Huntsman and Shurtleff Need to Step Up
Gov. Huntsman and Attorney General Shurtleff loaned their political cachet to John McCain. Since then, in an effort to derail Mitt Romney, McCain repeatedly has said that Mormons are freaks and terrorists.* The Gov and AG have many Mormon constituents who don’t appreciate being called freaks and terrorists. Gov. Huntsman and AG Shurtleff should demand that McCain move beyond hollow lip service and actually fire the latest religion-baiter. Should McCain refuse, they should drop their endorsements. That might let the Senator know that these highly-effective “slips” also have a downside.
* It does not matter that the actual words keep coming from staffers. If a staffer says it and is not fired, the boss likes that it is being said, no matter what kind of lip service he offers to the contrary. This is simple political stuff.
UPDATE: Colonel Takashi notes that "the criticisms are not about Mitt Romney, they are about 6 million Americans!" Exactly. I'd point out, though, that we're not talking about "criticisms." We're talking about bigotry.
Also, I don't intend the post to be about the job performance or character of the Gov. or AG. For what it's worth, I'm proud of both and believe they are serving us well. As I state, though, they have a unique opportunity to correct a major wrong. Political strength often is not about standing up to "others." It is about standing up to our own. I have no doubt that John McCain has tremendous virtues. But on this one, he keeps screwing up. If he lacks the discipline or decency to stop himself, I hope my two friends will do what they can to stop him.
* It does not matter that the actual words keep coming from staffers. If a staffer says it and is not fired, the boss likes that it is being said, no matter what kind of lip service he offers to the contrary. This is simple political stuff.
UPDATE: Colonel Takashi notes that "the criticisms are not about Mitt Romney, they are about 6 million Americans!" Exactly. I'd point out, though, that we're not talking about "criticisms." We're talking about bigotry.
Also, I don't intend the post to be about the job performance or character of the Gov. or AG. For what it's worth, I'm proud of both and believe they are serving us well. As I state, though, they have a unique opportunity to correct a major wrong. Political strength often is not about standing up to "others." It is about standing up to our own. I have no doubt that John McCain has tremendous virtues. But on this one, he keeps screwing up. If he lacks the discipline or decency to stop himself, I hope my two friends will do what they can to stop him.
posted by steve u. at 6/25/2007
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15 Comments:
Like Shurtliff's and Huntsman's endorsements will make a difference.
Rally the troops Steve with your message. Make it about retribution and nevermind the fact that McCain has apologized.
What a great example of living the gospel.
One of Romney's money men in Utah looked the other way while running private schools for troubled teens where abuse happened.
Romney's money man in Utah accused of abusing minors
So how does this same standard apply to Mitt? Is Mitt complicit in this abuse if he doesn't give the money back and disassociate himself from the Robert Lichfield?
Just want to make sure we are holding all candidates to the same standard.
I agree with holding all candidates to the same standards. But with the way McCain is currently tracking, Gov. Huntsman's and AG Shurtleff's endorsements will probably have little impact over the long haul. McCain seems to be doing all he can to sink his own campaign.
Reach Upward is right. The Titanic doesn't need any help to sink.
This is not about retribution. I'm not saying they should rescind their endorsements now. Rather, this is about accountability. An apology is not accountability; this is at least the third time the campaign has made Romney's religion an issue. Ridding his campaign of the offender is accountability.
Also, the endorsements do matter; they count under the touted statistic of how many governors and how many AGs support the candidate.
Steve, You are being naive, for Huntsman to stand up for something that would require a backbone. Sometimes a good tan doesen't get the job done.
I am not yet committed to any particular presidential candidate. However, I am closely watching for key presidetntial candidates to eliminate themselves. How high profile supporters react to or cowardly retreat from dispicable acts agains their opponents is vrty important to me, not just for this election but future ones. In the case of the recent attacks on Romeny, so far, I am even more dissapointed in McCains local supporters than I am in McCain. Unless I see spectacular performance from here on, both McCain and his supporters are gone forever to me. Voin Campbell
Rep U,
I spoke with Kevin McLaughin, McCains spokesman, on Friday. He indicated they had decided not to fire Chad Workman.
http://kvnuforthepeople.com/?p=558
Am I mistaken that this latest incident happened in April?
And what exactly will the 'downside' be from their dropping their support of McCain? Votes from Utah are not exactly sought after are they? Maybe it is the money.
LDS Church leadership said the matter was closed, so who are you to say otherwise Steve?
Who am I to have a political opinion? I'm Steve Urquhart. Who are you?
hear, hear, steve. great thoughts.
i also love your response to the anonymous commentors. sometimes it can be scary to attach your name to a post on the Internet, but if you are gonna say it, sign your name...
i am new reader. i'll be back for more.
It's a silly opinion Steve; you can call me the Green Yodeler from Magna.
"Huntsman and Shurtleff need to step up."
What about Bramble?
If Curt believes he could have some effect, he should too. And, I'm sure he would without being asked.
It is news when a Gov or AG endorses a candidate. If either of them were to have a very frank conversation with Sen. McCain about withdrawing support, it likely would have an effect.
And, by the way, I'm not suggesting that any of this rub off on any McCain supporter. McCain has his virtues.
The violations came from 3 campaigner workers out of many. However, my belief is that it is becoming a pattern and that it is strategic. It simply needs to stop, and Sen. McCain should send a clear message that it won't be tolerated.
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