if you reached across the aisle to somebody like orrin hatch he'd pull back a bloody stump. (laughter) >> in the time... he believed this was a greatest country on earth and he believed what brought us together. >> stephen: let's talk about the great man good person dichotomy there because aser just saying we were talking about vice presidential choices over there. >> yes. >> stephen: your dad in 1972 ran as the vice presidential candidate with george mcgovern and they were nice guys! >> they were. >> stephen: pretty much universally heralded as maybe two of the nicest guys in my lifetime who ran for president and they got their asses handed to them. (laughter) in a historic crushing. by richard nixon and spiro agnew two men who even their supporters thought were complete bastards. (cheers and applause) does being a good guy get you ahead in the world of great men? >> well, i think my favorite line from that campaign was what my dad said to george mcgovern after they lost. he said "we may have lost the election but we didn't lose our souls." (cheers and applause) my father d

and orrin hatch said a similar thing to me.rrin hatch was always extremely supportive of the n.e.a. and he said to me, "don't waste your time "coming to visit people like me, "who are going to be supportive all the time, "and don't waste your time "going to see people like dick armey, "who are always going to be "against federal funding for the arts. "go for the fence-sitters. "go for the ones who really don't know "what you're doing with the n.e.a. and what art--in-- for our society is all about." and yet you did not shy away from at least engaging some people who clearly were on the other side. you paid visits to jesse helms, newt gingrich. was that time well invested? i do believe it was in the long run. jesse helms and i-- we must never forget that he's a courtly southern gentleman, and he's not an uncivil person at all in person. he's quite charming, in fact. he and i obviously were going differ on many, many things, but he was an important person and an important person to get to know, to pay attention to. i tried to unde

were indoors anyway.there'' house speaker jjhn boehner testing out the podiuma and utah senator orrin hatchmixing it up with karl rove."i believe in america!"it doesn't take a party insider to figure the week's agendaa selling mitt romney."everything he has ever done e has been successful."a fellow mormon, hatch says that includes romney's faith."he's a christian by every tandard i know. frankly, a great believer in the bible. "do you wish that that had been said sooner though in this campaign cycle?""no i think people understand. you know you judge a person's faith by how they live.""everywhere look i see so many familiar faces."another part of the sales pitch came hundreds of romney's business record in ed - the vice presidential contender's hometown of janesville, wisconsin. "when a people are successful in business, that's aagood thing. that's not something to resent."romneyyis also on thh road crafting his convention speech in new hampshire."i like my speech. i really like ann's speech. our sons are alreedy in tampa and they say it's terrific there, a lot of great friends. and we're lo

people like orrin hatch have been successful even against a very strong challenge. >> no. jennifer duffy. >> there is one senate race i want to touch on. in maine, the candidates is running as an independent. he has said he will not decide what party he will caucus with until after the election. republicans are backing charlie summers. does this mean that when the election is over that republicans will not approach and to be in their caucus a? >> i would always say that on the table. it is fundamentally unfair to your constituents not to tell them what you're going to do if you are elected. it leaves a hazy look that is hard to accept. i think we all understand what is going on. my counterpart at the democratic campaign committee is doing nothing to help the democratic nominee. they expect that the governor will caucus with them. governor kean has a record that i think bears scrutiny in the chamber of congress. he left the stage with a billion dollar debt in a time when people are most concerned about fiscal issues. that makes them somewhat vulnerable. i also believe charl

with more now from the convention, we are joined by utah senator orrin hatch. senator, welcome. to be with you. i always watch you every morning. you do a great jb. >> thank you, senator. that is good to hear. i had already ranted a little bit myself. i admit it. about the dog on the car and the, you know, the stuff that we've talked about and then i happen the look at some of the recent comment that is you made and you referred to it as the meat grinder that is a presidential campaign and i asked judd gregg whether it was worse now and becky and i brought up in the lbj days with goldwater ran him at a kkk rally or something. it's all been hideously nasty and underhanded but that is american politics, isn't it? >> well, i think in a lot of ways it is. it is a lot of fun, too. i think people enjoy it. you know, there comes a time when both sides, they have to get real. they have to talk about what this country needs, what they can do about it and, of course, how we'll pull out of the morass and mess we're in. i think romney's certainly been doing this. >> the other question i had

