What’s perhaps most striking about President Bush’s visit to Topeka on behalf of 2nd Congressional District Rep. Jim Ryun is that he even had to make the trip — this has been a safe seat for the GOP.
Democrat Nancy Boyda was handily defeated just two years ago by Ryun. But this time around, according to polls, it’s a close race — in large part because of dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and Congress. She accuses Ryun of being a “lapdog” for the president and has used a simple, effective campaign slogan: “Had enough?”
Bush’s rally will undoubtedly motivate Republican stalwarts. But as noted by Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, it could also backfire by helping turn out independents and others unhappy with Bush and the Iraq war.
We’ll soon find out how deep the dissatisfaction runs.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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34 Comments
THOUGHTS FROM KANSAS:
Who’s this “we,” Ms. RyunCategory: Policy and PoliticsPosted on: November 5, 2006 4:43 PM, by Josh Rosenau
Catharine Ryun has made an ad for her daddy, in which she explains why we here in Kansas have benefitted from her Papa’s reign in DC.
Which is odd, because she’s worked in the White House since 2001. Shortly after starting work there, she took a meeting with none other than Jack Abramoff. Like her papa, she’s a DC insider, no longer a Kansan.
Bonus Catherine Ryun moment: NPR interviews her in the course of a report on real life “40 Year-old Virgins.” I kid you not. I guess no one was interested enough in her to ask Pops if he could take her to a movie.
“Had enough?” is brilliant.
It’s what the Republicans used against Truman.
If there were ever a time to revive the slogan, this is it.
Well, it does look like Ryun has the white, upper class, 40 yr old virgin–vote wrapped up.Take that Boyda. HA
Why the blog about ryun?
What about the Tiahrt blog. This is the fourth congressional district. Todd Tiarht is our congressman.Where is the coverage on this race?
cin – the eagle will cover it – after tomorrow …
The credibility and integrity of the Eagle and its editors….
Going once…
Going twice…
SOLD to Todd Tiahrt!
Day before the election and we get a thread on a Kansas congressman. FINALLY!
Thing is? Ya got the wrong one. You editors endorsed Tiahrt. But you never asked him why he would not debate his democratic challenger Garth McGinn. You never gave us a thread to discuss it either.
Oh well let’s use what little you did give us.
For all you out there on the fence about voting for more of the same with Ryun or Tiahrt, this should make the decision for you.
bush has been to Kansas three times. This time it was to shill for Ryun who is in trouble. Contrast this with Florida which bush has visited more than 40 times. See? He and the Republicans take Kansas for granted as a given. If Tiahrt or Ryun are re-elected, you can count on Kansas interests going right back on ignore. Too, in a democratically controlled congress, Tiahrt and Ryun are gonna get kicked to the curb.
Tell Todd Tiahrt and Jim Ryun you’ve had enough of being ignored and taken for granted.
Make your vote count. Make Kansas count. Vote for Garth McGinn or Nancy Boyda.
A Florida Republican’s view of Bush:
Fla. GOP Candidate Snubs a Visiting BushPENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) – The White House did not hide itsirritation Monday at Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate CharlieCrist for ducking President Bush at a campaign rally in theRepublican friendly Panhandle.http://my.netscape.com/corewidgets/news/story.psp?cat=50700&id=2006110614350001564544
hmmmm….jr….
The press coverage is so pathetic on the fourth congressional race.
I hate sounding like a blame the media Kline supporter.
But there is a huge difference.
The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Just the basics were never even addressed. Like the candidates position on stem cell research, global warming, Government failures like hurricane Katrina, dubai ports, fluctuating energy prices, the war in IRAQ, Kyoto Protocol, Our image abroad, washington scandals, healthcare, education.
And the only person that gains from the silence is Todd Tiahrt.
And how about Tankerless Todd’s contributions from Abramoff, Foley, DeLay, etc …
hmmm…
Yes. Good point. There should have been a thread on each one of these issues.
Many of the commercials you see him running have been funded by those guys. Also big oil.
Another thing missed. This session of congress is considered the worst ever for getting anything done. The “do nothing” congress, and Todd Tiahrt is part of that.
Why didn’t the paper do a profile of Todd Tiahrts accomplishments over the last two years.
cin, they were going to,but were too embarrased when it was only two sentences.
There have *never* been any Republican tax cuts. Never
Six years of Republican control of the White House and Congress hasresulted in Trillions in tax *increases* since January 20, 2001.
Wha?! How can this be?Simple. When you spend more, and when you pass laws that commit the government to spending more in the future, you increase taxes, sooner or later.
Spending not financed by current taxes will be financed by future taxes. A debt increase is the present value of future increased taxes. If taxpayers merely pay interest on the debt incurred, forever, the present value of the interest payments is the initial increase in debt.
Suppose you raise future spending on X but later you cut spending on Y? You have still raised taxes. If you had cut spending on Y and foregone the spending on X, taxes would be lower.
To spend is to tax. There are no tax cuts. There are only tax shifts.
In no meaningful sense has George W. Bush reduced the tax burden. In no meaningful sense has he kept any promise. George W. Bush has kept his promise to cut taxes in the same way that a spouse who decides to “save money” by making only the minimum required payment on the VISA bill has kept a promise to reduce household spending.
As Milton Friedman puts it, to spend is to tax.
Bush’s spending increases–defense, Iraq, the Republican porkfest, the Medicare drug benefit–are still there, just as things you have charged to your VISA don’t go away if you make only the minimum monthly payment.
What George WMD Bush and the Republicans have is shift taxes from the present to the future–and, in the process, made future taxes uncertain, random, and thus extra-costly from a standard public finance view.
