Mitt Romney

Even before I became an LDS, I've always had respect for Mitt Romney. He's a highly accomplished businessman who became a somewhat conservative governor for the bluest state in America. He saved the deeply corrupt 2002 Olympics in Utah. He ran for president twice and frankly, he got a raw deal both times. Putting aside political views there is no question that he would have provided grace, class, and manners to the White House. Something deeply lacking there in 2017. Do I think his religion cost him the election? I do not.

What cost him the election is not being a bomb thrower. He's from a different generation and he's also LDS. So he's very mannerly and doesn't understand how to throw bombs or be crass and confrontational. So his demeanor comes across as "fake" to the base of the GOP. He also doesn't agree with the base on 100% of their views, so that'll cost him too. Demanding idealogical purity is both naive and foolish, and that'll cost the GOP dearly in the long run as well. 

Mitt Romney is only 70 years old, and in 2018 that is still young enough to have some kind of career in politics. He has decided to run for the seat that Orrin Hatch is giving up, and I think he has a good chance of winning. It's not a guarantee-this ain't your daddy's Utah anymore-but I hope he wins, we need his voice in the national conversation.