Are North Dakota Candidates Buying Delegates?

• March 10, 2010

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve gotten an earful from readers and listeners about the various candidates buying delegates for the state political conventions. I’ve heard the accusation aimed at just about every single Repubilcan candidate in the race, from John Hoeven and Paul Sorum to Rick Berg and Kevin Cramer.
Is it true? The Bismarck Tribune does some reporting on the issue, but doesn’t really seem to get to the heart of the issue. I wasn’t going to throw in my two cents, because I don’t think there’s a story here, but since the Tribune has opened the issue up I’ll weigh in with what I know.
When I got reports of delegate-buying I asked for names. Rumors are all well and good, but what evidence can there be if nobody is willing to put their name to the rumors? Even in an off-the-record way? I got some names, and when I contacted these people who supposedly had proof of this delegate buying they all claimed that nothing untoward was going on, and that those suggesting that there was were lying.
I spoke to delegates and party officials and a few state legislators all of whom were supposed to know about delegate buying going on, and I got nothing.
So if there’s some fire behind all this smoke, if there’s something to this more than the typical sort of political aspersions candidates cast at one another, I’ve yet to find a single person willing to talk to me about it even in an off-the-record way. And neither, apparently, has anyone else in the media.
My opinion on the matter? I think this is all the product of some vicious rumor-mongering.
Now, to be perfectly fair, the Bismarck Tribune points out that some candidates have paid for delegates to attend the state convention. Kevin Cramer has reported paid for his son-in-law and a couple of friends to attend the convention and is providing a bus for delegates. Is that wrong? There’s nothing illegal or against the rules about it, and Cramer certainly isn’t hiding the fact that he’s done these things. What’s more, there’s nothing stopping other candidates from doing the same thing.
So no, I don’t think that’s wrong. If the practice got more extensive we might have a problem, but I don’t see that we have a problem right now.
Just a lot of faction that’s driving a lot of rumor-mongering.

Tags: North Dakota News, Politics

http://Array Cal Schaible

Rob – I have no problem with one delegate helping another delegate with the cost of attending the convention. As a candidate – I have a problem with them paying for delegates to attend. That presents, n my opinion, a conflict of interest. Candidates and our representatives should avoid even the appearance of impropriety. If one will pay for delegates to attend the convention – how might one bend principle to vote on public policy?
I am also concerned about the developing story on “Listgate.” I will reserve comment however until I get further information.
GF in a week-and-a-half

Whoa, I’ve been ripped off! I’m going to the convention and nobody offered to pay for me!

This is a load of crap being created by the typically hostile liberal media.
Lock ‘em up

“If the practice got more extensive we might have a problem, but I donâ€™t see that we have a problem right now.”

Yeah, as long as it’s only your boy Cramer, it’s all good.
Kim

$300 is nothing “measly”. Not every republican (or potential delegate) is able to afford that at the drop of a hat. I was asked about being a delegate and decided against attending because of finances. Because I believe in paying my own way. I’ll have to settle for being involved at the local level for now.
Brent

So can we pay people not to vote for Fong?
sayanything-3430

Ahhhh…DuWayne, I wish you hadn’t said anything. I just drained my checking and bought…errrrr…I mean recruited 600 Hendrickson delegates:). Nope, just kidding, I spent my money getting 800 delegates for Cory Fong. Kidding again of course…Cory is a good guy and he doesn’t need my help.

It’s an issue for sure. I’m ashamed that I was biting with the rumors. I think it’s just a little paranoia we all get during this time of year. At least I do. I’m strange though, I like this stuff.

My friend had a good point in that we will point fingers at the candidates but it’s OK, if we pay for six or seven of our relatives or friends. I know, I know, the rumors are more than that, but the point is that there is a cost for the bloated Alerus Center (cue Whistler commentary) and for making it a first class event.

Rob handled this the right way instead of jumping around like a rabid beaver like I was doing. If someone knows something then go on record (that means you Heitkamp and you people playing all sides–you know who you are). I learned my lesson with the rumor mill that’s for sure.

Oh and DuWayne, on a serious note. Forget the stuff about Berg or anyone else. Go knock them out with your convention speech. You’re a kind and decent guy. Don’t let the hard days get you down. I’m a Cramer guy and proud of it, but I’m looking forward to your speech and to meet you. I’m proud of you for doing what most of us only talk about and that is getting up there in front of a room full of “experts” and speaking from the heart.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

So can we pay people not to vote for Fong?

Ha!
sayanything-1341

The problem I have with all this is that the Trib article claims some delegates can’t afford the $300 or so it will cost to attend a convention. How does this correlate into a strong economy and the job strength of North Dakota if these folks can’t afford a $300 trip?
sayanything-33600

Don’t PommaBOY, DORKan, and CONrad do this through subsidies? I think we need to look at the big picture here, instead of pointing fingers at petty money, we need to concentrate our focus on eliminating the millions of dollars used to by votes from our current three stooges. Once we take care of that, then lets focus on a measly $300
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

All I’m saying, DuWayne, is that there are a lot of people spreading rumors and nobody putting their names to facts.

If someone wants to get in touch with me and fill me in on some scandalous activity going on I’m all ears. Would love to break that story.

But so far, nobody is stepping up. Which is telling I think.
duwaynehendrickson

Do you still have my phone #. Like I said, I have only the one experience with this comment so I cannot state that I have seen shady dealings. ANd if I knew anything and knew it to be true, it would be turned over to you.
duwaynehendrickson

Well Rob, I heard it in Velva and I took it as a figure of speech, not knowing if it was a true statement or otherwise. But if anything was happening, do you think that any politicians are going to come straight out, ” Yeah I paid that guy 300 bucks or whatever”. But no matter how minute the perk to get someone to attend the convention is an extension of how they will be doing the wheeling dealing in DC. Just another reason why we cannot elect a politician to go to DC..
duwaynehendrickson

I havnt seen an article in the news on it. I had mentioned my experience on a chat last nite on Robs awesome radio show. Only 1374 delegates so far to the convention. I was told that for the 5 minutes of speech time it didnt even matter to show up. The nomination was going to be Berg. I have known all along that I was going to have to get my 300 signatures to get on the ballot. No prob, I got 1000 sigs to get on the ballot for Governor ANd check out my website @ hendricksonforcongress.com

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