[img_assist|nid=2104|title=U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)|desc=Getty Images Photo|link=none|align=right|width=200|height=296]BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said he had "tears in his eyes" when fellow U.S. Sen. John McCain announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate last week.

"I've been getting calls and emails from women all over the U.S. saying, ‘you know, she's one of us,'" Hatch said as he addressed the California delegation to the Republican National Convention Wednesday morning at a caucus breakfast.

Hatch, who supported McCain's bid for the presidency both this year and in 2000, said he couldn't believe the smear campaign Palin has been subjected to by the media since the announcement.

He also noted that many reporters have highlighted McCain's temper. But the reality of the two candidates is more compelling, he said.

Of McCain: "He's taken on the whole Congress from time to time, and he's won!"

Of Palin: "She knows more about energy than the other three candidates put together."

Hatch said he believes California is a state within reach for Republicans, and added that party members need to work hard for other reasons.

"We've got to fight to win there, and I believe we can win," he said, before ending with, "Let's not let the radicals continue to take over California."