[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday March 1, 2006 at 6:54am]
Hatch v. Patriot Insider
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch, thought by many the front-runner for the DFL endorsement for Governor, has so far avoided the DFL candidate forum and debate circuit. This is not unexpected nor bad politics. As the front-runner, he has little to gain and much to lose should he slip.
But he did agree to appear on The Patriot Insider (Saturdays on WWWTC 1280 9-11 AM) and, well, it didn't go well for Mr. Hatch in my opinion. Facing the trio of Campion, Yost, and Westover, Hatch found it difficult to argue his positions because the trio would not blindly accept his premises. A couple of his statements got laughed out of the studio, others shown to be severely misleading. Tough as this was, it could have been worse.
Hatch, for example, said our medical costs are double what they should be, at least in Minnesota. Really? What would you cut or close? Salaries? Headcount? Clinics? Hospitals? It would have to be truly Draconian. He later claimed that 45 percent of the cost was administrative, but even if we all paid cash there would still be significant accounting and medical records to keep. Plus, this would undo the cost-shifting that is currently "paying" for the patients without coverage, and that's a DFL non-starter.
Most curiously, though, Hatch didn't talk on the big issues. He focuses on a couple of specific points, as if to suggest that the ability he shows in these areas (!) would naturally carry over to education, the environment, crime, taxes, transporatation, and so on.
In fact, much of the discussion seemed to revolve around his prior job as Insurance Commissioner. He seemed almost excited to discuss it despite his otherwise rather moribund vocal style. He really didn't discuss his performance as Attorney General much at all. His latest proposal on the Meth problem - sue drug companies - came at the end, and was unconvincing at best.
I didn't hear any big ideas. I just heard a policy-wonk still living in the past, probably enjoying his current job more than he would being Governor.
There's no sizzle, not even much steak here. The DFL should remember that Hatch has failed twice before in this quest.
But he did agree to appear on The Patriot Insider (Saturdays on WWWTC 1280 9-11 AM) and, well, it didn't go well for Mr. Hatch in my opinion. Facing the trio of Campion, Yost, and Westover, Hatch found it difficult to argue his positions because the trio would not blindly accept his premises. A couple of his statements got laughed out of the studio, others shown to be severely misleading. Tough as this was, it could have been worse.
Hatch, for example, said our medical costs are double what they should be, at least in Minnesota. Really? What would you cut or close? Salaries? Headcount? Clinics? Hospitals? It would have to be truly Draconian. He later claimed that 45 percent of the cost was administrative, but even if we all paid cash there would still be significant accounting and medical records to keep. Plus, this would undo the cost-shifting that is currently "paying" for the patients without coverage, and that's a DFL non-starter.
Most curiously, though, Hatch didn't talk on the big issues. He focuses on a couple of specific points, as if to suggest that the ability he shows in these areas (!) would naturally carry over to education, the environment, crime, taxes, transporatation, and so on.
In fact, much of the discussion seemed to revolve around his prior job as Insurance Commissioner. He seemed almost excited to discuss it despite his otherwise rather moribund vocal style. He really didn't discuss his performance as Attorney General much at all. His latest proposal on the Meth problem - sue drug companies - came at the end, and was unconvincing at best.
I didn't hear any big ideas. I just heard a policy-wonk still living in the past, probably enjoying his current job more than he would being Governor.
There's no sizzle, not even much steak here. The DFL should remember that Hatch has failed twice before in this quest.