In an article in the liberal New Republic headlined “What’s Not the Matter With Kansas: Change of Heartland,” writer John B. Judis suggests the Kansas Democratic Party has risen from the dead. Noting the Democratic successes of recent elections, such as those of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Attorney General Paul Morrison and Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, he writes: “Like Indiana, Nebraska, and other reputedly red states, Kansas has become politically competitive.” Judis credits “the combination of a fratricidal GOP and a rapidly expanding Johnson County electorate.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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55 Comments
Kansas Democrats have shown that they’re the only alternative to the God, guns, and gays party.
They’re the only ones who are concerned about what matters instead of abortion, evolution, the 2nd amendment, and discriminating against same-sex partners.
In other words, they haven’t gone stark raving nuts like the RepubliCONs.
But isn’t much of the “blue” in Kansas from the green money Democrats have spent on Kansas?
For example:http://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2007/01-23/index.htm
Kansas Democrats Use Congressional District Party “Committees” as Political $uperfundTo Pump Money to Kansas Democratic Party, Sebelius, Morrison and Pollsters
(What to do when writing one check for $35,000
to the Kansas Democratic Party would be illegal? Write SIX checks!)
Kansas Meadowlark, all that research and writing and you didn’t find anything illegal?
Isn’t that just terrible, the Dems beating the Cons at their main game.
We solicited more donations than the oppresive side; isn’t that how our democratic form of government is supposed to work?
The question on the table at the moment is if the rapidly expanding Johnson county electorate will help to defeat Senator Roberts. Some may try to argue that Roberts is a moderate, but I can’t help remembering that he has been with Dick and George every minute of every hour of every day.
Another example of the State and the Nation headed into a social and economic wasteland.
Transcript of a future debate between Senator Roberts and his Democratic challenger:
Democratic Challenger: Senator, if you’d known then what you know now, which is, we are utterly adrift over there with no end in sight, would you have voted to invade Iraq?
Senator Roberts: Yes, because…
Switch TO: A savvy, urban couple who are sitting in their living room, watching the debate.
Wife: And what’s the moon made of, dear?
Husband: Blue cheese.
As reported in the Eagle today, another former Republican – Ron Wimmer – has switched to the Democratic Party in a race next year for the State Senate. The “cool blue” wave started lasted year has already started to roll again.
Republicans must be going nutz now that Democrats are beating them at their own game. With the advent of the internet, Democrats have access to the “little people”. Maybe individually we can’t give much, but when you consider the numbers…
Looks like maybe we can even beat the money given by republican’s corporate masters.
And Meadowmuffin,
You got nothing.
Republicans are the stupidest of the stupid.
Even their children are starting to see how stupid mom and dad are when they support killing more American soldiers and spending billions a week on bloody oil.
Meadowmuffin is another of the stupidest of the stupid.
“fratricidal GOP”
That’s the key phrase in this thread. Certainly the dems have had some successes, but they could not have done it without the help of the far right radical wing of the Kansas GOP. Connie Morris, Mark Gietzen (sp?), Phill Kline: when these are the choices coming out of the GOP primaries, the alternatives are pretty clear. And of course, the KS GOP is too afraid to try to deal with the idiots they have way too many of.
http://www.lolhome.com/funny-picture-1773491420.html
This is how Republicans are made, when their very very young.
Theres some old saying, forgot who said it. Oh, Winston Churchill.
If your not a Liberal by the age of 20, then you have no heart.If your not a Conservative by the age of 40 then you have no brains.
Just thought that statement was interesting, though its old and out dated to me, and doesn’t mean a damn thing in todays world.
That is a funny picture.
The other view of that is that Republicans let their children STAY in messy pants…and that is how the Republican Vitter was made.
It all comes back to Republicans LIKE to sit in poopy diapers.
Good point, Steven. Radical wingnut republicans are marching the Kansas party over the cliff. But that’s a good thing for the growing Democratic party here. Democrats in Kansas aren’t exclusive, no loyalty documents to sign.
The Kansas republican party has been an embarrassment to this state long enough. Time for a change.
Maybe that’s why the troll K never married and doesn’t have girl/boy friend.
Rhonda, I loved your cute picture of Bill and Hillary.
“Maybe that’s why the troll K never married and doesn’t have girl/boy friend.”
That would certainly explain why he’s such a cranky SOB.
If the Centralist Party which now out-numbers the Democrat party in the state of Kansas.The statistics alone should signal a red flag.In other words, smart people don’t blindly follow the BS of the Democrats and Republicans anymore.So go ahead be stupid and live your lie and not face the facts that the donkey with the elephant are becoming extinct.
Kansas Democrats have always been centrist, far more conservative than the national party’s image. Remember Bob Docking? Vern Miller? Radical liberals?! HA!
