Mike Lee known for his Constitution knowledge, sense of humor

SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Lee may be known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, but what his friends and family mention most about him is his sense of humor.

Not that they don't enjoy having the same kind of impassioned debate over interpreting the Constitution that Lee, an attorney, grew up with at the family dinner table as the son of a former U.S. solicitor general.

But they make the case that the GOP U.S. Senate candidate is a fun guy, even though he spends most of his time on the campaign trail explaining again and again how the Constitution would guide his decisions in office.

Their evidence of his humorous side? Well, his favorite movie is "So I Married an Axe Murderer," although other comedies including "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" come close.

And he's been known to refer to lyrics from one of his beloved '80s rock bands, Rush, during meetings when he served as general counsel to former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Then there's the weeds. Family friend Troy Boldt said Lee's idea of a good time is setting them on fire. "He's got a torch he connects to a propane tank and lights them up," Boldt said. "He's like a little boy around the campfire." Before the Lees moved away from his Cedar Hills neighborhood, Boldt said he'd bring his children over to watch.

But it's Lee himself who offers up the best defense to any suggestion he's too serious during what he likes to call his "Mike on mike" time on the road between events.

That's when he's behind a microphone set up in the passenger seat of his brother-in-law Bryan Burr's motor home known as the "Mobile Mike Express" and makes often silly comments about people and places through loudspeakers affixed to the front of the 45-foot vehicle.

For example, as the motor home pulls away from Heber City's Main Street park after Lee's recent appearance there, he spots a group of kids celebrating the last day of school by spraying each other with shaving cream.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he hollers into the microphone, "whenever you have a shaving cream fight remember to vote for Mike Lee." Hearing his voice booming out of the motor home, the teenagers stop and stare.

It's something the family members and volunteers riding along can't seem to get enough of. They shout, "Taco Time" when the motor homes passes one of the fast-food outlets. He says it's not just time for tacos, "it's time to vote for Mike Lee."