Today we travel back to March 11, 1995, when in the midst of his tenure as North Dakota’s governor, Ed Schafer found himself at the center of public discussions on both policy and productivity—balancing governance with lighthearted moments.
One story highlights his approval ratings and the public’s perception of his leadership, as a recent poll showed strong support for both him and the state legislature despite some political disagreements. Another story takes a more personal angle, revealing his stance on workplace computer games like Solitaire and Minesweeper, which he saw as harmless diversions rather than productivity threats.
Together, these articles paint a picture of a governor who was both well-regarded in policy matters and relatable in everyday office habits, offering insight into his leadership style and the public’s view of his administration.
PUBLISHED ON March 11, 1995
Schafer: It’s solitaire at the top
Governor says there’s no harm in a little computer diversion
By Carter Wood
Herald Staff Writer
BISMARCK — Gov. Ed Schafer, who occasionally enjoys a little Windows solitaire or Minesweeper at the office, sees little reason to ban electronic games from state agency computers.
Concerned about lack of productivity and the potential of spreading computer viruses, several governors have prohibited state employees from playing the games at work. The practice is also widespread in private business.
“Certainly, we have that software capacity,” the Republican governor said at his regular Friday news conference. “Quite frankly, if I’m visiting with someone on the phone, I’ll often be playing solitaire at the same time.”
State employees are responsible and hardworking, he continued, giving his OK for a little diversion while they take a coffee break. Schafer acknowledged that the games might be abused in other states, but he foresees no such difficulties in North Dakota.
“If it becomes a problem, if people are spending an hour playing Tetris instead of being productive, then we’ll take corrective measures, but I don’t see the problem in North Dakota today,” Schafer said. Tetris is a well-known game in which the player has to fit together falling geometric pieces.
His own office computer includes games that are provided with Microsoft Windows software, such as solitaire and Minesweeper. The latter involves clearing out squares on a field without hitting explosive mines hidden under some squares.
Two reporters at the news conference admitted to having deleted the game from their computers because they found it insurmountable. Schafer is apparently more skilled, animatedly describing his strategy thus:
“I use a quick diagonal sweep, and if I blow it up, I blow it up. But I use a quick diagonal sweep, which gets me to the downpass from the upper left-hand corner, past the midway point, which then allows me to start getting my blocks off.”
North Dakotans satisfied with governor and Legislature
By Carter Wood
Herald Staff Writer
BISMARCK — North Dakotans give Republican Gov. Ed Schafer and the Legislature generally high marks, according to a new poll that also shows 58 percent of the public opposing a state tax increase.
The statewide poll of 485 voting-age adults found little support for raising tuition or taxes to put more money in the North Dakota University System. The telephone survey was conducted Wednesday through Friday by UND’s Bureau of Governmental Affairs.
Fifty-nine percent of those responding approved of the way Schafer is handling his job. Twenty-seven percent disapproved, and 14 percent did not know or had no opinion.
Schafer’s popularity has dipped since a similar poll conducted late last September (1994), when 68 percent approved of his job performance and 18 percent disapproved.
The governor called the new figures “great,” especially after disagreements with the Legislature and his controversial statement about the “national embarrassment” the state suffered when Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan voted against the balanced-budget amendment.
Schafer anticipates his standing will improve after the Legislature adjourns and the executive branch can reassert its control over state government. “I think when we get back, we’re going to be in good shape,” he said.
The Legislature’s performance received a 61 percent approval rating. Eighteen percent disapproved, and 21 percent did not know or offered no opinion.
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