Sen. Orrin Hatch got caught by several reporters just off the Senate floor last week and was asked about a proposal to pay for health care reform by levying so-called "sin taxes," such as an increased federal tax on alcohol.

Hatch compared the sin tax with a tax on soda or other sugary beverages.

"They won't tax beer because, my gosh, how could you possibly do a thing like that?" Hatch said. "All of our college students would go nuts, as well as almost everybody else. Except us poor Mormons."

The reporters chuckled at the statement, prompting Hatch to laud his own comedy skills.

"Most people don't think I'm funny," Hatch said. "And I think I'm really funny."

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Chaffetz for President » Never say never. That's Rep. Jason Chaffetz's philosophy.

After the Deseret News reported last week that the freshman congressman says he has been courted by some GOP delegates to run against Sen. Bob Bennett, we figured we had better ask him about that and a few other spots.

For the record, Chaffetz says he is also not closing the door on running for president, governor, chairman of the Republican National Committee or for a pundit spot on Fox News.

Chaffetz also listed several other spots he "would also not close the door on:"

Host » Wheel of Fortune

After Hours Chef » 5 Guys Burgers & Fries, French Fry Division

Chief Scientist » BYU Sparkling Punch

Coleman Cots » Research & Development

Kicking Coach » Denver Broncos

Tribune Reporter » D.C. Bureau

The last one is taken, congressman, but good luck with the others.

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Not in China quite yet » Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is still awaiting his confirmation as U.S. ambassador to China, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy some good Chinese food. POLITICO's Playbook noted that Huntsman was spotted last Sunday night in a Upenn sweatshirt (his alma mater and that of his dad) eating at Meiwah, one of the best Chinese food locales in Washington.

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Michael Jackson, climate change » Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, made an odd comparison recently on Fox Business channel, saying that passage of the climate change/cap-and-trade legislation was akin to the death of pop icon Michael Jackson.

Fox Business had just reported on Jackson's death when Bishop appeared to complain about the House fast-tracking the energy legislation, reports climateprogress.org:

Host David Asman: Congressman Bishop is there any chance at all that this thing won't pass tomorrow?

Bishop: Well there's hope, we'll see if -- I mean you guys covered a national tragedy today, let's hope we don't give you a tragedy tomorrow as well.

(Asman chuckles)

The House passed the legislation.

Burr and Canham report for The Tribune from Washington. They can be reached at tburr@sltrib.com or mcanham@sltrib.com.