at 6:20, orrin hatch says says he should step out. do you notice a pattern of who is not calling for todd akin to get out of the race? democrats. it's not just an absence of calls for him to get out of the race, it's unbridled glee over the prospect of him staying in the race. the conservatives want him to get out. fox news pundants telling him to get out. it's all on the right they're saying he should get out of the race. liberals want him to stay, of course they want this guy as the republican candidate in that senate race for obvious reasons. his democrat opponent, senator claire mccaskill is not rushing him either. >> akin won by a comfortable margin. i really think that for the national party to try to come in here and dictate to the republican primary voters that they're going to invalidate their decision, that would be pretty radical and that would be a backlash for the republicans if they did that. >> there is a reason that claire mccaskill is not wearing a it-shirt for him. in the primary, they rap this ad going on and on and

at 6:20, orrin hatch says he should step out. that's what you call a unified front and a fast one. do you notice a pattern of who you weren't hearing from? who isn't calling for todd akin to get out of the missouri senate race? democrats. on liberal websites it's not just an absence of calls for him to get out of the race, it's unbridled glee over the prospect of him staying in the race. the conservatives want him to get out. fox news pundits telling him to get out. fox news hosts telling him to get out. the guy on the internet machine is telling him to get out. all on the right they're saying he should get out of the race. liberals want him to stay, of course they want this guy as the republican candidate in that senate race for obvious reasons. his democrat opponent, senator claire mccaskill is not rushing him either. >> it's not my place to decide. it's the people of missouri and i think that people of missouri have to make this decision. they had a hotly contested primary and todd won by a comfortable margin. i think for the national party to come in here and dictate to the pri

orrin hatch is never what most people would consider a moderate.nk it was 1977, he was the kind of off-the-wall right-winger and over time became, at least somebody who could deal with the other party. >> right. jonathan allen is our guest. he is a senior washington correspondent for politico. you can follow him of course politico.com and his twitter tag is @johnallen d.c. i also wanted to ask you whatile we have you on the line, we have been talking this morning a lot about harry reid calling on mitt romney to release his tax returns and saying he's been told, you know the whole story, there were years when he didn't pay anything at all. mitt romney demand that harry reid put up or shut up. how -- do you think this issue is working for democrats, and what's mitt romney going to do about it? >> i don't think the election is going to turn on this issue. certainly, democrats are continuing to keep up because they take advantage and that they put romney in a box. either he releases the tax returns which may show he doesn't want to or he holds them and

we have senators like orrin hatch, mark u dalt daal, tom udall are mormon.e for mormonism has arrived. a very small number of americans will be bigoted about it. >> you don't see it as an issue in a general election, douglas? >> i don't think so unless mitt romney stumbled into q & a where he started saying something about brigham young or joseph smith that struck a kind of bizarre note to somebody. but he's been very astute at the way he's taken, really, the kennedy route, saying, i am not the mormon candidate for president, i'm the republican nominee for president. and he's been i think following that script pretty well. >> also, wolf, i mean, as you said, in a primary, among some members of the evangelical right or conservative right, they may be skeptical about mormonism, but you have to balance that about their anti-obama sentiment. >> yeah, you do, and i think that the right of the conservatives and the republicans, they are motivated. they are strongly motivated by the fact that they don't want to see the president re-elected. that's what's going to g

