Forum Communications Co.

Plain Talk

News EN ↓ 917 episodes

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.

Author

Forum Communications Co.

Category

News

Podcast website

www.inforum.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-12-19 12.08.2019

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

Ep. 112: Burgum pollster talks 2020, new ND ACLU director talks outreach 09.08.2019

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.

Ep. 111: Democrats hate what North Dakota does 08.08.2019

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 cha...

Ep. 110: Expanding the Dakota Access Pipeline 07.08.2019

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 .

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-05-19 05.08.2019

Rob and Jay talk about the shootings in Ohio and Texas.

Ep. 109: Racist against North Dakotans? 01.08.2019

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 .

Bonus Audio: Guest Hosting WDAY 07/26/19 26.07.2019

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

Bonus Audio: Guest Hosting WDAY 07/25/19 25.07.2019

Rob guest hosts for Mike Kapel on WDAY AM970.

Ep. 108: Nobody is fiscally conservative any more? 25.07.2019

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 .

Ep. 107: North Dakotans are too cynical about economic mobility 19.07.2019

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....

Ep. 106: Are you surprised Trump cares so much about #TheSquad? 18.07.2019

"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 .

Ep. 105: Over 175,000 could qualify for marijuana pardons 16.07.2019

"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? Th...

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 07-15-19 15.07.2019

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.

Ep. 104: It's Trump's comments about free speech which are dangerous 12.07.2019

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 .

Ep. 103: Cramer defends support for HB1044 11.07.2019

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 .

Ep. 102: Should ND legalize sex work? 09.07.2019

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 Americ...

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 07-08-19 08.07.2019

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, with Jay and Rob discussing the citizenship question on the U.S. Census.

Ep. 101: "Democrats are finally acknowledging there's a crisis" 03.07.2019

"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 b...

Ep. 100: The new effort to legalize marijuana in North Dakota 02.07.2019

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...

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 07-01-19 01.07.2019

Talking baseball, the field of Democratic 2020 presidential candidates, and legalizing marijuana.

Ep. 99: "Everything is not fine" at the border 28.06.2019

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 .

Ep. 98: Cramer says Biden is "greatest threat" to Trump re-election 27.06.2019

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 be...

Ep. 97: UND economist talks about Facebook's new currency 25.06.2019

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 .

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 06-24-19 24.06.2019

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.

Ep. 96: Armstrong talks flag burning, Iran, and federal pensions 21.06.2019

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 Dak...

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