

Plain Talk
Forum Communications Co.
Plain Talk is a podcast hosted by Rob Port and Chad Oban focusing on political news and current events in North Dakota. Port is a columnist for the Forum News Service published in papers including the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, Jamestown Sun, and the Dickinson Press. Oban is a long-time political consultant.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 1, 2019 • 22min
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 07-01-19
Talking baseball, the field of Democratic 2020 presidential candidates, and legalizing marijuana.

Jun 28, 2019 • 32min
Ep. 99: "Everything is not fine" at the border
Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions on the border, abortion, and the Democratic presidential candidate debate. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Jun 27, 2019 • 44min
Ep. 98: Cramer says Biden is "greatest threat" to Trump re-election
Who does Senator Kevin Cramer think could be the toughest challenger to President Donald Trump? Former Vice President Joe Biden he says on this episode of Plain Talk. He also talks about the war over bias in the tech industry and the battle over border funding. Also the Red River Valley Democratic Socialists of America have formed a softball team, and say young people are attracted to socialism because who even remembers what East Germany was like any more? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Jun 25, 2019 • 38min
Ep. 97: UND economist talks about Facebook's new currency
Facebook has joined with a coalition of financial industry giants to issue its new currency. UND monetary economist David Flynn talks about what it all means. Also, Senator Bernie Sanders has announced a plan to pay off everyone's student loan debt. Is it really a free lunch? This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Jun 24, 2019 • 22min
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 06-24-19
Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970. Talking about the 2020 elections, Joel Heitkamp suggesting Rob is a danger to his sister, and the Bernie Sanders plan for student loans.

Jun 21, 2019 • 26min
Ep. 96: Armstrong talks flag burning, Iran, and federal pensions
Congressman Kelly Armstrong says on this episode of Plain Talk he'd have a "hard time" supporting a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. He also took questions about Iran, abortion, and federal pensions. Also, the energy industry has created a lot of opportunities for younger Americans as data from the U.S. Census shows. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Jun 19, 2019 • 40min
Ep. 95: Interim UND president wants campus to focus on public service
Dr. Joshua Wynne, the current Dean of the University of North Dakota's medical school, will serve as the interim president for that institution. He says he wants the campus to focus on serving the public. Also, how much can we really do to save rural grocery stores? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Jun 18, 2019 • 34min
Ep. 94: Should burning the flag be illegal?
Should burning the flag be illegal? Also, state Rep. Scott Louser (R-Minot) talks about the implementation of state ethics regulations that some left-wing commentators have suggested is, in and of itself, unethical. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Jun 17, 2019 • 24min
Bonus Audio: Should burning the flag be illegal?
In this bonus audio from the Jay Thomas Show 06-17-19, Rob discusses legislation Senator Kevin Cramer is co-sponsoring which would create an exception from the 1st amendment for burning the U.S. flag. Also discussed is whether or not former Senator Heidi Heitkamp might run for governor.

Jun 14, 2019 • 36min
Ep. 93: Jon Stewart's dumb moment
Comedian Jon Stewart threw a fit during a congressional hearing over funding for 9/11 victims, but was it necessary? Also Congressman Kelly Armstrong address that issue and answers listener questions. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.