>> reporter: well, you know, when i heard orrin hatch say a while ago that he just has to be himself, i thought of a remark that picasso once made when he said, "i had to paint all my life to learn to paint like a child. n-this age of such intense media scrutiny, maybe it's really hard to just be yourself. but i think that's what mitt romney has got to do tonight, and he's got to lay out a coherent vision of where he wants to take this country. >> pelley: the delegates on the floor have just been watching a film about the romney family and we're going to switch now to norah o'donnell down there next to the podium. norah. >> reporter: i've been speaking with advisers to mitt romney who say this is a big speech, a highly personal speech, but i think it will also be a speech that's not judged by its rhetoric but its ability to persuade voters because really that's what this is about, trying to win over voters, especially in those key swing state. look for mitt romney to channel some of the disappointment among voters who say they think president obama perhaps has disappointed them and ha

she endorsed orrin hatch. so, it's a bit of a mixed record.tell you that, the big difference this year, george, is that none -- we have no people in here like o'donnell or engel, there are no tea party candidates getting nominated. >> ted cruz's victory party, they served chick-fil-a. >>> i want to talk about that, ann coulter, we saw those record sales at chick-fil-a. on wednesday. can kind of flacme-out -- what does tell you as the gay marriage going into the election? >> um, it tells me something about polls generally because they keep taking gallop polls, showing gay marriage is so popular, well, every time people have been allowed to vote on gay marriage, that's about in 35 states, it has lost in oregon, in washington and in california. and now you see this guy and i actually what he said, because he made it clear that it wasn't an anti-gay thing. it's genuinely a pro-marriage position to oppose gay marriage. when you see those crowds coming out, i'm sorry -- it makes me suspicious at the polls on the presidential election. >> well, this

i mean, even today or in recent years we have got ted kennedy and orrin hatch coming together for important legislation. and these are not sort of moderate people. they know how to compromise. that's a key lesson of that time, and we should go back. i'd like to read your or see your reporting from then. we should have paid more attention to it. >> ephemeral, as is so much we do. [laughter] but the health care act is another that you look at. why were the seeds -- first of all, the permanent campaign and the august recess had a lot to do with the distrust that really poisoned the atmosphere. the seeds of its eventual lack of support, political support, really were wilt -- built into the way it was legislated, was it not? >> yeah. so i think it's really interesting to compare the tax reform act of '86 with the health care act. that's the way we do it in the book. it's really interesting, read the book. no, here's what i find most interesting, that as hard as it was to do the bipartisan tax reform act which was the major tax reform of the century, it was just as hard to get health care through

i do remember anybody ever describing orrin hatch is liberal, but he was too liberal in their eyes.so there are fewer and fewer. olympia snowe, the wind that we really do bipartisan staff and work with are actually getting beat because they are not right-wing enough. and if that's the party they want to iraq, it's going to be tough to sell to the american public in the future. guys like joe lobiondo, we've adore his tan and will continue to endorse him. he stood with us. dave latourette, we would endorse him. i don't think he's going to run this time. the more moderate ones are sort of falling off and that's a tragedy for the country. the viciousness of politics is really driving the best and the brightest away from politics. you know, why do this? the best and brightest are going into politics like they used to go and that's a real loss for the country as far as i can see. >> michelle. [inaudible] >> we sent a letter to the head of the democratic national committee and republican national committee, a common letter by the way so no one could say we did it to favor one or the other.

was too liberal in their eyes and i don't remember anybody ever describing orrin hatch as liberal there were fewer and fewer. olympia snowe of the ones the were able to do bipartisan stuff if that is the party that they want to dhaka to be tough for them to say for the american future as joe lobiondo, we endorsed him and continue to endorse him don't think he's going to run again this time so the more moderate ones are filing off. the viciousness of politics is driving the best and brightest away from politics. why do this? so the best and brightest aren't going into politics like to use to and that is a loss for the country as far as i'm concerned. >> have you asked president obama to sign off on it? >> we sent a letter to the head of the democratic national committee and the republican national committee. we send them a letter by the way so that no one could say we did it to favor one or the other. we sent it off to them. we sent word to the president we wanted him to sign at and i have no reason to believe he won't sign it. all of those things are in his policy any way. >> on t

i remember not remember when he went describing orrin hatch is liberal, that he was too liberal in their eyes. so there are fewer and fewer. olympia snowe, the ones that were able to do bipartisan staff and work with are actually politics getting beat week as they are not right-wing enough. and if that is the party they want to arbat, is going to be tough for them to sell to the american public in the future. i think guys like joe lobiondo, we've endorsed and will continue to endorse. last to right, c. boettcher at. we endorsed him. i don't think a run again, but the more moderate runs are sort of falling off. politics are driving the best and brightest away from all of those. why do this? the best and brightest are going into politics like they used to administer but alas for the country as far as i can see. >> michelle. [inaudible] >> -- president obama to sign off and has he agreed to a? >> we sent a letter to the head of the democratic national committee and republican national committee. we sent by may, mutter, by the way, so no one could say we did it to favor one or the other. we

