There's nothing remarkable about finishing last, but don't tell that to Orrin Hatch. Hours after he brought up the rear at the Iowa straw poll (not counting single-digit returns for non-candidates Bob Smith and John Kasich), Hatch issued a press release that is a model of the let's-look-on-the-bright-side genre:
"NEW CANDIDATE HATCH HAS SOLID IOWA SHOWING," the headline read. The senior senator from Utah, the release went on to explain, had "exceeded expectations considerably" with an "impressive showing." In fact, Hatch's showing had been "remarkable," and it was "gratifying we had this kind of support," the senator added. Indeed, even though he was ninth out of nine candidates who entered the straw poll, Hatch's campaign declared his showing to be proof he "can rapidly move up into the top tier of candidates."
Or to put it another way, the only way he can go is up.