No, Kevin Cramer Didn’t Call Himself A Criminal

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Written By:
Rob Port

Aug 6, 2012
7:07pm

Under the guise of questioning the ethics of Republican elected officials, North Dakota Democrats have been fighting a war against people who contribute to Republican campaigns. Specifically, money from people who work in the energy industry to members of the Public Service Commission including Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk. All of the contributions they question are perfectly legal, and were 100% disclosed to the public (which is why we know about them), and the complaints about the contributions made by liberal environmental groups to the feds were dismissed.

But this isn’t about ethics. This is about politics.

Anyway, Democrats are now trying to claim that Kevin Cramer referred to himself as a criminal in responding to these accusations. The point of contention is the Associated Press article in which Democrat PSC candidate Brad Crabtree accuses Cramer and Kalk of wrong doing, but also says that he himself isn’t calling for an investigation into the matter (no doubt because Crabtree knows all the contributions were legal and transparent).

“I support wind energy. I support wind development,” Crabtree told The Associated Press on Thursday. “But I do not believe a public service commissioner should be taking checks from a wind developer.”

Crabtree said he will not request a probe.

In response to news that Crabtree won’t request an investigation into what he’s characterizing as ethical misconduct, Cramer points out the absurdity of accusing someone of criminal activity even as you refuse to report the alleged criminal:

Cramer said Crabtree’s donations are funneled through the state Democratic Party to conceal the origin of the money.

Cramer also said that Crabtree should file a complaint if he believes an investigation needs to happen.

“He’s asking for the trust of the people, but he’s not willing to turn in criminals that he knows are breaking the law? That’s pretty pathetic, quite honestly,” Cramer said.

Cramer’s meaning is clear. He’s not calling himself a criminal. He’s pointing out the absurdity of Crabtree making these accusations, but not calling for an investigation.

Yet, bizarrely, some are mischaraterizing Cramer’s comments. NBC affiliate Valley News Live ran an article claiming Cramer called himself a criminal, and North Dakota liberals are posting about it on liberal blogs like Daily Kos as well.

Crabtree, who has made these accusations the centerpiece of his campaign for the PSC, isn’t even serious enough about them to call for a real investigation. Yet, somehow Cramer’s comments are what makes news?

Absurd.