Tribune’s trashing of Hatch sparks tongue-in-cheek tweet

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah | St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Sen. Orrin Hatch was named The Salt Lake Tribune’s “Utahn of the Year” by its editorial board Christmas Day, but don’t be fooled it wasn’t exactly an honor, as the state’s largest newspaper sharply criticized Hatch and called for him to not seek re-election.

In response, the 83-year-old Republican said over Twitter that he was “Grateful for this great Christmas honor from the Salt Lake Tribune. For the record, I voted for @SpencerJCox and @rudygobert27.”

Spencer Cox is the lieutenant governor of Utah, while Ruby Gobert is a member of the Utah Jazz basketball team.

Hatch’s spokesman, Matt Whitlock, tweeted out Tuesday morning that it was a tongue-in-cheek reply, adding, “This is at least the 4th editorial the Tribune has written in the last two years urging Hatch to retire. Might as well have a chuckle about it.”

So that the meaning of the designation wasn’t misunderstood, the Tribune editorial staff said the “Utahn of the Year” the person who has done the most and had the most impact for better or worse, while also making the most news.

Hatch achieved that criteria by supporting President Donald Trump’s decision to shrink the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments; working on passing of major overhaul of the tax system as the Senate Finance Committee chairman and, as the Tribune states, for the senator’s “utter lack of integrity that rises from his unquenchable thirst for power.”

The Tribune also criticized Hatch’s support of Trump.

Having achieved a longtime goal of seeing the nation’s tax code get an overhaul – which the president signed into law last week – the Tribune called on Hatch to retire:

No matter who turns out to be right about that argument, the fact remains that tax reform has been talked about and talked about for decades and only now has anything been done. And Hatch, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has his fingerprints all over it.

But perhaps the most significant move of Hatch’s career is the one that should, if there is any justice, end it.

Following the tongue-in-cheek tweet, Whitlock further commented on the Tribune’s editorial.

Everyone celebrates Christmas differently. We all sincerely hope the members of the Salt Lake Tribune editorial board find joy this holiday season in something beyond baselessly attacking the service and honor of someone who (has) given 40 years for the people of Utah, and served as one of the most effective lawmakers of all time, just to to satisfy their unquenchable thirst for clicks.

Hatch is currently serving his seventh term in the Senate and has told media outlets he plans on running for re-election, but has yet to make an official announcement.

Hatch’s office has said any announcement will likely come at the end of this year.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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10 Comments

  • DRT December 26, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    GIVEN 40 years to the State of Utah? Somehow, I would imagine that he has been very well rewarded, in income, power, and prestige. I don’t believe using the term “given” is even remotely a correct usage of The English Language.

    • great success December 26, 2017 at 7:59 pm

      Agree DRT!! “Service” is another questionable vocabulary choice. The first person who has benefited from Hatch’s “service” is himself. Nothing like being wined and dined by big money corps!!! Hard to give up the kind of special treatment, perks and bribes he’s gotten used to.

  • utahdiablo December 26, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    Retire these damn lifers in Congress….no one should ever be there for 40 years

  • mesaman December 26, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    Below is a list of your (Dirt, g—-success) accomplishments in this life.
    1.

    • Chris December 27, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      Nolan knows all about government lifers since he is one, never having a legitimate job in his life, stealing from the taxpayers the whole time just like Orrin.

  • 42214 December 26, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    Harry Truman said any politician who leaves office with more money than he came in with is a crook. Hatch’ s net worth in 2014 was 4.96 million if you Google his net worth. That’s good pay for a public servant. You should be proud of him Mesaman.

  • comments December 26, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    orrin is the spawn of SAtan

  • Mr. W December 26, 2017 at 11:27 pm

    No disrespect to seniors but can he really perform his jobs and keep up with the times at 83? Term limits!!!! I don’t care what side of the isle a person is on there comes a point in time when they need to go.

  • Not_So_Much December 27, 2017 at 6:10 am

    Time to enjoy time with your family Senator.

  • hiker75 December 27, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    How do you get people to stop voting for him? Geez…….

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