Politics

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch Survives Primary

SALT LAKE CITY — (AP) U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch has won Utah’s Republican primary.

Hatch faced former Utah state Sen. Dan Liljenquist (lihl-IHN’-kwihst) in Tuesday’s race.

Orrin Hatch of Utah Survives Primary Challenge by Dan Liljenquist

Liljenquist and Hatch

Hatch barely missed his party’s outright nomination at Utah’s April GOP convention, winning 59.2 percent of delegate votes. He needed 60 percent to avoid a runoff.

Hatch emphasized his experience and potential placement as chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee if he won. Liljenquist made the case that his challenger has used his influence for wasteful earmarks.

Liljenquist’s campaign hoped to capitalize on some of the momentum that saw the ouster of three-term GOP Sen. Bob Bennett in 2010, fueled by a tea party surge that was much less united this time.

Hatch now heads to November seeking his seventh term, which he says will be his last.

Comments (79)

1 2
  • seraphimtheapologist
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:59am

    So far voter turn out for this primary seems pretty low. It seems that voter apathy in Utah is the real winner of this election.

    Report Post » seraphimtheapologist  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:56am

    I am very discouraged that Orrin Hatch won.. My fellow Utahn’s I guess, does not have a clue how this man has voted in the past.. he is not a conservative, he is a progressive.. Look to how he has voted.. has raised the debt ceiling several times, voted in Timothy Geithner, Ben Bernanke and Eric Holder!! Lord help us!!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:10am

      From Mark Levin .. please listen and then comment back .. I think Mark is usually pretty sharp….

      http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/05/24/mark_levin_explains_support_for_orrin_hatch.html

      Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:42am

      @CATB
      Tried to listen but had to turn it off when the yelling started. So Levin supports him today because of his work in the 80′s? Things are so bad these days that we can no longer cling to the past – all that matters is where they stand now. You should be thankful – cuz if we hold Romney to that standard, we would remember the 1994 version of Romney instead of the 2012 version.

      Report Post » soybomb315  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:20am

    “We hoped for better, but it turned out as it always does”
    - Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, July 1993

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • bravjim
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:12am

    Another career politician allowed to survive by people who probably sit back and wonder why the country never changes. It’s because fools keep voting these fools in. Reminds me of Garfield’s saying, “Now, more than ever, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate these traits from their Congress. If that body be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand those traits from their national legislature.” That might not be the exact quote, but it is damn close and definitely represents his sentiments.

    Report Post »  
    • Portwine
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:20am

      Reminds me of a movie that I saw called “Distinguished Gentleman”. Character was elected to a dead man’s seat because same name. Name recognition. BTW, good movie, but beware of filty language. Eddie Murphy. Enough said. lol

      Report Post »  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:59am

      That movie was funnier than hell too. Remember the Newspaper headline at the end? “No more Dick”
      Hilarious.

      Report Post »  
  • Portwine
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:00am

    Senator Hatch is now 78. If it should become necessary to have Govenor Herbert appoint someone to finish his term, Herbert was and is owned by teachers’ unions, local and national. Our last governor, who quit mid-term, was Jon Huntsman, Jr. He left to serve in the Obama administration, quit that job to run for president. I recently read that he now has a job doing something for a liberal organization.

    Report Post »  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:58pm

    sigh…

    Report Post » Constructionist  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:51pm

    More proof that the republican party has not changed much over the last 4 years – despite the rise of the Tea Party. The other week in Virginia, we had our republican primary for senator. The establishment republicans went with moderate George Allen (the same old crap) against a field of three conservatives (just like the primary). No surprise, moderates won there too. Time is running out folks.

    All this makes it less likely the Republicans will be “holding Romney’s feet to the fire” and more likely that they will go back to being a big government, power hungry political party

    Report Post » soybomb315  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:38am

      I feel like I am in the twilight zone.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:53am

      I understand that it was Hatch’s supporting of Clarence Thomas when they wanted to Bork him .. that has many supporting him, he is also a strong proponent of the Second Ammendment.. From Sarah Palin to Mark Levin …

      From Mark Levin…

      Levin offered his support to Hatch on his radio show. In a Facebook note, he criticized FreedomWorks, chaired by former Republican leader Dick Armey, and suggested the group is not always in tune with Tea Party voters.

      “This is what happens when decisions are run out of offices in Washington,” Levin wrote. “The Tea Party movement is a grassroots movement.”

      He continued: “And as I posted earlier today, Armey had a radical, open-borders, pro-amnesty position record in Congress and has recently endorsed that position as head of FreedomWorks. Do most Tea Party activists agree? Of course not.”

      Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/06/16/mark-levin-dings-freedomworks-over-campaign-to-oust-hatch/#ixzz1yxxRP1mW

      Also from Levin:

      LEVIN: “Orrin Hatch was the most reliable conservative Republican senator on the Senate Judiciary Committee, among other committees that Ronald Reagan could ever rely on. And we are going to throw him out of office and claim it’s a Tea Party act when you can see in the last three years how he’s been voting, how he’s been fighting for the balanced-budget amendment and other things that we conservatives believe in since, frankly George [W.] Bush left office?”

