Hatch Faces Anger At GOP Utah Convention: Calls Bush Blame "B.S."

Deseret News:

U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, both R-Utah, got polite receptions Saturday at the state GOP convention, but both also recognized that some of the rank-and-file delegates weren't pleased with them.

Hatch, at one point in his speech, appeared upset when some delegates applauded as a way of blaming national Republicans, himself included, for the deficit and other problems of the Bush years.

"Don't you believe that B.S.," Hatch said loudly. But some of the 1,800 delegates clearly did.

Read the whole story: Deseret News

Comments

[nana4g]

And who, pray tell, is responsible? The fairy godmother? Blame it on the Junior Senator from Illinois, after all, he was alive and breathing at the time.......

[neesy08]

Didn't hatch pretty much agree to everything Bush wanted?
I do not recall him being a naysayer very often

[clearpepsi]

Hatch is one of the most corrupt people in the senate.... he was a lap dog and now he's trying to deny it... he lies to his own even… it’s a race to see who can lead the least…

[MANK]

Just checked 2000 election...67% for Bush. Then he did such a great job, Utah gave him a 72% share of the vote in 2004. Way to go Utah!!

[jerryfromcalifornia]

They don't get any redder than Utah. They vote the Smith way, blind or they wouldn't be mon mns.
Never met one who I trusted.
jerrybelairca

[MANK]

Is this red state calling the kettle black?

[Machiventa68]

Republicans in Utah and other states are disintegrating into separate factions that dispise each other. Moderates, who at one time controlled the party, are now hated by the rabid right wing group. The fanatics on the right are ready to jettison anybody who disagrees with their ideas, including men like Hatch and Bennett.

[jsgaetano]

Well, it should be a slight change. They can go from hating America to hating each other.

[spandautoseattle]

It is obvious that all these high ranking pols of the former GOP are not taking responsibility for the catastrophies that happened from the time on they declared they would want "...shrink government until we can drown it in a bathtub..." up until 2008. Throwing a sober look at the present state of the nation and the feudalistic mindset of these individuals there is no other way than finally starting to seriously talk about term limits for Senators.
The era of lacking accountability produced terrible results and placed awful personalities virtually forever into positions of endless power who seem to believe that they are the aristocratic pols of the Roman Republic, blessed with a higher authority and combatting the hated "plebeian Republic" incessantly without need to heed any criticism. Remember, it his own constituency that Sen Hatch and pals shrug off.

[jweider]

If all of the MOR.mONs in Utah hadn't voted for GWB we wouldn't be in the mess we are.
Utah can point fingers at Hatch but they are the ones who are really to blame.

[UsofA]

I beg to differ. There are those of us who live in Utah who've never voted Republican, have had progressive letters published in the local newspapers, have been vocal opponents of the theological-Right status quo, who proudly placed Obama signs on our front lawns during the primaries and who, yes, point fingers at ethically crippled politicians like Hatch and Bennett (and others) here in our State. Are we to blame for Bush?

[widdles]

Unfortunately there are some people who will paint with a very broad stroke, not realizing they are attacking many of their own.

[IDIOTA]

Rotten eggs hatch?

[BUTCHER111]

Well, given how both Senators rubber stamped everything Bush wanted it’s hard to see how they don’t share some of the blame.

[DMHendrix]

What goes around, comes around Senator. Just carry a soft pillow with you from now on because it tends to hurt a little when that karma comes back around to bite you in the behind.

[SamEllison]

Karmic Butt Biting!

I like it.

[springsm]

Oh Orrin, take your head out of the water and be honest with yourself. You know that all of these cesspool problems didn't happen in the past 5 months. And the only bs is that which you so softly spew. That this state of Utah would even question their party is amazing. Don't expect miracles folks, but this could mean that some Utahans are trying hard to think for themselves. Now THAT could constitute almost a miracle. Hatch should retire.

[MajorKong]

Here's a fun Orrin Hatch quote:

"Terrorism is a phony issue." - 1996

[JackNasty]

My favorite Orrin Hatch quote is: "Capital punishment is our society's recognition of the sanctity of human life.”

[Michigan-Woman]

Now that's rich!!

Did he really say that?

Unbelievable!!!

[KriTiKiT]

well, that's what happens when you just collected paychecks and ditched votes, and avoided floor debates till you wanted to waltz in a steal the show... now your mad that you where on watch for Utah and you let your people down, yeah hatch you do suck, you should just go back to pencil pushing and mowing your yard. I wish they could take your pension too.

[jsgaetano]

Looks like the GOP leadership can run from accountability... but can't even hide among GOP voters anymore.

What does the GOP do when even the GOP doesn't buy it's lies anymore? Troubling questions, which their future as a regional party will have to answer.