• Lobbyist Talks About Hatch's White House Bid
  June 30, 1999

• Analysts Weighing Hatch's Chances For President
  June 24, 1999

• Hatch Confirms Presidential Plans
  June 23, 1999

• Hatch Intends To Run For President
  June 22, 1999

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• Federal Election Commission: Candidate Finances
• MSNBC: The 2000 Presidential Race

July 1, 1999

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch made it an even dozen Thursday, as he announced on a national television show that he's running for the Republican nomination for President. There are 11 other Republicans officially in the race. It's a good bet you've never heard of some of them.

The hope here is that the man from Utah is already well known-enough to run a low-budget campaign.

Larry King, on CNN's Larry King Live, began, "He's a real longshot! Senator Orrin Hatch is here to tell us how he..." Applause interrupted.

The crowd was loud and enthusiastic. But small and cramped, crammed into one of the tiniest rooms ever used for a presidential kickoff.

The candidate on t.v. from Washington, his supporters in Utah, eager for the campaign.

Molly Langston of Salt Lake City told us, "Yeah! I'm excited. I think he has good goals and good aims. And I think he'll reach a lot of them."

Nate Albiston of American Fork said, "He put the family first. I think that would be important to do."
Do you think he has a chance?
"I think he does. You know, maybe a little long at this point. But I think he can do it."

Langston added, "I think he'll make it i think he'll pull it together."

National commentators have written off Hatch's candidacy as hopeless, many days late, millions of dollars short.

Democrats will be kibbutzing from the sidelines.

Meg Holbrook, of the Utah Democratic Party, says, "Well I'm not surprised. I think Orrin's been bored being a Senator from Utah and he wants to move on to other things. I think it's unfortunate that he's announcing on t.v. and not in the state."

Some Hatch supporters pin their hopes on a specific scenario: Nine Republicans quickly fall by the wayside, leaving Hatch in the ring with John McCain of Arizona, and George W. Bush of Texas.

Hatch's finance chairman, Frank Suitter, says, "If we can make this a three-man race... I'll put my money on Senator Hatch."

An early clash over money is expected next week. Developer John Price is bringing Bush to town for a fundraiser.

Price explains, "I believe that it's definitely for George W. Bush to win the nomination. And I believe at the end of the day, I think Orrin will be on board supporting George W. Bush."

Many Utah Republicans have a tough choice: throw more money at a front-runner swimming in cash, or gamble on the long-shot from Utah.

Suitter says, "Senator Hatch doesn't need as much money as George W. Bush. We already know Orrin Hatch. George W. Bush is going to have to spend his $37-million just to tell us what he stands for."

Hatch got a big cheer here in Utah tonight when he said he's coming home before heading off to Iowa and New Hampshire.