Podcast: “Why Would You Want the Republican Wannabe When You Can Have the Republican?”

“It had nothing to do with complaining about President Trump,” Congressman Kevin Cramer told me today of a recent visit with the Trump administration.

That visit has been characterized by some media reports (which, in turn, were hyped by Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s campaign) as a gripe session from Cramer who is supposedly upset about the President spending too much time being friendly with Heitkamp. Who Cramer, of course, is challenging in North Dakota’s Senate race which has national implications.

“I don’t know that I can ask for more from him,” Cramer added.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]As for Heitkamp’s strategy, posturing herself as a close Trump ally? “Why would you want the Republican wannabe when you can have the Republican?” Cramer asked, rhetorically.[/mks_pullquote]

As for Heitkamp’s strategy, posturing herself as a close Trump ally? “Why would you want the Republican wannabe when you can have the Republican?” Cramer asked, rhetorically.

Secretary of State candidate Josh Boschee, a Democrat, also joined me today for the first time since his erstwhile Republican opponent Will Gardner withdrew from the race in scandal. I asked Boschee about some wondering about his own criminal record, which contains a couple of misdemeanor convictions for alcohol-related driving offenses.

“I’ve said I’m sorry for my driving record,” Boschee told me. “I’ve owned that.”

He also talked about how the dynamics of the race have changed, with Gardner withdrawing and long-time incumbent Secretary of State Al Jaeger likely to be on the general election ballot as an independent. Boschee acknowledged that both he and Gardner were inspired to run for the office by perceived performance problems from Jaeger, but he also complimented the incumbent for his hiring.

“Everyone loves the staff in that office,” Boschee told me. I asked him if he thought that hiring good people might be something which is to Jaeger’s credit.

“Yeah, he’s hired some of the best folks,” Boschee said, though he still feels Jaeger hasn’t done a good job in other areas.

Here’s the full audio of today’s show. If you’d like the audio delivered to your devices daily, get the podcast.

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