"I believe they are both beautiful and well-run states, just as I know Utah to be. I think it does mean, though, that the senators from these two states should be more careful about attempting to pin the 'polluter' label on my state and on my governor — and I'm not going to stand for it," Hatch said.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., also took a shot at Leavitt for what she called "evasive" answers to Democratic questions.

"The fact he did not answer a number of my questions tells me that I am afraid that in the room when they are debating these issues, that Mike Leavitt will be a full team player with the Bush administration and not a team player for the health of the American people," she said.

However, most senators in debate praised Leavitt's ability and integrity, while some made a distinction between their support for Leavitt and opposition to the Bush administration he is joining.

For example, Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., who led a boycott of a committee meeting to delay a vote on Leavitt, said, "This vote should not be seen as an endorsement of the Bush administration's environmental policies, but as a vote in support of a fine and honorable man who has an extremely difficult job ahead."

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Leavitt a man of character.

"I hope that character will come through in the environmental policy of this country and can override the bad policies of this administration," he said.

Republicans gave Leavitt a universal chorus of praise.

"Gov. Leavitt stands for environmental principals we desperately need here in Washington: collaboration, not polarization; national standards, neighborhood solutions; reward results, not programs," Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., said.

The vote comes 56 days after Leavitt was formally nominated and 80 days after it was first announced. He was supported by all 51 Senate Republicans, 36 Democrats and the Senate's one independent.

Even Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., who had delayed Leavitt's nomination by placing a "hold" on it, voted for him. That came after the White House promised to work to help resolve concerns about air inside New York buildings possibly contaminated with toxic dust after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Leavitt, particularly, said he was grateful for Clinton's eventual support of his nomination and said he trusted the two would have a productive working relationship as he takes over the reins of the EPA.

Among the other five Democrats who had placed holds on Leavitt, two voted against him: Lautenberg and Boxer. Three others — all presidential candidates — missed the vote: Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.; John Kerry, D-Mass.; and John Edwards, D-N.C.

---

Contributing: Amy Joi Bryson

E-mail: lee@desnews.com