North Dakota Democrats Are Hypocrites On Super PAC Spending
Today Public Service Commission candidate Brad Crabtree (D – Hay Bale) sent out a fundraising plea (full email below) to the North Dakota Democrat Party email list, justifying his need for money with gripes about spending by independent “super PAC” groups.
The email was forwarded to me by a reader.
“I’ve become the target of a Super PAC-funded attack of the kind usually reserved for congressional candidates,” writes Crabtree. “A large sum of undisclosed, unaccountable money is now being spent on radio attacks ads running statewide. They want to stop my campaign to put the public back in the Public Service Commission at this critical time for our state.”
That’s an interesting position to take when Democrats seemingly have no problems with “undisclosed, unaccountable money” being spent supporting them. Crabtree’s fellow North Dakota Democrat Heidi Heitkamp has benefited from over $3 million in independent spending in her race, according to OpenSecrets.org, including over $1 million from a Super PAC controlled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
I’m sure Crabtree doesn’t have a problem with that sort of Super PAC spending. Sort of like how North Dakota Democrats hate oil money in North Dakota politics, unless it’s oil money that’s flowing into their coffers.
It just goes to show that the liberal objections to “Super PAC’s” and other forms of political expression have nothing to do with ethics and accountability and everything to do with a desire to silence their critics.
Tags: Asshats, Brad Crabtree, election 2012, North Dakota NewsDear [Redacted],
The Public Service Commission is not glamorous, but this crucial office will help define the very future of our energy-rich state and the lives of North Dakotans today and for generations to come.
We’re locked in one of the most competitive and important races of this election cycle. The other side knows I can win, so they are pulling out all the stops.
That’s why, for the first time in a statewide race in North Dakota, I’ve become the target of a Super PAC-funded attack of the kind usually reserved for congressional candidates. A large sum of undisclosed, unaccountable money is now being spent on radio attacks ads running statewide. They want to stop my campaign to put the public back in the Public Service Commission at this critical time for our state.
We can win this race — with your support. I need your help right now to counter these attacks with ads of my own that will start on Monday.
Politicians call other people names when they lack ideas and solutions of their own. After months of silence, my opponent has gone on the attack and falsely labeled me as an extremist.
My PSC campaign is focused on commonsense, nonpartisan solutions for things that matter to the lives of our fellow North Dakotans:
Ensuring responsible energy development that respects the rights and needs of local people and communities and leaves a legacy worthy of our children and grandchildren.
Saving North Dakota consumers and businesses money on their utility bills through energy efficiency.
Protecting farmers from growing financial risks of grain elevator bankruptcies.
Adopting new coal technologies to sustain high-paying jobs and communities that depend on lignite coal.
That’s not extremism. That’s commonsense. Please join with me today and stand for commonsense, responsible leadership on the Public Service Commission.The folks paying for these attack ads want business as usual on the PSC. They defend PSC Commissioners Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk who have taken tens of thousands of dollars from the very companies and executives whose projects they approve.
The PSC has come to symbolize everything that needs to be cleaned up in state government, and I’m leading that fight.
I voluntarily pledged not to accept contributions of any kind from regulated companies and individuals with business before the PSC and to report my contributions every month on my website. I’ve challenged PSC Commissioners Cramer and Kalk to account for their improper financial contributions and to explain how they have not violated North Dakota’s bribery law.
Help me end the culture of corruption on the PSC and restore ethical leadership that represents all North Dakotans, not just the folks who sign the checks.
We’re running a small, focused and effective campaign. Your contributions will go directly to advertising and organizing, not consultants and ad agencies.
We can win this race — but I need your financial support. Please contribute today through our website www.CRABTREEFORPSC.com, ActBlue, or by mail at Crabtree for PSC, PO. Box 396, Ellendale, ND 58436-0396.
You can also pick up your Crabtree for PSC yard sign at any Coordinated Campaign office (Fargo, GF, Bismarck, Minot, Jamestown, Valley City, Devils Lake) and get in touch with us to volunteer by emailing crabtreeforpsc@gmail.com.
Thank you for all that you do!
Best regards,
Brad Crabtree
