Utah

[FerrisBueller86]

I think that the right Democratic campaign could turn Utah from the most heavily Republican state to a battleground state.  I know this sounds radical, but a similar thing happened in New Hampshire.  New Hampshire was Bush's second strongest state in 1988 (second only to Utah) but has been a battleground state ever since.  New Hampshire voted Democratic in 1992, 1996, and 2004 and only barely voted Republican in 2000.

The reason such a change could take place can be summed up in one word: tobacco.  Not only is the Republican Party is bought and paid for by tobacco, so are religious ultra-right wing organizations.  Just do a google search for "religious right" and "tobacco", and you'll be greeted with myriads of articles about the unholy alliance between the religious right-wingers and the tobacco industry.  Many of the religious wingnuts of the South have a vested interest in tobacco, and many churches are funded by the tobacco industry.  When you consider that tobacco-related illnesses are a leading cause of death that FAR exceeds more newsworthy deaths (from accidents, street crime, terrorism, etc.), the fact that Republicans and the religous wingnuts are allied with the tobacco industry symbolizes their hypocrisy more than anything else.  Jesse Helms was the biggest example of this, as he considered homosexuality to be a crime against humanity even as he accepted campaign contributions from the tobacco industry and kept defending their interests.

The Mormons of Utah decry the alliance between religious groups and tobacco.  Utah has no tobacco industry, and smoking is against the Mormon religion.  As a result, Utah has the lowest smoking rate of all 50 states.  Some religious conservatives have objected to the religious right's dependence on tobacco, and most of these dissenters are from Utah.  Senator Orrin Hatch once even co-sponsored a bill with Ted Kennedy to raise cigarette taxes and use the revenue to fund health insurance for children.

A Democratic campaign that taps into Utah's anti-tobacco sentiment by showcasing the unholy alliance between tobacco and the Republican right wing could put this top Republican state into play.  I think Utah could be the next New Hampshire.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

I think that the right Democratic campaign could turn Utah from the most heavily Republican state to a battleground state.  I know this sounds radical, but a similar thing happened in New Hampshire.  New Hampshire was Bush's second strongest state in 1988 (second only to Utah) but has been a battleground state ever since.  New Hampshire voted Democratic in 1992, 1996, and 2004 and only barely voted Republican in 2000.

The reason such a change could take place can be summed up in one word: tobacco.  Not only is the Republican Party is bought and paid for by tobacco, so are religious ultra-right wing organizations.  Just do a google search for "religious right" and "tobacco", and you'll be greeted with myriads of articles about the unholy alliance between the religious right-wingers and the tobacco industry.  Many of the religious wingnuts of the South have a vested interest in tobacco, and many churches are funded by the tobacco industry.  When you consider that tobacco-related illnesses are a leading cause of death that FAR exceeds more newsworthy deaths (from accidents, street crime, terrorism, etc.), the fact that Republicans and the religous wingnuts are allied with the tobacco industry symbolizes their hypocrisy more than anything else.  Jesse Helms was the biggest example of this, as he considered homosexuality to be a crime against humanity even as he accepted campaign contributions from the tobacco industry and kept defending their interests.

The Mormons of Utah decry the alliance between religious groups and tobacco.  Utah has no tobacco industry, and smoking is against the Mormon religion.  As a result, Utah has the lowest smoking rate of all 50 states.  Some religious conservatives have objected to the religious right's dependence on tobacco, and most of these dissenters are from Utah.  Senator Orrin Hatch once even co-sponsored a bill with Ted Kennedy to raise cigarette taxes and use the revenue to fund health insurance for children.

A Democratic campaign that taps into Utah's anti-tobacco sentiment by showcasing the unholy alliance between tobacco and the Republican right wing could put this top Republican state into play.  I think Utah could be the next New Hampshire.

GODDDDDDDDDDDDD KILL YOURSELF, SERIOUSLY, WHOEVER YOU REALLY ARE (I SUSPECT SOMEONE WHO JUST LIKES TO PISS THE REPUBLICANS OFF WITH THIS NAME) EVERYTHING YOU POST IS THE OPPOSITE OF REALITY STOP IT DAMN YOU

[zachman]

I think Harry Reid could put Utah in play.

[nclib]

Utah becoming a battleground state anytime soon is highly unlikely since it is both socially and economically conservative.

New Hampshire was (and is) only economically conservative and economics was the main issue in 1988.

[Rob]

Even Reid couldn't carry Utah- he'd lose only by a big margin, instead of by a huge landslide.

[Alcon]

nclib is right on the money. TN2024 is right on something, but I would wager it is a controlled substance.

Utah ain't going anywhere. A blue dog populist Democrat could stand a chance - Utah is sort of disinterested on economic issues, as the Mormon church has its own welfare system.

A socially conservative, Mormon Democrat would make Utah in play against a really right wing but not highly religious Republican.

Then again, they'd also probably win every single other state in the nation first.

[minionofmidas]

That tobacco thing is interesting, and there probably are some votes that might be gained that way unless your own candidate's too liberal ... but it's nowhere near enough to make the state competitive no matter how hard you'll try.

[Capey]

wingnuts

Please don't ever use that word again. Why do you have it out for the tobacco industry so bad?

[Erc]

Reid, on the day when the stars all align in his favor, could get within 8 points of Generic R.  Realistically...within 18.  Maybe.


Now, imagine this scenario...

Harry Reid v. Mitt Romney...

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Utah becomes tossup with Reid/Bayh vs. Frist/Jeb Bush

[nini2287]

I was thinking of this scenario the other  night...a pro-life/anti-FMA Westerner vs. a pro-choice/pro-FMA Mormon...that would be an interesting race.

[minionofmidas]

Romney is a Mormon too, though.