More Government Subsidies For Suddenly Anti-Big Government Burgum

Over the last week there have been three debates among the NDGOP’s gubernatorial candidates (front runner Wayne Stenehjem attended only one, unfortunately, which is worthy of criticism).

At those debates Fargo businessman Doug Burgum made a remarkable shift in his posturing as a candidate. Suddenly eschewing the dressed-down, jeans-and-sweatshirts look he’s known for in favor of the suit and tie of the politician’s costume he has begun to rail against big government.

He did so during questioning at Valley News Live’s candidate forum.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]I feel like in future articles about Burgum’s various business ventures and the backing they receive from government should mention Burgum’s campaign rhetoric. [/mks_pullquote]

“Career politicians have gotten too cozy with every special interest looking for a handout-and they’ve handed us, taxpayers the bill,” he said during the NDGOP-sponsored debate in Bismarck.

So it’s ironic that the Monday after that week of debates we see a large headline in the Fargo Forum about one of Burgum’s development projects needing $14 million in incentives from local government.

“The Block 9 high rise proposed for downtown would require the city to invest $14 million in a new parking ramp and renovated plaza,” Tu-Uyen Tran reports.

I feel like in future articles about Burgum’s various business ventures and the backing they receive from government should mention Burgum’s campaign rhetoric.

Because it’s a startling contrast.

“I’m a lifelong North Dakotan. When something was broken we fixed it, we didn’t run to the government to fix it,” is something Burgum said in Bismarck last week.

Yet, Burgum’s business model seems to be based on running to the taxpayers to back his various projects.

Politicians who say one thing, and then very conspicuously do another, typically aren’t successful politicians.