Sadly – this losing Minnesota Democrat candidate for Governor Mike Hatch hasn’t realized that value.

ST. PAUL – Defeated DFL gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch has boiled his loss down to three factors, including his running mate's late-campaign inability to answer a question about a blend of ethanol during a swing through greater Minnesota.

Hatch gives his election analysis in a letter sent to supporters Saturday. The attorney general led much of the campaign, but came up about 20,000 votes short of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the end… His letter doesn't mention his run-ins with reporters asking him about Dutcher's gaffe, including exchange where he allegedly labeled a reporter a “Republican whore.”

This is kind of like the kid on the basketball court who complains of a sore knee, or sweaty big toe, a chirping bird, or a breeze out of the west every time he misses a shot – could it be that he just missed, or aren’t as good as he wants us to think.

You be the judge.