UT-Sen GOP Poll Watch: Huntsman 48% Chaffetz 23% Hatch 21%

Looks like Utah voters who threw out GOP senator Bob Bennett last November are in the mood to do the same to Utah GOP Senator Orrin Hatch.

A new Utah Policy poll shows Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, could be fighting off Republicans and Democrats in 2012.

University of Utah political scientist Tim Chambless says Hatch will fight an uphill battle because of age, health and distrust of incumbents.

“There is a possibility that Senator Hatch, the incumbent, would be challenged from within his own party and would be vulnerable to the same fate as Senator Bob Bennett,” Chambless said.

When Hatch is put up against possible Republican challengers he falls behind both former governor John Huntsman, Jr. and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah:

    * 48 percent support Huntsman, who hasn’t said what his plans are for the 2012 election
    * 23 percent support Chaffetz, who has hinted he might run
    * 21 percent support Hatch, who says he’s definitely running again
    * 7 percent said they favor someone else
    * 1 percent said they don’t know

Orrin Hatch who sometimes leans to the left, better shore up his right flank and do some fence mending with the Tea Party folks in Utah or he will be OUT in 2012.