Bush's approval remains in the doldrums

Via Rasmussen Reports' Web site...

President Bush Job Approval
Thursday, May 31, 2007

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Americans approve of the way that George W. Bush is performing his role as President. Sixty percent (60%) disapprove. (see comments on comparing Approval Ratings). Those figures include 17% who Strongly Approve and 46% who Strongly Disapprove.

The President earns approval from 40% of men and 34% of women.

Read on...

Sen. Dorgan weighs in on gas prices

Via USA Today's Web site...

Opposing view: Investigate price gouging
By Byron Dorgan, USA Today op-ed

Let's start with the obvious - there is no free market when it comes to oil.

The OPEC oil cartel dictates production levels and prices. The petroleum futures market is an orgy of speculation that adds substantially to the price of every barrel of oil. The big oil companies themselves are bigger, stronger - and fewer - because of mergers. Real market competition among the oil giants disappeared years ago.

Then there's the issue of refineries and the oil companies that own them. It's odd, isn't it, how the need to shut refineries for maintenance coincides with peak demand?

Read on...

News from headquarters

I'm taking a little time off to enjoy the Memorial Day holiday. That means this blog may not be updated until next Thursday. I apologize for any inconvenience.

I hope you all have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance commemorating all of the fallen soldiers who have served bravely for our country. It's important to keep this in mind, especially after just losing a Wahpeton soldier in Iraq.

More interesting economic news

Yesterday, Jamie pointed out some economic facts about North Dakota he found in the most recent available documents from the State Data Center.

Today, I'm going to share some from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis.

-North Dakota's personal income growth was next to last in the nation in 2006.

-North Dakota's per capita income growth was fourth lowest in the nation in 2006.

-North Dakota's per capita income was last in the Plains region in 2006.

Perception of this data can be good or bad depending on what colored glasses you're wearing. Our governor's glasses seem to be rosy everyday.

Gov. John Hoeven and his Republican buddies can crow all they want about high-paying jobs in this state. The truth is: Not a lot has been done by them to address the low-paying job situation (especially considering the weak minimum wage bill they supported). I'm going to make a big guess here and say this is a big part of the reason why many young people leave North Dakota.

This governor has been around for almost two terms now. There was a two term Republican governor before him. Republicans have mostly been in charge of the Legislature for well over a decade. Hmmm.

-Rick G.

Americans trust Dems

Via Rasmussen Reports' Web site...

Democrats Trusted More Than Republicans on 10 Key Issues
Rasmussen Reports - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Democrats are currently trusted more than Republicans on all ten issues measured in Rasmussen Reports tracking surveys. Democrats even have slight advantages on National Security and Taxes, two issues "owned" by Republicans during the generation since Ronald Reagan took office.

On National Security, 46% now trust Democrats more while 43% prefer the GOP. On taxes, the Democrats have a five point advantage, 47% to 42%. Democrats enjoy double digit advantages on ethics and government corruption, the War in Iraq, Immigration, Education, Social Security, and Healthcare.

Read on...

Editorial by Sen. Conrad on America's new budget

Via the GF Herald's Web site...

VIEWPOINT : A strong budget for America
By Kent Conrad,
Published Thursday, May 24, 2007

WASHINGTON - Late last week, Congress took an important step toward getting our nation's finances back on track. After six years of deficit spending that amassed trillions of dollars of debt on the backs of our children and grandchildren, Congress passed a budget plan that balances in five years without raising taxes.

The plan, which passed with bipartisan support, bolsters our national defense, allows additional funding for children's health care and increases support for our veterans.

This blueprint for America's budget is an important milestone because Congress was unable to pass a budget in three of the last five years. This budget:

-- Improves children's health care by expanding funds available to the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

-- Invests in education by increasing funds for No Child Left Behind and Pell grants.

-- Creates a deficit-neutral $20 billion reserve fund to increase funding for energy, disaster assistance and commodity support in the next Farm Bill.

-- Provides resources to ensure our veterans get the high quality health care they deserve.

-- Restores funding cut by the administration from the COPS law-enforcement program, which has put more than 250 new police officers on patrol in North Dakota.

Read on...

Jamie Selzler's news from headquarters

Fellow Democrats,

This week, Governor Hoeven once again showed that he's not all that interested in taking a strong stand on the minimum wage in North Dakota. During the legislative session, many Democrats worked hard to increase the minimum wage in our state. We have far too many people making sub-par wages, and the Democratic-NPL Party has always fought to improve conditions and pay for working people. The Governor and Republicans in the Legislature pushed through a bill that gives the responsibility for a minimum wage increase to someone else. Real leaders step up and take responsibility to improve things. They don't run away from the chance to do the right thing and hope that someone else does it.

