Kansas has preferred the GOP nominee in every November presidential election since 1964, but Kansas Republicans clearly aren’t ready to fall in line behind all-but-crowned nominee John McCain in 2008. Their huge endorsement of Mike Huckabee (in photo) in today’s caucuses made a point — that McCain isn’t reliably conservative enough for them, no matter how much praise Sen. Sam Brownback heaps on him.
It’s difficult to see what Huckabee’s Kansas caucus win serves, other than perhaps his prospects of being McCain’s best pick for vice president. (The former Baptist preacher sees it differently, of course, as best expressed by the quote of the day: “I didn’t major in math. I majored in miracles, and I still believe in them.â€) And where does it leave Huckabee’s Kansas supporters in November? Will they stand with McCain or stay home?
Praise is due the Kansas Republican Party for its savvy decision to schedule the caucuses just four days after Super Tuesday, resulting in Wichita visits by McCain and Huckabee, national media attention and strong turnout.
Back in October 2004, President Bush touted an “ownership society†in which “more Americans than ever will be able to open up their door where they live and say, ‘Welcome to my house, welcome to my piece of property.’†It sounded good.
But Naomi Klein argues that Bush’s attempt to turn working-class people into property and stock owners (and Republicans) was based on reckless economics. In 2002, she points out, Bush called on Fannie Mae and the private sector “to unlock millions of dollars, to make it available for the purchase of a home,†a direct encouragement of the subprime lending trend.
With 2 million Americans now facing foreclosure, the home ownership society looks like it was built on sand.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who gave such a potent introduction of John McCain at Friday’s Wichita event, is in the mix of names for possible running mates. The Hill newspaper also notes that Brownback is leading McCain’s outreach to Catholic voters and other religious conservatives, and is a key adviser on judicial nominations. “My heart was more with Huckabee because the social issues are clearly a strong agenda item with him,†Brownback told the Hill. “But he didn’t have the rest of the package and I didn’t think he could build out to include economic conservatives.â€
As for a McCain-Brownback ticket: “If it comes up, I will certainly look at it,†Brownback said.
But McCain appeared to rule that out at the Wichita rally. McCain said of Brownback, “I’ll be proud to have him by my side in any capacity as president of the United States.†He then added, “And by the way, I’m not talking about vice president.â€
It’s remarkable how many conservative Republicans such as William Bennett and Peggy Noonan are expressing admiration for Barack Obama, so much so that a new term — Obama Republican — is being used. What’s going on?
Former Bush official Peter Wehner tries to explain what Republicans see in Obama. Part of it, he says, is the “eloquence and uplift of his speeches, combined with his personal grace and dignity.†He has charm, and Republicans are not immune. Part of it is his message of unity and hope. Part of it, of course, is GOP contempt for the Clintons.
At some point, though, Wehner argues, Republicans smitten with Obama the person will come up against his thoroughly liberal record on issues.
Kansas has preferred the GOP nominee in every November presidential election since 1964, but Kansas Republicans clearly aren’t ready to fall in line behind all-but-crowned nominee John McCain in 2008. Their huge endorsement of Mike Huckabee (in photo) in today’s caucuses made a point — that McCain isn’t reliably conservative enough for them, no matter how much praise Sen. Sam Brownback heaps on him.