      Report Post »  
    • flipper1073
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:58am

      SOYBOMB
      Not Likely Anyone but the TEA Party Will be
      “holding Romney’s feet to the fire” Sadly.

      But I still think We need to get rid of Obama
      an Take control of the Senate.
      Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader
      WOW now that’s Exciting; NOT !
      Mitt Romney / President
      John Boehner / Speaker of House
      Mitch McConnell / Senate Majority Leader
      This is going to be Great/Exciting.
      Sarah better give an incredible
      Key Note Speach at the Convention
      just to keep everyone Awake !
      Better Luck in 2016

      Report Post » flipper1073  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:04am

      Repeal the 17th amendment and these problems are largely solved. Because then the state legislators will have to deal with a bad senator during their elections, and instead of a large group of people the media can manipulate and lie to, they’ll have a pissed off state legislature that pays attention because their jobs are on the line for his performance, and that makes them keen to keep the senators in line. Of course, that would involve people paying attention to their state….. :(

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:08am

      And on what grounds do you make this statement? “less likely the Republicans will be “holding Romney’s feet to the fire” A local election and a national are not the same. I think Romney will be held accountable or he will be a term president.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:39am

      @RepubliCorp
      I say that because ‘holding feet to the fire’ is such a rare and hard thing to do. When a party gets into power, they flex their muscles and seek to keep power – not purify themselves

      If such a conservate state like Utah cannot hold their senator’s feet to the fire – there is zero chance it will happen at a national level….ESPECIALLY when you have McConnell and Boehner leading the charge in Congress. Trying to get people to wake up and get real

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • broken1
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:44am

      Hey quit crying SOYBOMB315. At least you guys have a decent governor in Bob McDonnell. We here in NC have ot eait to get rid of that knuckleheaded Obama lackey Bev Perdue. Just kidding friend. Yeah you guys are stuck with Allen going against the equally inept Timwit Kaine. Good luck with that one.

      Report Post »  
  • flipper1073
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:51pm

    We Need to have Mandatory Retirement Age for
    Senate an Congress .
    I think maybe 65 that should get rid of at least
    Half maybe Three Quarters of them.
    An By the Way NO Grandfather Rites.
    Everyone GOES.

    Report Post » flipper1073  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:48pm

    It was a squeaker to get the runoff, it was an ultimate climb to win in the end. Hatch is not a RINO and will win in November. So, now will he still call the tea party and freedom works the enemy or people who just want to get Obama removed.

    Hatch is fifth on the list one need worry about removing,
    Commies first, Then Socialist, Then Progressives, Then RHINOs. Then people who have being in Washington longer than the last Ice age. (Democrats are taken split between the first 3)

    Report Post » TJexcite  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:56pm

      Democrats first, and then the republicans will get drunk on power again. All that talk about progressives and commies is just to get us excited

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • flipper1073
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:18am

      Got News for you !
      There are a lot of Socialist/ Progressives
      in the Republican Party Too .
      They‘re Called RINO’s
      An John McCain an Orrin Hatch Lead the Herd.

      Report Post » flipper1073  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:06am

      Off topic, do you really think Orin Hatch is commie sympathizing progressive? I thought he was just stupid enough he thought he could deal with them.

      Report Post »  
  • Cavallo
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:47pm

    Damn.. thats disappointing.. six more years of this worthless statist hack.

    Report Post » Cavallo  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:55am

      From Mark Levin .. one of the people I think you can TRULY trust to tell the truth ….

      LEVIN: “Orrin Hatch was the most reliable conservative Republican senator on the Senate Judiciary Committee, among other committees that Ronald Reagan could ever rely on. And we are going to throw him out of office and claim it’s a Tea Party act when you can see in the last three years how he’s been voting, how he’s been fighting for the balanced-budget amendment and other things that we conservatives believe in since, frankly George [W.] Bush left office?”

      http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/05/24/mark_levin_explains_support_for_orrin_hatch.html

      Report Post »  
  • ShyLow
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:45pm

    Time to start sharing your politics on social media.Wake up your sitcom zombie friends and family…They‘ll be sharing and commenting on cat pics in the reeducation camps if you don’t

    Report Post » ShyLow  
  • RAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:44pm

    Tragic, Utah! I too know how difficult it an be to over through the “old guard” ! Here in AZ, we can’t seem to get rid of McCain. His most recent challenger was a complete quack…what’s up with Lilijanquist? I thought he was great?

    Report Post » RAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE  
  • ericthebarbaric
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:40pm

    I said, its too bad we can’t get rid of these relics on both sides!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • DonRoberto
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:40pm

    I had to be one of the first to give Dan money when he annouced that he would go against Hatch. I had promised Hatch that if Satan was running against him I would give him money and put his sign in my front yard. His vote for Holder and every other left wing hack job convinced me he is no more in touch with Utah and our values than Obama. It is a shame that Hatch won. Another senile old hack is not what this country needs.

