The Dakotans

In 2016, Donald Trump carried eight of the 11 states that Lewis and Clark visited on their expedition. Only the easternmost state, Illinois, and the westernmost states, Washington and Oregon, went for Hillary Clinton. Most of the states that Trump carried are solid red states. I am curious to listen and learn the political perspectives of people in these states.

I am sitting at a quiet country café in North Dakota having lunch with the proprietor, a middle aged woman who is interested in learning about my bicycle adventure. I take the opportunity to learn about her political views.

She is a Trump supporter. But she didn’t vote so she says she can claim no credit for his victory in North Dakota. She likes the job he is doing. The Russians didn’t interfere with the election, at least in North Dakota.

Like many other North Dakotans with whom I have spoken she especially likes the work Trump is doing in the areas of immigration reform and deregulation. What specifically? Not sure exactly, but he is a lot better than Hillary and the guy before him. What’s his name? Right, Obama,

I’m starting to understand. But I have a question. Does she think that Mike Pence would be a more effective advocate for conservative principles than Trump? Who is Pence, she asks.