Why Utah Mormons' distaste for Trump could turn a red state reluctantly blue

The Guardian ^ | 03-21-2016 | Sam Levin

[NRx]

The aversion to Donald Trump is so strong among Utah Mormons that if the Republican frontrunner secures the party’s presidential nomination, it could produce a general election outcome that has not happened in half a century: the state could go blue.

“The Bible says if you’ve got a wicked leader, the nation suffers,” said Chris Herrod, a former Utah state representative and a Utah campaign coordinator for Ted Cruz. “I’m not saying Donald Trump is wicked, but for most Utahns, the moral character of a leader makes a big difference.”

At the state’s high-stakes GOP caucuses on Tuesday, political experts say many conservative Mormon voters like Herrod will be motivated by their distaste for the real estate billionaire’s vulgar style, bombastic comments and outlandish anti-immigration policies – fueling an “anyone-but-Trump” mentality that has spread across the political spectrum in the very red state.

A new Deseret News/KSL poll found Trump would lose to Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders in Utah, while Kasich or Cruz would both win the state by sizeable margins against either Democrat.

[T. P. Pole]

there may not be many computers in Utah that are not spied on by Salt Lake City...

Bless your heart.

[43north]

“A book written by a horny perverted little bastard.”

You forgot psychotic.

[Tammy8]

One thing everyone needs to know about Mormons, they are open border people. They have a great connection with Mexico, many Mormons went to Mexico to escape persecution in the U.S. and to this day the families are still connected and continue to connect by marriage. Many Mormons go to Mexico to do their mission work. Their open arms to those in need even includes the refugees from other countries and more recently Muslim refugees. The governor of Utah said Utah would take Muslim refugees when others said they would not.

Utah Mormons would not support anyone that takes as strong of a stance as Trump does on matters of the border with Mexico or immigration- legal or illegal. The Mormons have supported candidates that claim they will secure the border or add resources especially if they didn’t think it would really be a priority for that candidate to actually do so.

I have Mormon friends in Arizona that do not agree with the LDS stand on open borders and illegal immigration and in fact tell me they are voting for Trump. In Arizona they deal with more of the border problems in their face than those in Utah do.

[LMAO]

I get the impression they won’t vote at all.

---

Probably.

Even if they don’t, I don’t see Hillary carrying Utah

[Dave W]

What an inane comment. Delude yourself all you wish. Me thinks you did not read the article. As you know, a republican candidate for president routinely wins in Utah by 40 points or so, the second reddest state next to Idaho. So, to write Utah never was really red is such a loser comment showing massive and grotesque ignorance. Not uncommon in a Trump supporter.

[VerySadAmerican]

Utahns? I thought they were called Utes.

[VerySadAmerican]

Buchanan was right.

[BigEdLB]

I heard the House Speaker Hughes in Utah endorsed Trump. What else did he say?

[WENDLE]

He said big changes were sweeping the state. Trump was at 11%. If we beat that IT IS A HUGE VICTORY!!! Know this BECK IS A KOOK!!

[FlingWingFlyer]

You see a Trump supporter buddy, you knock him down and kiss his ass. I’ll be at the polls in the morning at 0700 and will be voting for Cruz. Get your head out of your ass.

[petenmi]

Second article I read today about traditional red states that could go blue(Utah, Arizona) but I have yet to see an article about traditional blue states that could go Republican.

[RginTN]

... but then the Mormons do like liars like Harry Reid.

++++++++++++++

so does trump who donated to harry reid

[FlingWingFlyer]

Good point. The DemocRATS are getting desperate. They are scared to death and can see the handwriting on the wall. Turning Obama’s America into a communist state isn’t going to be as easy as Obonzo was making it look. Republicans and conservatives need to stop all the fighting. I’m sick of it myself and refused to participate. It’s time to act like Americans and knock off the tribal bull****. Right now, anyone who cares about this country should have one thing on their mind. Keeping the ‘RAT out of the White House this year.

[BigEdLB]

Watching Hughes’ Facebook interview now.

[catnipman]

It’s “The Guardian”, for goodness sakes. I haven’t seen a single political piece from them about the U.S. that makes a lick of sense. And every time I point out their glaring errors, they nuke my comments.

[BigEdLB]

Newer poll has Trump 21% (Deseret News)

[struggle]

I think it’s more like Cruz 40% Trump 25% Kasich 20% Root Beer 15%

[FreedomForce]

I can’t see Utah voting for Hillary no matter how much Trump is disliked. Utah will go Republican.

[Luircin]

I think they are. In polls on which candidates are honest and trustworthy, Trump is the only one Hillary can beat.

***

That’s the kind of talk that got us saddled with McCain and Romney.

I really don’t pay any attention to polls this far out. 8 months ago, Yeb was inevitable.

The reason I think that Trump can win is because he fights. Unlike the rest of the field. Sadly, even Cruz has shown that he’ll talk a good game, but when push comes to shove, he’ll throw himself into the arms of the establishment and dance to the same tune that gave us two terms of Obama.

[D-fendr]

Thanks very much for your reply, but I think your argument has some problems.

>>>That’s the kind of talk that got us saddled with McCain and Romney.

Really, how so? Not by being ahead in polls, they weren't. And not by having sky-high numbers of unfavorable, untrustworthy and dishonest. They didn't; Trump does.

>>>I really don’t pay any attention to polls this far out. 8 months ago, Yeb was inevitable

Eight months ago, July 22, Trump led the polls.

>>>Trump can win is because he fights

You left off "like a teenager." :) It's really not impressive or even mature. Read his twitter feed sometime.

>>> he’ll throw himself into the arms of the establishment and dance to the same tune that gave us two terms of Obama.

Trump praised Obama and has been democrat establishment for decades.