Here are some sad facts about economic conditions for North Dakota's workers:

* North Dakota is tied for first in the nation with the highest percentage of population working multiple jobs. The average percentage of Americans holding multiple jobs is 5.3%, North Dakota is 9.9%.

* 8.7% of North Dakota's children have no health insurance.

* Between 1993 and 2005, North Dakota lost nearly $1 billion in net taxable income due to outmigration.

* North Dakota ranks 37th in per capita income at roughly $29,000. That's over 10% below the national average.

* Personal income growth in North Dakota is only barely outpacing inflation by .1%.

Governor Hoeven's management of economic development in our state is a recipe for disaster. Take the facts listed above, combine them with the incredibly expensive gas bills we're all paying, throw in a side of major businesses in our state closing down or moving operations, and what you will have is a state where outmigration continues, income growth stalls and every aspect of the economy is damaged.

Is it too much to ask that those making the least in our state get paid a fair wage? Is it unreasonable to say that we shouldn't be proud of the fact so many North Dakotans are working so many jobs? Is it a crazy idea to think that we can do better than this? If you are Governor Hoeven or a Republican legislator, you would be saying "yes" to all of those questions. I have another question for those who think we can do better in our state; had enough?

-Jamie

Rep. Conrad raises new questions about prison legislation

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

Prison opinion again called for
By JONATHAN RIVOLI
Bismarck Tribune

A second Democratic state lawmaker is questioning the constitutionality of an off-session panel that was appointed by the Legislature to plan and implement a revamp of the state penitentiary.

Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot, said Tuesday that she has requested an opinion from the attorney general's office on whether the Legislature acted properly when appointing the panel.

Conrad said the action is improper because the panel would be looking at details such as what prison design maximizes efficiency and how such a structure would be staffed. In doing so, the Legislature is stepping over its bounds and infringing on executive branch tasks that should be done by Gov. John Hoeven and the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Conrad said.

"It's way beyond micromanaging," she said. "It's stepping into the governor's area."

Read on...

Arizona Republican lawmaker calls for McCain to step down

Via the Arizona Daily Star's Web site...

Pearce calls for McCain to resign
By Daniel Scarpinato
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona Published: 05.23.2007

PHOENIX — A Phoenix-area Republican legislator called on Sen. John McCain to resign from his seat Tuesday if he continues to miss votes while campaigning for president.

State Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa also said he regrets supporting Sen. Jon Kyl during last year's election because the senator now supports a comprehensive immigration bill — though he stopped short of calling for Kyl's resignation.

"It's about time we start cleaning house if that's what it takes," said Pearce, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

According to the Washington Post, McCain has missed 43 votes, nearly 50 percent of the current Congress' votes. In comparison, Hillary Clinton has missed less than 2 percent of votes and Barack Obama has missed 6.4 percent, according to the Post.

"We need a senator," Pearce said. "I think if McCain wants to be a full-time candidate and not be at the Senate, he ought to consider resigning."

Read on...

News from headquarters

I didn't mention this yesterday, but Ed Schultz is rated fifth on Talkers Magazine's list of "Heavy Hundred" radio talk show hosts in America. Click here to check out the list.

NDGOP spin

Yesterday, North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Ken Karls sent out a curious statement. It regarded Rep. Earl Pomeroy's statements in a recent Bismarck Tribune article about the minimum wage. You can go to it by clicking here.

Here's a part of Karls' diatribe (pardon the grammatical errors - this is how it was posted on the NDGOP Web site):

"Earlier this year all you heard from Congressman Pomeroy and the Democrats was how quickly they were going to raise the federal minimum wage. Now that North Dakota set the ball rolling on minimum wage pending federal action, their representatives in Washington DC dropped that ball and after doing so, blamed the state legislature for their inability to fulfill their own promises.

Well, it's actually President Bush who keeps vetoing minimum wage legislation. I know for a fact that all the members of our congressional delegation support raising the minimum wage and have recently voted to do so.

Karls went on to say:

It is time for Congressman Pomeroy and the Democrats to stop blaming Republicans for their failure to get anything done in Washington DC.

Really? When it comes to federal farm disaster relief, Bush has again and again vetoed legislation. Enough said.

Democrats in Congress are now working on minimum wage legislation again. Let's hope the president doesn't veto it.

Rep. Griffin says more can be done to help N.D.'s young people

Via the Jamestown Sun's Web site...

Education debt load of students needs to be addressed in N.D.
Rep. Chris Griffin - Larimore, The Jamestown Sun
Published Tuesday, May 22, 2007

With North Dakota university students graduating recently, we are reminded of an ever-growing problem that needs to be addressed; the problem of increased student loan debt faced by this state’s college graduates.

