Trump's Praise Of This Potential VP Pick Could Be A Little Overdone

As the veepstakes intensify, North Dakota's economy may be a stumbling block for Doug Burgum.

When North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum dropped out of the presidential race in January after a poor finish in Iowa, Donald Trump praised him glowingly, saying he hoped he could use him in a future administration and calling him “one of the best governors in our country.”

Now, as Trump is looking for a potential running mate, Burgum’s name is being increasingly bandied about, in part because he has money ― he’s the candidate who offered to send contributors $20 gift cards for $1 donations so he could qualify for the televised debates ― and his low-key personality is seen as a comfortable contrast to Trump’s bombast.

But, as with past national nominees who have been governors, if he is picked, his record as governor will be scrutinized — and, on the economic front at least, Trump’s praise may seem overdone.

The number of jobs in North Dakota is below what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic began, even as employment nationally has rebounded sharply. And the pace of the state’s post-pandemic growth has lagged the national economy as well, held back by reliance on energy and agriculture, two boom-and-bust industries.

While Trump has mostly kept mum on his VP prospects, Burgum was on stage with the former president at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club last weekend with several other potential rivals for the spot, including Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).