Hatch's Folly

I am sure Senator Orrin Hatch's (R-UT) recent admission that he will vote against President's Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, comes as no surprise to anyone. More than a few people are probably thinking, "Oh, he's just the crazy conservative from Utah." Unfortunately, that is probably true.

Hatch's statement on why he will be voting against the first Hispanic nominee to the court is a bunch of empty words. Hatch has voted for every Supreme Court nominee in his more than 30 years of service. Over the course of three decades, this is the one nominee that he can't vote for? Really Senator Hatch? I don't buy it. Plus, when he says that he will not be voting for her, the only really reason he gives is that her "judicial philosophy" doesn't jive with his. However, there are no examples, no specific answers that she gave in hearings that set him off, nothing. As a constituent, I want more from my Senator.

I may be wrong, but I highly doubt that Senator Hatch's lack of support for Sotomayor has anything to do with her qualifications. His statement came days after he dropped out of bipartisan health talks. Health care is one of the greatest problems facing our nation, and because Hatch wasn't getting his way, he dropped out. Awesome. Hatch's recent behavior is an obvious signal the he's catering to the right wing of the Republican Party, more specifically the right wing of the Utah Republican Party.

Hatch's counterpart, Robert Bennett (R-UT) is currently facing a stiff interparty race from serveral challengers for his 2010 re-election bid because he is too moderate. In 2008, congressman Chris Cannon was booted by Utah Republicans for not being conservative enough (this was the guy that accused William Ayers of ghost writing Barack Obama's autobiography. He wasn't crazy conservative enough?). Are we seeing a theme here?

Hatch's recent (and extremely disappointing) behavior is simply a signal to Utah's hardcore Repbulicans that he's still a strong right winger. He's saying, "Hey, don't boot me! Even though I've been here for far too long, and don't care about representing the real interests of my constituents, re-elect me!" However, I think Hatch's constituents will have the last laugh. Maybe I'm naive, but Democrats and (moderate Republicans) are making a comeback in Utah. Gov. Jon Huntsman, the "maverick" Republican who supported civil unions for gay couples and actually believes in global warming, was wildly popular with Utahns (until President Obama exiled him to China). Democrats now rule Salt Lake County and Democrat Jim Matheson is the state's most liked congressman.

So while Hatch may think that proving his conservative credentials will keep him in office for a few more decades, I'm calling his bluff. Come 2012, Orrin better watch out because the Democrats are coming (and probably a fair share of Republicans too).