North Dakota students are currently coming out of college with the third highest debt load in the country. At the same time, the state, through the Bank of North Dakota, is profiting from this ever-increasing debt load. In fact, earnings from interest on student loans now account for roughly 40 percent of the Bank of North Dakota profits and are projected to add around $25 million to the general fund this biennium. These profits should be used for the benefit of students and not used to grow the state’s already significant surplus.

But this is just a minor problem in comparison to the problem the state faces keeping these students within the state after they graduate. It is difficult to expect college graduates to stay in a state that has historically ranked low in wages, while, at the same time, has the third highest student loan debt in the country.

Read on...

More empty gestures by N.D. Republicans

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

Still no wage hike for N.D.
By JONATHAN RIVOLI
Bismarck Tribune

Amid a joyous atmosphere of smiles and handshakes, Gov. John Hoeven signed a law in early March that called for North Dakota's minimum wage to rise along with the national minimum wage. A federal increase had already cleared both houses of Congress, and its final approval was imminent, Hoeven said at the time.

But two months later, Congress has still not acted on the minimum wage bill, leaving some 21,000 North Dakotans without their promised pay increase.

Democrats, who advocated an immediate state minimum wage increase separate from federal action, see this approach as a missed opportunity.

State Sen. Tim Mathern, a Fargo Democrat who led the charge for a state minimum wage increase, said inaction on the federal level clearly shows that it would have been better for North Dakota to set its own wage policy. He pointed out that neighboring states Minnesota and Montana acted on their own to raise the minimum wage for residents of their states.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said minimum wage earners in North Dakota deserved more than rhetoric and a signing ceremony.

"An empty gesture like the state Legislature passed does not help a single family making minimum wage to add two cents to their buying power," Pomeroy said. "If legislators could find the time to pretend to raise the minimum wage, they could have found the time to really raise it."

Read on...

News from headquarters

Thursday, former Gov. Art Link will be 93-years-old. That's something to celebrate. In fact, there is a celebration you all are invited to. It's at 11:30 a.m. today at the Elks in Bismarck.

The lunch time shindig is also a celebration of his 68th wedding anniversary with Grace.

Link served as North Dakota's governor from 1973-80. He also served in the state House of Representatives from 1946-70 and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1970-72.

According to a Web site produced by the State Historical Society of North Dakota:

As governor, Link favored careful management of the state's natural resources - particularly when the energy crisis caused controversy between those who wished to exploit North Dakota's coal and oil and those who wished to protect the state's environment. North Dakota's agricultural community prospered during Link's administration.

Big Eddie Radio

I've been receiving all sorts of calls inquiring about Ed Schultz' national radio show lately.

Here's a list of where and when you can find the show:

-KFGO 790 AM in Fargo: 9 p.m. to midnight
-KNDK 1080 AM in Langdon: 2-5 p.m.
-Podcasts are available by going to www.wegoted.com.
-Sirius Satellite Radio
-Various Web sites across the Internet

I've been told there are plans to bring the national show to more radio stations in North Dakota. The show is doing very well with nearly 3 million listeners everyday. It's being broadcast on nearly 100 radio stations nationwide.

Dorgan says North Dakota Renewable Fuels Industry Should aim to Produce 1 Billion Gallons Annually

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan said Friday that North Dakota could produce as much as 1 billion gallons of renewable fuels annually within five years, with the aid of legislation he is pushing in the U.S. Senate. He said he is confident the legislation will spark development of new facilities nationwide to produce ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable fuels, and that North Dakota should capitalize on this wave to bring good-paying jobs to the state.

Dorgan, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and a member of the Senate Democratic leadership, said he expects the Senate to consider energy legislation in early June. The bill includes a provision Dorgan championed requiring refineries to produce and use at least 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022.

"I'm determined to build our renewable fuels industry to help eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, and we need to work to ensure North Dakota plays a central role in this new industry," Dorgan said. "I'm confident we'll get this legislation through the Senate to boost the use of renewable fuels. That's good for our environment, good for our rural economy, and good for our nation's security."

Dorgan, who co-hosted the Action Summit with Governor John Hoeven, authored the original Renewable Fuels Standard that was approved by Congress and passed into law two years ago.

Bismarck's Freshman Senator Stood out

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

Potter stood out in Senate
Jonathan Rivoli, Bismarck Tribune

State Sen. Tracy Potter is not afraid to stand out.

He stood out last fall when he was elected as the lone Democrat in Bismarck's delegation in the Legislature.

And upon taking his seat in the ornate Senate chambers, Potter overflowed with ideas and was never shy about sharing his opinion about them.

"He was like a lightning bug," said Senate Minority Leader David O'Connell, D-Lansford. "He got up (to speak) more than anybody."

