Op-Ed: Matt McDaniel: I ate rattlesnake with Doug Burgum; he’s the right man for the Interior Department

In an era where politics often feels stale and disconnected, Doug Burgum emerges as a refreshingly relatable figure, embodying the spirit of a modern American cowboy, Matt McDaniel writes.

A little over a year ago, under the scorching sun at the Iowa State Fair, a little-known governor from a small state had a big dream. North Dakota’s Doug Burgum was running for President of the United States. As part of our goal on the Ruthless Podcast (of which I’m a co-Founder), we endeavored to have every candidate for president on the show. So, we sought out Governor Burgum, who had already criss-crossed the paved, near-100 degree Fair several times that day.

We met the governor at a pitch-perfect food vendor, the “Pioneer Wagon”, where the Gov ordered a round of rattlesnake nachos (with “venom sauce”). As we chit-chatted before getting the governor ready to film with the Ruthless hosts, he casually mentioned the best way to kill rattlesnakes (“you stomp on the head and yank the back!”). As someone who grew up in suburban Maryland, the type of “frontier” knowledge that is rote for Doug Burgum caught me entirely by surprise.

It was at that moment that I knew Governor Burgum was going to make a national splash. While he didn’t become the President of the United States, he still went to the first GOP debate and stood the whole time on a busted Achilles tendon (that he suffered the night before the debate playing basketball with his staff).

In an era where politics often feels stale and disconnected, Doug Burgum emerges as a refreshingly relatable figure, embodying the spirit of a modern American cowboy. While Twitter has decided that Governor Burgum is George Washington reincarnated, with a background as a software entrepreneur in North Dakota, Governor Burgum better exemplifies a type of pioneer spirit for the 21st century. He’s the absolute right choice for Interior Secretary.

President Trump’s decision to expand Doug Burgum’s role as Interior Secretary to also include spots on both the National Security Council and the National Energy Council shows just how important the president feels Doug Burgum’s input will be in developing and securing America for the 21st and 22nd centuries. We know that the president’s trust is not misplaced. Someone with Governor Burgum’s vision will greatly benefit the president’s goals for American energy security and dominance.

Burgum's "cool" factor isn't merely superficial. It stems from a genuine connection to the land and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing America's vast natural resources. Growing up in the small town of Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum developed a strong appreciation for the outdoors and a respect for the delicate balance between human activity and environmental preservation.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Great Plains Software, a company that revolutionized financial management for businesses. This experience honed his leadership skills and instilled a focus on innovation and efficiency — qualities that would serve him well as Interior Secretary.

But it's Burgum's ability to bridge the gap between tradition and progress that truly sets him apart. He understands the importance of preserving our natural heritage while also recognizing the need for responsible economic development. As Governor of North Dakota, he championed policies that promoted energy production and infrastructure investment while also protecting the state's pristine landscapes and wildlife habitats.

Burgum's vision for the Interior Department is one that embraces both conservation and innovation. He recognizes that technology can play a crucial role in managing our public lands and resources, from using drones to monitor wildfires to implementing advanced data analytics to track wildlife populations.

At the same time, Burgum understands that the Interior Department's mission extends beyond simply managing resources. It's about fostering a connection between the American people and the land that sustains us. He believes that by expanding access to public lands and by promoting outdoor recreation, we can inspire a new generation of conservationists and ensure that our natural heritage remains intact for future generations.

In a time when political polarization often hinders progress, Doug Burgum offers a unifying vision for the Interior Department. He's a leader who can bridge the divide between urban and rural, between conservationists and developers, between tradition and innovation.

By confirming Governor Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, the Senate sends a powerful message that it's time for a new approach to managing our public lands and resources — an approach that's both pragmatic and visionary, grounded in tradition but open to progress. It's time for the Pioneer Wagon to make a stop in Washington, DC.

Matt McDaniel is an attorney, a co-founder of the Ruthless Podcast, and a consultant.