The anti-science, anti-evolution, every-sperm-is-sacred crowd has ruined the Republic Party in Kansas.
So go ahead be stupid and live your lie and not face the facts that the donkey with the elephant are becoming extinct.
Posted by: Wiseman | September 16, 2007 at 10:07 AM
If only that were true. You keep believing that, Wiseman. But i do sympathize with you. I got swept up in the Perot campaign thinking a 3rd party had a chance. Ross did better than any other 3rd party candidate, but even at 19-20%, it was a dismal 3rd place finish.
You won’t see the republicans or Democrats fall in your lifetime. Since I suspect you vote mostly conservative, I encourage you to support 3rd party candidates. Please tell the rest of the right-wingers to do the same. If votes are going to be wasted, they might as well be right wing votes.
I have to question the sagacity of your statement, Wiseman, that the “donkey and the elephant are becoming extinct.” The two-party system is a long way from being dead. While a discussion of the inadequacies of the two-party system I would be happy to discuss, I think what is most important to say now is that there is a great deal of difference between the national political scene vs the Kansas political scene. The future of Kansas economically, environmentally, educationally, and from the standpoint of equality and social justice is with the Democratic Party. But as long as the neo-conservatives continue to control (i.e. Kris Kobach in its most recent form) the Kansas Republican Party and the Kansas Legislature, progress on all these fronts will continue to be stymied. Progressively-minded registered Republicans can either continue to fight the neo-conservatives, or you join the Party of science, common-sense and fiscal responsibility – the Democratic Party – and help lead this state and all of its citizens to new vitality, virtue and security.
“…and help lead this state and all of its citizens to new vitality, virtue and security.”
Kelly, you forgot the part about leading the state out of the Dark Ages, LOL!
The author of that article, John Jurdis, was a bit uninformed in his explanations for why Kansas had turned purple. The “expanding Johnson County electorate” obviously does not explain why Gov. Sebelius, AG Morrison, and Mayor Brewer all won Sedgwick County – Brewer by a greater margin than the others – nor does Jurdis’ explanation take into consideration that 3 out of the 5 total new members statewide of the Kansas House were elected from SC Kansas – Raj Goyle, Terry McLachlan and Vince Wetta. Wichita/Sedgwick County is becoming a moderate stronghold in Kansas politics, as is also the message of our election in April of Jeff Davis, Kevass Harding and Barb Fuller to the School Board – even the old axiom that the neo-conservatives can win small turn-out elections is no longer true.
No one has mentioned the fact that the GOP party has been in lockstep with the Bush Administration for the last 6 years and perhaps this is another factor of major Republicans switching parties to Democrat in order to run for office – and win!
Someone else posted about Pat Roberts being with Bush and Cheney and with all the unfavorabe poll ratings of Bush and Company, no wonder the Kansas GOP is also feeling the disdain from the voters.
But I feel that Kansas is mostly moderate conservatives who are the people that go to work, mind their business and expect their neighbors and co-workers to do the same. The current Kansas GOP is too busy putting their noses into the gay marriage non-issue and abortion issue.
The abortion issue would be solved if the GOP would just back off and start looking at ways to prevent the need for the abortions. Such as today’s article on these child sex prostitution rings in town. Where is the outrage against this from the so-called Social Conservatives who are protesting at Tiller’s clinic? Why isn’t the Catholic Church sending protesters down on South Broadway to protest the prostitution going on down there? Or is the Catholic Church too busy paying off their own lawsuits for covering up their own pedophile priests?
Obviously there is a real problem here with child sex prostitution and their clients are not other children. It has to be adults seeking out sex with children. Why not go after the already born children who need help rather than the unborn? I have never had an abortion protester to ever give me an answer to that question.
Perhaps the anti-gay marriage election a couple of years ago was the death knell for the “Religious” Right in Kansas. It was a special election, one guaranteed to get a relatively small turnout and most live-and-let-live Kansans bypassed voting. It was such a silly proposition by most Kansans figured it’d probably pass, so why bother voting?
When the results came out 80-20%, a lot of Kansans woke up. People who thought being “Christian” included Presbyterians and Episcopalian and Methodists and Lutherans learned some of the code words of the “Christian” Right; the radical evangelicals determined to become a twice-born Taliban imposing their version of fundamentalism on everyone.
Mainstream Republic Party members have been rejecting the Religious Wrong ever since.
“maidmarion” –
It’s because religion is just a smoke screen for so-called “conservatives” and the Republic Party. It’s just a tool to create wedge issues.
When it comes down to lusting after political power, the GOP’s slogan is, “If they’re too young to vote, fuc# ‘em.”
From Alan Greenspan’s new book to be released tomorrow:
“The Republicans in Congress lost their way,” Greenspan wrote. “They swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither. They deserved to lose.”
