Posted on 03/18/2012 10:56:45 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Today may be the most important day of Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R) bid for a seventh term. The Hatch campaign, fending off state GOP convention challenges from conservative opponents, has recruited and trained thousands of people to run as delegates for Hatch in tonight’s local caucuses being held around the state.
The 4,000 delegates elected will go on to vote at the April 21 convention, where a nominee can emerge with 60 percent of the vote. If no one cracks that mark, the top two finishers go on to a June 26 primary.
“The campaign has been working toward caucus night for over a year,” Hatch spokeswoman Evelyn Call said. “With dozens of field staff, hundreds of thousands of phone calls and countless man hours we have been able to bring the Senator’s message to all corners of the state.”
Hatch is facing his most difficult campaign since he was first elected in 1976 with an endorsement from Ronald Reagan, who is still quoted on Hatch’s campaign website. Hatch, who turns 78 next week, said Tuesday that his seventh term would be his final term.
Scads of Republicans are hoping to replicate the 2010 convention defeat of then-Sen. Bob Bennett, most notably state Rep. Chris Herrod and former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, who may be the favorite to unseat Hatch.
“There is a whole new generation of people involved in politics in Utah, who Orrin Hatch has been there almost their entire lives,” Liljenquist told Roll Call just before walking into his 92nd event since joining the race in January. “And they’re ready for some change.”
Liljenquist and Herrod are hardly Hatch’s only opponents, as conservative groups such as FreedomWorks have actively worked to defeat him.
(Excerpt) Read more at atr.rollcall.com ...
It’s too bad that Orrin Hatch insists on seeking another term. He’s been in the U.S. Senate for 36 years and has become an integral part of the D.C. Establishment. I hope that Dan Liljenquist is able to force Hatch into a primary and win.
Also, Hatch got in initially by campaigning on a theme that his predecessor had been in the Senate too long. But that predecessor was in office far less than 36 years.
I remember 2 years ago when Bennett lost. The chant at the victory celebration was “HATCH IS NEXT!” This time it should be Lugar is next.
Apart from which, I think he is approaching senility...anyone incaplable of finding fault with Ted Kennedy is definitely someone to watch very craefully.
Ditto, Lugar, Brownback etc.
“Also, Hatch got in initially by campaigning on a theme that his predecessor had been in the Senate too long. But that predecessor was in office far less than 36 years.”
Very good point. Hatch has served with honor but has become part of the problem.
This is another inter-party contest which bears close watching.
Hatch is facing his most difficult campaign since he was first elected in 1976 with an endorsement from Ronald Reagan, who is still quoted on Hatch’s campaign website. Hatch, who turns 78 next week, said Tuesday that his seventh term would be his final term.Okay, I officially feel old now.
The normal course of nature will probably see to that
People in Utah thought he was bought and sold in DC back in the late 70s. Don't know how he lasted this long.
Hopefully, the people of Utah will be more motivated. Hatch is better prepared than Robert Bennett was and will be tougher to defeat. He has to be held below 60% at the April convention in order to force a primary.
IMO it was a dumb move for Hatch to say that this would be his last term. Why wait six years till he turns 84 when we can get his replacement now?
“Why wait six years till he turns 84 when we can get his replacement now?”
Good point. If Hatch wins less than 60% at the convention in April, he will face a primary. I hope that Utah conservatives are prepared.
Doesn’t sounds like it went well, Hatch delegates won in Liljenquist’s home precinct.
Hatch appears to have learned from Bennett’s defeat. Bennett did not run slates of delegates.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.