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Richard Piatt ReportingA new Dan Jones poll for KSL and the Deseret Morning News shows Mitt Romney way ahead of other Presidential Candidates in Utah. That's a little different than polls that show Romney's margin smaller or not in the lead at all, but Romney continues to attract national attention.
Mitt Romney is on the cover of Newsweek magazine this week. "A Mormon's Journey, the making of Mitt Romney", it says. It's no surprise the article addresses his faith, which is still a touchy subject with some voters. But so is Romney's glossy image and perceived flip flopping on social issues.
Former Romney associate Kirk Jowers of the Hinckley Institute of Politics is quoted in the article as saying, "The challenge for him is that it's critical that he is known for all his other accomplishments and how he will lead the country. But then that leaves the press feeling a little hollow because they want to really get into the Mormon issues."
The article is a mixed blessing for Romney, even as poll numbers in key primary states show him leading the race, to varying degrees. For example, Newsweek's own poll of more than 1,200 Iowa delegates shows Romney ahead of both Thompson and Giuliani.
The Washington Post this week is playing up a Giuluiani-Clinton matchup, with Romney far behind in its poll.
In Utah, a recent Dan Jones poll of 338 likely Republican voters in the state shows Romney way ahead: A massive 65 percent say they'll vote for Romney. More people say they're undecided than favoring another candidate.
Pollster Dan Jones says, "In these long presidential campaigns, your popularity goes up and down, and what you really want to do is peak at the right time."
At this point, the poll of 203 Utah Democrats far and away support Barack Obama, with a 42 percent margin, according to the Jones poll. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and undecideds are virtually tied when you factor in the margin of error.
Nationwide, the next president is still anyone's guess, but in Utah it appears it's Romney all the way to election day.
The Dan Jones poll surveyed people who say they are most likely going to vote in November.
