Cramer announces town hall campaign tour

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Kevin Cramer

FARGO – Republican U.S. House candidate Kevin Cramer plans to hold several town hall meetings during the next couple weeks as part of a campaign initiative to engage with prospective voters.

“Without the involvement of concerned citizens, Washington will never change,” Cramer said in a statement. “The town hall meeting was foundational in building our young nation, and it remains just as important today.”

“It is representative democracy at its most basic, grassroots level – sharing ideas and concerns with one another and then going out to vote,” he added.

Here’s the schedule of Cramer’s first town hall stops:

  • VALLEY CITY – 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at Vicky’s Viking Room, 253 Central Ave. N.
  • GRAFTON – 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Choice Financial Community Room, 38 West 6th St.
  • ST. THOMAS – Noon Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Fire Hall on Main Street.
  • CAVALIER – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Thompson’s Café on Main Street.

Cramer is vying against five other Republicans for the party’s endorsement this year. He announced last week that he plans to forgo the spring nominating convention and will, instead, seek voters’ support directly through the June primary.

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grande reports $26K in initial fundraising for U.S. House race

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Bette Grande

FARGO – Republican Fargo legislator Bette Grande says she raised more than $26,000 in contributions last year toward her U.S. House campaign, a modest sum compared to other competitors who’ve already announced their totals.

Grande said in a news release her donations included 114 unique contributions from North Dakotans, which is more in-state donors than the other candidates so far.

“When you are not part of the establishment or political ruling class, you raise funds from your friends, family, and neighbors,” said Grande, who’s served in the state Legislature since 1997. “I am not in this race looking for my next public service job; I am on a mission to change Washington.”

Grande faces five other Republicans for the GOP nomination in the House race. Democrat Pam Gulleson and libertarian Eric Olson are also vying for the seat.

Earlier this month, GOP candidates Kevin Cramer, Shane Goettle and Brian Kalk announced their fundraising totals for the last three months of 2011.

So far, Cramer has raised the most toward his campaign, raking in more than $215,000 in donations since launching his bid in early November.

In comparison, Goettle raised more than $119,000 in net donations in little more than a month, since announcing in late November. Kalk began his campaign fundraising about a year ago and reportedly raised more than $150,000 in all of 2011.

Neither Kalk’s nor Grande’s official reports to the Federal Election Commission are yet available on the FEC’s website. Federal candidates have until Jan. 31 to submit their donations and expenses for the last three months of 2011.

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Obama to nominate N.D. energy regulator to federal board

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Tony Clark

FARGO – President Barack Obama is expected to nominate a North Dakota Public Service commissioner this afternoon to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven said in a statement today he recommended Tony Clark as a candidate for the federal appointment.

Clark, who has served on the state PSC since 2000, isn’t seeking re-election this year.

“Tony is a highly capable commissioner, and he will bring a great amount of knowledge and expertise to this position,” said Hoeven, who previously worked with Clark when Hoeven served as North Dakota governor from 2000 to 2010.

“North Dakota has benefitted from his leadership, and now is the time for him to take a national advisory role,” Hoeven added.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell formally offered Clark for Obama’s consideration in the nomination, which is expected this afternoon, Hoeven said. (The Associated Press first broke the story earlier today.)

Clark’s service on the federal board is pending approval from the U.S. Senate, which will vote whether to confirm his nomination.

Hoeven touted Clark’s work on energy regulation in North Dakota, where oil production is booming and wind energy is on the rise. During 10 years with the state PSC, Clark has helped oversee more than $3 billion in new investment in North Dakota’s energy sector, Hoeven said.

Prior to Clark’s tenure with the North Dakota PSC, the 40-year-old served for a time as the state’s labor commissioner and also represented Fargo in the state House for four years during the 1990s.

He also temporarily served as chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party for several months in 2010, when the departure of Gary Emineth left a vacancy before the critical mid-term election.

Posted in Government | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Heitkamp to Obama: Reverse decision on Keystone XL pipeline

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Heidi Heitkamp

FARGO – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp sent a letter to the White House today, asking President Obama to reverse his decision rejecting the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

The 1,700 mile pipeline would usher crude oil from Canada’s tar sands to refineries in Texas.

