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Ashcroft backs Tiahrt in Senate race

Nov. 5, 20093:44 p.m.

Former Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft, once one of the country’s leading conservatives, has endorsed Rep. Todd Tiahrt in his race for the Senate in Kansas.

“Conservatives across this country are yearning for principled conservatives in Washington,” Ashcroft, attorney general under former President George W. Bush, said in a statement. “I feel strongly that Todd Tiahrt can help provide that common sense conservative leadership in the Senate.”

Tiahrt is seeking the Republican nomination to the seat being vacated next year by Sen. Sam Brownback, who is running for governor. Kansas Republican Rep. Jerry Moran is also seeking the seat.

Ashcroft, a former Missouri governor, served one term in the Senate. He also explored a run for president prior to the 2000 campaign.

By David Goldstein | Tags: , , Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (7)

Sebelius cracks wise, challenges Obama to some hoops

Oct. 9, 200911:54 a.m.

Flu prevention Czar Kathleen Sebelius was on the Jay Leno Show last night and took a shot at her boss’ basketball cred.

Leno asked the health and Human Services secretary whether she could beat President Obama in a game of “H-O-R-S-E.” Sebelius played college ball at Trinity Washington University.

“I actually made my college basketball team, so you know, bring it on,” she said. “Give your best shot.”

“Good luck in the new job!” Leno cracked.

By David Goldstein | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (4)

McCain backs Moran for Senate

Sept. 21, 200912:48 p.m.

Republican Rep. Jerry Moran collected another endorsement from the GOP establishment for his run for the Senate in Kansas next year. This time it was a big name: Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lost the presidential race last year.

McCain framed his support around one of his signature issues: Moran, he said, “is not afraid to oppose wasteful earmarks that cheat the American taxpayer.”

Moran is running against fellow Kansas Republican, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, for the GOP nomination.

By David Goldstein | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (20)

Sebelius seizes teachable moment

Sept. 18, 200912:25 p.m.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was attending White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs’ briefing Thursday when a very loud sneeze caught her attention.

She was there to talk about medical malpractice, but it suddenly became a teachable moment on sanitary practice.

If only her new pal, Elmo, the deputy HHS secretary for swine flu education, was around.

At a time when hand sanitizers are more ubiquitous than cups of Starbucks, America’s top health official – don’t call her a czar – was aghast when she looked in the direction of the sneezer.

It was NBC correspondent Chuck Todd, who – yuck – sneezed into his hand.

SEBELIUS: Bless you.

(Laughter)

GIBBS: I mean…

SEBELIUS: I mean, what is that about?

(Laughter)

Jeez.

GIBBS: I want to point out — I want to point out, Margaret (McClatchy White House Correspondent Margaret Talev) sneezed a few minutes ago very correctly, into the sleeve. I mean, it would be one thing if it was…

SEBELIUS: I don’t know. Who’s got some Purell? Give that to Mr. Todd right away, a little – a little hand sanitizer…Good. Good. We’ll have Elmo give Chuck a special briefing. We’ll get Elmo over.

(Laughter)

SEBELIUS: Elmo knows how to sneeze.

(Laughter)

GIBBS: We will seek to – to try to bring Chuck up to the level of a 4-, or 5-, or a 6-year-old.

By David Goldstein | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Fort Leavenworth off detainee list, Kansas senators say

Sept. 16, 200912:38 p.m.

Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback said they believe Fort Leavenworth is probably off the list as a replacement site for terrorist detainees from Guantanamo.

As a result, the Kansas Republicans have dropped the roadblocks that they erected to filling several key posts in the Obama administration.

They had placed the legislative holds because of concerns that President Obama might select the fort when it closes the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba., which it has pledged to do in January

The nominations are for appointees to posts in the Defense and Justice departments. Chief among them was Republican Rep. John McHugh of New York, President Obama’s choice for secretary of the Army.

In a statement, Brownback and Roberts indicated they were satisfied with the outcome of their talks with the administration about Fort Leavenworth.

“We believe that the administration has a good understanding of obstacles and concerns and is giving them proper consideration,” they said. ”We are confident that because of this good faith dialogue, detainees will not be transferred to Fort Leavenworth.”

By David Goldstein | Tags: , , , Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (10)