Republican candidate for U.S. House Kevin Cramer headlined a list of speakers at a Minot tea party rally at the picnic shelter in Oak Park Tuesday night.
The Say Anything Blog and its founder Rob Port sponsored the event to get the people of Minot to come together and get "fired up" for their cause. Port said that Republicans can do "profound things" when constituents get together to hear their message.
"If you want to advance a conservative message, you need to be an activist. It's important to do this because we have to do it. It's democracy," Port said.
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Austin Erickson/MDN • Republican house candidate Kevin Cramer campaigns in Minot about what he can do for North Dakotans in Washington.
Port began the evening by addressing the crowd and giving his own statements on the United States government and the Obama Administration. His view is that our country is best served by restrained government and that it has gotten too powerful.
Port's blog began nine years ago after frustration with local media not publishing his material. He said that instead of writing letters to the editor, he put his work online.
"It's what I do for a living now. [The blog is] stories and viewpoints that aren't covered. It provides a political forum for North Dakotans online," he said.
Port's mother, Carol, took the microphone and read letters from politicians such as former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who were unable to attend.
In Palin's letter she wrote about how the people of Minot are a positive illustration for our country after the flooding of the Souris River. "Minot is a shining example of how communities work together," Palin wrote.
Cramer then spoke about his message to Congress that, "It's time to roll up our sleeves for liberty."
Cramer said the core reason for his attendance at the event was to hear what the people of North Dakota had to say about their government.
"Many politicians will tell you all the answers. The problem is that they don't have all the answers because they didn't take the time to listen to the people they work for. You're always tethered to the citizens. The only leverage the public has over politicians is the election." he said.
Also in the park at an unrelated event, a band was playing adjacent to the rally. In the middle of remarks, the band started performing "The Star-Spangled Banner." Cramer, Port and the audience stood up, placed their hands over their hearts and faced the flag to respect America's national anthem.
"It was very touching. They granted us this incredible gift." Cramer said.
The people of Minot then voiced their opinions with Cramer and Randy Christman, Republican candidate for Public Service Commission, who also attended. Cramer summed up the evening well by saying, "Voters should get behind people that share their views."