Gov candidate Mike Hatch calls reporter "a Republican whore."

[MnFats]

www.kare11.com




this ain't good for Hatch, even though he probably called it just right....



As the reporter, identified as Scott Wente of the Red Wing Republican Eagle, persisted - asking why Dutcher herself wasn't available for comment - Hatch reportedly said "You're nothing more than a Republican whore. Goodbye."

Leslie Sandberg, spokesman for the Hatch campaign said that Hatch called the reporter a "hack" not a "whore."

A spokesman for Forum Communications, the owner of both the Duluth and Red Wing papers, Don Davis, says the company stands behind the quote, but would neither confirm nor deny if there was a recording of the telephone interview and the offending remark.

Republicans quickly reacted to the story.

"With one word, Mike Hatch offended all of Minnesota," a Republican press release said.

[davidinalameda]

1. he has Kerryitis

dumb ass

[mac56]

31. Knock it off.

You don't know what happened. It's Hatch's word against the reporter.

Hatch may be boorish, but he's also media savvy. Too smart to do something like this.

But of course, it doesn't have to be true. All they need to do is repeat the story enough times, and even good Dems will turn on the guy. Won't they?

[davidinalameda]

32. he shouldn't have said anything

if he's so savvy

[w4rma]

38. The reporter is a Republican hack. Of course the hack will lie about Hatch's words. (nt)

[davidinalameda]

39. I firmly believe in keeping one's mouth shut

if what one is going to say can be used later against one

lord knows that I've found that out the hard way

[mac56]

40. Again I say, knock it off.

Are you really going to take the word of some asshole right-wing reporter over a Dem candidate?

You don't know what actually happened.

All you know is the hype, characteristic of that which would be created by....wait for it...A REPUBLICAN WHORE.

[davidinalameda]

45. I don't know what happened

but he obviously said something that he shouldn't have

do you know what happened?

were you there?

didn't think so!

before I forget-just because someone has a D after their name doesn't automatically make them a candidate for sainthood

there are plenty of asshole Democrats out there

[mac56]

47. "but he obviously said something that he shouldn't have"

Nice objectivity there. Nice job sticking up for the home team.

"do you know what happened? were you there?"

On the phone call? Of course not, no more than you were. In Minnesota, where it's all unfolding? Where everyone sees how the RW is dogpiling on Hatch? Damn right I am.

"there are plenty of asshole Democrats out there"

Sure you're at the right website? You might have taken the wrong turn on the way to Fr...er....to someplace else.

[davidinalameda]

48. that's it

call me a freeper

when you start losing an argument, start calling people names

that's the way to do it!

take a look at my post count-I've been here for a while

just because I think for myself and don't toe the party line doesn't mean that I don't belong here

[mac56]

50. Chill.

And get over yourself while you're at it.

Comments like "there are plenty of asshole Democrats out there" are more characteristic of certain other sites than they are of DU.

If you lived here in MN you'd see what a trumped-up witch hunt this whole thing has become. To buy into the RW bullshit, and jump to the conclusion that Hatch said something out of line, and run with that assumption, AND to state that he's an asshole, are worse than just not "toeing the party line".

And to act all put upon, like a poor beleagured victim, because I called you on it....well, gosh, I didn't know the drama club was meeting tonight.

Have a nice day.

[davidinalameda]

51. chill

you're the one who called me a freeper

I didn't call Hatch an asshole

go back and read my post

reading comprehension is a wonderful skill

[mac56]

54. Mercy me, I'm ever so sorry.

It wasn't "asshole" you called him at all - it was "dumb ass".

"Asshole" is what you called "plenty of Democrats" in a discussion ABOUT Hatch.

Jeepers, how could I have been so wrong?! Naah, you didn't come across like a Freeper at all. Silly me to come away with such an impression. Ever, ever so sorry.

Gess I gotta work'un that ther' readin' comprenshun stuff.

:banghead:

[onehandle]

2. Is there audio to prove this? If not, this is just heresay. nt

[davidinalameda]

3. can you post a better link

[MnFats]

6. this is the first....will keep looking...it's only 45 minutes old...

...'hack' would be a lot less damaging than 'whore' but the Repubs have been trying to cast Hatch as ill-tempered the whole way.
too bad because Pawlenty's a GOP stiff angling for a spot on a national ticket while Hatch wants to do some good things for MN. people.

