc.

I am a Conservative -- Mitt Romney is a true Conservative----John McCain is a real war hero, but he is not a Conservative.

Anyone who co-authors an Immigration bill with Ted Kennedy is not telling the truth when he says he is a conservative. Senator McCain was, is , and always will be a maverick Liberal. He has been in the Senate too long and is one of the "good old boys."

Romney is a class Act. Family man, self made millionaire, successful Governor of Massachusetts, and a doer. We need a new face and my wife tells me Romney's will do nicely thank you.

Is my math correct? Why must Evangelical pastors be so negative and engender bigotry in their adherents? The pastors don't sound like Christians to me.

The reason the pastors are so bigotrous is due to the fact that all of their income comes from their members. They know they must convince others to not be open minded and search for truth. They have to put food on the table somehow. The only way they get paid is from their members and if they leave so goes there lifestyle. The LDS faith has no paid clergy and its leaders actually have to go to work to provide for themselves without leaching off the congregation. If baptist pastors truly where trying to help others find Christ then they wouldn't worry about putting down other religions they would just teach of Christ.

By the way, take a real look at Huckabee when you think of flip floppers. "I would never criticize Romney for his religion --- by the way don't they believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers?" He flip flopped right there in two seconds flat. How about: "Before I was against negative campaigning I was for negative campaigning and now I am against negative campaigning --- so let me just show you the juicy stuff that I am not going to show to the public (but which I am going to show to you so YOU can show the public and, by the way, you don't really mind if I post this little ditty on the WEB so that I don't have to pay for it) because now I am REALLY aginst negative campaigning and oh, by the way, Mitt is dishonest although I have nothing to say about the issues he's raised because I don't yet have a consesus as to how the evangelicals will view this issue." CAN'T YOU ALL SEE WHAT A TOTAL PANDERING, HYPOCRITICAL SLIMEBALL THIS GUY IS?

this is a marathon, not a sprint.

lets all talk again after new hampshire.

who still has the money?

who still has the straw poll placings?

rombot and huckster will now be throwing fists. ed rollins is a dinosaur....he can take big bites...but he's extinct....he'll sink huckster.

It will be interesting to see how the two allies (in the Iowa race)McCain and Huckabee will get along in the NH primary. They could not bend over far enough for each other over the past several weeks. Will they treat each other as competitors? Perhaps not because Huckabee doesn't have a snowball's chance in NH so maybe he'll roll over like McCain did in Iowa. Call me cynical, but the strategy was effective and I would not be surprised to see the demagogue McCain and the "I just want you to love me / I have no real issues to discuss" Huckabee pull the same stunt in NH.

I am from AZ and I doubt seriously that McCain will take AZ. We know him just like the voters in Arkansas know Huckabee. McCain just wants more face time before the camera and doesn't really care about anything but trying to elevate his own self importance.

It's also funny how people are bagging on America's Mayor for bringing up 9/11 but they are to PC to call John McCain on it. Plenty of our pilots had a stay in the Hanoi Hilton and worse and don't spend their lives trading on it. McCain was the worst of carpetbaggers a la Hillary Clinton when he came to Arizona / Washington. He was a manufactured crown prince and it does not surprise me to see him climb into bed with the like-minded Huckabee.

I am for Romney as I believe that it is important that we elect someone who can actually do something rather than elect those who try to heap upon themselves the adulation of an unknowing and largely naive electorate. MCain and Huckabee are the two worst horses to hitch your wagon to in this race. Giulani, Thompson and even democrats Richardson and Obama would serve our country's interests better than these two media gadfies. C'mon America,let's really go for change and get an intelligent, articulate president elected and dump the pols. Please use your brains and not your religion, nor your warm fuzzies, nor your taste for the stinging one liners to elect a president. We don't need Don Rickles nor do we need Gomer Pyle. Think, people think!

