Minnesota Democrat Blows Up

Mike Hatch’s aggressive reputation showed through for one of the few times in this year’s heated gubernatorial race. Hatch lashed out at Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republicans for attacking his running mate, Judi Dutcher, over a recent incident in which the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party lieutenant governor candidate appeared to know nothing about E-85 ethanol. “This governor is afraid to debate me on issues,” said Hatch, the current attorney general who recent polls show is narrowly leading Pawlenty in the governor’s race. “He wants to beat up on a woman.”Judi Dutcher, Mike Hatch’s running mate in the Minnesota governor’s race, looks on as Hatch speaks during a recent campaign stop. Hatch’s anger overflowed during a morning telephone interview. A Forum Communications reporter asked Hatch about Dutcher’s knowledge of ethanol and why she wasn’t available to discuss the issue. Hatch abruptly ended the interview with: “You’re nothing more than a Republican whore. Goodbye.” He then hung up.