Dr. Barnett wants to be Gov. Barnett

Kansas Republicans still haven’t found a candidate with a profile to rival that of Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, should she run for re-election next year. But what the GOP field lacks in name recognition it’s increasingly making up in quantity: State Sen. Jim Barnett of Emporia jumped in Thursday, joining House Speaker Doug Mays of Topeka and former House Speaker Robin Jennison of Healy, as well as even lesser-known contenders Dennis Hawver of Ozawkie and Richard Rodewald of Lawrence. What Barnett, a 51-year-old physician, brings to the race are strong views, a hard-to-label voting record and a practiced insight into health policy — one of Sebelius’ favorite issues. But getting to be well-known out from under the dome will be a challenge.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

9 Comments

  1. captain_poindexter
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 2:05 pm | Permalink

    no Rhonda, getting name ID is the EASIEST thing to do in an election.get a real job.

  2. Galahad
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 3:09 pm | Permalink

    Cap’n–you used to be funny. What happened?

  3. XXX
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 3:59 pm | Permalink

    Jeez Cap, you slammed Rhonda in the thread above this one. Did you quit taking your meds? Got a little hate trip going?

  4. Joe Williams
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 4:08 pm | Permalink

    Good Luck!

  5. JUSTA GUY
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 4:24 pm | Permalink

    Does the doctor think he can cure legistlative ills? What is his view on taxation, casinos, BOE, spending curtailment?

  6. mrcontroversy
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 5:08 pm | Permalink

    Name recognition? This is the nut who brought a casket to the capital the day Joan Finney’s terminal illness was announced…in the name of anti-smoking…and all he did was freak a lot of people out.Living proof you don’t have to be right wing to be a nut case…but it helps.

  7. R.D.Liebst
    Posted October 13, 2005 at 6:32 pm | Permalink

    In the past I have not been concerned as to some one religious believes. But I can not help looking at his picture and wonder why I a see R.R on his forehead?

    I guess it is because it not being a concern has given us the State Board of ED., the SCOTUS appointees and the other examples. It is a sad day in this country when ones desire for public office is questioned as to their real intent. It was so much easier when you could just think they wanted to be on the take!

  8. Zoom
    Posted October 14, 2005 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    We should not take Sen. Barnett too lightly. This is the guy who took the Govs. Health Care Authority and repackaged it with an unnecessary $1,000,000 price tag and two additional layers of bureaucracy, then sold it as his own plan. Now the press is giving him credit for “practiced insight into health policy — one of Sebelius’ favorite issues”.

    It is not hard to look good when you steal the ideas of those who are better and smarter than you.

  9. Jed
    Posted October 14, 2005 at 7:19 pm | Permalink

    I’ve known Dr. Barnett as physician to family and friends. He’s a good doctor, and a mediocre politician. He should go with his strengths!