Proponents of the $7 billion project – including all of North Dakota’s federal lawmakers – say the pipeline will create several thousand jobs and aid in reducing America’s dependence on oil resources overseas.

But Obama said Wednesday a “rushed and arbitrary deadline” set by congressional Republicans didn’t allow for adequate time to review the project proposal.

However, Obama didn’t kill the project’s hopes entirely, saying his decision “is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline.”

The White House will allow TransCanada to submit another permit application for the project, according to the Washington Post.

Nonetheless, Obama’s decision was met with disappointment from North Dakota politicians, including Heitkamp.

In her letter to the president today, Heitkamp cites the economic benefits she believes the project will have on North Dakota and the nation. (A copy of the letter is below.)

However, national Republicans are seizing on Heitkamp’s letter as an opportunity to highlight what they perceive as an attempt to “reinvent herself and hoping North Dakotans will forget that she’s been a proud and loyal supporter of President Obama and his agenda the last several years.”

“No amount of election-year political posturing from Heidi Heitkamp will cause North Dakotans to forget that she has long been a proud and loyal supporter of President Obama and his liberal agenda,” said Brian Walsh, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a fundraising arm for the Republican Party.

Walsh added, “Issues like the Keystone Pipeline make clear why this year’s election is so important: Voters will have a choice between a liberal Democrat like Heidi Heitkamp who believes Barack Obama is ‘amazing’, versus a common-sense, conservative Republican who will help Senator Hoeven restore fiscal responsibility and a pro-jobs agenda in Washington.”

Rick Berg

Heitkamp and freshman Republican Rep. Rick Berg are widely considered the front-runners in this year’s U.S. Senate race, but both are being challenged by other competitors (Democrat Tom Potter and Republican Duane Sand) within their respective parties.

The endorsed Republican and Democratic candidates in the Senate race will be chosen at state party conventions in March.

On Wednesday, Berg also came out against Obama’s decision, accusing the president of “once again putting politics over getting Americans back to work.”

“By blocking the pipeline’s construction, the Obama administration continues to stand as a roadblock to expanding domestic energy production and creating the jobs our nation desperately needs,” said Berg, detailing the benefits of the project, which Heitkamp echoed.

“Rather than playing into election year politics, the President should take a page out of North Dakota’s book and work toward common sense policies that would grow our energy sector, help make America energy independent, and create good American jobs,” Berg had said.

Here is a copy of Heitkamp’s letter to the White House:

Dear President Obama:

I write today to urge you to reverse your decision rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Keystone pipeline would mean billions of dollars invested in our economy when we need it most, and tens of thousands of well-paid construction jobs at a time when too many Americans are out of work.  It would bring new business opportunities for small businesses that would support this huge construction project, from gravel pits to Main Street diners.

Keystone would help lower prices at the gas pump for consumers and small businesses, and help us reduce our reliance on oil imports from the Middle East.  It would allow our Canadian allies to ship their oil to the United States instead of China.

Those are all benefits for my state of North Dakota and the nation. There’s another plus for North Dakota — oil flowing through the Keystone pipeline would mean fewer tankers on our overburdened roads that are becoming increasingly dangerous.

The Keystone Pipeline won’t solve all our energy problems, but it is part of the solution and deserves bipartisan support.

As a former Attorney General for the State of North Dakota, and a current candidate for the U.S. Senate from North Dakota, I hope you will reconsider your decision.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my views.

Sincerely,
Heidi Heitkamp

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Some GOP leaders upset with Cramer’s convention bypass

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Kevin Cramer

FARGO – U.S. House candidate Kevin Cramer isn’t very popular with many in the North Dakota Republican Party establishment since revealing Thursday he’ll bypass the state nominating convention and compete directly in the June 12th primary.

Several district chairmen within the GOP expressed various degrees of frustration and accused Cramer of insulting the traditional selection process. (For other reactions from the political community, read this post.)

Both Republicans’ and Democrats’ district organizations send delegates to attend the parties’ state conventions in March and to help determine who the endorsed candidates are.

“His decision weakens the endorsement process and is a thumb to the eye of each delegate that is willing to take the time to attend the convention,” said District 20 Republican Chairman Larry O’Brien of Mayville.

Receiving the party endorsement guarantees a candidate a place on the June primary ballot.

