Sen. Orrin Hatch is a case study in why you should always read the article before posting
Orrin Hatch (Credit: AP/Alex Brandon)
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, the longest-serving Republican senator in history, woke up on Christmas morning to what he seemingly thought was a flattering editorial about him in Utah’s local paper, The Salt Lake Tribune, which named him the “Utahn of the Year.”
Call it the best “Fake News” snub to date, or simply a smart (albeit slightly misleading) headline: Hatch, one of President Trump’s most stalwart supporters, didn’t absorb the editorial. At all. In a sequence of two tweets, he took to Twitter to voice what appeared to be sincere gratitude for the article, which essentially asked him to retire — “if there is any justice.”
Grateful for this great Christmas honor from the Salt Lake Tribune. For the record, I voted for @SpencerJCox and @rudygobert27. #utpol pic.twitter.com/7iFOBK6TWf
— Orrin Hatch (@OrrinHatch) December 25, 2017
Great editorial from the @sltrib lauding our #TaxReform efforts: Reduction in corporate tax rate will boost the economy https://t.co/CgBcWHxknK #utpol
— Orrin Hatch (@OrrinHatch) December 26, 2017
Twitter followers responded telling him to “read the piece,” calling him a “dope,” and comparing his attention to detail to this piece to that of the GOP tax bill—a Trump initiative he vehemently supported.
You should actually read the piece.
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) December 26, 2017
Guess you you posted this before you read it Erroneous Orrin.
— HopeSpringsATurtle (@HopeSprngsaTrtl) December 26, 2017
You must have read this with the same attention to detail you gave the tax bill. To say it’s an unflattering portrait of you is an incredible understatement.
— David Hudspeth (@djhudspeth) December 26, 2017
Reading comprehension is not your strength I see.
— Dan McLaughlin (@djmlaw1) December 26, 2017
it's almost as if he didn't he even skim the bullet points pic.twitter.com/st9TxcFjHa
— Tweak Softly (@r33lshimslady) December 26, 2017
There’s been no word yet if he’s sat down and read the thing. But as of morning on Dec. 26, he retweeted a tweet from Salt Lake County GOP which agreed that he should indeed be the man of year.
We agree @OrrinHatch should be the man of the year. Our nation sees over 30,000 suicides a year, many that are from veterans. Orrin Hatch made suicide prevention a focus this year. It’s worthy of our respect and gratitude.#utpol
— Salt Lake County GOP (@slcogop) December 26, 2017
In case it wasn’t clear, the Tribune editorial in question is anything but complimentary. In fact, it’s scathing.
The Tribune said that Hatch’s actions will have a serious impact on the lives of all Utahn’s, and specifically condemned his decision to support downsizing two national monuments.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the award is given to a Utahn who has “made the most news” or has “had the biggest impact” either “for good or for ill.”
The piece encourages Senator Hatch to retire.
“It would be good for Utah if Hatch, having finally caught the Great White Whale of tax reform, were to call it a career. If he doesn’t, the voters should end it for him,” it reads.
The biggest lesson in all of this, though? Read the article before you post it.