[msongs]

4. meanwhile, the republicans murder 100,000 + people in Iraq and that's ok

a party with strange family values indeed

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Beausoir]

5. I see nothing on that link. I seriously doubt this happened.

Hack, maybe...but not whore.

[bemildred]

7. Link:

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=138260

[Beausoir]

8. Hmmm, newspaper refuses to say if they have audio to back this up.

I'll wait this one out.

[MnFats]

9. thnx...but notice the station has rephrased its story..

...before it said he used the word "whore' now it's 'what did he call reporter?"
backtracking...?

[bemildred]

10. That headline cracks me up.

"Hack or whore?". "Why not both?" is what I say.

[gr8dane_daddy]

37. how about whork?

[Beausoir]

11. Yep...the Redwing papers has NOTHING on it...the Duluth paper

claims it was a phone interview. Let's hear the audio.

[54anickel]

43. Oh gads, "The Republicans quickly reacted to the story." Think that

should say "over-reacted".

A group of female Republican lawmakers held a news conference Friday afternoon at the Capitol to complain about the newspaper's report.

"We're not the ones who raised the gender card first, but, I'll say it, 'Republican whore brings it to a new level," said Sen. Amy Koch of Buffalo.

But they sort of did raise the gender card first, didn't they?

The Republican women scheduled the press conference even before learning of the "whore" flap. They had planned to go after Hatch for another statement he made while reacting to the E-85 gaffe.

Hatch was quoted as saying "He just wants to beat up on a woman" Thursday, referring to Governor Pawlenty going after Judi Dutcher on the E-85 fuel issue.

[northernsoul]

12. This is exactly what I was afraid of with Hatch

Jimminy Freakin' Christmas, is the DFL ever going to have a gubernatorial candidate I can actually feel good about supporting?

[zbdent]

13. Did he send his goons out to beat the crap out of the "reporter"?

I don't think so ...

Besides, "With one word, Mike Hatch offended all of Minnesota" ... right ... with one sentence, Hatch offended all WHORES by lumping them in with the asshat reporter ...

[TygrBright]

14. ::sigh:: Unfortunately, Mike Hatch has a long history...

...of fire, ready, aim pronouncements. This is what I feared when I heard that the DFL had given him the nod. Mike is smart and capable, and a bit of an asshole, and that's a combination that Minnesotans seem to like in their Goobs ever since Arne ("Never forget. Never forgive.") Carlson. BUT, Mike is also prone to open-mouth-insert-foot syndrome.

I can only hope this came too late in the process for the MN IRs (Oh, wait, they're not "I" Rs anymore, are they... OK, the MN GOPpies, then) to inflate it into a balloon large enough to obscure everything else at stake.

One consolation is that a good 60% of the rural MN electorate is too busy gearing up for hunt'n season to be watching much teevee at the moment.

wearily,
Bright

P.S. Please, someone in MN, thump Mikey atop the head (not too hard) for me, willya?

[truthisfreedom]

15. he spoke for all of us. the gloves are off. it's time to call spades spades.

i'm not pulling any punches anymore. it's refreshing to see that our Democratic leaders are taking the gloves off too.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. Forum Communications, based in Fargo is always GOP leaning

The Fargo Forum, was one of the few papers to support Gov Pawlenty. I can see this happening at other papers that they own. While they did pick up a couple Knight Ridder papers (Grand Forks Herald for example), they have owned the Red Wing one for a while.

Still Hatch needs to take the high ground and act Govurtorial.

[buddysmellgood]

17. This is genious! Everyone should start saying republican whore at every

opportunity. Makes one think of Foley and Haggard. "Foley and Haggard" ...that sounds like a law firm doesn't it?

[northernsoul]

25. Yes, but as a lawyer, I'm insulted!

Though I bet they could make some great late-night TV ads: "Are you desperately trying to hide your creepy sexual indiscreations? About to be exposed as a hypocrite? Call the law firm of Foley & Haggard!"

[TankLV]

18. No - he offended just the REPUKE WHORES!

Not "all".

Just to clarify.

Way to go Hatch - loved what he said - but then again I'm not running...

Best way to catch flys is with HONEY, not vinegar... as my Mom was fond of telling me...

[NuttyFluffers]

46. but the absolute best way to catch flies is with shit.

i don't know if it happened, sounds like agitprop from a desperate republican noise machine. but if it did happen, it sure makes me smile and makes me wish i could vote for him from way out over here in california.

