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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert and Sen. Orrin Hatch will be among the delegation to welcome President Barack Obama to Utah on Thursday night at Hill Air Force Base.
They'll join fellow Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Rob Bishop in a quick discussion upon the arrival at Hill. Hatch appeared on KSL NewsRadio’s The Doug Wright Show Thursday morning and said he welcomes the president with open arms to Utah and doesn't think there's an ulterior motive to Utah being one of the last states he visits.
“You couldn't blame Utah for voting for Mitt Romney last time. But we were the lowest state in support of President Obama, 25 percent,” Hatch said. “South Dakota was next at 40 percent. But he shouldn't hold that against us when the favored son like Mitt is running.”
Many people say they are unsure of what to expect when President Barack Obama visits. Hill Air Force Base has increased security and is finalizing preparations for the 5:30 p.m. expected arrival.
Obama left Washington Thursday morning and went to Joint Base Andrews in Kentucky to discuss the economy for the afternoon, something he plans to address with state officials upon his arrival in Utah.
“You couldn't blame Utah for voting for Mitt Romney last time. But we were the lowest state in support of President Obama, 25 percent,” Hatch said. “South Dakota was next at 40 percent. But he shouldn't hold that against us when the favored son like Mitt is running.” -Sen. Orrin Hatch
Hill Air Force Base is one of Utah’s largest employers and is preparing to receive a F-35 fighter jet this fall. Hatch said he hopes the president is impressed with the facilities at Hill and sees how Hill Air Force Base provides for national security.
Many Utahns are excited the president is finally visiting Utah.
"I think it's cool just because he has to come out, he has to talk to people, show what he’s going to do and clear up some things,” said Tyson Kay from Sunset. “But you don’t know what’s going through his mind."
"He is the president so he deserves respect from people because he is the president,” said West Haven resident Krista Law.
This is a closed event, but KSL will bring you those events live and with team coverage Thursday and Friday.
