(The campaign notebook is a compilation of campaign statements, tidbits and happenings in the run-up to the Nov. 2 general election.)

Republican congressional candidate Duane Sand says his opponent, U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, committed the political sin of flip-flopping when he recently voted to extend President Bush's tax cuts.

Pomeroy voted against Bush's initial tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, but he voted to extend several provisions that would have otherwise ended.

"This is a Kerry-esque flip-flop," Sand's campaign manager, Matt Lewis, said in a press release. "With 29 days until Election Day, Earl Pomeroy is running a desperate, poll-driven campaign that is frankly very confusing. We can't afford a congressman who's conservative only once every two years."

Pomeroy spokesman Mac Schneider said Pomeroy voted for the provisions because they are "tax breaks that help working folks make ends meet." Congress overwhelmingly approved legislation that extends the $1,000 child tax credit for five years, expanded the 10 percent income tax bracket for six years, and eliminates the marriage penalty for four years.

"These are middle class tax cuts," Schneider said.

North Dakota's two senators, Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, were among the 92 senators who voted for the legislation. Dorgan spokesman Barry Piatt said Dorgan has voted against previous Bush tax cuts because they favored wealthier Americans, at the expense of "working families."

Democrats watch debates

Fargo-Moorhead Democrats plan to get together to watch the upcoming presidential and vice presidential debates.

They were to gather at Bertrosa's on Broadway on Tuesday night, and at Hagen Hall at Minnesota State University in Moorhead at 7:30 p.m. on Friday

Local party activists will offer their analysis after the debates, during deadline-busting press conferences, which begin at 10 p.m.

Sand endorsements

Duane Sand has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's largest small-business advocacy group. The group called Sand "an active NFIB member and small-business owner." Sand owns a restaurant, motel and several apartment buildings in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Sand also was recently endorsed by the North Dakota Right to Life Association. He is running against Pomeroy.

Activist attacks Dorgan

A Fargo anti-abortion advocate says an eight-page booklet will be inserted into the Bismarck Tribune and Minot Daily News on Thursday detailing "the moral sickness of Byron Dorgan."

Martin Wishnatsky, who made headlines in the 1990s for picketing and protesting at a Fargo abortion clinic, said he paid for the "political advertisement" in which he accuses Dorgan of being "pro-abortion" and misrepresenting his position on human cloning.

Sand applauds draft vote

Before the U.S. House had even voted against reinstating a military draft, Sand was sending out press releases applauding their decision.

Sand, a lieutenant commander in the North Dakota Naval Reserves, said in a press release, "As someone who volunteered to serve, I can tell you firsthand that the strength of our military is that it's an all-voluntary force."He called the bill, sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., a "gimmick by Democrats to scare voters."

(Reach Deena Winter at 250-8251 or deena.winter@bismarcktribune.com.)