On UnHatching a flip-flop..

From here:

February 14, 2006

Mike Hatch Flip-Flops on Campaign Debates

1994: Candidate Hatch Stressed Importance Of Debates, Challenged Opponents To Eight Statewide Debates. “DFL gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch challenged his competitors Monday to a series of debates in each of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts. Hatch proposed debates on health care, higher education, K-12 education, government reform and efficiency, crime, environment, rural economic development and welfare reform. ‘These forums will enable voters to better focus on each candidate’s familiarity with mainstream issues,’ he said in a news release.”  (Staff Writer and Associated Press, “Hatch Suggests DFL Gubernatorial Debates,” Star Tribune, June 14, 1994)

2002: Attorney General Hatch Avoided Debates, Said One Debate Was Sufficient. “Republican Tom Kelly is challenging DFL Attorney General Mike Hatch to a series of debates on reform of the legal system and other issues, but Hatch is having none of it. His spokeswoman, Leslie Sandberg, said Hatch will face off with all his election opponents on Twin Cities Public Television’s ‘Almanac’ next month. ‘We feel that appearance will be sufficient,’ she said.” (Conrad deFiebre and Mark Brunswick and Robert Whereatt, “Campaign Notebook,” Star Tribune, September 30, 2002)

2006: DFLers Question Why Hatch Repeatedly Misses Gubernatorial Candidate Forums. “Doran, Kelley and Lourey have now appeared at several candidate forums together, but they have yet to share the stage with the fourth Democrat in the race, Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch’s office said the Business Democrats’ event conflicted with a conference call on a prospective pharmaceutical lawsuit. But some Democrats are questioning whether it’s part of a deliberate strategy to stay above the fray. … Hatch’s campaign says the attorney general focuses first on his full-time job.”(Laura McCallum, “Hatch Keeping Low Profile As Competitors Score Points At Business Forum,” Minnesota Public Radio Website,

Interesting... as this is further underscored by Mr. Hatch's conveniently missing a very recent DFL gubernatorial forum.



(Filed under elections)