Since we know Kansas is a few years behind, perhaps what happened nationally in 2006 is finally filtering down. Maybe there is hope we will join the new century!
I sure hope the dems run a strong candidate against Roberts, His bush payoff money won’t help him then.
Dare we hope that the Dems could win a Senate seat in Kansas after more than 80 years?
Hey it is in both parties best interests that one party not be so permanently embedded in any particular state. It encourages accountability.
When you look at Kansas politics, by and large you see a difference between state races and federal races.
When you look at the state (local) races people seem to be much more involved and informed. That I believe is why we are seeing more progressive candidates being elected to those positions.
Federal races however (U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator) are much more expensive and much less personal. These become TV sound bites and an occasional mailer. This is why we keep electing the likes of Roberts and Tiahrt – and both will be reelected in 2008 I’m sorry to say – and can’t make any progress. Boyda was, in my opinion, an anomoly and happened to be running at just the right time.
I sincerly dont’ think Kansas will go even a shade towards Violet….it’s red, red, red.
And I like it that way.
So it will stay that way.
“And I like it that way.
So it will stay that way.”
So sayeth one of the conservative dinosaurs. Away to the tarpits, GS!
No wonder Kansas seems “stuck on stupid”.
Deny til ya die Tippy. The facts don’t lie.
And it is folks just like YOU who did it!. PLEASE keep it up. My kid has never had a chance to live in America not run by goons like you.
Since AWOL Browback is not going to run for re-election in 2010, I’d say the chances are good that a Democrat will be elected Senator in either 2008 or 2010. Especially if the neo-cons send Kobach, Tiahrt or Double L Kline up as their nominee.
TNR has been “coloring” a lot of things lately. One being their news coverage….search for Scott Thomas Beauchamp to see.
http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/08/how_the_new_republic_got_sucke.php
“It’s because religion is just a smoke screen for so-called “conservatives” and the Republic Party. It’s just a tool to create wedge issues.”
LT – Wedge issues? So if someone disagrees with a point of view then they must be doing it not because they believe its right or cause of faith but it is only to start a debate? Hmmm, if that is so then your statement fits well with any side on any debate in any issue. In short your comment is meaningless jargon. Moreover this simply breeds hate and dislike instead of honest exchange of ideas. Why are YOU creating “wedge” issues with people who you differ on opinion? Why not just address the facts?
“When it comes down to lusting after political power, the GOP’s slogan is, “If they’re too young to vote, fuc# ‘em.”"
I can safely tell you NO political party is out there marketing to people who cannot vote.
I can safely tell you NO political party is out there marketing to people who cannot vote.
Posted by: kswolverine | September 16, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Another Republican liar and koolaid drinker.
How many times have neocon posters claimed that the Democrats are soft on Mexican immigration in order to garner their future votes?
http://www.lolhome.com/funny-picture-1773491420.html
This is how Republicans are made, when their very very young.
Or how ’bout this kswolfboy?
Better join your poopy diaper Republican buddies at the koolaid trough.
“Another Republican liar and koolaid drinker.”
Who said I was a republican? Why do you ASSUME? How bout this, before you type next time and display your ignorance get your facts straight…..cute pic tho, very funny
Wolf boy
You are not a Democrat I can guarentee that.
“How many times have neocon posters claimed that the Democrats are soft on Mexican immigration in order to garner their future votes?”
So let me get this staight ???, con argue that dems are to soft on imm law….and yet this is supposed to make illegals want to vote con???? Yes, I see the logic, lets argue that
Dem’s are too soft on immg, ask for stricter restricts on ill and this will get those who are ill who become legal want to vote for us???!!! Nice logic….wow two posts and both times your ignorance shown…..hint, THINK before you type…also you have to stop the Qtip when it meets resistance!
Who said I was a republican? Why do you ASSUME? How bout this, before you type next time and display your ignorance get your facts straight…..cute pic tho, very funny
The neolib koolaid drinkers assume that anyone that challenges their positions is a neocon Rep., including us moderates they think both neocons and neolibs drink their own versions of koolaid. They are as hateful and intolerant as they accuse others of being.
Dems want the immig vote, Reps want the cheap labor.
There are other parties besides your Dem/Rep twosome.
“You are not a Democrat I can guarentee that.”
LOL, how do you know!
Lets see, I believe in legalizing drugs so we can tax the hell out of them. I believe in legalizing prostitution and abortion….but yes I can see your point were I must be a “neocon”….lol please ???? you’re embarrassing yourself
“The neolib koolaid drinkers assume that anyone that challenges their positions is a neocon Rep., including us moderates they think both neocons and neolibs drink their own versions of koolaid. They are as hateful and intolerant as they accuse others of being.”
