Plain Talk - podcast cover

Plain Talk

Forum Communications Co.www.inforum.com
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.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Ep. 114: CEO Says Oil Refinery Will Put Out Less Pollution Than National Park

Bill Prentice is the CEO of Meridian Energy, the company behind the construction of the Davis Refinery in western North Dakota. He says the new refinery will be so clean it will put out less pollution than the cars visiting nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park. He talks about the political and legal struggle to build the refinery. This episode of Plain Talk brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota .

Aug 27, 201918 min

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-26-19

Rob and Jay discuss the cost to taxpayers and students of North Dakota State University Athletics. Also, lawmakers want ideas on how to spend the state's Legacy Funds, what would be the best way?

Aug 26, 201923 min

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-12-19

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, with Jay and Rob discussing Jeffrey Epstein, mass shootings, gun control, and red flag legislation.

Aug 12, 201942 min

Ep. 112: Burgum pollster talks 2020, new ND ACLU director talks outreach

Dane DeKrey, the new leader of the ACLU in North Dakota, says he'd like to see if he can find some common ground with conservatives. Also Chip Englander, pollster for Governor Doug Burgum's campaign, talks about the 2020 race. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Aug 09, 201933 min

Ep. 111: Democrats hate what North Dakota does

How can Democrats ever hope to win over rural, red state America when their supposedly moderate presidential front runner says he wants to eliminate fossil fuels? Which are important in all kinds of ways for both North Dakota, specifically, and rural American generally? Also Jodi Beauchene's friend was murdered in Fargo recently. Charges are pending in the case, but while they do she says some changes need to be made to North Dakota's domestic violence laws. This episode is brought to you by Ame...

Aug 08, 201926 min

Ep. 110: Expanding the Dakota Access Pipeline

Glenn Emery, a Vice President with Energy Transfer Partners, talks about his company's plan to increase capacity in their controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. Also, what can we really do to prevent mass shootings? This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofND.com .

Aug 07, 201930 min

Ep. 109: Racist against North Dakotans?

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions on this episode, and all of the questions had to do with his recent comments about discrimination against North Dakotans. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Aug 01, 201937 min

Bonus Audio: Guest Hosting WDAY 07/26/19

Rob guests hosts for Mike Kapel on WDAY AM970. Topics were the death penalty, Alerus Center finances, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong took listener questions.

Jul 26, 20191 hr 7 min

Ep. 108: Nobody is fiscally conservative any more?

Rush Limbaugh says fiscal conservatism is old and busted, and nobody ever really cared. If that's true, what does it mean to be a conservative? Is it all just cultural now? Also, Senator Kevin Cramer takes questions on the Mueller hearing, marijuana, the border wall, and other topics. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota .

Jul 25, 201950 min

Ep. 107: North Dakotans are too cynical about economic mobility

North Dakotans came in almost last in the nation in a Harvard Study when it comes to optimism about economic mobility (the ability of people to become wealthier over their lifetimes). But, the study also shows that North Dakota was first in the nation when it comes to economic mobility. Why the disconnect between perception and reality? Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong answers listener questions. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com...

Jul 19, 201925 min

Ep. 106: Are you surprised Trump cares so much about #TheSquad?

"I'm surprised President Trump cares so much about these congresswomen," Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the President's feud with "the squad." Cramer also takes listener questions. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Jul 18, 201938 min

Ep. 105: Over 175,000 could qualify for marijuana pardons

"We could be looking at upward of 175 to 179 thousand who have this issue," Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said of new, streamlined process that will allow those with minor marijuana-related convictions to apply for pardons. Also, the Legislature will allow local governments to double their traffic fines. Is that constitutional? And is it a big deal that state lawmakers get paid for absences? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....

Jul 16, 201934 min

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 07-15-19

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, 07-15-19, talking about President Trump's recent comments about a group of female Democratic congresswomen among other topics.

Jul 15, 201924 min

Ep. 104: It's Trump's comments about free speech which are dangerous

President Donald Trump said media speech he doesn't agree with is not free speech because it's dangerous. But isn't the President of the United States saying something like that what's really dangerous? Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Jul 12, 201934 min

Ep. 103: Cramer defends support for HB1044

Senator Kevin Cramer defended his support for eliminating per-country caps on visas for high-skilled workers in response to listener questions. "I not only supported it I championed it," he said. Also, what happens when it's the news media sowing controversy and division in our country? This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota .

Jul 11, 201936 min

Ep. 102: Should ND legalize sex work?

A sex worker masquerading as a massage therapist got busted in Minot. Massage therapists want a crack down to protect their industry, but would a better route be to legalize and license sex work? Also, ND University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott talks about his view for how to better manage the finances of the state's public institutions of higher education. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....

Jul 09, 201934 min

Ep. 101: "Democrats are finally acknowledging there's a crisis"

"I think we should all be happy that Democrats are finally acknowledging there's a crisis at the border," Congressman Kelly Armstrong says on this episode of Plain Talk. He also talks about the 4th of July holiday and the upcoming Mueller testimony before Congress. Also, the President of El Salvador blames conditions in his own country for the crisis at America's border. He's right. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....

Jul 03, 201932 min

Ep. 100: The new effort to legalize marijuana in North Dakota

David Owen of Legalize ND talks about his group's new proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota. Also state lawmakers now say they'll abide by a legal opinion from Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem which found their law limiting the powers of the state Auditor was unconstitutional. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota .

Jul 02, 201931 min

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 28, 201932 min

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 America...

Jun 27, 201944 min

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 25, 201938 min

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 24, 201922 min

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 21, 201926 min
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android