Read on...

Benefits to new Conrad Budget

Via The Forum's Web site...

Conrad behind budget, citing state benefits
Patrick Springer, The Forum

The budget plan passed by the U.S. House and Senate should yield a whopping budget surplus by 2012, help keep 200 cops on North Dakota streets, and set aside $20 billion for the next farm bill to enable better disaster- and crop-insurance programs, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said Friday.

The five-year budget blueprint predicts a budget surplus of $41 billion in 2012 without raising taxes, said Conrad, who helped shape the agreement as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and the conference committee that worked out the agreement between the House and Senate.

Importantly, Conrad said, the plan restores fiscal accountability by placing the federal budget back on the pay-as-you-go track, which requires spending and taxes to be brought into balance.

Read on...

N.D. Delegation Looking out for ag Producers

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

Disaster assistance priority for N.D. delegation
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Members of the North Dakota congressional delegation say their priorities for a new farm bill include disaster assistance, boosting renewable fuels and ensuring crops in the Northern Plains get as much assistance as those in the South.

Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, all Democrats, say North Dakota has much to gain from a new six-year law.

The last farm law, written in 2002, gives farmers payments and other help to supplement their incomes, support crop prices and manage supplies.

Read on...

Editorial from GF Herald Regarding Prison Process

Via the GF Herald's Web site...

OUR OPINION : Legislating by committee
Tom Dennis for the GF Herald

"No law may be enacted except by a bill passed by both houses." So says the North Dakota Constitution.

Ah, but can both houses pass a law that delegates lawmaking powers to a committee?

Probably not, we suspect; "no law" means "no law." But the final answer could go either way, and that's why Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, and Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, are right to question the constitutionality of an important bill.

Read on...

News from Headquarters

Here's part of a statement from Sen. Byron Dorgan's office yesterday regarding Imation Corp. shutting down its plant in Wahpeton.

"I remain very disappointed that a few short years after receiving substantial grants and government guaranteed loans to expand their plant in Wahpeton, Imation has announced plans to close it.

"It is my hope that Imation will consider repaying the over $3 million in grants they received to expand their Wahpeton plant so that grant funding could be used as the tools and incentives necessary to attract a new company to the Wahpeton region."

Imation Corp. received a lot of funding in loans and grants at both the federal and state level when they decided to expand their Wahpeton plant in 2001. Dorgan said on "The Joel Heitkamp Show" yesterday that he will be introducing legislation to penalize companies that receive government assistance and close plants a short time later. What's really egregious is Imation Corp. is moving many of the Wahpeton jobs to Mexico.

On the talk show, Dorgan also commented on the strange scenario over at the U.S. Justice Department. He believes someone should replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales soon, and that the politics uncovered in that agency shouldn't have occurred.

Congress Passes Conrad Budget

After years of deficit-laden Republican spending, budget hawk Sen. Kent Conrad got his way yesterday. Here are some of the details via a news release from his office:

After years of deficit spending, the budget blueprint for fiscal year 2008 drawn up by Senator Conrad returns the budget to a $41 billion surplus by 2012.

The Conrad budget plan does not include any tax increase. Instead, it supports tax relief that would benefit middle class families - including extension of the child tax credit, 10 percent bracket, and marriage penalty relief - and provides for estate tax reform. The plan also provides for immediate Alternative Minimum Tax relief, preventing about 20 million middle class taxpayers from being hit by the tax.

The Conrad budget passed the Senate 52-40 and the House of Representatives 214-209.

Potter is Appreciated

It was a beautiful spring day in Bismarck yesterday - perfect for a Democratic-NPL get together. About 50 people gathered last evening to honor Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, at Sertoma Park. Forum reporter Janell Cole dubbed Potter as one of the "winners" of the 2007 Legislative Assembly and one of the "freshmen of the year."

Congress Passes Conrad Budget

Via a news release from Sen. Conrad's office...

Washington – The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives today voted to approve a budget authored by Senator Kent Conrad that provides a fiscally responsible plan for the nation while funding the priorities of the American people.

“This budget takes us in a new direction. It gets our nation’s finances back in order and provides a surplus in five years,” Senator Conrad said. “This budget also upholds our responsibilities as a nation. It bolsters our national defense, restores funding for children's health care and supports our veterans, including those soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

After years of deficit spending, the budget blueprint for fiscal year 2008 drawn up by Senator Conrad returns the budget to a $41 billion surplus by 2012.

The Conrad budget plan does not include any tax increase. Instead, it supports tax relief that would benefit middle class families — including extension of the child tax credit, 10 percent bracket, and marriage penalty relief — and provides for estate tax reform. The plan also provides for immediate Alternative Minimum Tax relief, preventing about 20 million middle class taxpayers from being hit by the tax.

