First state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins would have to beat former Rep. Jim Ryun in the GOP primary. But if she defeats not only Ryun but also incumbent Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, Jenkins’ replacement would be chosen by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who could use the job to "build more candidate bench strength," noted the Kansas City Star’s Steve Kraske. Having the 2nd Congressional District seat back in GOP hands would be a relief for Republicans. But the prospect of a Democratic governor, attorney general and treasurer — along with a GOP insurance commissioner and a GOP secretary of state who drew conservative challengers last year — will give some Republicans the willies.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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27 Comments
Are the repubs causing their own problems? When the christian crazies challenged thier own incumbents for Sec of State and Ins. Commish, they made their own foul nest to lie in. Now the moderate repubs are attacking the conservatives. Ok, works for me!
The Kansas Republican Party is near bankruptcy. They are barely raising enough money to pay for rent and utilities on their headquarters, they are late on payroll, they’re getting rid of long-time staffers, and their Chair is interested in only two things: anti-immigrant hyperbole, and getting his pretty face on national news programs. Why is KSGOP in this state of affairs? Easy: they keep putting up radical “conservatives” for statewide and legislative offices. Responsible Republicans are sick and tired of the radicalization of their party, and aren’t going to support it anymore.
On the other hand, Kansas Traditional Republican Majority, the independent statewide organization for sane, moderate Republicans, is raising money, is recruiting candidates, and is poised to bury KSGOP’s radical agenda. It may take an election cycle or two, but the traditional Republicans are coming back in Kansas, and the radicals’ days are numbered.
Lynn Jenkins is running almost even with Jim Ryun on fundraising, and she’s only just gotten started. Ryun has the advantage of having thousands of contacts with out-of-state lobbyists and special interests. Jenkin’s past fundraising experience is limited largely to in-state Kansas donors. Of course, she’ll be reaching out for non-Kansas money, but the fact that she’s where she is this early in the cycle is very, very bad news for Ryun.
And very _good_ news for Kansas.
I voted for Lynn Jenkins even as a Democrat. Considering how unhappy I am with Boyda, I will very seriously hope that Jenkins gets the nomination. But of course, I’ll have to listen to both of them very carefully. I don’t want to give the republicans any props that’s for sure, but I’m also willing to vote for who I think will do the better job and not merely along party lines.
There are a few dems I wouldn’t vote for if you paid me to.
Lynn Jenkins will win easily. I’m sorry Dems, but that is the truth!
Joe,
Lynn Jenkins is going to have the fight of her life in the primary. Moderates have a poor record of primary election turnout, whereas the radicals have learned that’s how one takes a party over.
2nd Congressional is going to be very interesting.
“There are a few dems I wouldn’t vote for if you paid me to.
Posted by: political_mom | July 27, 2007 at 08:50 AM ”
Ditto. Let’s make a list, and at the top of that list?
Jan Pauls.
Followed by Candy Ruff, Mark Gilstrap, Jim Ward, Janis Lee and Eber Phelps.
And actually, the list could go on and on…
Jan Pauls…I hear if you dump a bucket of water on her, she’ll melt. I’ve also heard rumors that flying monkeys have been seen in south Hutchinson…
Tom -
I’ll Drink to that!
It’s actually very insulting to Democrats to have Jan Pauls and Mark Gilstrap in the party. They are right wing-nuts in disguise. Nothing more, nothing less.
Mark Gilstrap, for those who don’t know, is the state senator from the 5th District, which covers western Wyandotte and eastern Leavenworth counties.
He’s most famous for last year’s chairing of “Democrats for Phill Kline.”
Oh, and Jan Pauls is from the 102nd House district. She’s the “Democrat” who wrote the relationship ban amendment, and who _always_ shows up to testify for any bill that will harm gay and lesbian Kansans and their families. Quite often, she’s the only person testifying for her “side.”
She’s basically homophobia in a purple polyester pantsuit (her favorite “outfit” – no joke!).
Mark Gilstrap, . . . . He’s most famous for last year’s chairing of “Democrats for Phill Kline.”
— Talk about a minority group. Most Republicans didn’t support Kline!
I supported Thornburg, last time around.
Thornburg did the right thing and demanded a vote of the people.
That is how Sam Brownback got his Senate seat, running against Graves-appointed Sheila Frahm, who took over Bob Dole’s unexpired term.
Thornburg upset the moderates, but I respect courage. He deservedmy vote.
I realize that Thornburg would have done the same thing, even if the situation were reversed.
It was the right thing to do.
I, too, voted for Jenkins. She seems to be doing a good job.
I noticed that when the Senator (Republican)from Wyoming (I think) dies the Gov (a Dem) had to replace him with a Republican under state law. I think that is a good system. It would have been nice to have had such a system in place in South dakota so we would not have seen certain republicans licking their chops at the thought of the Dem Senator there possibly dying or having to resign.
ECON – a VERY unrelated question. What’s your take on this week’s market swoon?
