Orin Hatch (Mormon) on short list to replace AG Gonzales? Help or Hurt Romney?

Portfolio.com ^ | 8-27-07 | Matt Cooper

[sevenbak]

Topic for discussion:

Would the Bush appointment of Utah Senator Orin Hatch to replace Attorney General Gonzales, help or hurt Mitt Romney's visibility in the Presidential Election?

Hatch is listed as a possible candidate for the job. Bush already has a Mormon in his cabinet, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. Hary Reid is also a highly visible LDS political figure. Is the Mormon issue only important in the Presidential race?

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Portfolio.com thinks Hatch would not want the job, they may be right.

"If Orin Hatch was willing to give up his Utah Senate Seat for a year as a lame duck AG it would be ideal for the White House. But it's hard to imagine that's how he wants to end his 30 year career in the Senate.

Whoever Bush appoints, basic policies like antitrust and the environment and the cases brought by the civil division are unlikely to change at all. The biggest legal change George W. Bush wrought was the appointment of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Sam Alito. Both will be making law long after anyone remembers the sad and troubled tenure of Alberto Gonzales."

Discussion??

[rfp1234]

He won’t accept it. Hatch will make a great SCOTUS justice a bit later.

[Jaysun]

I don’t think it would help him or hurt him. Most people don’t know who Orin Hatch is.

[sevenbak]

Asking the opinion of fellow LDS FReepers on this one too.

[Williams]

Hatch is too old for Supreme Court. Some people make fun of him, but I think he would be very passionate and sincere at explaining steps in the war on terror.

Chertoff would be fine too, although he seems to be doing a good job at Homeland Security.

[sevenbak]

I think you are right. He’d be out of a job in a 16 months, and have Bush baggage, whatever that entails.

[Knitebane]

Oh swell.

Orin Hatch (R - RIAA)

Well, I guess he's a good politician. Once bought by the entertainment cartel he has stayed bought.

[glorgau]

Orin Hatch would make a great Democratic Attorney General.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Chertoff will replace Gonzales.

[SnakeDoctor]

I don’t see how Orrin Hatch being AG would have any effect on Mitt Romney whatsoever.

H

[sevenbak]

The guestion remains. Is the LDS issue only relevant in the presidential debate?

[colorcountry]

Maybe Bush should tap Dallin Oaks for AG. Now THAT would be interesting.

[sevenbak]

That would be. Almost as Interesting as Eisenhower tapping Ezra Taft Benson as AG Secretary.

[kidd]

I dunno about Hatch.

Lets look at the Mormon Senate Majority Leader.

In that case...hurts Romney.

[Vigilanteman]

Getting Orin replaced with a down and dirty street fighter would be a plus. I beleive the governor is from the conservative wing of the party and several good candidates to replace Orin are available.

It would also be a good way for Orin to retire.

[colorcountry]

I wonder if Oaks is a John Bircher too.

[sevenbak]

I think it would be good for Utah as well to have Orin retire. New blood needed.

[SnakeDoctor]

The “LDS issue” is only prominent in a national election, and only when there is another candidate who is just as right on the issues, but who is also a Protestant.

Unfortunately for Romney - Fred Thompson looks like that candidate. And, all things being equal (i.e. provided that both are equally conservative on the issues) - most conservatives would prefer to vote for a Protestant than a Mormon.

Hatch would not be required to undergo a national election for the post of AG, so it is less relevant in that case than it is in the case of a Presidential candidate.

H

[sevenbak]

Did you notice the Birchers came out in full support of Ron Paul?

[sevenbak]

I hope Fred announces. It will get very interesting if he does. I can support either candidate.