“This budget is good for our nation and good for the people of North Dakota,” Senator Conrad said. “Our state will see additional support for our children, our veterans, and our farmers. Hard working middle class families will be provided with some well deserved tax relief. This is a responsible budget, one that balances the books while meeting the priority needs of our nation.”

Today’s approval of a Congressional budget was a notable accomplishment. Congress had failed to adopt a budget in three of the last five years. Senator Conrad became Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee in January.

The Conrad budget passed the Senate 52-40 and the House of Representatives 214-209.

Dorgan Releases Statement on Meeting with Imation Officials

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) released the following statement Thursday after a meeting held yesterday in Oakdale, Minnesota with Imation officials.

The text of the statement is below.

TEXT OF STATEMENT
BY SENATOR BYRON DORGAN

May 17, 2007

“I remain very disappointed that a few short years after receiving substantial grants and government guaranteed loans to expand their plant in Wahpeton, Imation has announced plans to close it.

“It is my hope that Imation will consider repaying the over $3 million in grants they received to expand their Wahpeton plant so that grant funding could be used as the tools and incentives necessary to attract a new company to the Wahpeton region.

“I support the five-point plan that was agreed to yesterday in the meeting between state and local officials and Imation, and I am eager to work with all of you as we try to rebuild the opportunities for the future in the Wahpeton area.”

State Senator Asks for AG's Opinion Regarding Prison Process

FARGO - Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, says he has consulted with the Office of the Attorney General regarding the process of future plans for the North Dakota State Penitentiary.

"On May 2, I asked for an attorney general's opinion because I questioned if it's constitutional for a small group of legislators to ultimately decide if we build a new prison," Mathern said. "I believe this process goes against our state's Constitution. Creating this mini-Legislature that essentially appropriates money is not my idea of government for and by the people."

Legislation passed in the final days of the 2007 Legislative Assembly called for a group of six legislators to decide the future of the state prison. The legislation being targeted by Mathern is Sections 8, 9 and 10 of House Bill 1015. Mathern made an earlier request that the governor veto the legislation.

Members of the prison panel were announced yesterday at the Legislative Council meeting in the state's Capitol.

The group must decide whether to build a new state prison near the same location in Bismarck, build a new prison in a different location or remodel the current facility. The deadline for a decision is June 1, 2008.

The group must also consult with the legislative Budget Section before going ahead with construction.

"Even if the Budget Section has a say in the matter, it skips an important step in the process of our government, that being every district having a say," Mathern said. "This is not Democracy at its finest. Furthermore, I understand there is a group of attorneys working on bringing a lawsuit forward against the state regarding this matter."

Mathern also said he questions whether North Dakotan’s even want to invest in a prison, and now don’t even have a fair say in the process or the ultimate cost.

News from Headquarters

Have you listened to Joel Heitkamp's new afternoon radio show? It's on the air from 2-5 p.m. on KFGO 790 AM and 3-5 p.m. on KFYR 550 AM and KCJB 910 AM. It's definitely worth a listen.

Lately, Heitkamp has been discussing the possibilities of Ingersoll-Rand selling Bobcat Co. and Imation Corp. moving out of Wahpeton. The ramifications could have a huge hit to southeast North Dakota. Both businesses are vital to the area's economy.

Today, Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, will be on "The Joel Heitkamp Show" regarding the backwards process for the future of the State Penitentiary (read the story below). As you know, the Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bill which would give a small group of legislators the ability to make some big decisions in this matter.

Presidential debates

In case you're curious, here's a list of upcoming Democratic presidential debates according to the National Journal's Hotline On Call:

July 23, 2007: YouTube/Google and CNN in Charleston, S.C.

August 19, 2007: ABC in Des Moines, Iowa

September 26, 2007: NBC News/MSNBC in Hanover, N.H.

October 30, 2007: NBC News/MSNBC in Philadelphia, Pa.

November 15, 2007: CNN in Las Vegas, Nev.

December 10, 2007: CBS in Los Angeles, Calif.

As the presidential campaigns roll on, we'll make sure to update you with information such as this on a regular basis.

Dorgan Releases Statement on Meeting with Ingersoll Rand Official

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) released the following statement Wednesday after a meeting in his Capitol Hill office with Gerry Swimmer, a senior official at Ingersoll Rand.

The text of the statement is below.

TEXT OF STATEMENT
BY SENATOR BYRON DORGAN

May 16, 2007

“I met today with Gerry Swimmer, a senior official at Ingersoll Rand, in my Washington, D.C., office.

