He knows them when he hears them: Sen. Orrin Hatch went biblical in a recent interview with Fox News, comparing Democrats to the Pharisees persecuting Jesus Christ when they go after Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. It's reasonable, then, that Hatch took such offense to Sen. Charles Schumer questioning of Roberts during his 2003 appellate court confirmation hearing. Hatch called Schumer's inquiries "dumbass questions." Asked by Schumer if he wanted to withdraw his comment, Hatch refused, saying he felt bad saying it, "but I do know dumbass questions when I see dumbass questions."
Cannon throws water on UFIRE: Utah Republican Rep. Chris Cannon is serious about solving immigration problems.
Actually, make that irrigation problems.
Last week, he declined to debate immigration policy with border bulldog Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., because Cannon had plans to work on his sprinkler system at his home. The event is being organized by Utahns For Immigration Reform and Enforcement, (UFIRE) which has lambasted Cannon. On Thursday, the Utah Minuteman Project offered the services of an irrigation professional to do the work for Cannon so the congressman could attend the debate with Tancredo, a hero to the anti-illegal immigration crowd. "Congressman Cannon appreciates the gesture," said spokesman Charles Isom. "Unfortunately, the answer is still going to be that he is not going to appear on the same stage as Representative Tancredo." Alex Segura, organizer of the Utah Minuteman Project was not surprised, but hoped Cannon "would be man enough" to appear with Tancredo.
Hatch a Hottie? Hatch lost out in a beauty pageant of sorts from a Web site looking for the "Hottest U.S. Senator."
The 71-year-old Utah Republican was one of the top eight contenders who voters could choose from on www.hottestussenator.com, but he didn't make it to the Final Four of hotness. [Illinois Democrat Barack Obama wasn't a choice because the site said he would win too easily; Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh won the just-for-fun contest.]
Hatch says he's shocked to even break into the top ten, but that it was nice just to be in the running. And he couldn't resist giving a plug to one of his top campaign advisers, Salt Lake City clothier Mac Christensen.
"Among the hottest U.S. senators? That's a new one for me," Hatch said. "It must be my Mr. Mac suits and ties that did it."
Bishop's bite: When asked for a comment about the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Rep. Rob Bishop's spokesman Scott Parker didn't hesitate to let everyone know how Bishop feels about the O'Connor's colleagues, at least the more liberal-leaning justices.
"His only comment was that there are four justices currently on the court that he'd like to see retire. O'Connor wasn't one of them," said Parker, who has adopted his boss' slash-and-burn style of humor.