Candidates can contest the endorsement and still compete in the primary, but whoever wins that battle is the official party candidate eligible to compete in the general election.

It’s rare in North Dakota for well-known candidates to altogether abandon that path.

Cramer, a former party chairman, has participated in the GOP convention process seven times as a candidate: in his three previous attempts to win North Dakota’s U.S. House seat and in two successful elections to the state Public Service Commission, a seat he still holds.

“I am disappointed that Kevin has opted out of the party process that put him in his office,” said District 27 Republican Chairman Paul Owens of Fargo. “The endorsement process is in place to show who is the best candidate.  If a candidate cannot convince their party they are the top choice, their chances of succeeding in the general election are not good.”

Cramer said he knows his decision might not be welcomed by the party base, but he added he expects rank-and-file Republicans will support his move.

“In terms of hard feelings, I understand it, but my conviction to the party doesn’t change,” Cramer said. “Loyalty to a political party is not measured by a commitment to the process, but rather your commitment to principle.”

GOP Chairman Stan Stein said in a statement he was “surprised and disappointed” by Cramer’s decision “but this does not change our operations for the convention.

“(The delegates’ vote) at the convention will determine the endorsed Republican candidate who will receive the full backing of the North Dakota Republican Party,” Stein said. “We will strongly unite behind the endorsed candidate that our delegates choose.”

Cramer said he expects GOP leaders to support the endorsed candidate in the June primary and acknowledged his choice might spark some fractures within the party.

“That’s going to be a little bit stickier for a while, I expect, but I want to do it with respect,” he said. “I don’t anticipate I’ll go to the convention, I can’t imagine I’d go to the district conventions. It’s a hard one.”

Cramer continued, “I don’t want to snub (the delegates) – they already feel like I have, no doubt – and I don’t want to dishonor them, and I already have to some degree, I realize that. But at the same time, I don’t want to go poke their eye either (by attending the convention).”

What do you think of Cramer’s decision? Vote here.

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reaction to Cramer’s decision on skipping GOP endorsement process

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

FARGO – Kevin Cramer’s announcement this morning that he plans to skip participation in the Republican Party endorsement process took many conservatives by surprise, including some of his competitors in the U.S. House race this year:

Brian Kalk

“I remain committed to the selection process that has been the vehicle by which successful Republican Party candidates control all the statewide offices, have large majorities in the State Senate and House, and have two of the three federal elective offices. The delegate selection process is democracy at the grassroots level,” Kalk said in a statement to supporters.

“I believe that the delegates to the State Convention, chosen by their district Republicans, are best qualified to endorse our candidate for Congress,” he added. “I have great confidence in our grassroots Republicans. Their integrity and commitment to our nation, our state, and our party cannot be questioned. Also, they can’t be bought by special interests or out of state money. As a candidate for the U.S. House, I will support the candidate chosen at the Convention. It is the North Dakota way.”

Bette Grande

“My opponent’s decision to ignore the Republican convention has no impact on our campaign,” Grande said in a statement to The Forum.  “We have been and still intend to work hard to win the support of the delegates and win the endorsement of my fellow Republicans in March.  And we are confident that our campaign will win the convention and endorsement because we are the only true conservative with a proven record of defending life, stopping spending, reforming pensions, and taking on the good ole boys network.”

A few minutes later, Grande also made these comments in a note to her supporters:

“Sadly, it’s the same old politics as usual,” Grande said. “No matter how you spin it, this is the arrogance of the establishment ruling class on full display. I admit I am not a politician.  I was not handed a campaign money machine funded by well-heeled supporters.  But the times, they are a-changing.  The people are tired of crony capitalism and buying elections.”

“​If anyone thought that a big fundraising report or bypassing the convention was going to get me to sit down and shut up, well, they don’t know me very well,” she added. “I am in this race to give the people a choice – to give the people a voice.”

Kim Koppelman

“This is not about any one of us; it’s about America’s future,” Koppelman said in a statement. “I will support the nominee of the Republican Convention.  Of course, I hope to be that nominee, but I will support the nominee, regardless, and urge that our party emerge from our convention united, because I believe the stakes are too high and the nation’s future hangs in the balance.”

“The focus of winning at any cost is one of the problems with American politics today.  It should be about principles, restoring America’s greatness and passing on a better future to the next generation, not about any individual’s personal political fortunes,” he added.

