Mike Hatch: Campaign Begins

06/12/2006

Dear Fellow Minnesotan:

We have now secured the endorsement of the Democratic Party, and our campaign to take back Minnesota begins.

People from throughout our nation have looked to Minnesota as a beacon of prosperity for America.  There was a time when we had the highest high school graduation rates, the lowest unemployment rate, and when our employees made more money than all but a few East Coast states.  We were the world leader for health care, the silicon prairie of computer technology, and the fourth largest financial center.

Under Governor Tim Pawlenty, we have dropped from first in school technology to 49th place.  We dropped from fifth in classroom size to 38th in rank.  For the first time in recent history, we are behind the national average in job production, and we have fallen out of the top ten states as a leader in bio-science development. Under Governor Pawlenty, both health insurance premiums and college tuition have skyrocketed by 50 percent .

And the best the Governor can do is rant.  He sent a letter to Republican delegates with a narrow vision limited to gay marriage and abortion.  His letter made no mention of positioning Minnesota to be competitive in a global economy or of our energy crisis, the cost of higher education, the need for bioscience advancement, the availability and affordability of health care, the promise of stem cell research, or putting our young people to work.

The most recent polls show us with a very narrow lead over the Governor, with the third party candidate getting six percent of the vote and 14 percent being undecided.  Those who are undecided are not happy with the Governor but need to know more about me.  The Governor’s strategy is to try to twist this campaign into a “fire up the base” contest where the millions of Minnesotans who are in the middle get left out of the process.

We can do better for our great state.  As Attorney General I have stood for the proposition that no one is so influential that they are above the law or so inconsequential that they are beneath its protection.  In contrast, Governor Pawlenty has stood for the proposition that the purpose of government is to enrich those who already have much.  I want to unite this state in a quest for economic greatness, while Mr. Pawlenty wants to divide it in the mire of moral superiority.

Those whose conduct I have called into question over the years, I’m sure, have said many things about me.  But nobody has ever accused me of being timid or settling for second best.  And I won’t settle for Minnesota being second best if I’m elected governor .

This campaign will cost a lot of money.  The current administration may be radical in its politics, but it is extremely well-financed.  It will try to use this money to divide our citizens over moral fault lines.  I need your financial help to keep the focus of this campaign on “bread and butter” issues like education, health care, transportation, and jobs.

We know you have been generous in the past, and we wouldn’t ask for your help again but for the need to respond to the Governor.  There has never been a more important time to contribute.  Please contribute what you can to our campaign on-line today.  Your financial support will help us send our message across this State that a better future for all Minnesotans is on the way.  Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Mike Hatch