. >> we are joined by utah senator orrin hatch. he faced a tough primary. you are running from -- for reelection to read you have a lei from hawaii. where did that come from? >> one of the hawaii women. >> mitt romney, you have known him for many years. what does he need to do tonight? >> he just needs to do himself -- the himself. -- be himself. this is one heck of a guy. he is honest, a good man, a wonderful family man. he has been successful with the utah olympics, the governor ship, he has done a lot. he will do a very good job. his wife did a very good job you do you think the media have been fair in the coverage thus far of mitt romney? >> i have not been watching a lot, but i think it is unfair. we expect that. we know how tough it will be. >> will we hear more about his mormon faith? >> i suspect we will hear some of that. what people need to realize is that, mormons are just trying to live the wonderful teachings of jesus christ. that summarizes our belief. we want to live in accordance with what jesus christ taught. we are also some of the biggest

when arnold schwarzenegger, a child of austrian nazis got elected as the governor of california, orrin hatch came out and said we have to change the constitution so foreigners can be elected. that is the most ridiculous -- it is a non sequitur to politics. these guys -- why would he do that? that was immediately out of the news and everybody forgot. these guys are exactly who they were in the 1930's and they are moving on america. host: thanks. you have probably heard that the war words continues to escalate between the senate majority leader and the romney campaign over the release of mr. romney's tax records. ronnie tells harry reid it's time to put up or shut up. romney on thursday directly addressed harry reid's insinuation that the former massachusetts governor did not pay taxes 10 years -- clearwater, florida, kicking the can down the road is our topic. gasoline is an independent. caller: i would like to comment on the woman that said nothing can get done because of the gridlock. it is. it's about giving the other side kudos. it's like they don't want to abolish anybody can do anything

. >> on behalf of senior senator orrin hatch of the great state of utah, which posted the greatest olympics in history, because of the greatest snow on earth and the impeccable, proven leadership of the drama, and utah, which consistently has the best managed stake in the nation compound this governor ski government out of your pocket, to the great salt lake, 40 votes ously pass a 4 for utah's favorite adopted son, mitt romney. >> utah, 40, romney. >> thurmont, 17 boats -- vermont, 78 votes. >> thurmont, america's first republicm, today road runners and chairs with the gulf states that are being affected by isaac on the anniversary of for not being ravaged by hurricane irene, our sympathies, thoughts, and our prayers, as they recover from what is going on. the great state of vermont is pleased to cast its votes, four four ron paul, and 13 for the team for the times, mitt romney and paul rye and. -- paul rye and. virginia, 49 votes. >> i am governor bob mcdonnell of the great commonwealth of virginia. the cradle of democracy where america began in 16 07 in jamestown, virginia. the home of pa

i don't have anybody ever describing orrin hatch as liberal, but he was too liberal in their eyes. so there are fewer and fewer. i mean, all in peace -- olympia snowe, the ones we're really to do bipartisan stuff, we work with, are actually leaving politics are getting beat because they are not right wing enough. and if that's the party that they want to erect, it's going to be tough for them to sell to the american public in the future. and i think, guys like joe lobiondo. we have endorsed him and will continue to endorse him. he stood with us. steve latourette, we endorse him. i don't think he will run again this time. that's what i say, the more moderate ones are sort of falling off. and that's a tragedy for the country. and the viciousness of politics is really driving the best and the brightest away from politics. why do this? of the best and the brightest aren't going into politics like they used to. that's a real loss for the country as far as i'm concerned. >> on the second bill of rights -- [inaudible] has president obama signed off on it? >> we sent a letter to, one, the

