Cramer Accuses Gulleson Of Libel And Illegal Campaign Coordination

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Written By:
Rob Port

Aug 31, 2012
1:27pm

In a blistering letter to the editor published in the Fargo Forum, Republican House candidate Kevin Cramer accuses his liberal opponent Pam Gulleson of libel and illegal campaign coordination with Democrat PSC candidate Brad Crabtree:

I want to correct my opponent’s talk of “illegal actions” and “illicit funds” in referring to contributions to my campaign. The people of North Dakota need to know that all donations have been 100 percent transparent, legally declared contributions from individual donors and registered PACs. I have never taken a contribution from a company as my opponent and The Forum claim.

Not only are all of my contributions legal, but Gulleson actually breaks the law by claiming otherwise. She is in clear violation of the state’s corrupt practices law (16.1-10-04) concerning the publication and promotion of false information that is “untrue, deceptive or misleading.” This is a misdemeanor under North Dakota code, and I am sure appropriate officials will look into the matter.

Neither Gulleson nor Brad Crabtree have been able to point to a single instance where I have made a decision in the PSC hearing room that has been contrary to the evidence brought forward and the rules governing PSC decisions. Their behavior may be based on special interests and curried favors, but that’s not how I make my decisions. My hearing record over the past nine years proves it.

Rather than deal with facts, my opponent has willfully misrepresented my contributions and character. She has wrongfully stated I am a defendant in an important lawsuit against the secretary of the interior, and in her letter on Social Security, she has lied to the public about my position.

Even more unsettling, my opponent appears to be coordinating this attack with Democrat Public Service Commission candidate Crabtree’s recent attacks against me. Federal election laws prohibit state and federal candidates from working together in this way. Gulleson’s behavior is disturbing and should sound the warning bell for honest, concerned citizens.

Ouch.

Gulleson certainly had this coming.  Her assertion that Cramer’s contributions are “illicit,” etc., etc. are ridiculous.  As Cramer notes, all of the contributions were from private individuals and registered PAC’s (not companies as Fargo Forum reporter Kristen Daum, among others, has consistently and erroneously reported) and they were all 100% disclosed in accordance with the law.

It is only in the mind of the Democrats that these contributions are “illegal” or “illicit.”  They’ve invented a new standard whereby those who are regulated shouldn’t get a say in who regulates them, but they’re applying it inconsistently.

Democrats don’t like the idea of coal power or wind power interests contributing to PSC candidates, but so far they’re silent about farmers contributing to Ag Commissioner candidates, teachers contributing to Superintendent candidates and insurance agents contributing to Insurance Commissioner candidates.

And if you think limiting all those sorts of contributions sounds absurd, if not an outright affront to the very nature of democracy, you’re right.  It is.  But Democrats are hoping you ignore all that and buy in to what they’re selling anyway.