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SALT LAKE CITY -
Visiting Utah for the first time since making controversial remarks about the negative impact of Mitt Romney's Mormonism on his presidential campaign, GOP national chair Michael Steele said he was simply analyzing a situation he wants to see change. It was on May 8 that the Republican standard bearer guest hosted the Bill Bennett radio program, saying "It was the base that rejected Mitt because of his switch on pro-life, from pro-choice to pro-life. It was the base that rejected Mitt because it had issues with Mormonism."
"I was giving an off the cuff analysis based on the time," Steele said when asked about the comments, "I was speaking to an attitude or mindset that had set in at the time that I think was unfortunate."
Asked whether he thinks anti-Mormon bias would be a factor if Romney runs again, he said, "I hope to heaven not."
About 150 people attended the town hall meeting, hosted by Utah Governor Gary Herbert and the state Republican Party.
Over the course of an hour, the chair answered six questions, addressing the direction of the party, health care, concern about ethics in politics, and the 2nd Congressional District now represented by Democrat Jim Matheson.
"What can we do to get [the second congressional] seat back in republican hands?" asked a woman in the audience. "Get me a great candidate," was Steele's reply.
FOX 13's Max Roth has more.
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"I was giving an off the cuff analysis based on the time," Steele said when asked about the comments, "I was speaking to an attitude or mindset that had set in at the time that I think was unfortunate."
Asked whether he thinks anti-Mormon bias would be a factor if Romney runs again, he said, "I hope to heaven not."
About 150 people attended the town hall meeting, hosted by Utah Governor Gary Herbert and the state Republican Party.
Over the course of an hour, the chair answered six questions, addressing the direction of the party, health care, concern about ethics in politics, and the 2nd Congressional District now represented by Democrat Jim Matheson.
"What can we do to get [the second congressional] seat back in republican hands?" asked a woman in the audience. "Get me a great candidate," was Steele's reply.
FOX 13's Max Roth has more.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
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