Having been born in North Dakota and spending my early years living on its doorstep, I can attest to the fact that North Dakotans have little interest in the style of politics practiced by much of the country. That is why this story seemed to me like such a no brainer:
Big-Donor Politics Elude North Dakota
By MONICA DAVEYPublished: January 31, 2008
By far, this state has trailed the nation in large donations per capita to the presidential candidates, an analysis of the candidates’ early contributions of $200 or more shows. While donors in New York gave more than $2.50 a person, if every person in the state gave (for a total of more than $48 million), and California gave more than $1.40 for each person (for a total of more than $51 million), North Dakotans offered up 9 cents a person (for a grand total of $57,613).
Politics in North Dakota is an entirely different animal than in the rest of the country or even here in Central Minnesota. It is not a matter of economic status as the article tries to hint at towards the end but rather a matter of culture and priorities. I have somewhat of a unique perspective on this subject having grown up in the area and having done some fundraising for the North Dakota Democratic NPL Party.
On Culture: Perhaps it is the prevalence of Scandinavian blood in the state which dictates that no matter what you believe, you mind your business and don't air your dirty laundry in public. This certainly extends into the political arena. Growing up, I don't know that I ever saw a yard sign or even heard people publicly discuss their political positions. It was one of those things, much like religion and family matters, that was kept to yourself.
That is precisely why it was such a culture shock to move closer to the Twin Cities where politics and political discussion rages on in a very public manner.
On Money: It seems to me, due to this culture of privacy, that North Dakotans detest putting themselves out there by giving even those they support any money. When I did fundraising, from a fairly reliable list of Democrats, it was almost as if we had the wrong list. It literally took every ounce of power to keep these people on the phone for an extended period of time. To top it off, North Dakotans hang on to their money more than perhaps any other people on the planet. It was rarely a situation where they didn't have the money but rather of not being interested in talking about politics with some stranger on the phone. This is a place where people driving Cadillacs are considered a little too flamboyant for our tastes.
On Culture: Perhaps it is the prevalence of Scandinavian blood in the state which dictates that no matter what you believe, you mind your business and don't air your dirty laundry in public. This certainly extends into the political arena. Growing up, I don't know that I ever saw a yard sign or even heard people publicly discuss their political positions. It was one of those things, much like religion and family matters, that was kept to yourself.
That is precisely why it was such a culture shock to move closer to the Twin Cities where politics and political discussion rages on in a very public manner.
On Money: It seems to me, due to this culture of privacy, that North Dakotans detest putting themselves out there by giving even those they support any money. When I did fundraising, from a fairly reliable list of Democrats, it was almost as if we had the wrong list. It literally took every ounce of power to keep these people on the phone for an extended period of time. To top it off, North Dakotans hang on to their money more than perhaps any other people on the planet. It was rarely a situation where they didn't have the money but rather of not being interested in talking about politics with some stranger on the phone. This is a place where people driving Cadillacs are considered a little too flamboyant for our tastes.
1 Response to "Ain't It The Truth..."
Where in No Dak? I'm a Grand Forks and Mayville guy!