Let's see, The Huckster got 34 percent in Iowa, Mitt 25%. Evangelicals were 60 percent of the caucus-goers this year, compared with 40 percent in 2004. If my math is correct, if we exclude the extra 20 percent which were hyped by the Evangelical pastors to go to the polls to keep that "heretic" (Mitt) from gaining the nomination, the Huckster would have had 22 percent, and Mitt would have won.

Is my math correct? Why must Evangelical pastors be so negative and engender bigotry in their adherents? The pastors don't sound like Christians to me.

Well, it's pretty clear from these posts that religious bigotry is alive and well in the United States of America.

The pack mentality of mankind is a curious thing. Americans live in mortal fear or being identified as racist or bigoted against a favored group, such as blacks or Jews, but it's open season on any minority that has not been identified as protected.

I wonder whether we will see the same sort of anti-Islamic zealotry emerge as Barak Obama advances. It may still not be fair or civillized, but it would certainly make more sense in a nation that has suffered much greater insults from Muslims than from Mormons.

Hey frankrier. It is EVERY religions' creed to take over and convert people to their religion. So what else is new? What do you think born-again/evangelicals are? They evangelize! D'uh.

I'm a Christian conservative, but I am not a zealot. Most Republicans understand that "political attacks" are defined by PERSONAL ATTACKS, not by issue comparisons. Romney compared his conservative record with Huckabee's liberal record. Huckabee could only respond with personal attacks ("Romney is dishonest") Wrongly calling Romney's issue comparisons an attack while attacking? Talk about dishonest! Huckabee might fool blind-faith religious zealots in Iowa but he won't fool the rest of America. Romney will go on, Huckabee will not.

P.S. Does it even matter is Mormon is Christian or not? Why is this even being debate, discuss or and issue? We're electing the President of the USA, not President of Church ABC/XYZ!

Its a sad simple truth people who support Huckabee. They are no different than Hillary Clinton supporters. These people support Hillary primarily (not exclusively) because she is a woman almost regardless of issues. Same goes for Huckabee supporters, which is comprised mainly of of born-again and evangelicals. These people support Huckabee primarily because he was a baptist, almost regardless of issues. Its sad to see such ignorance, religious and sexual bigotry being displayed by both sides of the political party. Staying on the Huckabee topic, he is a goober. Iowa is a goober backwater state desperate and spoiled by the political and media status quo. Its ashame that these people rather want a common Homer Simpson "Joe" to be President than someone extraordinary like Ronmey.

I'm thankful for the poster that said it was not anti-Mormons that caused the win of Huckabee- but the liberal press etc. I think that WAS a part of it, but the FEAR of Mormons and the prejudice against one who had worked hard/smart/fair to earn his money in way NOT by taking money for preaching which the Bible says NOT to do, is a BIG factor too.

by the way- the Bible ***AND*** the Book of Mormon, ***AND*** the doctrines of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints PROCLAIM that Jesus was born of a VIRGIN. That means NO SEX!!! They ALSO say that the Holy Spirit (Not God the Father) overshadowed her (which spirit could place the SEED of God the father- to unite with Marys egg in the womb (as even doctors can do NOW- and the woman STILL be a virgin- NO SEX!!!

It is ONLY FAIR to let each church say what it believes/teaches and NOT let those who do NOT believe it define us!!! go to Mormon.org or LDS.org for our beliefs!

Lastly, if one MUST take the name of their book for their name, then MUST CHRISTIANS be called "Bibleons"?? With THAT weird requirement then we would be not Mormons, but BibleMormonDoctrine&CovenantsPearlofGreatPriceons.
and that is even longer than our official name. The church OFFICIALLY was named as established as LAW requires with its name in the 1800s, which name was given by revelation. Interstingly it is SAINTS that the members of Christs church called themselves and we -- in these last days were told to call ourselves "Latter-day" Saints. With the FULL name being "The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints"

Then also isn't it interesting that we were the FIRST church to use the full name of Jesus Christ? It is interesting to me too, that now some "Baptists" have even fallen away from the meaning of their name, that now they don't require water baptism.

