By Rebecca Houg, staff writer

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau gave a pep talk at the Republican Party&8217;s headquarters at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Main Street on Friday at noon.

About 20 supporters gathered in an effort to welcome the incumbent to Albert Lea.

Getting down to the nitty gritty, Molnau said, &8220;Some of us do know what E-85 is.&8221;

Molnau was referring to Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Judi Dutcher&8217;s slip about the ethanol product earlier this week when Dutcher told a reporter didn&8217;t understand a question about E-85.

&8220;Can&8217;t even comment on it, I&8217;m sorry,&8221; she told the reporter during the interview. &8220;It&8217;s like you&8217;ve asked me the college quiz bowl question. What is E-85?&8221;

The slip has raised concerns by many, including Molnau and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, about Dutcher&8217;s qualifications.

Molnau almost slipped herself about biodiesel in Albert Lea.

&8220;I have to admit I have a &8216;98 Buick so it doesn&8217;t take E-85 but soy, soy, um biodiesel is what we use on our farm,&8221; Molnau said.

She said she knows the importance of producing ethanol and the significance it has in our agricultural community.

Moving on to more pressing issues, Molnau answered questions related to the Job Opportunity Building Zone program. She highlighted the work the governor has done in an attempt to bring more jobs to small towns in greater Minnesota.

Exol General Manager Rick Mummert, was there to voice his concern that the 89 acres of JOBZ land is not as valuable as it should be.

&8220;Iowa is beating us at our own game,&8221; Mummert said.

In closing, Molnau reminded attendees that Governor Pawlenty cares about the state&8217;s rural constituents.

&8220;With Pawlenty, it&8217;s not about where the street lights end in Minneapolis,&8221; Molnau said.

News Release From Rep. Dan Dorman:

Those in glass houses should not throw stones

State Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, responded to the flap caused by Lt. Gov. candidate Judi Dutcher&8217;s comments about E-85.

&8220;The election is next Tuesday and it seems that the Governor and some house republicans are trying to take advantage of the gaff and take the focus off other issues,&8221; Dorman said. &8220;For the life of me, I&8217;m not sure why the Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum and some House Republicans are getting into this debate, I would think Governor Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Molnau should be able to fight their own battles. While I have not seen any internal polls from the Pawlenty campaign, this smells more like politics than policy.&8221;

&8220;The biggest surprise to me is that Gov. Pawlenty would want to highlight and questions the Hatch/Dutcher tickets support of ethanol given the fact that in 2003 Pawlenty tried to gut the ethanol program. I appreciate the governor&8217;s cheerleading for renewable fuels but his words are not backed up by actions and as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words,&8221; Dorman said.

Dorman announced his retirement from the state legislature this past summer following the 2006 legislative session. He is known for his support of ethanol, biodiesel and greater Minnesota.