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
Mar 11, 2019 • 39min
Bonus Audio: Talking socialism with Jay Thomas
Rob talks about socialism and the debate over the state's prisons during a segment on the Jay Thomas Show 03-11-19.
Mar 11, 2019 • 38min
Ep. 40: Victimhood as political currency, Boschee talks session
ND House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) joins to talk about the 2019 legislative session so far, including his sense that this session has been less partisan than past sessions. Also, why has victimhood become political currency? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Mar 8, 2019 • 27min
Ep. 39: Why should Rep. Ilhan Omar get a pass for her bigotry?
It seems like many are willing to give Rep. Ilhan Omar a pass for her comments about Jews and Israel that someone of another gender/race/religious background might not get. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong gives an update from Washington D.C. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Mar 7, 2019 • 38min
Ep. 38: Cramer says Gree New Deal is a "socialist's dream"
Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions this week on the green new deal, immigration policy, President Trump's emergency declaration, and other topics. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Mar 6, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 37: Heitkamp complains about being branded a Democrat
Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, in full excuse mode after her 2018 election loss, blames being branded a "Democrat" for her election loss. Also Jodi Smith, head of North Dakota's Department of Trust Lands, talks about what her office sees as a mistake in how state oil tax revenues were distributed. This episode of Plain Talk was brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Mar 4, 2019 • 38min
Ep. 36: Responding to some letters to the editor
Rob responds to some recent letters to the editor about the podcast and his articles. Also, former Grand Forks Herald publisher Mike Jacobs weighs in on the controversies at the University of North Dakota. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Mar 1, 2019 • 34min
Ep. 35: Engelstad family says they withhold donations
Kris Engelstad McGarry, a trustee of the Engelstad Foundation and spokesperson for the Englestad family, says they'll be withholding their donations from the University of North Dakota until embattled President Mark Kennedy is gone. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about his questioning of Michael Cohen and takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Feb 28, 2019 • 33min
Ep. 34: Sen. Cramer says Cohen hearing "a lot to do about nothing"
According to Senator Kevin Cramer, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's testimony before the House was "a lot to do about nothing." The Senator also took listener emails. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Feb 27, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 33: Is it dumb to ban gun buyback programs?
A New York Times columnist says a proposed bill in North Dakota to ban gun buyback programs is one of the dumbest pieces of legislation, like, ever. The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Luke Simons, joins to discuss. This episode of the Plain Talk Podcast is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
Feb 26, 2019 • 29min
Ep. 32: UND caves on chief of staff, lawmaker expresses frustration
State Rep. Shannon Roers Jones (R-Fargo) is frustrated about the way her bill to decriminalize marijuana was handled in the state House. She talks about it on this episode of Plain Talk. Also, UND has decided to nix a controversial employment relationship with its chief of staff. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.