“Mr. Swimmer told me they intend to either sell Bobcat or spin it off as a separate enterprise. He assured me there are no plans to move jobs outside of North Dakota, and no plans to change the employment at North Dakota’s manufacturing plants.

“I expressed my concern that as they move to sell this company, they pay attention to the importance of North Dakota’s manufacturing plants and jobs.

“This is an enormously successful company and product and it has been purchased by a couple of conglomerates over the years. My hope is in the future, when the sale takes place, it will not in any way undermine the Bobcat operations in North Dakota.

“I expressed this sentiment strongly to Mr. Swimmer, and I told him I will stay in close contact with Ingersoll Rand throughout this process to make sure they understand the contribution our state’s workers have made to the company’s success and the importance those plants to its future.”

News from headquarters

Did anyone watch the Republican presidential debate last night? It was on FOX News and moderated by Wendell Goler, Brit Hume and Chris Wallace. Once you got past that, it was even harder to watch!

Some similarities have become very apparent after watching the last Republican presidential debate on MSNBC. The Republican candidates' message is the same-old, same-old conservative mantra.

On the other hand, the Democratic candidates have a message looking to the future. You may disagree with some of them, but here are a few things I've observed. Our candidates are more diverse. They have new ideas. They have a bold vision for America. They want to take our country in a new direction.

The question then arises: Is the country hungry for a new direction or the same-old, tired policies of Republicans? By 2008, Bushes will have been in charge of this country for 12 of the last 20 years. Think about that for a minute - or just a second.

Democracy?

The panel to decide what to do regarding a new state penitentiary was announced yesterday at a Legislative Council meeting. The group is comprised of four Republicans and two Democrats.

They will decide whether to build a new prison near the same location in Bismarck, build a new prison in a different location or remodel the current facility. The six- member panel will then consult with the 43-member legislative Budget Section for the final plans.

My question is this: Why should six people be able to choose the future of this multi-million dollar project? As Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, keeps saying, this process has created a mini-Legislature. It does not represent the public fairly.

Jamie Selzler's News from the Trail

I write to you this morning from Fargo, where I've spent a few days meeting with party activists from the southeast part of our state. I met with District 22 on Saturday morning. They are in the thick of candidate recruitment and getting ready for next year's campaign. They have a few things up their sleeve planned for this summer that will put them in a great position to start the campaign. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out.

I also spent last evening in Rutland with the District 26 Democrats at their meeting. They had a great turnout and are also already ramping up for next year. They have three great incumbent legislators, but they aren't resting on that! I expect them to work hard getting ready and will be running an impressive campaign next year.

I also spent some time yesterday with our new Field Director. I'm proud to announce that Berrett Gall has accepted this new position with the Dem-NPL. Berrett brings a lot of 'field' experience to the table, having worked on a number of statewide, legislative and local campaigns. You can expect to hear from Berrett occasionally in this space as he travels the state and helps organize districts and train candidates. Now that he's on board to join our efforts already underway, there won't be a part of this state that the state party doesn't spend some time in.

In order to help us continue our work building the party from the ground up, we'd appreciate your help. Many of you reading this are already Century Club members, and I thank you for that. If you'd like to increase your membership level, give additional support, or join the Century Club for the first time, we welcome you to do so here.

Of course, we always are looking to expand our reach with our daily messages. If you have a friend or colleague who would like to hear from the Dem-NPL, please send us their e-mail address, or have them sign up on our website.

Have a great day!

Jamie

Conrad Calls On Community to Weigh In on Farm Bill

Via a news release from Sen. Conrad's office...

Bismarck -- Farmers and ranchers and agriculture leaders from across the region joined Senator Kent Conrad and Ag Commissioner Roger Johnson today for a special hearing to discuss new national farm legislation.

"Agriculture is North Dakota's top industry. It is the engine that drives our state's economy," Senator Conrad said. "We have so much at stake with the new Farm Bill, and I want to make sure North Dakota's voice is heard in Washington, D.C., during the debate."

Today's meeting in Bismarck was the latest in a series of community forums Senator Conrad has organized across the state to gather input from North Dakotans on the 2007 Farm Bill. Earlier today, Senator Conrad met with farmers and business leaders in Grand Forks.

Agriculture is the largest sector of the North Dakota economy, a $4 billion a year industry that employs about one in every five North Dakotans. North Dakota leads the nation in the production of a dozen commodities, including spring wheat, durum, sunflowers, canola, honey and more.

During today's hearing, Senator Conrad said that the 2002 Farm Bill has been very successful and should be used as a starting point for making improvements to the current policy. He detailed initiatives to: enact permanent disaster assistance and reform crop insurance; produce more ethanol and biodiesel from North Dakota crops; further enhance the conservation of the land; and maintain and improve the farm safety net.

