Orrin Hatch on Principles & Values

Republican Sr Senator (UT)

2012 will be my last election, after 6 terms

Democratic Senate candidate Scott Howell took his best and what will be any challenger's last shot at Orrin Hatch during the Republican senator's debate swan song Friday. Win or lose, the six-term Hatch has said 2012 will be his last election. Though he mostly spoke softly, the 78-year-old senator remained feisty while defending his 36-year career.

Hatch said it will take a senator with his "experience, clout and raw determination" to turn the country around. That and Mitt Romney in the White House.

Source: Deseret News on 2012 Utah Senate debate , Oct 26, 2012

I work with both Republicans and Democrats, out of necessity

Orrin Hatch and his Democratic challenger clashed over partisanship and whether 36 years is too long to serve in Washington.Scott Howell labeled himself a conservative Democrat, saying it's unfair to paint his party with a broad brush. He contends Hatch has moved far to the right to win tea party support, contributing to partisan gridlock. "He's gone so far hard right in order to win this election that he's lost that collaborative spirit," Howell said of Hatch's one-time work with liberals such as the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

In contrast, Howell said he learned to work with Republicans out of necessity to pass legislation as the former Democratic leader in the state Senate. Hatch countered that Howell, if elected, would be surrounded by Democrats who "won't let you be anything but liberal," and he noted that serving in the Utah Legislature is quite different than serving in Congress.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 Utah Senate debate , Oct 18, 2012

36 years of seniority means I can finally enact change

Howell, 58, has made Hatch's age and many years in the Senate a major point of his campaign. Howell has sent emails to voters suggesting Hatch, 78, would "retire or die" before the end of his term, and recommending they both release five years of medical records. "We continue to elect the very same people, and we wonder why we get the same results. We need new blood," Howell said. "We cannot perpetuate a seniority system that generates this 10 percent approval" of Congress. Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 Utah Senate debate , Oct 18, 2012

I'm running to help Mitt Romney and to be Committee Chairman

If Republicans win control of the Senate in the upcoming election, Hatch is in line to become chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "It is the most powerful committee in Congress," Hatch said. "If we're going to solve the problems in this country, it's going to be that committee that does that. That's the reason I'm running again, the primary reason other than [helping] Mitt Romney."

Hatch repeatedly aligned himself with the Republican presidential nominee--often enough that Howell said, "you can't ride on the coattails of Governor Romney."

Hatch didn't waver. "I'll just quote Mitt Romney. He said, 'We need Orrin Hatch back in the Senate helping to lead the way.' "

At another point, Howell said, "sometimes I wonder if I am running against Mitt Romney or Orrin Hatch."

And Hatch interrupted: "Both of us."

Howell contended that Hatch moved far to the right to win tea party support this year, and that contributes to partisan gridlock.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2012 Utah Senate debate , Oct 17, 2012

AdWatch: Touts leadership and experience

Hatch had spent $5.6 million on re-election and had $3.2 million on hand as of April 1, according to his most recent Federal Elections Commission report. Liljenquist had spent $227,000 and had $242,000 in the bank, according to his report. Liljenquist's campaign funds to that point included $300,000 of his own money.

Hatch's resources allow him to run a more steady race. His TV and radio ads have been up for several weeks. The current three spots tout his leadership and experience, saying he will restore financial responsibility to Washington and get a balance budget amendment passed.

The 78-year-old, six-term senator appears focused on the primary race, noting he never mentions the Democrat in the race, former state Sen. Scott Howell.

"Hatch has said he wants everyone to know he's a fighter," a campaign spokesperson said.

Source: KSL's Dennis Romboy on 2012 Senate ad review , May 27, 2012

Debates are a time-worn campaign tactic for free press

Almost everyone has heard of Hatch. But, as Liljenquist himself said, few know his tongue-twisting Swedish last name let alone how to pronounce it. (Think of Liljen rhyming with million.) Liljenquist's entree into television advertising this past week has as its goal to ramp up name recognition. He currently has two television spots, one urging Hatch to debate him and another contrasting his record with the senator's.

Liljenquist renewed his call this week for televised debates with Sen. Orrin Hatch before next month's Republican primary election. But the longtime senator refuses to debate on television and maintains that the single scheduled radio debate is sufficient.

Hatch responded: "It's understandable why Dan Liljenquist would want Utahns to view this campaign through an alternate reality," according to a press release. "In the real world, demanding debates is a time-worn campaign tactic used by candidates with little name recognition in the effort to gain free press attention."

Source: KSL's Dennis Romboy on 2012 Utah Senate debates , May 27, 2012

1976: What do you call 2-term incumbents? Call him home!

[Orrin Hatch's Senate opponent] Howell quoted Hatch, R-Utah, from 1976 when he ran against 18-year incumbent Sen. Frank Moss, D-Utah, and said, "What do you call a senator who's been in office for more than two terms? You call him home." Howell added, "The question is who can beat Orrin Hatch?"

Howell said the field attracted more Democrats this year because "this is a race where we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take back the Senate seat," because of perceived weaknesses by Hatch

Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2012 Utah Senate debate , Apr 11, 2012

Voted with Republican Party 87.1% of 319 votes.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), was scored by the Washington Post on the percentage of votes on which a lawmaker agrees with the position taken by a majority of his or her party members. The scores do not include missed votes. Their summary:
Voted with Republican Party 87.1% of 319 votes.
Overall, Democrats voted with their party 88.4% of the time, and Republicans voted with their party 81.7% of the time (votes Jan. 8 through Sept. 8, 2007). Source: Washington Post, “US Congress Votes Database” , Sep 8, 2007

Withdraws, citing too-late entry & anti-Mormon bias

After his last-place showing in the Iowa caucuses, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch abandoned his nomination bid and endorsed George W. Bush for the nomination. Hatch blamed his late entry into the race for his poor showing in the caucuses. “I got in too late. I regret having not gotten in earlier. I think it would have made a difference.”

