I believe Conrad has a pretty formidable opponent this time around so he's pretty nervous.
Conrad is in the senate, not the House. North Dakotan rats, with the exception of the insidious, ubiquitous leftist contingent, are much more moderate than rats are nationally. Conrad has been in the senate for four terms. That’s a long time in dog/political hack years and he’s probably passed his shelf life date. Supporting cap ‘n hoax would bring his death rattle. North Dakotans may well be ready for someone more conservative than a marginal moderate anyway, and support of cap ‘n hoax would likely put them over the edge.
Other major chinks in Conrad’s armor are the facts that he supported ostammer starting a year before the election and he sits as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. You know - that so bloated and inflated budget signed into law a few months ago? That same budget that is several times larger than it’s ever been before?
But the stupid pub candidate probably will sit there like a milquetoast with his finger up his nose, not bringing any of this to the forefront during the campaign. Even slugs like Conrad run circles around pubs politically.