A North Dakota State University study shows that current farm programs provide tens of thousands of dollars in additional support to the average family farm. Without these farm programs, many of North Dakota's 30,000 family farmers and ranchers would not be able to remain on the land.

As both Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a senior member of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Conrad is in a unique position to influence the next Farm Bill. Congress is expected to begin debating reauthorization of the Farm Bill later this spring.

"While many challenges lie ahead in this debate, we have a great opportunity to improve the livelihoods of our farmers, ranchers, and our rural communities," Senator Conrad said. "We can strengthen our commodity program, create a permanent disaster title, and increase our domestic energy supply through farming. We can make what is already a good Farm Bill even better."

More on the U.S. Attorney firings

Via the Washington Post's Web site...

Voter-Fraud Complaints by GOP Drove Dismissals
By Dan Eggen and Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, May 14, 2007

Nearly half the U.S. attorneys slated for removal by the administration last year were targets of Republican complaints that they were lax on voter fraud, including efforts by presidential adviser Karl Rove to encourage more prosecutions of election- law violations, according to new documents and interviews.

Of the 12 U.S. attorneys known to have been dismissed or considered for removal last year, five were identified by Rove or other administration officials as working in districts that were trouble spots for voter fraud -- Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee; New Mexico; Nevada; and Washington state. Four of the five prosecutors in those districts were dismissed.

It has been clear for months that the administration's eagerness to launch voter-fraud prosecutions played a role in some of the firings, but recent testimony, documents and interviews show the issue was more central than previously known. The new details include the names of additional prosecutors who were targeted and other districts that were of concern, as well as previously unknown information about the White House's role.

Read on...

Appreciation Picnic to be Held for Sen. Tracy Potter

BISMARCK – The District 35 Democratic-NPL is holding an appreciation picnic for Sen. Tracy Potter at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17. The event will take place at the Sertoma Park Community Center – off of Riverside Park Rd., S. Bismarck.

Food and refreshments will be served.

Everyone from the Bismarck/Mandan area is invited to help celebrate and thank Bismarck’s Democratic-NPL senator, Tracy Potter, for his hard work during the 2007 Legislative Session.

Letter to The Forum about Republican arrogance of power

Via The Forum's Web site...

Other Views: Reject arrogance of power
By Jamie Selzler, Published Sunday, May 13, 2007

Events surrounding the recently adjourned 60th North Dakota legislative session prove that the political balance in North Dakota needs to be restored by electing new leadership in our state. One-party control has led to an atmosphere that includes an arrogance of power by Republican politicians and corruption in a state agency.

First, Gov. John Hoeven, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Republican legislative leaders need to be held accountable for not showing leadership regarding Workforce Safety and Insurance.

Although North Dakota law supposedly states that the governor can’t fire WSI’s chief executive officer, the governor could demand his resignation. Hoeven and Stenehjem have shown no leadership to change this corrupt, rogue state agency in the past, and when it matters most, are not showing leadership now.

WSI has been troubled for years. Republican leadership in this state chose to ignore it. Democratic-NPL legislators introduced nearly 40 bills to address problems at WSI this session alone. They all failed because Republican majorities in both the House and Senate refused to fix the agency. In fact, many Republican legislators like Reps. George Kaiser, R-Bismarck, and Francis Wald, R-Dickinson, protected WSI over and over again on the House floor and in committee.

This incident gave North Dakota a black eye. WSI should not be protected by partisan loyalists. The agency is supposed to help injured workers. That’s not a partisan matter either. I have no doubt that most employees of WSI are good and honorable people, doing the best they can under difficult circumstances, and they, along with businesses and injured workers across the state, would be served best by bringing true accountability back.

Read on...

Iraqi oil missing?

Via the N.Y. Times' Web site...

Billions in Oil Missing in Iraq, U.S. Study Says
By JAMES GLANZ
N.Y. Times

Between 100,000 and 300,000 barrels a day of Iraq’s declared oil production over the past four years is unaccounted for and could have been siphoned off through corruption or smuggling, according to a draft American government report.

Using an average of $50 a barrel, the report said the discrepancy was valued at $5 million to $15 million daily.

The report does not give a final conclusion on what happened to the missing fraction of the roughly two million barrels pumped by Iraq each day, but the findings are sure to reinforce longstanding suspicions that smugglers, insurgents and corrupt officials control significant parts of the country’s oil industry.

The report also covered alternative explanations for the billions of dollars worth of discrepancies, including the possibility that Iraq has been consistently overstating its oil production.

Read on...

N.Y. Times chides Gonzales

Via the N.Y. Times' Web site...