I understand too that some archaeologists were upset to discover in the ancient records of the Dead Sea Scrolls that THE Christians of that time called themselves by the SAME name IN those scrolls!!! -- They felt that the second coming was imminent and the last days upon them, but they forgot that Jesus had told them "a falling away" (apostasy) had to come first.

Anyway-- thanks to the "Evangelicals for Mitt" blog- I do not believe that ALL Evangelicals are brain washed against a good man, though they don't have to believe our theology.

My hope is that the people will come to a knowledge of the truth. I say of those who were blinded (some from the pulpit whose pastors were also blinded by anti??) that they will be forgiven, for they didn't know what they were doing. Maybe they will come to feel sorry later, if they will look at all the facts. Maybe even sorry enough to support the BEST CANDIDATE for Pres. Mitt!!

I have read that part of the Mormon creed is to take over the USA. Believe it or not, I don't care. Brother Mittey is trying to fulfill the prophecy. Mormons from all over the country are camping out in primary states to pass out his campaign literature - I'll bet they forgo the 'tracks' booklets they deluge me with every summer.I wouldn't trust Romney to pick up my groceries. He's a liar and the member of a religious cult. Why is everyone so politically correct that they are afraid to identify Mormons as a cult. Have you ever read the Book of Mormon? Try it and tell me these people are normal.

Hey Magicdog, believe me I'm no Mormon (I'm Catholic and not a terribly good one at that), feel free to insert the f-bomb over freakings. If Huckabee didn't support giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, I might have supported him. If Huckabee had recieved the endorsement of Tancreado I might have supported him, but he didn't. Huckabee is bad on illegal immigration. If you people want the slave labor so you can get your lawn mowed and save your ten cents on your lettuce then amend the damn laws. However, until that that *freaking* time we need to enforce our laws, defend our borders and ensure our national sovereignty. Huckabee will not get my vote.

Well it looks like Huck gets the Gold, Mitt the Silver, and Fred the Bronze with the rest the Republican candidates down and out of contention. Mitt worked hard and I appreciate him "trying" instead of giving up and quitting like the folks that finished out of the medal count.

Well on to New Hampshire where the reports are now that Independents will be voting in vast numbers in the Democrat primary now that Obama has won Iowa. Let's see how that affects the race on the GOP side.

Mitt and Obama were right in their speeches last night, Americans want "fresh new faces" in Washington DC in 2008 instead of the same old same old.

I spent 32 years of my life investigating made made christian churches. They have NOTHING to offersimply because they have no authority to perform the necessary saving ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Graduation from Bible College doesn't provide that authority. The truth is that all of so called christendom was in a state of apostasy following the death of the apostles. Ordinances were changed and the teachings of Jesus Christ were changed to man made myths. There was mo regularly constituted church of Jesus Christ with the requied organization on earth for centuries and many scholars of the Bible took that stance. Early in the 19th centurye John Williams pastor of the oldest Baptist church in Rhode Island left the ministry for this reason.

When Joseph Smith jnr as a young boy was confused by all the different denominations and their teachings, he merely wanted to know which of the sects was right, he prayed to God to ask which was right and which he should join. The Lord himself in the First Vision of the Father and The Son informed the young boy expressly to stay away from all of them, that they were all wrong. "They draw near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me"

Of course the young 14 year old of goodly parents had a conspiracy to defraud the world didn't he.

He was cruelly persecuted for telling certain ministers about his experience, and eventually was murdered in cold blood. The cruel persecution has continued after the death of Joseph and Hyrum who supported Joseph even in death.

There is no book in all the world that you can read, ponder over and the PRAY about and receive a personal witness of the truthfulness of the book... NONE. That is the promise of its last prophet author Moroni. Moroni Ch 10 verse 4.

When you receive that witness , it is no little tingling sensation. It will be a personal event which serves to build your testimony of the truthfulness of this great latter-day work for the rest of your life. Joseph Smith was and IS a prophet of God and the revelations he received in respect to the Temple ordinances are those laid down by the Saviour of the World, even Jesus Christ.

