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Support for Presidential Candidate Orrin Hatch is as high in Utah as it is anywhere. But it's far from unanimous so far.
That's according to results of a recent KSL-Deseret News poll.
Richard Piatt has more on the results.
The poll shows Orrin Hatch is still ahead in his home state.
But not by much.
It's still going to be a long way to the White House for Utah's senior senator.
Utahns seem to love Orrin Hatch-- as a Senator.
For President, the response is a lot cooler from voters.
Results of a phone poll of 411 registered voters shows the majority think Hatch's bid for the White House is a good idea. In fact, 36 percent say they definitely think it's a good idea.
By contrast, however, outright support for Hatch as a Presidential candidate is not as strong.
Only 29 percent of those same people say they would vote for Hatch if the Primary were tomorrow.
George W. Bush is clearly invading Hatch's home state for support, according to the poll.
The results aren't really a surprise to the state's republican party.
Party leader Scott Simpson says, "The p.r. campaign, the machine behind George W. Bush is significant. It has been without him even campaigning."
Hatch's Utah support is especially strong among people who say they're L.D.S.
66 percent of the Hatch supporters say his candidacy is a good idea.
Only 33 percent of the L.D.S. respondents say they think it's either a bad idea or have no opinion.
The poll also shows that Hatch is getting his strongest support from women, older than age 55, who are college graduates.
Meantime, Utah Democrats in the survey aren't nearly as sure about their favorite candidates yet.
21% percent of those responding say they don't know who they'll support yet.
Al Gore leads the candidates. Nine percent of the Democrats in the survey say he is their favorite right now.
The poll also indicates the most support comes from people who have lived in Utah for at least 10 years.
The most support comes from people who consider themselves 'very conservative.'
