Searching for a profile in courage…

How do NDGOP candidates respond to fmr. top NDGOP official?

***

Fmr. NDGOP official: Clinton “the only candidate rational enough to be trusted with the nuclear codes. The choice for North Dakota Republicans should be clear.”

(BISMARCK, ND) – How do North Dakota’s Republican candidates and office holders respond to an op-ed published by the former interim executive director of the NDGOP and former campaign manager for U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer?

Yesterday, The Forum and Grand Forks Herald published an op-ed by Matthew Becker in which the former interim executive director for the North Dakota Republican Party – who also served as campaign manager and communications director for U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer – called on North Dakota Republicans to “reject [Donald] Trump.”

In light of Becker’s scathing indictment of Trump, North Dakota’s Republican candidates and officeholders, all of whom publically support Trump, should explain whether or not they truly believe Trump can be trusted as our country’s next commander-in-chief.   

According to Becker:

“Even putting aside Trump’s misogyny, xenophobia, racism, birther-ism and lack of a single policy position he hasn’t reversed or lied about, his dangerous comments about nuclear weapons should be enough for anyone—including any Republican—to conclude he is entirely unfit for the presidency.

I call on North Dakota Republicans — especially my former bosses, Rep. Kevin Cramer and Sen. John Hoeven, both R-N.D.—to put national security over political party by rejecting Trump […]

For more than 25 years since 1988, Republicans in North Dakota have placed their trust in the character and judgment of individuals such as George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Mitt Romney. Why should these leaders suddenly not be trusted today, when they are all sounding the alarms against Donald Trump?

This is not an ordinary election. This is not even a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils, as many suggest. The most trusted voices in both parties have made it clear that any grievance against Hillary Clinton shrinks to insignificance when contrasted with the dangers of a Trump presidency […]

Regardless of one’s opinions of Hillary Clinton, she is the only candidate who will provide certainty of any kind, and the only candidate rational enough to be trusted with the nuclear codes. The choice for North Dakota Republicans should be clear.”  

Since Day One, ND Dem-NPL leaders have been calling on Republican officeholders and candidates to speak out on Donald Trump’s numerous insults and abuses, his endless policy reversals, and his unmistakable lack of fitness to serve as President of the United States. Following last night’s Vice Presidential debate, Dem-NPL executive director Robert Haider once again called on North Dakota Republicans to account for the behavior of the candidate at the top of their ticket:

“Senator Hoeven, Governor Dalrymple, Congressman Cramer, and Doug Burgum must also answer for their support for Donald Trump.Congressman Cramer and Governor Dalrymple both serve in advisory capacities to Trump’s campaign, helping Trump raise money and build support for his electoral efforts. Doug Burgum and Senator Hoeven have thrown their support behind Donald Trump, but avoid talking about him like he’s the plague. North Dakotans deserve answers when their elected leaders refuse to speak out on Donald Trump’s outrageous behavior and abysmal record.”

-30-