Sadly, one reason that I am a registered Republican is that I can vote against the nut jobs in the primaries.
Sadly, one reason that I am a registered Republican is that I can vote against the nut jobs in the primaries.
Posted by: WichiWomn | July 27, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Too bad you let the poopy diapers Republican through the “nut screen”
Hoiw ’bout Brownback, the guy who whips himself for his religion?
Republicans don’t consider him to be a nut case either!
What primary victories did KTRM have in 2006? Inquiring minds would like to know more about this political juggernaut.
Ed,
Thornburgh won against Kay O’Connor. Sandy Praeger beat Eric Carter. Jenkins didn’t even draw a primary opponent. O’Connor and Carter are both well-known as being from the extreme side of the party.
“Political_Mom” –
I recall you writing about your dissatisfaction with Boyda’s first six months in office, but I don’t remember the specifics.
Consider the alternatives, though. Jim Ryun’s got the best chance of winning the twice-born who dominate GOP primaries; and just what would he do as a dim-witted minority party member of Congress that would right the wrongs you perceive Boyda has committed? Jenkins might get support of traditional Kansas Republics, but they’re off vacationing in the mountains at August primary time.
What I’ve never quite understood is the Conventional “Wisdom” that the Kansas State Treasurer is a stepping stone to the governorship. (Look how great it worked out with Joan Finney?)
Okay, it’s a statewide campaign, but so is Insurance Commissioner. And, as Kathleen Sebelius proved, it’s a platform for delivering constituent services that translate to what people want from a Governor. Then again, a statewide victory doesn’t automatically translate to a higher-profile office elected from a congressional district.
Ben
Buy low Sell high.
Time to buy!
“This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy. Offers are made only by prospectus.”
And KTRM can take credit for those victories? Please.
Econ – pretty much my take. To which I add ‘dollar cost averaging’ I think it is mostly a hiccup spurred by the ‘liars loans’ crashing. Of course, summer usually sucks anyway.
Interesting that small stocks (Russell 2000) have been hit so hard.
Actually — if you pay attention to the “Morning Star” styles boxes, or if you look at the “Callan Periodic Table” — it is time for “large cap growth” to make a rebound.”Russell 2000 Value” has been in the top 4 out of 8 styles for 4 years.Callan’s table, as well as the Morning star “tic tac toe” style boxes are the bedrock of my business.You cant time the market.Buy WELL and hold.Sleep WELL!
Philbert,
Paste in where I said KTRM won those races.
The point in my 8:06am post yesterday wasn’t that KTRM was winning races. My point was that the KSGOP has been run into bankruptcy by the radical “conservative” wing of the party;.
It’s no secret to insiders that KTRM has been going after KSGOP’s funding base. It’s no secret to insiders that KSGOP is barely able to pay its bills.
The proof that the radicals are in trouble is in last year’s election results. Democrats picked up five State House seats, four of them by beating incumbent Republicans. They did this in _heavily_ Republican districts. Sebelius won by a huge margin. Paul Morrison won by an even bigger margin over _incumbent_ Kline.
If you want to pretend the radical “conservatives” aren’t losing ground in this state, if you want to ignore the resurgence of the Kansas Democratic Party, if you want to dismiss the rise of KTRM, go right ahead. Be complacent. We won’t mind.
Tom
Evolution/Creation is not a big issue with me.I wish the Conservative wing would not stress that issue so much.I actually get just as upset with the radicals on both sides of that issue.
Also, I do worry about the social costs of gambling, but I don’t think that issue should generate “litmus test” revolts against pro-gamming Republicans.
That having been said: Our NATIONAL ticket will PROBABLY be more conservative than the Moderate Republicans.
The Republican Party National Platform will PROBABLY be more conservative than KTRM would like.
Voter turnout will also be higher, especially if Hillary is the nominee.
Nothing unites like a common enemy.
Yes, my conservative friends have been arrogant in the past. We have confused luck with wisdom and personal mistakes by liberals (which got them defeated) with a false “mandate of the people”.
You boast prematurely. You are making the same mistakes as your opponents have made, before you.
Econ,
Who’s boasting? Have I made any factual errors in my posts? Is there some flaw in my analysis of where Kansas politics is heading?
The radical “conservatives” are trying to spin last year’s losses. But the message is clear: Kansas voters are growing weary of the radicals’ abuse of our state government. Many, many Republicans are checking off the “D” on their ballots. Many prominent Republicans are leaving the party. The money is following them out of the party.
Ed Smiley’s and Philbert’s posts are either done out of ignorance, complacency, or an attempt to spin. I’m betting on the “spin.”
The Republican State Committee is meeting this weekend. They’re supposedly working on the state platform and budget. It’ll be interesting to see what comes out of their conference, leading into the 08 election cycle.
Let’s see if KSGOP learns the lessons of the Shallenburger, Kline, Barnett, and Kobach campaigns.
Or not.