A Feeble Performance
N.Y. Times editorial
5/12/07

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has reportedly begun telling friends and associates that he has weathered the storm over the firing of nine United States attorneys and that his job is safe despite widespread calls for his resignation. We can only hope he is wrong. Not only is the purge of the attorneys extremely serious, it is part of a long chain of evidence that Mr. Gonzales does not have the ability or the moral compass to do his vitally important job.

Consider Mr. Gonzales’s performance the other day before the House Judiciary Committee, where the chairman, John Conyers Jr., framed the questioning with admirable simplicity: who made up the list of prosecutors to be fired, and why? That should not be a hard question. The nine prosecutors who are now known to have been purged — it was eight until the case of Todd Graves of Missouri came to light this week — are nearly 10 percent of all United States attorneys. It defies belief that an attorney general would allow so many top officials to be fired without being well aware of the reasons.

Read on...

Dorgan Releases Statement on Imation After Talks with Company CEO and President

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) released the following statement Friday regarding Imation’s announcement that it will close its Wahpeton, North Dakota manufacturing plant. The statement was issued after a series of telephone conversations between Senator Dorgan and the President and CEO of Imation, Frank Russomanno.

Text of the statement follows:

TEXT OR REMARKS
By U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Friday, May 11, 2007

“I have had a lengthy conversation with the CEO and President of Imation Corporation, Frank Russomanno, in the wake of the company’s announcement that it is closing its manufacturing facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota and laying off 390 workers.

“I expressed my deep disappointment with the company’s decision and asked that it reconsider. He indicated to me that Imation would not be reconsidering the decision, but intends to work with North Dakotans to try to attract another company to that plant.

“In my conversation with the CEO of Imation, I learned that the production from at least 168 jobs at that plant will be moved to Juarez, Mexico, because of lower labor costs. The export of American jobs is more evidence that the global economy is working in a way that hurts American workers.

“In addition, while the company cited the decline in the floppy disk market as a principal reason for closing the Wahpeton plant, I learned that only about 50 of the 390 employees in the plant are working on floppy disk production.

“The news of the plant’s closing is troubling because just six years ago, we worked to get $3.5 million in mostly federal grants and $7 million in a federal government guaranteed loan to help Imation expand its manufacturing plant in Wahpeton, North Dakota in order to support and protect the jobs at the plant.

“Just a few short years later, the company now says it is no longer interested in continuing to operate the plant. I still don t understand what kind of lack of planning results in that type of business decision U-turn.

“I will continue to have discussions with the company to solicit their help to find something to go into that space, but I will also continue to be extremely disappointed in the actions of the company for reversing course after receiving such generous federal grants and loans to expand their plant just a few years before they decided they wanted to leave Wahpeton.

“I plan to continue to monitor what’s happening with this issue and will work to find additional jobs to replace those that are being lost in the Wahpeton region.”

Jamie Selzler's news from headquarters

Now that we're done with the legislative session, we spend most of our time here at the Kennedy Center getting ready for next year's campaign. Part of that work is identifying candidates for all offices, including the office of Governor. We've had a few people express interest in running, and I'm confidant that we'd be served well by any one of them.

We would like to try something a little different as part of candidate recruitment strategy this year, though. Instead of using just a group of party leaders sitting in a room going over names, we want to extend that process to include all of the party activists and members in our state. That's you!

If you have a moment in the next few days, would you be willing to send a message to people@demnpl.com or post a comment letting us know what you think about our candidate for Governor? If you could pick anyone in the state to run, who would it be? Why? If they got the nomination, would you be willing to support them with your time and money?

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Jamie Selzler, Executive Director

P.S. In addition to letting us know what you think about a candidate for Governor, we'd also appreciate if you would consider joining the Dem-NPL Century Club. It provides for the financial backbone of our Party and allows us to keep up the fight. Details can be found here.

P.P.S. If you're in Grand Forks or Bismarck next Monday and are interested in agriculture, make sure to attend Senator Kent Conrad's Farm Bill forums. Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson will also be there.

The event in Grand Forks will begin at 9 a.m. and take place at the Alerus Center, 1200 42nd St. S. The Bismarck event will begin at 1:30 p.m. and take place at the Radisson Hotel, 605 E. Broadway Ave.

Presidential Preference Caucus

Rick and I had a pretty interesting meeting with the Secretary of State and the Republican Executive Director today. Mr. Jaeger asked that we meet to discuss the date for the 2008 presidential preference caucus.

The Republicans are pushing for February 5th, 2008, while we are asking for February 12th, 2008. Why? We believe that when you look at the 5th, which some are calling a "National Primary Day," North Dakota would not have as much of an impact on the presidential race as we'd like. There are over 20 primaries/caucuses on the 5th, and they include some very large states like California, Michigan, Texas and New Y