Interesting article with lots of response - I personally admire Mitt's courage in speaking out irregardless of his motives. I disagree that he has not given specifics with regard to his remarks about Trump- I think he stated clearly Trump's foibles, faults, and failures. Let's say you are right about his motives - heaven forbid if we have a candidate who is morally upright, highly accomplished in business, has previous government experience, has a proven good leadership record, and courage to boot! wow - if we voters could be so lucky!!
ShirleyMarch 16, 2016
I agree that you're too harsh here, I honestly believe he had far more noble reasons that you give him credit for. However, with that said, I wish he had not done it, or that he had backed an alternative at the same time. He has really put himself on the line - something few others are willing to do to stop this bully we're going to be facing. Trump is a loose canon. I can't imagine his having a credible conversation with leaders of other countries without offending and insulting them if they disagree with him, turning them against us, or infuriating them! I realize he speaks for the angry majority in this nation, but is that REALLY the kind of leader we need? I'm as frustrated as the next guy with our current leaders. But any hint of manners, kindness, politeness, patience, or respect is going to be history. Said state of affairs! This year, I will not vote FOR anyone, I'll simply have to vote AGAINST Hillary.
SteveMarch 14, 2016
I think Mitt did it for a far nobler reason than anything mentioned in these comments: He did it because no one else would stand up to the bully. He did it to save the country from the worst presidential candidates ever. The election has already been lost for the Republicans. None of the present field of GOP candidates can beat Hillary. Trump is too vile, Cruz too my-way-or-the-highway, Rubio too young and Kasich too bland. A party that can field no better candidates than these deserves to win.
PamMarch 12, 2016
Mark, thank you for voicing my opinion. I believe Romney erred in attacking Trump. He did not help the party or his own image. People have had it with political double talk. I wish Romney had defended himself in the 2012 campaign.
Janice PerryMarch 12, 2016
Bless Mitt Romney for having the courage to stand up and say what so many of us are feeling about Trump. I ascribe no other motive to his remarks than trying to save our nation from the train wreck that a Donald Trump presidency would bring on us. Please give us a statesman and man of honor that this blessed land deserve! One the calibre of Mitt Romney.
JonMarch 12, 2016
Karl,
Do you really believe that Trump is worse then Obama?
Vader: Why is Trump a Fascist? The definition of fascism is:
Fascism: A political regime, based on a one party system,
(1) having totalitarian aspirations, ideologically based on centralized government, government control of business, repression of criticism or opposition,
(2) A leader cult and exalting the state above individual rights. In the economic sphere fascist leaders claim to support a "Third Way" in economic policy, which they believed superior to both the rampant individualism of unrestrained capitalism and the severe control of state communism. This was to be achieved by establishing significant government control over business and labor.
(3) Fascism is usually described as being on the right of the traditional left-right political spectrum. However Fascism is a form of socialism and it is thus left of center politically.
LiabobiaMarch 11, 2016
I read and interesting article written by a pastor calling out evangelicals and Christians in general. He ends his article with this question directed to all Trump supporters: "Have you lost your minds? Or is it your souls?" I second that question. Wow Mark, just wow!
ChrisMarch 11, 2016
I have been an avid supporter of Mitt Romney and have been waiting for his entry into the 2016 race. I feel like supporting the other candidates would be like accepting a minimum wage job rather than holding out to get the higher paying job I really want. I have been leaning towards Trump bc he is a business man and not a politician like the other candidates, but I have many reservations bc of Trumps arrogance, temperament and past Democratic stances that my Republican buddies who support Trump look past as though they have amnesia? My beef with Mitt is that he didn't announce his candidacy immediately after his scathing rebuke of Trump. He did what the other Republican candidates should have done but hadn't. Mitt did Trump a favor by vetting him before the general election. Maybe now Trump will be prepared to answer what will certainly be thrown at him by the Clinton machine before the general election so it's not a surprise. The 47% deal and the Evangelicals sitting at home is what caused Romneys loss and the further devastation of our Country. Hopefully Romney brought everything out on Trump that if he wins the Republican nomination he will win the General Election without any surprises. By the way, it's funny how Evangelicals are all to happy to vote for this foul mouth egotistical candidate, but wouldn't vote for Romney whose integrity and character is impeccable all bc he was Mormon???
