THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE LONGSHOT; Senator Hatch Runs With Credentials Far Weightier Than His Ratings
Orrin Hatch
''If  Orrin Hatch  came in third place in the Iowa caucuses  that would be bigger news that George Bush winning '' said James Camp  Mr. Hatch's national political director. ''The headlines would not be that Bush wins  but that  Hatch  takes third.''
 Even Mr. Hatch  said  his  goal was to ''do fourth or better.''
To that end  the Hatch campaign is heavily depending on local newspaper interviews and small-town radio call-in and television talk shows to spread  his  word  since there is no cost.
Speaking  talk-show style  on the same level as the audience rather than from the stage  Mr. Hatch attacked his opponents. ''How many of those people have the experience  yes  the knowledge and the ability to work with Congress and really fulfill all those campaign promises?'' Mr. Hatch asked. ''I understand Congress to the last person. I passed 43 bills in the last Congress. Sure  I can't get everything passed  but  Orrin Hatch  will die trying.''
 He  also said the Democrats in the race  Vice President Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley  were ''far left  and you better understand that.''
It was difficult to tell if  Mr. Hatch  won any converts. Jack Croft said that while he liked what  Mr. Hatch  said on ''our need for more military readiness ''  he  was not swayed enough to vote for  him .
David Holzinger  who said  he  was trying to decide between  Mr. Hatch  and Mr. Forbes  said: ''I came because  he 's a giant in the Senate. I like what  he  said on the ethics of the Clinton administration.''
''If  [TGT]came in third place in the Iowa caucuses  that would be bigger news that George Bush winning '' said James Camp  Mr. Hatch's national political director. ''The headlines would not be that Bush wins  but that  Hatch  takes third.''
 [TGT]said  [TGT]  goal was to ''do fourth or better.''
To that end  the [TGT] campaign is heavily depending on local newspaper interviews and small-town radio call-in and television talk shows to spread  [TGT]  word  since there is no cost.
Speaking  talk-show style  on the same level as the audience rather than from the stage  [TGT] attacked [TGT] opponents. ''How many of those people have the experience  yes  the knowledge and the ability to work with Congress and really fulfill all those campaign promises?'' [TGT] asked. ''I understand Congress to the last person. I passed 43 bills in the last Congress. Sure  I can't get everything passed  but  [TGT]will die trying.''
 [TGT]  also said the Democrats in the race  Vice President Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley  were ''far left  and you better understand that.''
It was difficult to tell if  [TGT]won any converts. Jack Croft said that while he liked what  [TGT]said on ''our need for more military readiness ''  he  was not swayed enough to vote for  him .
David Holzinger  who said  he  was trying to decide between  Mr. Hatch  and Mr. Forbes  said: ''I came because [TGT][TGT] 's a giant in the Senate. I like what  [TGT]  said on the ethics of the Clinton administration.''