People may continue to scoff and scorn but from its humble beginnings the LORD's work continues to go forward unhindered by the ways of the world .The work done in the House of the Lord for those who didnt have the opportunity of knowing about the church in this life is the most unselfish work anyone can possibly do for someone else. The candidate for that work is done still has the opportunity to accept or reject it on the other side of the vale. Mans free agency is never removed, but the choices he/she makes have an eternal significance.

Section 1 Doctrine and Covenants is known as the Preface to the "Book of Commandments". Here the Lord is personally introducing the scriptures and speaking to the Church.

"And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea even my servant Joseph Smith Jun might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also those to whom these commandments were given might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the only true and living church on the face of the whole earth with which I the Lord am well pleased, speaking of the church collectively and not individually."

If the book is a fraud and the church is nothing more than another man made sect, why has this book influenced the lives of so many millions for good throughout the world and why does the temple work continue in 128 operating temples throughout the world. Many thought that Mormonism would stop when they murdered Joseph. Not so.... neither can man with his puny arm hold back the work of God.

I see from many of the posts here that Mormons are following their Prophet's recent instructions to become more active and visible on the internet promoting the Mormon perspective. They accuse many of us of being anti-Mormon. Well OK, then Mormons, as you will know if you do your research, are anti-Christian. It's the foundation of their church and their theology. I attended for 5 years and I heard it and saw it myself. Now, I am not anti-Mormon; I am pro-truth. Mormons need to stop being anti-Christian among themselves inside Mormon churches and temples. You are not Christian, you are actually anti-Christian. Evangelicals and Mormons together deserve each other, a real great alliance for GOP.

Two points: (1) Mormons are certainly Christians. www.mormon.org is an excellent resource to learn about what Mormons believe. (2) Romney is the best qualified candidate from either party to lead our country in these dangerous times. He has the right vision on national security, the economy and social values that will preserve our nation for generations to come. Not only does he have the right ideas, but he has proven to all of us that he has tremendous capacity to get big, difficult jobs done very well. America needs someone in the White House who has the right combination of competence and vision, and Mitt Romney is the man for the job.

The Iowa results for Huckabee are easily understood. He has been a well known preacher in Iowa for the last 15 years and he has often participated there in evangelical religion. His supporters were either liberal minded as he is, or they were willing to blindly overlook his liberalism and duplicity, e.g. claims to be a conservative, because they identified with him religiously.

Say, lucaslds, they call you Mormons because that's what your con man's crazy book is called. I guess I figured I'd be the first one to let you in on the secret. As for Jesus Christ, how about the part where he was begotten by a man who became God, and who took Mary as a temporary wife and had sex with her? That's a tidbit that your cult doesn't like to talk about. And justicar, only freaking Mormons say freaking so freaking much.

The Evangelical vote in Iowa has been producing distorted results in Iowa for more than thirty years. That vote pushed Jimmy Carter to the Democratic nomination in 1976--another small state governor with no foreign policy experience and his lack of experience really hurt the country during the Iran hostage crisis. In 1980, George H.W. Bush won Iowa but lost to Reagan at the convention. In 1988, Vice President Bush ran third to Bob Dole and televangelist Pat Robertson but eventually won the nomination. It seems that the less experience a candidate has the better they do in Iowa.

Mitt Romney is a good man with strong leadership skills. Other than Mike Huckabee, I was wondering why the religion of any of the other candidates has not been a matter of public discussion? Just for the record, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the "Mormons". I think it's interesting that it was people of other faiths who gave us that nickname almost 200 years ago. Still, in 2008, some people of other faiths are continuing to assign us doctrine that just isn't true. Please know that we love and revere Jesus Christ and that we believe He is the Son of God, the Eternal Father. It is my privilege to try to live my life in such a way as to reflect His teachings. I'm grateful that this presidential race has candidates who are not afraid to express their religious faith and who live what they believe.

