Hopefuls find foes elusive

During his failed bid for the presidency last December, Orrin Hatch penned a straightforward and impassioned letter to Republican Party favorite George W. Bush on the subject of campaign debating. He wrote:

"We must admit that the debates and forums we have attended thus far have not been particularly enlightening for the voters. We spend too much time in advance arguing about formats. We huddle with our advisers, preparing and scripting our answers. Let us all get together on one bus, leave the advisers behind and go town-to-town, with no format and truly campaign."

Democratic Senate challenger Scott Howell says he's been looking for this open, available Orrin Hatch, but he is nowhere to be found. It seems that while Hatch — the presidential underdog — pleaded with Bush for debates and joint appearances in Iowa and New Hampshire, back in Utah the shoe is on the other foot. Democrat Howell, the underdog in the Senate race, can't get a lease on Hatch. Sometimes he can't even find him.

"My biggest frustration is that Orrin Hatch won't debate me," Howell said from his Sugar House office. Democrat Donald Dunn has the same problem with incumbent GOP Rep. Chris Cannon in the 3rd Congressional District. And Kathleen McConkie, also a Democrat, hasn't seen hide nor hair of 20-year incumbent GOP Rep. Jim Hansen in the 1st District.

For his part, Hatch says he's not trying to avoid Howell and does not fear debating him. "I actually look forward to it," Hatch said Saturday, stuck in Washington as Congress continues to battle with President Clinton over critical spending bills.

It's an incumbents' game, when tight congressional schedules inhibit the kind of free forum and debate that might benefit a newcomer. And that is beside the concern over an incumbent's weighty campaign coffers and permeating name recognition — all of which are taking a toll on the normally easy-mannered Howell and his campaign staff.

"It is disturbing that the Hatch campaign is claiming scheduling conflicts," Paul Boehm, a Howell spokesman, said in a statement calling for more debate time. "Sen. Hatch was able to arrange his schedule to debate repeatedly in front of people in Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

"It is wrong to suggest that he cannot find the time to stand before the people of Utah, from Cache Valley to southern Utah, and explain why they should keep him in Washington for 30 years. This is the format he himself suggested as the best way for the people to make their choice," Boehm said.

A veteran's punch