Posted on 12/01/2010 4:19:05 PM PST by rabscuttle385
Speaking in reverential tones, Sen. Orrin Hatch went to the Senate floor Tuesday to mark the end of the 18-year career of his colleague from Utah, Sen. Bob Bennett.
With Bennett sitting just a few feet behind him, Hatch gave a 10-minute address that included Bennett’s complete personal history, from his high school graduation to his first election to the Senate in 1992. Bennett, who lost his re-election campaign earlier this year, will leave office in early January.
Hatch called Bennett “a fighter for the people of Utah” who helped secure money to modernize roads and bring commuter trains.
“Every single person in the state of Utah has benefited from the work of Senator Bennett,” said Hatch, who diverted from his prepared remarks and evoked their shared faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Bob Bennett is a wise counselor. He is a truly honest man,” Hatch said. “He lives his religious beliefs.
“I believe it is safe to say everybody in Utah will miss him as well. Some more than others, but nevertheless, if they look at his record and they look at the things he has done for our state and our people, they are going to thank God that Bob Bennett was a senator for 18 solid years,” said Hatch, who was first elected in 1976. “I personally thank our father in heaven for having him here as a partner to me, as a friend and somebody I can rely on.”
The speech comes at a time when Hatch has repeatedly said he is more conservative than Bennett, when answering questions about his political chances in a 2012 campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at sltrib.com ...
RINO LUV fest ... get ROOM!
RINO LUV fest ... get A ROOM!
good riddance to RINO Bennett!
RINO Hatch, you’re next!!
Like McCain only from farther north.
and Hatch is up when?
Keep lamenting, Orrin. When you lose the next primary, you and Bob can sit around and ask each other what went wrong. But you arrogance won’t allow you to believe that you’re the problem, it’s those stupid voters that just don’t get it.
I don’t mind Hatch saying nice things about his colleague. However, it is the RINOism ingrained in Hatch and UT primary voters that disturbs me. I don’t think the voters of UT will ever understand Hatch’s constant betrayal of constitutional principles.
“Fighter” sounds so much better than “Back-stabbing coward”.
2012
Time for the folks in Utah to put the old RINO Orin Hatch out to pasture. This man is part of the problem and not the solution.
You two dopes can hold hands on the park bench while feeding the birds. I have a feeling Orrin will be joining him in retirement.
I suspect he will get primaried in 2012.
There just seems to be something wrong about giving speeches on the Senate floor about how great each of them are.
I think people like scott brown have forgetten the teachable moment of bob bennette.
Bennett getting help from Romney for his re-election quest
Published: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 10:47 p.m. MDT
SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, will bring out the biggest weapon he has to help him at the Utah Republican Party convention: Mitt Romney.
“He will introduce the senator at the convention,” said Jim Bennett, the senator’s son and campaign manager.
Jim Bennett figures that should bring some electricity to the gathering because “he’s the most popular political figure in the state of Utah, so we’re glad to have him on our side.”
Bob Bennett has been under strong attack by conservatives who feel that he is not conservative enough, and he is being challenged by seven Republicans running to his right. But Jim Bennett said Romney is well beloved by many conservative delegates who may still be undecided about Bob Bennett, and he hopes his endorsement will have power.
“Nine of 10 voted for him the last presidential primary here,” Jim Bennett said. “He’s been a strong supporter and wants to be as helpful as he can.”
Jim Bennett said the campaign and Romney are still discussing what other events Romney may participate in that weekend. “But it is confirmed that he will attend the convention and introduce the senator,” he said.
Of course, it will not be the first time Romney has helped Bob Bennett.
Romney attended a fundraiser in Utah last year for Bob Bennett, where he brought in an estimated $225,000. Bob Bennett also used footage from that event in ads.
Bob Bennett’s campaign also rented a contact list from Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC to help with fundraising and campaigning.
Of course, Romney, head of the 2002 Olympics in Utah and a presidential candidate in 2008, is expected to run for president again in 2012. Another 2012 potential presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has also campaigned in Utah for Romney. But Bob Bennett has said he would support Romney for president if he runs.
Does the senator plan any other surprise appearances from supporters at the convention? “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you,” Jim Bennett said, but quickly added that nothing else has been arranged so far.
e-mail: lee@desnews.com
Let me nibbles your buds
Let me tromple your albino
Let me graze your veldt
I’m your...LOVE RHINO!! —Deathtongue
Kay Bailey needs to be place on the RINO hunt list. Cmon texans. We need to find a conservative to run for senate.
Hatch better start selling his Washington house—he won’t survive the next election cycle.
Utah is tired of his flip-flop positions on everything.
He is going to get retired!!!
I am sending money to which ever candidate will run against him.
Apparently, Hatch doesn’t get it, either.
Bennett didn’t even get past the primary & was thrown out.
IF ‘every single person in Utah has benefited’ from Bennett’s time in the Senate, they sure don’t seem to think so back on the home front.
I am betting that Hatch doesn’t survive the primary in 2012.
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