Utah's GOP delegates pan Union speech

WASHINGTON — Republicans in Utah's congressional delegation complained Wednesday that while President Barack Obama called for more bipartisanship during his State of the Union address, he was busy blaming them for all the nation's ills.

But Utah's lone Democrat in Congress, Rep. Jim Matheson, said, "The system is broken, and neither party is without blame." He hoped that what he says is the most bitter partisan atmosphere he has seen in Washington can be overcome.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, complained, "(Obama) went back to blaming the Bush administration for all of our problems. … Instead of listening to the American people and the change they have shown they want (in recent elections), he went on a defense of the same old policies he has been pushing."

Hatch said, "If he's serious about real reform, he needs to scrap some of the bills he's been pushing and start over from scrap, especially on health care."

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said, "We've always known he can give a great speech, but we wondered if he can listen. I don't think he can. Everything he said came with the premise that all our problems can be solved by Washington, D.C."

"He said that if we have a better idea on health care, to show him. We have, but everything we have shown him has been denied without discussion."

Bishop added that many Democrats seemed as unhappy as Republicans. "There was an underlying tone of grumblings from both sides during parts of the speech. It wasn't like other State of the Union speeches I've attended."

Sen. Bob Bennett said, "His prescription of what will solve all of our problems and my reading of the bills he was endorsing are not solutions at all, and just make things worse."

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, however, said he sees some opportunity for bipartisan support. "I was surprised that he at least gave vocal support for nuclear energy and earmark reform. … I walked up and shook the president's hand afterward, and said I look forward to working with him."

But that does not include working with Obama on his proposal to lift the ban on gays in the military. Chaffetz said, "This is not the time to do that in the middle of two active wars."

Meanwhile, Matheson said he appreciated Obama's "call for ending the bickering. The polarization and partisanship are as bad as it's been."

He also praised Obama for seeking some of the same fiscal reforms as the Blue Dog Caucus of moderate Democrats, co-chaired by Matheson. "The president echoed several of our proposals, including the need for a bipartisan fiscal reform commission, and a return to the proven pay-as-you-go budget rules that helped produce budget surpluses in the 1990s."

This story was reported from Salt Lake City.

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