    Report Post »  
  • Marnin
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:39pm

    so how close was the result? he won, fine. How close was it?

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:37pm

    So another of the old DC guard may make it into office again?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:36pm

    My friend and Congressman, Doug Lamborn also survived his primary; despite his opponent spending almost a million trying to take him out.

    And Colorado Springs is burning right now; literally.

    Report Post »  
  • SIXFRIGATES
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:34pm

    It’s called Democrats voting in Republican primaries. This should be OUTLAWED in every state. Orrin is as close to a liberal as they can hope for and they prefer him to a real conservative.

    Report Post » SIXFRIGATES  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:31pm

    Of course, he is Mormon. Did we really expect him to lose in Utah? Especially with him being an establishment guy – whats not to like?

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • Winghunter
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:27pm

    WTH UTAH!?!?

    Orrin Hatch: RINO http://rinosandrats.com/2011/08/orrin-hatch-rino/

    Report Post » Winghunter  
  • Portwine
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:26pm

    I’m a resident of Utah. I’m very sad that Sen. Hatch has been elected yet again. At one time, he was a good senator. I’ve written letters and called his local office and DC office many times. He is a perfect example of a career politician that began to believe that he was so important that it was outside the realm of possibility to not re-elect him. The communications I’ve received spent 80% of the time detailing how important he is, and implied that I couldn’t possibly understand how complex his job was, and that I just needed to trust him. The world has changed a great deal since 1976, he hasn’t. He’s 78, time to pass the baton.

    Report Post »  
    • joel228
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:59am

      Several years ago I would defend Hatch when my wife spoke ill of him. This time I had to convince her to vote for Liljenquist over Hatch. Hatch layed down with dogs (Ted Kennedy in particular) and got up with fleas. We’ll have to live with fleas in the senate for a few more years.

      Report Post » joel228  
  • flipper1073
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:25pm

    Why is it We Can’t seem to get rid of
    These OLD FOOLS ?
    6 more years of Hatch
    Come on Guys we can do better than this.
    I don’t suffer old fools well.
    Lugar , Spector , Hatch , McCain an the list goes on.

    Report Post » flipper1073  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:32pm

      “Vote for us, we‘ll be sure to hold Romney’s feet to the fire”

      Yea right, you cant even keep a senator in an extremely conservate state in check

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • ericthebarbaric
      Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:35pm

      It‘s sad our older population can’t get over these old fools who have harmed our country in so many ways. Same is true for older democrats.

      Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:44pm

      @ericthebarbaric
      These ‘older’ folks were Romney’s core voting block throughout the primary. Without the old vote, Romney would never have won. This older generation are the ones responsible for giving us bad politicians (and bad republicans) for the last 30 years.

      Question – why do they think their judgement is better than middle and younger aged people? Since their track record is terrible – why not sit out the primary and let us pick the candidate for once

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • mrsuperpat
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:13am

      So it looks like we will have to wait till the baby boomer and hippie generation finally die off to reclaim our republic. These people‘s failed Idea’s for America are unconstitutional, out dated, and out moded. They just want to keep their entitlements til they die and screw the future generations with the mess they left behind.

      Report Post »  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:58pm

      They and their parents have given us programs like medicare, SSi, the EPA, the Dept of Education, the Dept of Energy, vietnam, massive foreign intervention, a trashed financail system, and probably a future civil war. Then I’m told to respect my elders and that my generation is the problem. Whatever.

      Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:23pm

    McCain must be happy about this.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • cemerius
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:18pm

    Saw Charley Rangel won his primary too…..just goes to show that stupid entitlement people will keep voting in these “senior” reps and they will take the “leadership” positions based upon how many times their represented idiot constituents put a check by their names!!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:16pm

    Thanks a lot Palin. Not.

    Report Post »  
    • flipper1073
      Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:29pm

      This is one of the Few things I disagree with
      Sarah Palin on (Old Fool Senators).

      Report Post » flipper1073  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:40am

      @goodstuff
      LOL, to bother even saying something about Hatch while you support Romney is just hilarious.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:57am

      You don’t agree with Mark Levin either then …

      http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/05/24/mark_levin_explains_support_for_orrin_hatch.html

      Mark Levin plays old audio from Orrin Hatch that shows how he was a huge supporter of Reagan’s principles and how we shouldn‘t be getting rid of Republicans when we don’t know what their candidates even stand for.

      LEVIN: “Orrin Hatch was the most reliable conservative Republican senator on the Senate Judiciary Committee, among other committees that Ronald Reagan could ever rely on. And we are going to throw him out of office and claim it’s a Tea Party act when you can see in the last three years how he’s been voting, how he’s been fighting for the balanced-budget amendment and other things that we conservatives believe in since, frankly George [W.] Bush left office?”

      BTW …. the link contains the audio of the show .. I too had been confused by Sarah Palin … but I think Hatch was running against a FAKE TEA Party candidate!

      Report Post »  
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