A Real Conservative for Utah

Sadly, Sen. Orrin Hatch has a reputation for being one of the most conservative members of the Senate. The sad fact, though, is that Hatch is a wolf in sheep's clothing. While it is true that Hatch does have a pretty conservative voting record, he has been a real disappointment on some of the most important issues and has even put forward one of the dumbest ideas in recent political memory - and that's saying a lot. Hatch actually suggested that computers storing illegally downloaded music should be destroyed by computer viruses. While I would agree with the Senator that this is a real problem, destroying a $1000+ investment for the evasion of a $2 purchase is beyond silly.

More importantly, Hatch has let conservatives down on two top issues. When President Clinton called Hatch to ask what he thought of a possible nomination of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, Hatch replied that a Cuomo confirmation would be contentious, but that Ruth Bader Ginsburg would sail through. Clinton took Hatch's advice and nominated an ACLU extremist who pays about as much attention to the Constitution as Ted Kennedy pays to his blood alcohol level. Upon the nomination, Republicans promplty followed Sen. Hatch's lead and rolled over, confirming Ginsburg 96-3. Since then, Ginsburg has bulldozed the Constitution to implement her left wing agenda at every opportunity. More recently, Hatch has become a cheerleader for unethical "scientific" research that requires the destruction of innocent human life. Someone who claims to be so ardently pro-life and then advocates such research either doesn't understand the pro-life position or is completely disingenous.

Now, Utahns have the opportunity to replace Hatch with a younger, saner, more consistent conservative. His name is Steve Urquhart and he is the Majority Whip in the Utah House of Representatives. It is testamony to his effectiveness as a legislator that he was elected to the position after just four years of service in the body. Urquhart is the real deal. At a time when Republicans have in many ways become carbon copies of Democrats, Urquhart is not afraid to speak out on the oft-forgotten hallmarks of conservatism, respect for life, smaller government, restrained courts, and national security - including illegal immigration. In particular, he is committed to reducing the control of the federal government over education. He will actively oppose the confused logic of liberals who have not yet realized the plain truth that federal control over education has hampered, rather than improved it, and that throwing federal dollars at the program is more important than giving states and localities control over their schools.

The election of Urquhart would not only serve to replace an old bull, don't rock the boat Republican with a true conservative, but it would have further reaching implications. For one thing, Sen. Hatch would likely be replaced on the Judiciary Committee by Ed Bryant, whom I can assure you would never recommend Ruth Bader Ginsburg for a seat on the Supreme Court. Along the same lines, Urquhart would be yet another vote in the conservative wing of the caucus. If you think that doesn't matter, consider this. Had Steve Urquhart been in the Senate at the beginning of this Congress instead of Orrin Hatch, Sen. Norm Coleman would be the Chair of the NRSC rather than Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who has proven herself totally inept in the position. It would also boost conservatives like Sen. Jon Kyl, Sen. Jim Talent, and this year's excellent freshman class in other important decisions that must be made within the caucus.

Now I know that the establishment types will make the case that Hatch is really a conservative and that it would be risky to have a candidate who would not be ensured of victory. In fact, Utah is as safe as it gets for Republicans. Conservatives won't lose, especially against liberal Pete Ashdown. Ashdown is a tech geek (how many candidates do you know who have eight issues that include "copyright", "patents & trademarks", and "technology"?) What's more, as of June 30, Ashdown had less than $2,000 on hand. The winner of the GOP primary will win the seat and there is no excuse for Utah not to replace Hatch with a true conservative.

Steve Urquhart belongs in the United States Senate. Orrin Hatch does not.