you have an orrin hatch who in the past worked with democrats. >> great example. >> very close with ted right. >> is it the perceived threat of a primary or the real threat of a primary -- >> yes. >> -- that causes guys to go off on the right-hand side. >> one of the worse things to prevent a resolution of the fiscal cliff in december was the loss of dick luger. he was respected, liked and the guy he lost to said -- he's a tea party side. i believe there's too much compromise in washington. the only compromise i want is when democrats surrender to republicans. how -- that is not how the founding fathers set up our system. the good news is america corrects itself. it may correct itself in this election. one of the reasons that we're doing much better in the senate than anyone thought is because the hard right, the pea partea s knocking off candidates and last time that led to the election of democrats in places. >> it's a good point. but senator, i'm glad you're here because we had a discussion before you and van came on and tax rates and my belief that i have argued for passing the buff

there is plenty of examples, orrin hatch and ted kennedy would be one that everyone knows.gree. it's not okay to say you're going to do something and then not do it. unfortunately, the american people can pretty well tell that this president is not going to reach out after the election when he never has another election to face. >> brian: chairman, there has only been one example that i can remember of a compromise over the last couple of years. ron widen and paul ryan came together on some type of co-sponsor reform and i understand there has been blow back on ron wide finance other democrats saying why did you do that? why do you think that republicans should be the ones who should be envisioned as people that are compromised? what evidence do we have that you guys are looking to compromise? >> that's a good question. widen hasn't just been compromising with paul ryan of the he and i were consumer electronics show looking at internet innovation and freedom. so there are people on both sides of the aisle who have a history of coming together. i think he brought up the best

there's house speaker john boehner testing out the podium and utah senator orrin hatch pitching it upca. >> it doesn't take a party insider to figure out the week's agenda, selling mitt romney. >> everything he has ever done, he's been successful. >> oth they will low mormon says th -- he's frankly a great believer in the bible. >> you wish that had been said sooner in this campaign cycle. >> i think people understand. the objective's person faith by how they live. >> i see so many familiar face. >> another part of the sales pitch came hundreds of miles away as paul ryan touted romney's business record in his hometown of janesville, wisconsin. >> when people are successful in business, that's a good thing. that is not something to resent. >> romney is also on the road, crafting his convention speech in new hampshire. >> i like my speech. i really like ann's speech. our sons are already in tampa, and they're saying it's terrific there, a lot of great friends. we're looking forward to a great convention. >> the shortened convention may already be working to romney's advantage, leaving l

republican senator orrin hatch famously admitted in the health care fight that during the george w.uote, it was standard practice not to pay for things, to load them onto the deficit instead. hearing an explanation of that tonight, now that would make for an amazing speech. chris matthews in tampa, ed schultz sitting next to me as well. i want to get your take on this. in terms of what we're going to hear from paul ryan in terms of any distance from the george w. bush years. we talked about whether there is distance to be found on foreign policy, but on economic policy, how much does george w. bush loom here? >> i don't know how he's going to frame and defend his votes, but i can say that i believe that he's been a good soldier to republican leadership over the years because he's a career climber. i think when he gets an opportunity to be in leadership, he will reverse and show the real conservative side that he has always believed in. but to support bush, they had a way of getting in a room and making sure that everybody was on the same page. he wanted to move up in the republican

he's among delegate but also among elected officials like senator orrin hatch. have the house lights up in the convention hall so that people can see that this is the way that mr. romney is walking in. i think that is right that this resembles nothing so much in politics as the walk in to the state of the union. we have just heard from florida senator marco rubio, giving an energetic speech, mostly about his own biography. one of those speeches that re's sort of an insert name speech here. it was not about mitt romney whatsoever. there was half a line about mr. romney's father. it was a generic speech about mr. rubio and good things about the country. he described mitt romney as a special man. but nothing specific about him. so mr. romney will be left to describe himself, describe his image -- stadium s excuse me, not his image but his vision for the country as the country looks on. this is his biggest political moment ever after six years and two campaigns, running for president. after his father ran for president in 1968 and did not achieve the nomination. he