[pawdoggie]

Orrin Hatch is still bucking for a Supreme Court spot and a favorable "legacy". The problem is that if he were nominated his Democrat "friends" and colleagues would show their love and affection by demonizing him personally, trashing his Mormon religious faith and deconstructing his words and deeds in office; in short, they would do to him what he has allowed them to do to Mr. Bush's judicial nominees.

[pogo101]

Orrin Hatch is still bucking for a Supreme Court spot and a favorable "legacy".

I surely agree about the legacy. But I sense not only that Hatch is too old to make an attractive SCOTUS pick but also that he knows he is. Still, your essential "trying to polish his image" point is sound.