ND Gov. Burgum delivers debate performance on one leg

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The first 2024 Republican presidential debate took place on Thursday that included North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who’s attendance was in doubt after rupturing his Achille’s tendon the night before playing pick-up basketball.

Burgum was on stage, standing on one leg behind the podium and addressed his injury during his opening comments on stage.  

“I’m from a town of 300 people and it’s a big deal to make it on this stage with all these folks,” said Burgum, during the debate. “When they were wishing me well, I think I took it too literally when they said go to Milwaukee and break a leg.”

Burgum said he was examined by a doctor for the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

Even on one leg, Burgum was able to articulate his position on the economy of climate change, which he said trades oil for Chinese batteries produced through coal-powered facilities.

“We’ve got a plan right now, $1.2 trillion, of Green New Deal spending buried in the “inflation creation act,”” said Burgum. “It’s something that is just subsidizing China. If we’re going to stop buying oil from the middle east and start buying batteries from China, we’re just trading OEPC for SINOPEC. And then belatedly, the Biden administration says, no, we’re going to put sanctions on Russian oil. Well, then it’s 20% off, and who’s buying it, China. If you buy a battery in this country, if you buy a solar panel, it’s being produced in a plant in China, powered by coal, or it’s being powered by oil and gas at 20% off. And every farming in this country would like to buy diesel at 20% off, just like they are buying it in China.”

An Aug. 19-21 Rassmussen Poll of 818 likely-voters in the Republican primary listed the support for Gov. Burgum below 1%.