Some Conrad gossip

[markus]

I heard recently from a fairly reliable single source that Conrad is on the VP short list, but due to the obvious electoral vote factor, is more likely to end up with a Cabinet post.

Personally, I think this sucks for N.D. When I was living in DC, my opinion of Conrad was that he was an uninteresting budget wonk. Dorgan seemed to be the real deal, a fire-breathing prarie populist.

But Dorgan seems mostly to be good Congressional careerist. Nothing wrong with that, mind you. It keeps the dollars flowing in.

But Conrad has really come out to be a died-in-the-wool Democrat. His vote against the war, and constant criticism of Bush's economic policies, have really resonated.

I'd hate to lose him, cause I don't see anybody who could replace him.

We have nobody in the pipeline for state-wide or federal office.

What the hell are we gonna do if Conrad takes a cabinet job, or Pomeroy gives is up?

[SmileyBoy]

1. Dorgan's gonna get the Wind Power dollars flowing in.

I like Dorgan a lot simply for his advocacy of Wind Power in the state.

We're the Saudi Arabia of wind, after all.

As for Conrad, he seems more destined for bigger things, unlike Dorgan. We need Dorgan for all the time we can get.;)

[The Commie]

7. Fargo is the windy city...

...not Chicago. We need all the wind powe we can get. if you build enough windmills maybe you guys can start exporting electricity to California. :toast: :dunce:

[Qanisqineq]

2. Is he really?

I remember reading, back during the primaries, that he was possibly on Clark's list if Clark got the nomination. I haven't heard a single thing about Conrad being on Kerry's list, though. Conrad is kinda boring, but I like him.

[markus]

3. That's what I thought

when looking at him from a distance (well, not too much of a distance, as I was working on Capitol Hill at the time, but didn't have much interest in North Dakota).

Catch him the next time some significant economic development comes out of the White House. He kicks butt and takes names.

[Qanisqineq]

4. I've watched him a few times on C-SPAN

and I agree, he does kick butt. But, I only recently started paying attention again so I am still kinda stuck on the "boring" thing. I just need to watch more.

I like Dorgan, from what I have seen (again, I only just started paying attention again and haven't lived in ND for a few years). He was great when people were testifying about Halliburton's overcharging in Iraq.

[cheezus]

5. I have some Conrad gossip: his real first name!

Is Gaylord!

I noticed on one of those website where you can see where the pols are getting contributions. His name is Gaylord Kent "Kent" Conrad

and he's a cool guy! I hope we don't lose him! I'm not sure that his seat would be filled by a democrat.

[mndemocrat_29]

6. If Conrad is the VP

Gov. Hoeven would appoint a replacement (possibly Rick Clayburgh or Lt. Gov. Dalrymple). Then in 2006, there would be a Senate election for a full six-year term. Though the Republicans would have the edge, I suspect that Earl Pomeroy would run for the seat and likely win it with all of his years of experience. As for Pomeroy's seat-possibly State Treasurer Kathi Gilmore could be coaxed into running for it (she's been elected statewide before).