Great Job! Iowans now you can put your tinfoil hats back on and discuss how the moon landing never happened. You guys will sit their and dump all over Mormon theology while standing on your high horse stating that the Earth was created in 7 days and espousing the young Earth theory. When are you going to realize we're electing a President not a freaking Pope. Look at the freaking issues. Huckabee is bad on illegal immigration, taxes, overuse of clemency... He's John Edwards with a Bible!!

MagicDog must be working for the Magic Negro... a plant trying to cause trouble

bchowen1, Mormons are Mormons. They are not Christians. Not when they believe that God resides on the planet Kolob, which orbits a star that draws its light from our sun, and not when they believe that God the Father was once a man and that he physically impregnated Mary to produce Jesus Christ.

It's better that the Republicans eliminate Romney early so they can find a candidate who won't start off with one-third of the party who'll never vote for him no matter what.

To all those who claim that Mormons are not Christian (including Mike Huckabee). Just because you have a narrow definition of what a "christian" is (i.e. one who thinks only like you), doesn't mean that others who believe in Christ are not Christian.

Mike Huckabee has shown that religious bigotry is still alive in this nation. Sadly, so called evangelicals are going to give this nation to godless liberals simply to keep a Mormon out.

Sad.

As a conservative Republican (office holder) and evangelical Christian, I have grave doubts about former Governor Mike Huckabee. They are rooted in the political climate that nutured him, i.e., Arkansas, and the kudos he has too consistently been provided by the dark side, e.g., James Carville. As early as 27 Feb 07 (on the Don Imus show no less), Carville said, "If I was a longshot bettor, I might put two dollars on the nose on [Huckabee]. I've seen him on television. He's a little like President Clinton. ... He can talk the talk. I'm impressed with this guy's political skills." From the time I heard this nearly a year ago, I knew Huckabee must the Hopechurian Candidate.

Angela5, Mormons are conservatives but they are not Christians. Therefore, you cannot be a conservative Christian.

txindep, Romney didn't win. The guy who won is the guy who got the most votes.

Huckabee has also continued to add further insult to injury. He told a room of people that only they would see the ad in question and it wouldn't be seen anywhere else. Well I'm in australia and the ad and the little room of people is all over the internet. This guy started all this off when he told people how little he knew about the Mormons but weren't they the cult that believed that Jesus and Satan were brothers.This flake and his band of so called "christian" supporters are all going nowhere. I went off him the moment I knew that he prevented authorities in Arkansas from charging his son for hanging a poor dog from a tree until it was dead.

ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE POSTED SO FAR ARE WRONG WHEN YOU THINK ROMNEY IS GETTING BEAT BECAUSE HE IS A MORMON. NO THE REASON WHY SOME ARE AGAINST HIM NO MATTER WHAT IS BECAUSE THE MEDIA AND THE LIBS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF COVINCING STUPID REPUBLICANS , THAT MITT ROMNEY IS A FLIP FLOPPER AND NOT A TRUE CONSERVATIVE , WHEN THAT IS SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH. ROMNEY IS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE OF ALL THE CANDIDATES RUNNING, YET YOU WOULDNT KNOW THAT TO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA. AND WHAT KILLS ME IS STUPID ASS REPUBLICANS FALL FOR THIS KIND OF LIB , MEDIA TRICK EVERYTIME.

YOU KNOW WHAT MAKES ME ANGRY ABOUT THE WHOLE THING? ITS HOW MANY DUMB REPUBLICANS ARE OUT THERE WHO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA AND CALL ROMNEY A FLIP FLOPPER. FIRST OF ALL HILLARY IS A FLIPPER EXTRODINAIRE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. WELL ROMNEY IS NOT A FLIP FLOPPER, HE IS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE RUNNING OF EITHER PARTY. DUMB REPUBLICANS LET THE LIB MEDIA CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TRUST MITT. THATS BECAUSE THE LIBS AND THE MEDIA KNOW HE'S A CONSERVATIVE AN HATE HIM FOR IT, AND WANT TO KEEP HIM AS FAR AWAY FROM THE WHITEHOUSE AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN . AND ONCE AGAIN DUMB AS REPUBLICANS FALL FOR IT.

