Paula Thomas' personal attack (letter, April 25) on Gov. John Hoeven sheds very little light and adds very little substance to the 2008 campaign. It is unfortunate that she, like her party, continues to campaign in the past. Unlike the candidates of the Democratic Party, Hoeven, Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, and the rest of the Republican Party candidates are focusing on our state's future.
The accomplishments of the past eight years of Republican control, led by Hoeven, are well- known. They have been documented by the press and acknowledged by residents across North Dakota.
More importantly, our state is a walking billboard for what has actually been happening. Unlike other states, our economy is growing; unlike other states, we have a surplus; unlike other states, our unemployment rate continues to be the lowest in the country; and unlike other states, our housing market continues to be positive. Those are the facts, and no amount of rewriting history, as Thomas and her friends are so eager to do, will change that.
Hoeven and the Republicans are focused on continuing to meet the challenges of this new century. The governor has proposed bold new measures to keep North Dakota moving forward into the 21st century. So far, the opponents have been suggesting a return to the policies that failed, under Democratic leadership, in the late 1980s. Perhaps Thomas' candidates of the past should spend more time attempting to help meet the challenges of the future instead of continually attempting to rewrite history.
In November, the voters of North Dakota will, once again, reject the failed policies of the distant past. Hoeven and the Republican team in Bismarck have earned the respect and admiration of the residents of our state. The voters will make one thing very clear in November. They like our governor; they like the way he leads our state; and they will, overwhelmingly, re-elect Hoeven to keep us moving forward.
