Think Utah will be a predictably red state come November? Not if it's McCain as the nominee for the GOP . . .
I think this sums it up best from UtahPolicy.com:
"McCain vs. Clinton = Boring
It will be a depressing general election if it ends up being McCain vs. Clinton. Two old people (even older than me). Yesterday’s generation. Washington insiders. The ultimate establishment candidates. Will they have any fresh ideas, any ability to pull the country together and tackle real problems? I’ve heard a lot of grumbling about McCain among Utah Republicans. If the race was between McCain and Obama, Obama might do better in Utah than expected."
McCain could do something absolutely unthinkable if he is the Republican nominee (if he's up against Barack Obama), he could turn one of the reddest, most conservative states BLUE. I can't tell you how many people are a buzz with the sentiment that they would vote for Obama in a heartbeat over McCain. And it's not because Obama is more conservative - I think it is truly that people are expecting change and when it boils down to it, even if Obama is more liberal, he's certainly inspiring and has a very DIFFERENT approach to politics.
Of course, if Utah had it's way Mitt Romney would get the nomination in the first place. It's obvious that Utah was an easy win for Mitt Romney today, but I think he represents a voice and a change candidate for Utah (and Mormons) as well. And the dirtier McCain and Huckabee play, the more Utahans hate them.
Some interesting links:
Utah's Mormons Loathe Huckabee
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