Bennett’s outcome doesn’t scare Hatch

SALT LAKE CITY — Even though anti-incumbent forces dumped Sen. Bob Bennett at the Utah Republican Convention, Sen. Orrin Hatch says he sees no such danger for himself and still plans to run for re-election in two years.

"As long as I feel as healthy as I do, I plan to run," he told the Deseret News at the convention.

He insisted he does not face the same danger as Bennett and former Rep. Chris Cannon , R-Utah, who lost a primary two years ago. "I've had a very warm response here today with the delegates. I must have shaken 2,000 hands here today," Hatch said.

But a smattering of boos came from the floor when Hatch addressed the convention. He dismissed that, saying he also always has a few Republicans who give him a hard time at town hall meetings, but said most state Republicans solidly support him.

But does Bennett's demise at least make Hatch think twice about seeking a seventh term?

"Heavens no," he said. "I'm happy that people are mad. It's about time we get people in this country mad because what's going on back there (in Washington) is bad."

But Hatch said he sees lessons from the ousters of Bennett and Cannon.

"The lessons are you've got to listen to the people, and I think I do that," he said.

"I think you've got to realize that people feel very deeply about these issues and, above all, you've got to listen to them. I think I do that pretty well," he said.

Hatch added that he feels Bennett mostly succumbed because he stood for election in time "when people are so upset" with Washington.

Still, he says he has not seen such anger pointed at him, and instead he sees Republicans who want to work with him to change Washington.

e-mail: lee@desnews.com