KarenMarch 11, 2016
Interesting that Mark gets upset at Mitt for calling Trump names (which were true, btw) and then turns around and does the same thing to Mitt. Honestly, I don't know how ANY decent LDS person can support Trump. All throughout the scriptures we hear of God using His servants to warn the people of impending destruction of their lands when they choose wicked leaders. I believe God was using Mitt to warn America if they choose a wicked man like Trump as their leader. Mitt knew what was going to happen and accurately predicted 100% Trump's response. He chose to stand for truth anyway. It only makes me admire Mitt even more.
KarlMarch 11, 2016
I have to think that Mitt is just feeling like so many of us feel. We are having a hard time believing that the voters of our country have slipped so far down the hill as to want to elect a President whose stature and character and example and integrity are so far below many of the great leaders we have had in the past. I don't claim to know everything about Donald Trump, but from what I have seen so far, to me he appears to be one of the most egotistical, self-centered, crude, rude, and childish adults I have ever seen. On top of that he appears to be unable to give any specific, intelligent answers as to what he would do to solve the worlds problems. There is very little substance to the answers he gives when asked specific questions about what he would do to solve various problems we are facing at this time. Mostly he just repeats the same general statements over an over, and talks about how wonderful he is and how everybody loves him and he is leading in the polls. Do we really want this man to be the leader of the free world? I have been a school teacher most of my life and he reminds me more of a sixth grade playground bully than anything else. But I think even if he does win the Republican nomination, he will never be President anyway. The Democrats will chew him up and spit him out, and he has given them a lot to chew on.
Leonard PurnellMarch 11, 2016
Mitt made a big mistake. Let the voters decide.
MyrnaMarch 11, 2016
Mark - It's hard to believe your attitude. Can you honestly say you would be fine with your children, or grandchildren listening to ''President Trump'' talking -- his use of foul language and limited intelligence and vocabulary. Or his stance and funding of Planned Parenthood and harvesting of aborted fetuses -- or his failure to side with Israel -- for just a few reasons. How could you honestly vote for such a candidate?
ruthanneMarch 11, 2016
Thank you Mark! You nailed the situation exactly!
I too was a 2012 Romney supporter who was left baffled by his lack of dedicated engagement. During the recent primaries I've had time to research every suggested nasty rhetoric put out there about the candidates in addition to early research on who the candidates were - are as real people, because the real person is who will ultimately govern. Its the nature of man.
Consistently, Trumps comments have been taken out of context and dramatized. Love him or leave him, Trump reminds me of the voice of the Pilgrims who stood against the establishment of the day. The voice of our LDS progenitors who stood for personal freedoms being denied by the establishment, the very establishment that martyred Joseph Smith Jr and others.
If we don't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it...and it seems America is determined to participate in her own demise. Vows of ruling with money and power are playing out before our very eyes, unseen, unnoticed.
JodiMarch 11, 2016
Did you people think that maybe Mitt said what a lot of us wanted to say but had no place to say it? Trump is an embarrassment and it cringe at the prospect of him as president. Thanks to Mitt for speaking for a great many of us.
Phil AndrewsMarch 11, 2016
I respectfully disagree. I think Romney's reason for doing this is that he, like me, is sincerely concerned about Trump getting the republican nomination for 2 compelling reasons:
1) Trump is an egomanic and extreme narcissist. It would be a disaster to have such a person as president.
2) Trump getting the nomination would ensure that Sanders or Hillary would win the election, based on current poll numbers and also based on the level of animosity towards Trump on the part of not just democrats, but a lot of republicans.
I really don't think that Mitt would even consider running. Even if he is considering it, he realizes that Trump would just go 3rd party and enable the democrats to win.
I also would not be surprised to find out at some point that Trump's running for president is all a put-on, just to throw this election to the democrats.