Hatch, the only Mormon among the presidential contenders, has said anti-Mormon bias hurt him among Christian conservative voters. He said a Gallup Poll showed that 17% of Americans would not vote for a Mormon, adding he hoped his candidacy helped dispel some misconceptions about his religious faith. “I can’t do anything about bigotry but I can do a lot about people who are misinformed about my faith and about some people who don’t believe we are Christian,” he said. While he endorsed Bush, Hatch said any of the five remaining GOP candidates would be an “improvement over the current occupant of the White House.”

Source: CNN.com , Jan 26, 2000

President should set a moral example

The first thing the President ought to do in order to try and change things is not expect from the American people something that he himself is not willing to do. The President ought to set a moral tone in this country and ought to do what’s right. He ought to be a person of integrity and decency. And I’ll tell you, I’d set an example. I think that’s the first thing that the president can do and should do and I think the American people will follow suit. Source: Des Moines Iowa GOP Debate , Dec 13, 1999

23 years of experience fighting for you

I have more experience in fighting for you than [any other candidates]. I have a record of accomplishment that I don’t think can be matched. I have a reputation for bringing those diverse elements together in Washington and getting things done. Look, I wasn’t born to wealth. We were dirt poor. I understand you. I’ve been fighting for you for 23 solid years. And I’m not just talking about it. I’ve done it. I want to serve you and if you’ll give me the chance, I guarantee I won’t let you down. Source: Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate , Dec 7, 1999

$36 donations from skinny-cats, not $1000 from fat-cats

I filed on July 1st. Some people thought it was too late, saying, “Aren’t you a day late and a dollar short?” I said, “No, I am two years late and $36 million short.” I wouldn’t want to just rely on the fat-cat establishment out there giving me $1000 donations. So I said, “If I get a million people to give me $36 dollars, I’ll win [and be] beholden only to the people.” And [people from all parties have said], “I want to be one of your million.” I’m asking you all to become a “Hatch Skinny-cat.” Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College , Oct 29, 1999

Legislative record of bipartisan accomplishment

Q: Why should I vote for you for President? A: I’m a staunch social conservative who works hard to put our fiscal affairs in order. I’m the author of the balanced budget amendment. I have a legislative record and record of accomplishment that no other candidate can match, ranging from bills on consumer pharmaceuticals to child health insurance; all done by bringing Democrats and Republicans together to get things done. And last of all, I understand the people because I come from the people. Source: The Exchange, New Hampshire Public Radio , Sep 13, 1999

Voted NO on confirming of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court.

Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. In her opening statement, Judge Sotomayor pledged a "fidelity to the law:"

"In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law--it is to apply the law. And it is clear, I believe, that my record in two courts reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms; interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress's intent; and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and my Circuit Court. In each case I have heard, I have applied the law to the facts at hand."

Reference: Supreme Court Nomination; Bill PN506 ; vote number 2009-S262 on Aug 6, 2009

Voted YES on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice.

Vote on the Nomination -- a YES vote would to confirm Samuel A. Alito, Jr., of New Jersey, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Reference: Alito Nomination; Bill PN 1059 ; vote number 2006-002 on Jan 31, 2006

Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Vote on the Nomination (Confirmation John G. Roberts, Jr., of Maryland, to be Chief Justice of the United States ) Reference: Supreme Court Nomination of John Roberts; Bill PN 801 ; vote number 2005-245 on Sep 27, 2005

Religious affiliation: Latter-day Saint.

Hatch : religious affiliation:

The Adherents.com website is an independent project and is not supported by or affiliated with any organization (academic, religious, or otherwise).

What’s an adherent?

The most common definition used in broad compilations of statistical data is somebody who claims to belong to or worship in a religion. This is the self-identification method of determining who is an adherent of what religion, and it is the method used in most national surveys and polls.

Such factors as religious service attendance, belief, practice, familiarity with doctrine, belief in certain creeds, etc., may be important to sociologists, religious leaders, and others. But these are measures of religiosity and are usually not used academically to define a person’s membership in a particular religion. It is important to recognize there are various levels of adherence, or membership within religious traditions or religious bodies. There’s no single definition, and sources of adherent statistics do not always make it clear what definition they are using.

Source: Adherents.com web site 00-ADH8 on Nov 7, 2000

Rated 0% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation.

Hatch scores 0% by the AU on church-state separation

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2006 AU scores as follows:

0%- 20%: opposition to church-state separation (approx. 232 members)
21%- 79%: mixed record on church-state separation (approx. 79 members)
80%-100%: support of church-state separation (approx. 153 members)

About the AU (from their website, www.au.org):

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom. AU is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

Americans United is a national organization with members in all 50 states. We are headquartered in Washington, D.C., and led by the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director. AU has more than 75,000 members from all over the country. They include people from all walks of life and from various faith communities, as well as those who profess no particular faith. We are funded by donations from our members and others who support church-state separation. We do not seek, nor would we accept, government funding.

Source: AU website 06n-AU on Dec 31, 2006

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Contact info: Mailing Address: Senate Office SH-104, Washington, DC 20510 Phone number: (202) 224-5251

Page last updated: Apr 23, 2013