“North Dakota has a proud tradition of political parties choosing their nominees through a grassroots process.  Citizens are involved with their neighbors, in precincts and districts, and ultimately, at state conventions.  That’s the representative process, and it has served us well,”  he said. “Republicans should choose the Republican nominee. I hope that my friend will reconsider his decision.”

“We are surprised and disappointed by the decision, but this does not change our operations for the convention. We have a record number of people attending district meetings who are looking to become delegates, and their vote at the convention will determine the endorsed Republican candidate who will receive the full backing of the North Dakota Republican Party. We will strongly unite behind the endorsed candidate that our delegates choose, and we will be successful this November.”

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

VOTE: What’s your reaction to Kevin Cramer’s announcement today?

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

FARGO – Several North Dakota Republicans are sounding off today following news that GOP House candidate Kevin Cramer will bypass his party’s state convention and compete directly in the June primary.

Now’s your chance to weigh in. Cast your vote here and sound off below.

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cramer will forgo GOP endorsement process in U.S. House race

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Kevin Cramer

FARGO – Republican U.S. House candidate Kevin Cramer revealed today he plans to forgo the state nominating convention in March – a game-changing move that bucks the traditional political process for campaigns in North Dakota.

“This is not a business-as-usual election,” Cramer said this morning on AM1100 The Flag, a Fargo-based conservative talk radio station. “While I love my party and I’m a Republican, I’m seeking my party’s nomination and I decided to go directly to a vote of the entire Republican universe in North Dakota, inviting every Republican to participate in this process.”

By not seeking the GOP endorsement, Cramer places all his bets on winning the June primary, which will inherently pit him against whomever the party endorses this spring.

Well-known candidates in North Dakota rarely challenge the party endorsement, let alone skip participation in that process altogether.

Party loyalists have said such a move can fracture – rather than unite – voters in the June primary, which could potentially tip the advantage to another party’s candidate during a pivotal election year.

Cramer said his decision is not intended to divide the Republican Party, but rather allow for more participation in the process, since state endorsement conventions tend to draw the dedicated party base.

“I don’t have any heartburn about the process,” Cramer said. “I don’t have an axe to grind with the Republican Party process. My intent is to open the door for everyone to be involved in the process.”

Besides Cramer, seven other candidates – including five Republicans – are seeking the chance to be North Dakota’s next U.S. representative: Democrat Pam Gulleson, libertarian Eric Olson and Republicans Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk, former state commerce commissioner Shane Goettle, Fargo legislator Bette Grande, West Fargo legislator Kim Koppelman and Minot resident DuWayne Hendrickson.

The rumor mill was churning rampantly Wednesday about Cramer’s expected decision. Cramer did not return multiple messages from The Forum seeking comment, later citing his planned radio announcement this morning.

Cramer’s anticipated move was surprising to many in GOP circles when they heard the news Wednesday.

Several acknowledged, though, it’s also not totally out of left field.

At a debate in December, Cramer and Grande were the only GOP candidates to say they’d be willing to run in the June primary if they didn’t earn the party endorsement.

“I don’t intend to run in the primary if I don’t win the endorsement, but at the same time, I never completely shut that door, because you just don’t know what’s going to happen,” Cramer said in an interview with The Forum last month.

Cramer said this morning his decision came after much thought and reflection, and “it’s a decision I’m really at peace with.”

State GOP Treasurer Robert Harms hadn’t heard of Cramer’s intentions earlier Wednesday afternoon, but he said party leaders were urging all candidates to participate in the convention process and respect the decision of the delegates.

Harms said it would be a risky move for Cramer if the speculation proved true.

“I don’t think it really has much of an effect on the convention process, but I think it’s a potential risk to the candidate,” Harms said. “I’ve always counseled (candidates): If you go outside the convention process, it’s likely the death knell of your political career if you’re not successful.”

Cramer has been campaigning on a platform of electability, arguing he’s the strongest candidate to take on Gulleson and also the best candidate to raise the amount of money needed for a competitive campaign.

Cramer announced Monday he’d raised more than $215,000 in contributions in 2011, the most of the three House candidates to so far report their year-end fundraising totals.