[yellowcanine]

19. He should apologize for using redundant langguage. Republican = whore so

calling someone a Republican Whore is like saying Whore Whore.

[stillcool]

20. wow...another humanoid?...

speaking off the cuff...They're my favorite. I say no thank-you, to the super-critiqued nether-world, some people aspire. Human is good enough for me. Too bad I'm so out-numbered.

[More Than A Feeling]

21. Is the press release insinuating that all of Minnesota are Repub. whores?

I think that press release is more offensive than what Hatch said.

[enki23]

22. eh. maybe not the best choice of words, but what the hell.

i got my registration handled just in time to vote for him anyway.

[AzDar]

23. Well...a whore is a whore is a whore. n/t

[Lexingtonian]

24. Mike Hatch should apologize to whores

for comparing them to the hacks of the party of lowlife sociopaths, theft, and desecration.

That Republican press release claims that only Republicans are really Minnesota citizens. Can they ever snap out of the bigotry for even a second?

[tinfoilinfor2005]

26. Mike Hatch offended all Minnesota whores.

He should definitely apologize. And to their pimps.

[bemildred]

27. And the honest hacks whose reputation has been dragged in the mud.

:rofl::rofl:

[Another Bill C.]

28. The KSTP Midday news

had a clip in which Mike Hatch called Stanley Hubbard (owner of KSTP TV and radio) a "Republican hack." KSTP is featuring videos of Hatch's remarks on their front page http://www.kstp.com">KSTP. Check out contributions from "Hubbard" in "Minnesota" at http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/index.asp">Open Secrets.

[Pyrzqxgl]

29. Looks like he gets some air time telling it like it is!

[Akoto]

30. I am suddenly reminded of the SNL Jeopardy bit ...

http://imageshack.us>

[fujiyama]

33. How's he doing in the polls?

It looks like the Dem senate candidate is doing pretty well. Hopefully both Dems will win.

[CatholicEdHead]

34. It was very close until this flap happened

All the local media have been all over this. There is really a pro-Pawlenty bias here. One main KARE host, Mike Pomeranz has a tone where you can tell which side he is on and it is not Hatch's. There was a undertone of glee in his voice in all three newscasts today (5,6,10).

There was a final debate on Twin Cities Public TV, KTCA 2, but most people will only get this story. Every point counts and this will end up hurting. :(

[fujiyama]

36. That sucks

I don't really even understand why it's a big deal calling someone a GOP hack or whore for that matter.

I'll admit though, being from MI, I'm more concerned about your senate race though. It's a must keep seat.

[Odin2005]

35. Shit, first the running mate shows his ignorance about E85 and now this?

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[mac56]

41. ummmm.....shows HER "ignorance".

As long as we're on the topic of showing one's ignorance.

[Odin2005]

49. Doh, my bad!

I was typing without thinking. :spank:

[lakeguy]

42. i find it odd that they wouldn't confirm any actual proof of the

exact phrase. no one with hatch's experience is going to say the word "whore" in front of the media. i can believe hack, but not whore.

without the proof, it's just a he said/she said sort of thing but notice who the media believes...and half the posters on this thread.

i believe this "reporter" decided to hear the word "whore" instead of hack and has no proof. the right wing owner decides to stand behind him. someday after the election, when it is too late, it may or may not come out that the reporter "misheard" hatch and he actually did say the word hach, as he stated in response to the accusation.

gov. pawlenty will find some way to repay the owner during his second term.

[mac56]

44. Thank you. Well said.

If you were the reporter, and you had solid proof of this (e.g., a recording), wouldn't you be playing it 24/7?

And I agree with your comment about how half the posters on this thread are buying into the bullshit.

We don't need the RW to attack us. We do that to ourselves very well already.

[Infinite Hope]

52. Well...

Hatch when mad WOULD say "whore." That's the way he is. He isn't "in front of the media." He was sitting in his office on the phone with this particular Republican bonehead.

It's interesting though that Hatch said they had a tape and they refuse to deny it...yet they won't release it to prove themselves right. Maybe Hatch just called their bluff or maybe he really did just say "hack."

[mc jazz]

53. I think that's why he backtracked...

he knew that prostitutes are infintitly more genuine than his nemesis the shape shifting neo-scum!