Dakota Beacon

Kevin Cramer’s decision to by-pass the North Dakota Republican State Convention and go directly to the people via the state primary with his campaign was met with some cheers, a little confusion - and  a lot of hostility from the entrenched Establishment (even some of those calling themselves “Conservatives”). Some might see it in a different light.  Some might discern the chronic and escalating sickness within the Republican Party in North Dakota. 

Yes, chronic.  This party has been existing, even in a “majority” status, without really being the party of the people of the state.  As a long-time participant in the system and an observer of the pattern that has taken firm hold in North Dakota, I have seen the frustration of those grassroots Republicans and Conservatives grow, year after year.  We have seen this party nominate and actively promote many candidates who are actually left of Democrats.  They are considered by these “experts” as “more electable” than someone representing a grassroots conservative groundswell.  We have seen this party go way out of its way in its determination to recruit someone – anyone! – to advance in place of a candidate they did not personally select.  We saw this in 2010 with the race for U.S. Senate. 

For months, in anticipation of a real scrap with heavily-financed, connected and many-termed incumbent Byron Dorgan, the one North Dakota citizen who dared to throw his hat in the ring was Paul Sorum.  He attended nearly every tea party event across the state.  He boldly set out his views and offered to debate all comers.  He listened to what others said at the rallies and meetings.  For months he was the only man in the state to challenge this ensconced Democrat.  He had an effect.  Suddenly, taking note of the inroads Sorum was making and correctly assessing the disfavor in which his party’s policies were held by the people of North Dakota, and the resonance of Sorum’s message, Dorgan announced his own withdrawal, despite his $5 million campaign chest. 

And what was the GOP’s reaction?  Quick, somebody!  Find out where John Hoeven is hiding!  Get him out here on stage so he can take his bows!  Sorum, not to stand aside, did go to the state’s convention where despite the party’s fix, he drew an impressive 20% of the vote of that well-vetted room.  Now, to understand the importance of this in grappling with what we are generously calling the “Republican Party”, let it be known that Mr. Hoeven, although a sitting governor, came very, very late to politics.  And very unsteadily, we might note.  He first thought about running for office and then thought it might be relevant to choose a party, since it’s the parties who print up the tickets.  First he thought he was a Democrat, and cited his greatest mentors as Dorgan and Heidi Heitkamp, Democrat and former State Attorney General.  Then someone must have whispered in his ear to let him know that it might be easier to win as a Republican.  So then he decided he was a Republican.  But one who severely criticized Republican Governor Ed Schafer, nonetheless.  Once he got that out of the way, it was clear sailing. 

Everyone “in the Party” got behind him.  The bandwagon groaned under the weight of the party elite.  He was the Toast of the Town now and no one dare speak a word against his fair-haired candidacy.  No one ever seemed remotely interested in just what made him such a terrific candidate.  Nor what his political “views” were. That’s up to the rest of us to figure out.  Enough that the elite wanted to rub elbows with this newly minted Republican in the nice suit.  It has taken him all the way to Washington. 

We’ve seen it again and again.  How else can we explain to our saner friends, for example,  the deep GOP attachment to Mark Andrews? 

Now we have three OPEN seats in the next election.  NO INCUMBENTS.  But lots and lots of choices.  And where is the NDGOP coming down?  Surprise!  No debates.  The fix is already in.  Sorum, the stalwart Conservative is supposed to be shown the gate.  That’s the plan, anyway.  We, the voters, don’t need to hear what his views are or how he would govern.  We just need to know what those special “select delegates” Dalrymple is talking to have decided.  Sort of North Dakota’s own “Bilderbergers”.  The Senate seat has already been wrapped and is just waiting for the bow from the state convention for Rick Berg.  We don’t know who has been picked out for us yet for the U.S. House, but Cramer probably was wise, being one of the serious Conservatives, not to bet that the gift was his. 

The surprise package might be chosen by others, however.  The convention might order a la carte this time and choose its own candidates for office.  The people will have a choice this time around, in the case of the House seat at least.  Whoever is selected for the honors in Bismarck will have to prove himself in the arena of public opinion – right down here in the public square with the rest of us “peones”.  Cramer has promised us a voice this time around. 

The “official” GOP would be very wise to insist on debates.  This will be a difficult year in which to elect a Democrat.  It could still happen, but I suggest that this is more likely if the GOP candidate is not seen as “of the people”.   Any candidate who is seen as being forced down our throats will have a much more hazardous campaign in the general election.  Cramer, if he wins the primary, will have established his credentials.  He is already known as a dauntless Conservative; whoever wins the primary will be known as the people’s choice. 

The governorship and U.S. Senate are another matter.  While we can all assume this will be largely a “Republican” year, these two races feature some of the Democrat Party’s first-line candidates.  Heidi Heitkamp has held state-wide office and is known and liked.  If she prevails over Tom Potter she will be a serious contender against the Republican candidate for Senate.  The GOP’s candidate had better convince “the people” that he’s one of them.  The governor race appears to be between Ryan Taylor and the Republican nominee.  That nominee had better be one of the people, too.  Taylor has already let us know that he sees himself that way, and his “shock” at the repudiation of the debate option by Jack Dalrymple is the first shot across the GOP’s bow.  There will be lots more and we can expect a tough fight between the candidates in the general election.

The point of the foregoing discussion is that the ND GOP has been distancing itself from the grassroots increasingly and at some point the Conservative people of the state will rebel.  Not a moment too soon, either. Because not only is this elitist behavior a disservice to the ND voters and the grassroots of the party, it is becoming ever more dangerous to govern our state and country through these party pets.  Party hacks could get away with the “clothespin” approach (“hold your nose and pull the lever”) and get their boys into office, but what happens then?  They end up voting for and proposing more unsustainable spending and more government interference in our economy and private lives, eroding our pursuit of happiness and our freedom.  Can we afford to keep holding our noses? 

The ND GOP must insist that any candidate it supports be willing to debate all comers BEFORE they give him the cigar at the convention.  I would suggest that if Berg is “the man” for the Senate job he should have no trouble exposing his views and his voting record to debate with veteran Conservative Duane Sand.  He seems not to see it that way.  If Jack Dalrymple expects to be handed the nomination for governor without the courtesy of a debate with a serious Conservative opponent, the party will be doing another disservice by accommodating him.  Debate is a constructive way to get the measure of the candidates.  The parties should be trying to field the BEST candidate – not shield their favorite from the scrutiny of the convention delegates and primary voters.  It should be an effective tool FOR THE PARTY ORGANIZATIONS to help them select people who are most fit to govern.

Sally Morris is a member of Americans for Constitutional Government and the Executive Committee of the Valley Tea Party Conservative Coalition.  For the past 48 years she has served the Republican Party organizations in various capacities in North Dakota and Minnesota.  Read her blogs at vtpcc.com.