It’s not often that I find myself agreeing with liberal Grand Forks Herald editor Mike Jacobs, but in this editorial calling on Governor John Hoeven to make a decision already on whether or not he’s going to run against incumbent Senator Byron Dorgan he’s right.

As you might expect, Jacobs’ position comes more from the perspective of an anxious newsman impatient to get on with reporting on a big campaign between two well-connected political titans.  Personally, I am more concerned with the damage John Hoeven is doing to his own party and the limited government movement in North Dakota in general.

Hoeven’s time in office as Governor has been no boon to proponents of limited government.  As the chief executive in the state, and ostensibly the NDGOP’s leader, he has ushered in an era where government economic planning and bi-annual 30% budget increases are acceptable things to Republicans.  As a potential challenger to the entrenched Dorgan he’s waffled for so long on a decision he’s had years to consider that he’s pretty much destroyed any chance any other candidate considering a challenge might have had at winning.

Granted, there may not be another potential challenger on the radar capable of making the sort of inroads with the public it would take to beat Dorgan, but that challenger should get a fair shot.  Fargo architect Paul Sorum, who announced his intention to seek the NDGOP nomination to run against Dorgan, deserved that shot.  But Hoeven, either through arrogance or a level of indecision bordering on paralysis, has denied everyone that chance.

At a time when, nationally, faith in Republicans is at an all time low despite growing dissatisfaction with Obama and the in-power Democrats, Governor Hoeven and by extension the NDGOP is behaving as though they don’t really want to beat Dorgan.  And don’t just take my word for it.  I know that many in the state political circles consider me to be the voice of radical conservatism, of the “extreme right”, because I do not reflexively defend the party line on all matters so perhaps my opinion of this matter and Hoeven will be discounted.  But keep in mind that NDGOP Chairman Gary Emineth called for a decision on this matter before Labor Day.

Obviously, that day has come and is long gone and yet here we are with an opposition party that’s absolutely paralyzed by the indecision of one man.

The repercussions from Governor Hoeven’s profligacy in office, and his selfish maneuvering within the Republican party, will be bearing sour grapes for conservatives in North Dakota for a long time to come.  At this point, even if he announced a campaign against Dorgan tomorrow, I’m not sure Hoeven could marshal enough support from dispirited and disgusted rank-and-file conservatives to even give Dorgan much of a race.

He could raise a lot of money and make a lot of noise, but ultimately dollars don’t vote.  People vote.  And the people aren’t likely to be inspired by Hoeven and his selfishness.

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