DonMarch 11, 2016
I have always been a strong Romney supporter and I have never been a Trump sipporter, but I have to say, I was very disappointed in Romney's vicious attacks on Trump. I see no good coming from it. Romney's attacks potentially divides the Republican Party which only hands the election to the Democrats which I believe would be a disaster.
VaderMarch 11, 2016
Seems pretty clear to me.
Trump is a fascist demagogue who is about to secure the nomination of a nominally conservative party on a plurality. This would be a disaster for this country.
Romney is doing whatever he can to prevent that outcome.
More power to him.
J.HardinMarch 11, 2016
While I voted for Romney, I am not a huge fan at this point, and it has nothing to do with his recent Trump remarks. I was greatly disappointed in 2012 in Romney's handling of the Candy Crowley incident and last weeks of campaign criticism, such as mentioned in this article. I thought at the time, that Romney was receiving poor advice by not defending the allegations against him, and actually feel that it had to do with his LDS background of not criticizing others. I think he took the stand to "turn his other cheek" and allow good karma to flow if he just kept quiet, his moral character would win the hearts of the voters. It didn't happen. And, when Gov. Christie embraced Pres. Obama after Hurricane Sandy, and the attention turned to that devastation, and how the POTUS was going to "help" everybody, Romney was nowhere to be seen. That "standing back" cost him the election. Romney said last summer Trump would not win the nomination, thinking the voters would be turned off with Trump's mouth and bullying antics. While it may be true that Romney would like to be POTUS, he just hasn't played his cards right. And anyone who places his hopes and dreams on those candidates who threw their hats in the ring months ago being rejected by the voters, and somehow Romney would be escorted in by the GOP, is delusional. And, a delusional POTUS not what this country needs. We already having one of those now.
Hap CluffMarch 11, 2016
Mark you nailed it. Mitt is either surrounded by idiots or really believes politics is just another business deal. Trump, love him or hate him, has change the narrative and is the spokesperson for the formerly known as "Silent Majority."
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cindyMarch 17, 2016
Interesting article with lots of response - I personally admire Mitt's courage in speaking out irregardless of his motives. I disagree that he has not given specifics with regard to his remarks about Trump- I think he stated clearly Trump's foibles, faults, and failures. Let's say you are right about his motives - heaven forbid if we have a candidate who is morally upright, highly accomplished in business, has previous government experience, has a proven good leadership record, and courage to boot! wow - if we voters could be so lucky!!
ShirleyMarch 16, 2016
I agree that you're too harsh here, I honestly believe he had far more noble reasons that you give him credit for. However, with that said, I wish he had not done it, or that he had backed an alternative at the same time. He has really put himself on the line - something few others are willing to do to stop this bully we're going to be facing. Trump is a loose canon. I can't imagine his having a credible conversation with leaders of other countries without offending and insulting them if they disagree with him, turning them against us, or infuriating them! I realize he speaks for the angry majority in this nation, but is that REALLY the kind of leader we need? I'm as frustrated as the next guy with our current leaders. But any hint of manners, kindness, politeness, patience, or respect is going to be history. Said state of affairs! This year, I will not vote FOR anyone, I'll simply have to vote AGAINST Hillary.
SteveMarch 14, 2016
I think Mitt did it for a far nobler reason than anything mentioned in these comments: He did it because no one else would stand up to the bully. He did it to save the country from the worst presidential candidates ever. The election has already been lost for the Republicans. None of the present field of GOP candidates can beat Hillary. Trump is too vile, Cruz too my-way-or-the-highway, Rubio too young and Kasich too bland. A party that can field no better candidates than these deserves to win.
PamMarch 12, 2016
Mark, thank you for voicing my opinion. I believe Romney erred in attacking Trump. He did not help the party or his own image. People have had it with political double talk. I wish Romney had defended himself in the 2012 campaign.
Janice PerryMarch 12, 2016
Bless Mitt Romney for having the courage to stand up and say what so many of us are feeling about Trump. I ascribe no other motive to his remarks than trying to save our nation from the train wreck that a Donald Trump presidency would bring on us. Please give us a statesman and man of honor that this blessed land deserve! One the calibre of Mitt Romney.
JonMarch 12, 2016
Karl, Do you really believe that Trump is worse then Obama? Vader: Why is Trump a Fascist? The definition of fascism is: Fascism: A political regime, based on a one party system, (1) having totalitarian aspirations, ideologically based on centralized government, government control of business, repression of criticism or opposition, (2) A leader cult and exalting the state above individual rights. In the economic sphere fascist leaders claim to support a "Third Way" in economic policy, which they believed superior to both the rampant individualism of unrestrained capitalism and the severe control of state communism. This was to be achieved by establishing significant government control over business and labor. (3) Fascism is usually described as being on the right of the traditional left-right political spectrum. However Fascism is a form of socialism and it is thus left of center politically.
LiabobiaMarch 11, 2016
I read and interesting article written by a pastor calling out evangelicals and Christians in general. He ends his article with this question directed to all Trump supporters: "Have you lost your minds? Or is it your souls?" I second that question. Wow Mark, just wow!
ChrisMarch 11, 2016
I have been an avid supporter of Mitt Romney and have been waiting for his entry into the 2016 race. I feel like supporting the other candidates would be like accepting a minimum wage job rather than holding out to get the higher paying job I really want. I have been leaning towards Trump bc he is a business man and not a politician like the other candidates, but I have many reservations bc of Trumps arrogance, temperament and past Democratic stances that my Republican buddies who support Trump look past as though they have amnesia? My beef with Mitt is that he didn't announce his candidacy immediately after his scathing rebuke of Trump. He did what the other Republican candidates should have done but hadn't. Mitt did Trump a favor by vetting him before the general election. Maybe now Trump will be prepared to answer what will certainly be thrown at him by the Clinton machine before the general election so it's not a surprise. The 47% deal and the Evangelicals sitting at home is what caused Romneys loss and the further devastation of our Country. Hopefully Romney brought everything out on Trump that if he wins the Republican nomination he will win the General Election without any surprises. By the way, it's funny how Evangelicals are all to happy to vote for this foul mouth egotistical candidate, but wouldn't vote for Romney whose integrity and character is impeccable all bc he was Mormon???
KarenMarch 11, 2016
Interesting that Mark gets upset at Mitt for calling Trump names (which were true, btw) and then turns around and does the same thing to Mitt. Honestly, I don't know how ANY decent LDS person can support Trump. All throughout the scriptures we hear of God using His servants to warn the people of impending destruction of their lands when they choose wicked leaders. I believe God was using Mitt to warn America if they choose a wicked man like Trump as their leader. Mitt knew what was going to happen and accurately predicted 100% Trump's response. He chose to stand for truth anyway. It only makes me admire Mitt even more.
KarlMarch 11, 2016
I have to think that Mitt is just feeling like so many of us feel. We are having a hard time believing that the voters of our country have slipped so far down the hill as to want to elect a President whose stature and character and example and integrity are so far below many of the great leaders we have had in the past. I don't claim to know everything about Donald Trump, but from what I have seen so far, to me he appears to be one of the most egotistical, self-centered, crude, rude, and childish adults I have ever seen. On top of that he appears to be unable to give any specific, intelligent answers as to what he would do to solve the worlds problems. There is very little substance to the answers he gives when asked specific questions about what he would do to solve various problems we are facing at this time. Mostly he just repeats the same general statements over an over, and talks about how wonderful he is and how everybody loves him and he is leading in the polls. Do we really want this man to be the leader of the free world? I have been a school teacher most of my life and he reminds me more of a sixth grade playground bully than anything else. But I think even if he does win the Republican nomination, he will never be President anyway. The Democrats will chew him up and spit him out, and he has given them a lot to chew on.
Leonard PurnellMarch 11, 2016
Mitt made a big mistake. Let the voters decide.
