Kansas delegates Margie Wakefield of Lawrence and John Settich of Atchison react to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' speech at the Democratic National Convention.
DENVER — A few minutes before Gov. Kathleen Sebelius took the stage at the Democratic National Convention, party officials reminded the Kansas delegation to stand up and wave signs.
It may have been the most unnecessary advice in political history.
The four dozen or so Kansans — delegates, guests, party officials and friends — had been primed all week for their top officeholder’s 15 minutes or so in the national spotlight.
They leapt to their feet and frantically waved their signs reading “New energy for America.”
Sebelius provided them that energy.
Her speech was a mixture of homage to Midwest values, praise for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and shots at presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.
The line that brought the biggest rise from the crowded Pepsi Center was a dig on McCain’s recent campaign-trail gaffe in which he was unable to answer a question of how many homes he owns.
“I’m sure you all remember a girl from Kansas who said ‘There’s no place like home,’” Sebelius said. “Well, in John McCain’s version, there’s no place like home, and home, and home, and home.”
DENVER — Most Kansans won’t go to the Democratic National Convention.
But a small part of it will be coming to Kansas.
Oct. 15 is the target date — site to be determined — for a visit to Wichita by the Bush Legacy bus.
The rolling biodeisel-powered mini-museum is decidedly unfriendly to the president, with images and interactive exhibits touching on the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, gas prices and the economy. Read More »
The Republican National Convention today firmed up its speaker list, giving Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback a key spot just three back from Sen. John McCain on the final night of the convention. Brownback will precede Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a potential vice president pick, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, another potential McCain running mate. Brownback, a former presidential contender who dropped out early in the race, has not been widely discussed as a VP.
Another Kansan made the speaker list as well. Carolyn Dunn, a former Brownback and Sen. Pat Roberts staffer from St. John, will give a short speech on rural development and agriculture Tuesday night.
Follow the jump for the rest of the line up — note the GOP VP pick is slated for Wednesday night.
DENVER — Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson told Democratic National Convention delegates this morning that the state is emerging as a national leader in alternative energy.
About a year ago, Parkinson said, Kansas had 364 megawatts of wind power. At the end of 2008, the state will produce 1,015 megawatts, making Kansas No. 7 in the nation in wind production.
“We’ll be doing it all without mandates,” he said. Read More »
DENVER — Although New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has thrown in the sponge on her 2008 White House aspirations, some of her delegates plan to stand by their woman for at least a little while longer.
Teresa Krusor, a Winfield resident and vice chairwoman of the Kansas Democratic Party who led the Kansas campaign for Clinton, said she’s still “very sad” the New York senator and former first lady fell short.
She’s planning to vote for Clinton on the first ballot at the party convention in Denver. Monday night, she was one of several delegates in the Kansas delegation signing a petition to officially place Clinton’s name in nomination. Read More »
