Daily Archives: Dec. 31, 2007

Poll finds Kansans feeling less blue

Dec. 31, 20071:22 p.m.

MccainhillaryA November SurveyUSA poll co-sponsored by KWCH-TV, Channel 12 in Wichita, suggested there were some circumstances under which Kansans would prefer a Democrat for president in 2008. If so, that would be news, as 1964 was the last time the Democratic nominee won Kansas. This month reliably red Kansans had a change of heart, however, telling the pollster that they would prefer Republicans Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee or John McCain to Democrats Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. A McCain-Clinton face-off would be the most lopsided, 58 to 35 percent; the closest would be Romney-Obama, 44 to 43 percent.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (39)

It is the 2007 Weeper Awards!

Dec. 31, 20071:17 p.m.

EtheredgeLook out. It’s time for our annual Weeper Awards, which recognize extraordinary achievement in the area of public fiascoes, flops and foolishness. This year’s honors include the “Bum Steer” Award to Wild West World owner Thomas Etheredge (in photo), the “With Governors Like These” Award to Kathleen Sebelius for her promotion of Kansas wines and the “Illustrated Man” Award to Paul Morrison for his “L.C.” tattoo.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government, Media | Comments (22)

Open thread 12/31

Dec. 31, 20071:05 a.m.

Thread_3

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (114)

Double standard on politicians crying

Dec. 31, 20071:03 a.m.

Schroederpat GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has choked up lately when talking about soldiers killed in Iraq and his religion, Associated Press reported. But such displays of emotion are unlikely to hurt his campaign and may, in fact, help it by making Romney seem more authentic.

The same likely couldn’t be said if Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton got misty-eyed.

Guys have been tearing up all along and people think it’s marvelous,” said Pat Schroeder (in photo), who got grief for crying 20 years ago as she announced that she would not be a presidential candidate. But it’s still politically taboo for women politicians, particularly those running for top offices, to shed any tears.

And then people complain that Clinton seems too cold.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (54)

Next president likely to be hobbled

Dec. 31, 20071:02 a.m.

Clintongiuliani The presidential election is a little less than a year away, but the nation is already weary of the hopefuls. Pollster Scott Rasmussen finds that many voters find the candidates just barely more likable than distasteful, with candidates Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani scoring 45 percent favorable/54 unfavorable and 44 percent favorable/49 percent unfavorable, respectively.

Debra Saunders of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote: “It’s not just a matter of winning, but a question of what kind of tone will emanate from Washington in 2009. . . . Without a serious majority, the next president — whoever he or she may be — will walk into the White House hobbled. If it’s a 51-49 vote, almost as many people who elected the next president will have a stake in undermining the new commander in chief’s success.”

By Kristin Mehler | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (68)

GiveWell provides some valuable accountability

Dec. 31, 20071:00 a.m.

Offeringplate Many Americans are making year-end charitable donations, and two former New York hedge-fund analysts are hoping to help with that. The two left six-figure incomes to start GiveWell, applying their skills to evaluating charities on productivity numbers and effectiveness. Their findings are posted online to help potential investors weigh which organizations will be the best stewards of donations.

Their efforts have received mixed reviews from the philanthropic community, which questions the accuracy of gauging charities just by numbers. Nonetheless, not only does it give investors a clear view of where their money is going, the service adds an element of accountability in a hard-to-regulate climate of giving.

By Kristin Mehler | Filed under American life | Comments (6)