Republicans have imposed a huge increase in the “Debt Tax,” the cost of interest on our debt that just gets rolled into the cost that future generations will have o pay because Shrub lacked the political courage to say “no” to a single expense, a single revenue cut. He, like his lackeys in Congress, have no interest in actually reducing the tax burden on America; if they did, they would cut spending to match cuts in taxes.
This is not complicated math. 2+2 will never come out to 3, no matter how many supply-side fundamentalists you can get to say otherwise.
Republicans have dominated the federal budget for six years. They could have worked to cut the deficit, but instead he chose to let Shrub’s requests formoney sail through without any plan for paying those debts.
Maybe your 1.5 kids got $750 more in child tax credits. But those kids will owe a lot more on the debts that we’ve run up with China. A vote for a Republican is a vote for irresponsible spending and an impoverished future.
Mark Foley, perhaps, was the best Republican spokesman when he said, “If they’re too young to vote, f*ck ‘em.”
Foley’s headed to Wal-Mart as we speak.Big sale going on,little boys pants, HALF-OFF!!
Good post, MonkeyHawk, (whoever the heck you are, welcome if you’re a newbie).
You are correct. Shifting federal taxes to the states is not lowering taxes. Running the national debt to a historical high is not lowering taxes, any more than maxing out my credit card is “reducing spending.”
How embarrassing is this for Bush? He’s got to campaign for a little old wing-nut in wing-nut Kansas.
Man, if the Repukes have to fight like this to win here, think of how it’s going for them in Ohio . . .
Tracy:
You are right.If they had taken a look at Tiahrt, and his record one issue at a time. It would be devastating.What it would show is that he has sided with bush on almost everything. And turned his back on all of the corruption.
He is so similar to ryan and kline and the types that have made a mockery of our state.
But instead of holding him accountable, they give him a pass.
It makes me ill…
cin – Tiahrt did NOT turn his back on corruption. He faced it squarly and extended his hand – palm up.
good point hmmmm…
it has been a republican free for all for way to long…
What’s sad is that some of the repubs are still so safe and sound in Kansas. Moran is expected to win, and his voting record is solidly with the GOP, and Tiahrt too.
How Kansas can keep voting these people in- I’ll never know.
It’s What’s the Matter with Kansans, stupidity.
Come on Kansas. Dump the incumbents. They deserve it.
Bit odd that Tiahrt was there too, but no mention of that.
He didn’t have the time to debate McGinn, which is what he said in the KSN interview, but he had time to hang out with Bush and Ryan on Sunday.
What will all of you left-wing nuts say when the Rs keep the Senate and retake the House in 2008?
This a historically bad year for Rs; as bad as 1974, yet, the D’s will end up with a 3 – 8 seat majority in the House and will still be a minority in the Senate.
So, which party is really out of step?
Oh yea, anybody hear of Ned Lamont?
Randy will not answer questions about his biases and sources of income, but sure wants to play journalist real bad….see questions raised on the past consumer blog hit piece he posted for his rich relatives.
AND NOW, THIS WORD FROM RANDY’S SPONSORS: This message brought to you by Rent A Center and the new car dealers of Wichita, who ask, “Why own when you can lease from us in perpetuity???”
Troll–
The editors practically never respond to posts.
You were tiresome twenty posts ago.
Now you are moronic.
******
How about that Bonnie Huy thread?
Everybody’s property taxes go up except for hers.
Mine went up 50-60 percent in the last five years, but hers only go up TWO percent.
Really stretches that government salary, doesn’t it.
How can this not be collusion with the appraiser’s office?
What is sad – in 2 years, or 4 years, or next month, democrat(s) will fuck up and there will be scandal.It’s a problem with power. Hopefully Pelosi keeps her act clean and firm.
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE — TAKE TIME FROM BLOGGING — VOTE EARLY — VOTE OFTEN –
Richard J. Daley, MayorChicago
Isn’t it time for a third party? Is there something in the Constitution that says only 2 parties — more than ever we need the voice of moderates.
Speaking of ethics — the electorate should write the Congressional Code of Ethics — pretty simple
“I WILL NOT LIE, CHEAT OR STEAL OR TOLERATE THOSE THAT DO. I AND MY STAFF AND FAMILY WILL NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING FROM ANYONE. DINNER, TRIPS, HOOKERS. (OK WE CAN SET A REASONABLE LIMIT SAY $50) IF SOMEONE ATTEMPTS TO BUY MY SUPPORT, THEY WILL BE REPORTED TO THE FBI AND THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.
The ethics committee will be comprised of citizens, not Congress or their staffs. It will be rotated out once a year.
You may be onto something, Ken, especially the little parenthetical that allows for $50 hookers. If Mark Foley would’ve had the loophole, he’d be in Congress today.
The photo of this doesn’t include Tiahrt. Just a few feet away Todd Tiarht is standing right up there with them.
He is our congressman. Why isn’t this news?
Tiahrt two days before the election embraces Bush…
Come on….
I want to see Tiarht’s face when Nancy Pelosi is the majority leader in the House. I hope she kicks his butt all day.
Well, I see our many-named johnny one-note is at it again. While I have long thought that the eagle is too cozy with car dealers it is economic rather than political. After all, the car dealers are overwhelmingly Republican; starting with Senator Les Donovan. The issue with the eagle is all that advertising revenue.
As for Scholfield it is my understanding that there has been some sort of ‘falling out’ in the family years ago and that Randy has nothing to do with the dealerships.
Just because my brother or cousin might be in some business does NOT mean that I am in that same business.
SO you think Randy “sure wants to play journalist real bad….”
Give me an effing break.
“jesus is a republican” values boy is the PLAY journalist at the WE.
He is more biased and bigoted than Randy could even THINK about being.
jesus wept. ’cause he was identified as a republican.
Culture of corruption somehow doesnt fit any known description of jesus.