by Guy Page
As Gov. Phil Scott looked on, North Dakota Governor and reported VP candidate Doug Burgum effusively praised 2024 GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump at the Vermont State GOP convention Saturday, May 18 in South Burlington.
Scott is an outspoken Trump foe. At his press conference this week, Gov. Scott said he wouldn’t support a Trump ticket even if his good friend Doug Burgum is the VP pick. Scott said he voted for Joe Biden over Trump because Trump (among other shortcomings he cites) is too divisive.
Lots of chatter about Burgum for VP
Burgum recently visited Trump’s Florida home of Mir-A-Lago recently and also spoke glowingly of Trump outside the New York courtroom where Trump faces charges.
Burgum spoke at great length Saturday in praise of Trump, using the phrase “Make America Great Again” and referring to “Hollywood elites.”
After his strongly pro-Trump speech, VDC asked Burgum if he’s a VP candidate.
Burgum first said Trump himself says the list of potential candidates is long. He said he’s not actively soliciting the #2 job – unlike others.
Then Burgum said he would accept any job offer from the president that could make a strong positive difference – and that during Trump’s first term, the VP was given important duties.
During Burgum’s exhortation to support Trump, Scott stood quietly at the back of the room, accompanied by former Caledonia County state senator Joe Benning. As he was leaving the room, VDC asked him about Burgum’s strong pro-Trump words.
“I don’t agree with everything he says, but he’s still my friend,” Scott said. He said he agrees with Burgum on energy issues and border protection.
Border protection? Phil Scott?
Yes indeed, Scott assured. He believes the U.S. border should be inviolate and that both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have failed to take action. (VDC regrets we failed to ask him for specific policy suggestions – we’ll follow up with him.)