(FARGO) — Having served as both a Governor and in a presidential administration, former Governor Ed Schafer is no stranger when it comes to presidential races.
The former agriculture commissioner at the federal level joined The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom on Monday to talk about both Governor Doug Burgum’s potential to be Donald Trump’s running mate and the status of Joe Biden’s reelection bid.
Burgum’s VP potential
Schafer said picking Doug Burgum as VP would have its advantages to Trump.
“The main advantage I think is North Dakota is the size and scope of government where we still get stuff done,” he said. “And when we look at operations of government, we can do ’em better, more efficiently, faster than other states where we install programs, economic development programs, energy programs, whatever the case may be. You know, they work here where they don’t in other places.”
Schafer said very few people paid attention to Burgum in the debates as he ran for President.
“If he’s Vice President of the United States of America, they’re going to pay attention to him,” he said of Burgum. “And it really gives North Dakota an opportunity, not to shine, but to deliver performance programs for government that we can translate to the United States and do a much better job in our country.”
Joe Biden
There has been a lot of focus in recent days about whether Joe Biden will be on the November ballot.
Schafer said it’s not a simple task to remove Biden from running.
“He won the Democratic nomination in various states, which means the electoral votes in those states are his, he owns them,” he said. “And so you can’t say, ‘Oh, gee, well, let’s replace the president and put somebody else on the ballot’ unless he says, ‘I’ll release my delegates.’”
Looking ahead
Schafer said he believes Trump will win in November.
“It looks like all the polling there. I think people are shifting over. And, and not necessarily Biden or Trump, but they’re shifting over to Republican policies as we’ve seen crime an environment crumble, (and) economy crumble,” he said. “People can’t afford their mortgages. People can’t buy a house. People can’t buy groceries or gas for their cars. And where do you go? Republican principles are going to drive this country in a place that makes all that stuff better. And I think people are shifting to that.”