Huckabee won because he's the only one among the republicans who can speak well and think on his feet. We saw this in the debates. He is simply the most naturally skilled among the crew of Rs running. Romney appears to be as scripted as they come and sounds more like a mid-level corporate executive than someone who should lead a nation. The result in Iowa is a refreshing rebuke of Romney's big money, blue-chip organization. Thank you Iowa.

I'd like to thank the
Evangelical christian conservative voters in Iowa for picking the most incompetent, sleazy GOP presidential candidate to come along in years, Mike Huckabee. I'm also a christian conservative but I can see right through his phony MO. He's an insult to true christians everywhere. This is the same guy who decided to pull his negative Romney ad only to trot it out to the reporters just in case they thought he really didn't have a negative ad. Or how about his campaign manager, Ed Rollins, who wanted to "punch Romney's teeth out"? It's a campaign for POTUS, not tryouts for the Jerry Springer Show. Well guess what? Huckabee is a one state wonder. We conservatives want change, not a chump. I predict Mitt Romney will be the GOP nominee.

I really don't think Huckabee can garner the same kind of evangelical support in other states (let alone the nation!) that he did in Iowa. His campaign certainly used the groundwork (local churches, and their accompanying networks of people) to their own advantage. As an outside observer, however, it seems like all the people who voted for Huckabee are collectively like an insane person, causing the GOP to commit political hari-kari. They are killing the chances of the best potential GOP candidate, not to mention the best potential president this nation's seen in decades, all in the name of keeping a Mormon out of the white house. Huckabee's success in Iowa will not propel him to the presidency, and he knows it. At best it will give McCain the GOP nomination, at worst it will give Hilary Clinton the presidency, and Mike Huckabee knows it.

Good job Iowans. You voted for a guy that won't win any states in November. All Huckabee has proven is that he can rally a bigoted religious group to vote against a Mormon.

The thing I find that is upsetting in this election is the use of churches to rally political votes. It happens with both parties. Since when can a tax exempt group use their pulpits to get free advertisement for the political candidate of their choice? If you are going to preach politics in church, you should be paying taxes like every other business in this country. Because that is what you are, you are in the business of preaching which candidate you want in office. Huckabee should be ashamed of himself for his use of the pulpit in Iowa. At least Romney hasn't stepped foot into a Mormon church to ask for votes just because he is Mormon. It is this reason that if Huckabee wins the GOP nomination, he will be demolished in November. It could be another 1980 Reagan like victory for Obama. At least other states aren't so narrow minded as Iowa. I expect a better canidate like Romney, McCain, or Guiliani to win the nomination so the GOP can have a fighting chance in November.

Bush 43 is the only person in history to win the Iowa caucuses (2000) in an open contest (non-sitting president) and then go on to win the presidency. There have been only 4 people to win Iowa in an open contest and win their party's nomination (Bush 43 of course part of this group, 3 others were Dems). So apparently the Iowa caucuses have a miserable track record of picking presidents. Note also the caucus is only a few ten thousands of votes, hardly meaningful in a nation of 300 million. This contest is just pure media hype, they're looking for ratings.

Turn Rich Lowry's numbers around (http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmFhNWMxZDE4YjVkNzE1MTUxZjc1MWNkMTEzMjY1MmM=) and you'd see something very interesting - if Utah was the first caucus and 60% of caucusers were Mormons and Mitt only got 1/3 of the vote and only won by 9 points, you'd say he lost. You'd say that even if his opponent had spent millions more. I hate to sound like a sore loser, but the media response doesn't make sense to me. Given the favorable circumstances, I think Huckabee lost and Mitt won.

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.