This is the fourth congressional bid for Cramer, a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner since 2003. He previously was unsuccessful when he sought the state’s U.S. House seat in 1996, 1998 and 2010.

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

DCCC targets North Dakota’s House race as one to win

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Pam Gulleson

FARGO – North Dakota’s U.S. House race is on national Democrats’ radar as one seat they aim to win back in November, and they’re rallying behind candidate Pam Gulleson to make that happen.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a fundraising arm of the national Democratic Party, unveiled today a list of 36 districts they’re focusing on in their “Red to Blue” campaign initiative for 2012, and North Dakota is among the targets.

Gulleson, a former Rutland legislator and previous aide to retired Sen. Byron Dorgan, is the lone Democratic-NPL candidate seeking North Dakota’s U.S. House seat this year, and she already has enthusiastic support from the party base.

Being singled out by the DCCC means she’ll also get national party support for her campaign.

“Pam Gulleson is a proven independent voice for North Dakota who will stand up for rural communities and fight to create jobs,” DCCC Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. “Pam is building a formidable, grassroots campaign that offers North Dakota families an alternative to the extreme, out of touch Republican agenda.”

The DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support.

“These candidates are going to be aggressively holding Republicans accountable,” Israel said. “In 2012, House Republican candidates are going to have to defend the indefensible.”

Gulleson is competing against seven other candidates in this year’s congressional race: libertarian Eric Olson and six Republicans: Public Service Commissioners Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk, former state commerce commissioner Shane Goettle, Fargo legislator Bette Grande, West Fargo legislator Kim Koppelman and Minot resident DuWayne Hendrickson.

Posted in Campaign 2012, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Conrad has big goals for final to-do list

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Kristen M. Daum

Kent Conrad

FARGO – With a little more than 11 months until his retirement, North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad has a busy to-do list he wants to tackle before leaving Capitol Hill.

Conrad discussed his top priorities in a meeting on Tuesday with The Forum’s editorial board.

  • Fix the nation’s fiscal problems.
  • Promote energy independence through new national policy.
  • Negotiate and pass the 2012 farm bill.
  • Fund North Dakota flood protection and recovery efforts.

Conrad, who is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, has spent five years spearheading various solutions to address the country’s escalating debt and deficit, a priority he acknowledged is still his biggest challenge.

He said he’s determined to find consensus in 2012 through a renewed ef-fort among a bipartisan group of senators.

“We have to get our economic house in order,” Conrad said. “It’s hugely important to our country.”

Conrad was a member of the so-called “Gang of Six,” whose proposed solutions, like similar ones in recent months, were dead-on-arrival in the face of a highly partisan and deadlocked Congress.

He said the gang has expanded this year to eight members, and he hopes the discussions can lead to a long-term plan Congress will pass.

Conrad said the group is working to draft legislation that would reduce the debt by $4 trillion over 10 years. The package incorporates recommendations offered a year ago by the president’s bipartisan fiscal commission, of which Conrad was also a member.

“There is so much denial on the left and on the right,” Conrad said. “The greatest impediment to getting done what needs to get done is public opinion. … When you get up and say what’s actually happening, it’s not really popular.”

Conrad said no singular solution will be enough to overcome the nation’s fiscal challenges – the biggest being a $15 trillion debt that matches the nation’s annual gross domestic product.

Conrad proposes a solution that mandates both increased revenues and spending cuts in order to bridge the gap and eliminate the debt over time.

“Those who say you don’t have to touch revenue are detached from reality,” he said. The increased revenues must include reform to the country’s tax code, but it could also potentially mean tax increases for the wealthiest Americans, he said.

Conrad said he is negotiating a farm bill this year that he hopes will be beneficial to North Dakota growers.

The current bill expires at the end of this year. He said crop insurance is one of the key areas of importance for farmers.

Conrad said he’s also working with his colleagues to craft a national energy policy that will reduce America’s dependence on undependable and insecure nations.

He repeated his support for the Keystone XL pipeline, a controversial project that plans to usher oil from Canada’s tar sands to American refineries.

Conrad also pledged to continue fighting for funding for the Red River diversion project in Fargo-Moorhead and for the Devils Lake outlets.

He said he wants to ensure recovery dollars also go to flood-stricken communities along the Souris and Missouri rivers, including Bismarck, Mandan and Minot.

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment