He then ticked off a long list of those disagreements including the financial institution bailout and a bill that Hatch sponsored with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., to spend $5.7 billion to boost national service programs.

"The D.C. voting-rights bill is another one," Chaffetz said, where the District of Columbia and Utah would be given additional House seats. He contends it is unconstitutional, saying House seats are supposed to go to states, and D.C. is not a state. Bennett supported it in past years, but opposed it this year saying he too became convinced it is unconstitutional.

Chaffetz also may not have helped the two senators by the way he responded to an editorial board question about whether they may have been in Washington too long and captured by its culture.

"I think in general, as a sweeping generalization, you should get in, serve and get out," he said. "Congress and the Senate were never intended to be a lifetime appointment." Hatch has served in the Senate for 32 years, and Bennett for 16.

Of course, many others have already chosen to take on Bennett in what is a crowded field. Republicans challenging him include Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, former congressional candidate Tim Bridgewater, businesswoman Cherilyn Eagar and small-business owner James Russell Williams III. Democrat Sam Granato also is a candidate.

E-mail: lee@desnews.com