I agree facts, good call. Also with your point on dems wanting the imm vote and the reps wanting labor- I agree with your take. I was simply confused by ??? post because he seemed to imply that there are only two parties. Further his logic seemed to be flawed. Maybe I am confused about his post, but with a name like ??? I guess the breeds confusion
Some only see two parties or two sides, Dem/Rep or neolib/neocon. There are con, lib, and moderates that don’t fit into their mold so they name everyone else either neolib or neocon or Dem or Rep.
Well said facts…its easy to label ppl black or white cauz then you can sterotype them. However, as often in this world, there is gray amuck
Party of science, common-sense and fiscal responsibility – the Democratic Party – Posted by: kelly | September 16, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Fiscal Responsiblity? HA-HA-HA!
The break democrats got from AG and Nancy Boyda was not a reflection of conservatives turning blue, as much as it was dissatisfaction with the performance of the two republicans in question.
Get you hopes up/don’t get your hopes up, I don’t care. But don’t fool yourself into believing that conservatives changed their core beliefs. Instead, I voted for candidates over party in the last election – and did vote for two of the three candidates mentioned.
I believe our state, and country as a whole, would be far better off without voting for party loyalty.
I am quite happy that you found our candidates as a general rule to be worthy of your votes.
There are quite a few Goldwater conservatives in Kansas who have been voting Democratic by and large.
As for fiscal responsibility, laugh in a mirror if you like, but Bush/Cheney have doubled the federal deficit, and Gov. Sebelius in her first term had dumped in her lap a state treasury that was in the red (and created by the Republican Governor, Republican Senate and Republican House), and restored fiscal integrity to this state without raising taxes.
Kelly – you must have forgotten that 911 occurred and Kansas was the third hardest hit state financially. Two years after 911 Kansas rose to number one hardest hit financially. The dependence of the aviation industry was devastating. You must remember that when Boeing, Beech, Learjet, and Cessna are having hard times it also means that all of their sub-contractors are suffering as well.
This is why the state was having such a rough time financially. Not because of the R’s. As the current Governor took over things were on the up side. Therefore, she had nowhere to go but up.
As for not raising taxes, you might want to rethink that one. She has raised fees on several services and then used that money to fund the budget. Those fees are supposed to be user fees not money for the general budget overall.
Therefore, she has raised taxes. Could the budget be better? You bet it could. Instead, it is increasing at 6% and higher each year. How many people out there got a 6% pay increase?
Congress has not done any better. The Republicans spent like crazy and the Democrats are doing the same right now.
We need a change!
Graffitti Troll–
Who cares what you think?
You tried – in the same old, hoary and fossilized way – to characterize Democrats as bad money managers. I replied that Gov. Sebelius took over a bankrupt state budget, managed the financial crisis admirably, and without raising taxes, and you’re only response is that she raised some user fees? Splitting hairs, aren’t you? And the Republicans who controlled all branches of state government before her election failed to create a rainy day fund, which could have been of great help after 9-11, the Greensburg tornado or the Coffeyville floods. The Republicans failed to prepare the state for the almost inevitable economic cycles. Only Republicans can be blamed for that failure.
And you are trying to blame a 9 month old new Congress for federal budget-busting behavior? Get real. The Bush/Cheney Admin and Gingrich Congress almost doubled the pre-existing federal deficit in 7 short years. And Bush/Cheney and Congressman Tiahrt opposed the Pay-as-you-go new rules that the new Democratic Congress tried to enact last January. They still haven’t learned the lessons of the November 2006 election, and the presidential veto and 60-vote rule in the Senate is still freezing the accomplishment of real reforms by the Democrats.
“The Republicans failed to prepare the state for the almost inevitable economic cycles. Only Republicans can be blamed for that failure.”
No matter how much money you have or how prepared you are disasters happen. Nothing could be done to replace homes, property, and loss of life. Disasters, no matter how much money could be saved, are going to happen. To blame Republicans or anyone for natural causes is ludicrous. Furthermore, you seem to be arguing that the debt increased throughout the R’s term in office. So if money was tight during this time, how can one logically and honestly blame anyone for not having a “rainy day flood” back up account.
Time-4-Change points about Wichita’s economy and the hit after 9-11 are true. Thus what else can one expect when an economy gets hit hard after a disaster only to suffer a bit. I also noticed in an earlier post you claimed Bush and Cheney doubled the deficit, however, Clinton never balanced the budget. He took money from Social Security to “balance the budget. Thus if you are using those inflated numbers then they are certainly skewed.
“They still haven’t learned the lessons of the November 2006 election, and the presidential veto and 60-vote rule in the Senate is still freezing the accomplishment of real reforms by the Democrats.”
You cant have it both ways. The Reps. had about the same amount of control over Congress as the Dems currently have. Therefore, Dems share an equal blame in the ballooning deficits since the Reps did not have the 60 votes needed to prevent any Dem blocking of budget issues.