Katherine Kersten's Korner

Today, Katherine Kersten turns her kolumn into a blatant Republican media outlet. It's not hidden in even the slightest way: she simply lets Ron Eibensteiner, the former chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, make baseless attacks on Mike Hatch.

The background of the story is as follows: Mike Hatch obtains a letter that he thought was proof of a campaign violation (there is some dispute over whether he took the letter with or without lobbyist Ron Jerich's knowledge). Based on the evidence, criminal charges are filed against Eibensteiner, alleging that he violated campaign finance laws. Eibensteiner is found not guilty.

Now, I'm not saying Hatch didn't act in some pretty questionable ways. A legislative auditor's report found as much. However, Eibensteiner in the column rants and raves without offering any proof. "Eibensteiner is convinced that Hatch saw the letter as political gold, and waited for an opportunity to use it to maximum advantage." It's nice that he thinks that, but where is the evidence? "[Hatch was] consumed with rage and vindictiveness on the stand," Eibensteiner claims. His attorney says "The story here is the abuse of office of the attorney general to satisfy his own ambitions and go after his political enemies." Again, there is absolutely no proof offered, only ridiculous attacks.

I guess Eibensteiner and his attorney have every right to be angry that Eibensteiner had criminal charges filed against him. I also guess that they have the freedom to rant and rave about Hatch, although making serious charges without offering a shred of evidence is something that I would expect a lawyer would know better not to do. But it's pretty sad that Kersten has nothing better to do with her column-inches than to give Eibensteiner a soap box for his
attacks.