ST. PETER, Minn. - Democrat Mike Hatch sought to reassure voters of his expertise on ethanol on Thursday, a day after his running mate drew a blank when she was questioned in farm country about E-85.
Hatch said he's established a clear record on ethanol, including representing one plant in an insurance case while in private practice.
"I know a hell of a lot more about ethanol than Gov. Pawlenty could ever dream to," Hatch said, in an interview aboard his campaign bus.
Hatch found himself on the defensive after a potentially damaging gaffe by running mate Judi Dutcher in an interview earlier this week with KSAX-TV in Alexandria. When a reporter asked about E-85's role in helping small-town economies, Dutcher said, "Can't even comment on it, I'm sorry. It's like you've asked me the college quiz bowl question. What is E-85?"
E-85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol, made with corn, is a growing industry in Minnesota, which has about 300 stations that pump E-85.
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Many of the vehicles in the state's fleet use E-85, and Pawlenty has promoted ethanol during his first term and in his campaign. He pounced on Dutcher's ignorance.
"Boy, you'd really not only have to be in the private sector, but you'd have to be under a rock to not know about ethanol and E-85," Pawlenty said during a campaign appearance Thursday morning in Moorhead.
"The campaign really is a job interview, and she has shown she that she's unaware of one of the most important issues and economic tools for all of Greater Minnesota. And that's E-85 ethanol," Pawlenty said.
Hatch responded, "He's not running against Judi Dutcher, he's running against me. He ought to focus on me."
The KSAX-TV interview with Dutcher was picked up in the Twin Cities by sister station KSTP-TV. Daryn McBeth, the executive director of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, told KSTP he was shocked that a candidate for public office didn't seem to know much about ethanol.