MyrnaMarch 11, 2016
Mark - It's hard to believe your attitude. Can you honestly say you would be fine with your children, or grandchildren listening to ''President Trump'' talking -- his use of foul language and limited intelligence and vocabulary. Or his stance and funding of Planned Parenthood and harvesting of aborted fetuses -- or his failure to side with Israel -- for just a few reasons. How could you honestly vote for such a candidate?
ruthanneMarch 11, 2016
Thank you Mark! You nailed the situation exactly! I too was a 2012 Romney supporter who was left baffled by his lack of dedicated engagement. During the recent primaries I've had time to research every suggested nasty rhetoric put out there about the candidates in addition to early research on who the candidates were - are as real people, because the real person is who will ultimately govern. Its the nature of man. Consistently, Trumps comments have been taken out of context and dramatized. Love him or leave him, Trump reminds me of the voice of the Pilgrims who stood against the establishment of the day. The voice of our LDS progenitors who stood for personal freedoms being denied by the establishment, the very establishment that martyred Joseph Smith Jr and others. If we don't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it...and it seems America is determined to participate in her own demise. Vows of ruling with money and power are playing out before our very eyes, unseen, unnoticed.
JodiMarch 11, 2016
Did you people think that maybe Mitt said what a lot of us wanted to say but had no place to say it? Trump is an embarrassment and it cringe at the prospect of him as president. Thanks to Mitt for speaking for a great many of us.
Phil AndrewsMarch 11, 2016
I respectfully disagree. I think Romney's reason for doing this is that he, like me, is sincerely concerned about Trump getting the republican nomination for 2 compelling reasons: 1) Trump is an egomanic and extreme narcissist. It would be a disaster to have such a person as president. 2) Trump getting the nomination would ensure that Sanders or Hillary would win the election, based on current poll numbers and also based on the level of animosity towards Trump on the part of not just democrats, but a lot of republicans. I really don't think that Mitt would even consider running. Even if he is considering it, he realizes that Trump would just go 3rd party and enable the democrats to win. I also would not be surprised to find out at some point that Trump's running for president is all a put-on, just to throw this election to the democrats.
DonMarch 11, 2016
I have always been a strong Romney supporter and I have never been a Trump sipporter, but I have to say, I was very disappointed in Romney's vicious attacks on Trump. I see no good coming from it. Romney's attacks potentially divides the Republican Party which only hands the election to the Democrats which I believe would be a disaster.
VaderMarch 11, 2016
Seems pretty clear to me. Trump is a fascist demagogue who is about to secure the nomination of a nominally conservative party on a plurality. This would be a disaster for this country. Romney is doing whatever he can to prevent that outcome. More power to him.
J.HardinMarch 11, 2016
While I voted for Romney, I am not a huge fan at this point, and it has nothing to do with his recent Trump remarks. I was greatly disappointed in 2012 in Romney's handling of the Candy Crowley incident and last weeks of campaign criticism, such as mentioned in this article. I thought at the time, that Romney was receiving poor advice by not defending the allegations against him, and actually feel that it had to do with his LDS background of not criticizing others. I think he took the stand to "turn his other cheek" and allow good karma to flow if he just kept quiet, his moral character would win the hearts of the voters. It didn't happen. And, when Gov. Christie embraced Pres. Obama after Hurricane Sandy, and the attention turned to that devastation, and how the POTUS was going to "help" everybody, Romney was nowhere to be seen. That "standing back" cost him the election. Romney said last summer Trump would not win the nomination, thinking the voters would be turned off with Trump's mouth and bullying antics. While it may be true that Romney would like to be POTUS, he just hasn't played his cards right. And anyone who places his hopes and dreams on those candidates who threw their hats in the ring months ago being rejected by the voters, and somehow Romney would be escorted in by the GOP, is delusional. And, a delusional POTUS not what this country needs. We already having one of those now.
Hap CluffMarch 11, 2016
Mark you nailed it. Mitt is either surrounded by idiots or really believes politics is just another business deal. Trump, love him or hate him, has change the narrative and is the spokesperson for the formerly known as "Silent Majority."
LizaMarch 11, 2016
Mark, you've been covering politics too long.
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