The overflow crowds at area Democratic caucuses tonight showed how eager Kansans were to have a say in this election — and what a mistake the Kansas Legislature made last year in not funding a presidential primary.
Barack Obama’s landslide win in the Kansas caucuses also showed how his message of hope and change resonates with many voters longing to move beyond the partisan politics that have divided this country.
As some national pundits observed, Obama’s win in Kansas reflected his roots in the state: His mother was born at Fort Leavenworth, and his maternal grandparents grew up in Butler County. But the excitement generated by Obama’s overflow rally at Butler Community College boosted interest just a week before the caucuses. And in Kansas and elsewhere, Obama’s appeal to young voters has been remarkable. His unique ability to attract youths to politics could be felt long term, no matter how his contest against Hillary Clinton shakes out.
61 Comments
The turnout and enthusiam of Dems across the country tonight has been tremendous. The Republican voters may as well stay home in November. :)
They don’t need to stay home – we’re gonna kick a** in November no matter how many of them turn out! They got nothing; we have hope and a much better America in our future. One that isn’t in a useless unnecessary war, one that can bring financial responsibility back to our country, one that will improve our tarnished by bushco reputation. We can bring hope to our schools that are leaving all children behind, Americans can know that health care is available to everyone, we will bring back the pride in respecting scientists. I am on an American high! What a wonderful night.
“..his message of hope and change resonates with many voters longing to move beyond the partisan politics that have divided this country.”
Let’s have a bit back at the enemy before we call ceasefire can we Senator Obama?
I don’t feel any particular desire to accomodate the right. There’s been enough of that.
J R — they’re NOT gonna be in charge come November! Smile really big!
JR, if it’s any consolation, Obama got soundly trounced in AZ. And Edwards got 6.6%, hehe, no message there, huh?? Edwards also got 10% in California (another Clinton state).
I’ve noticed that more than one pundit has thought that Hillary’s starting to sound like John Edwards. Hmmm. . .
Any Edwards supporters in other states who might be reading this: While it might seem like playing “chicken” at this late stage, might I suggest you follow suit?
Then again, I could be completely wrong. Maybe it’s too late for that. I dunno.
Obama got about 70% at the caucus I attended. What impressed me was that the folks standing for Hillary were we old folks (you know, the reliable voters). Another thing that impressed me was that among the “greatest generation” voters was a uniform sense that GWBush was an incredible failure and the “worst president ever” – perhaps they are reading Cap’nAmerica posts….
Regardless of how it turns out, our country will be returned to sanity. It is way past time for that…
Another thing that impressed me was that among the “greatest generation” voters was a uniform sense that GWBush was an incredible failure and the “worst president ever” – perhaps they are reading Cap’nAmerica posts….
Naw, Steven, they’re just too young to remember Warren Harding! :)
Or could it be that, maybe, just maybe, that c***su**er is the Worst. President. Ever ??
Steven, was a great and uplifting experience for you? It absolutely was for me! It didn’t matter who we stood for tonight as we all agreed that come November — oh my, are we are a force to be dealt with!
The snow certainly hurt the Hillary turnout, as we expected more older voters, the old tried and true dems.
Yes, Obama had many young fresh faces, and we need that. But I also don’t want Republicans who are unhappy with their party taking over mine.
Many remarked about the disappointment in not having a primary, how so many voices went unheard. I told them they need to write their representatives.
Yes, there is a wave of Obama support, but this nation won’t be helped by hope alone. Obama is going to HAVE to come up with something more to win.
Elizabeth Bishop and Charles Merrifield did the heavy lifting/hard work at the caucus I attended. I thank them both for their efforts. It was a long drawn out process, but who would have thought that so many people wanted to join up with Kansas Dems… somewhat unusual, you know?
Thank you, George W. Bush!
Agree with the others that Kansas should have funded a Presidential Primary. A quick scan of the legislative journal shows the funding was taken out of the budget in the Kansas House on March 15, 2007.
Considering almost all but 2 or 3 Democrats voted “yes” to take the funding out, it’s interesting that Democratic voters were the ones standing in the snow and waiting to vote tonight.
From the Journal of the House on March 15, 2007 below. An amendment on the House budget by Rep Charlie Roth from Salina and passed 85-34. A “Yes” vote was to cancel the primary. A “no”
vote was to keep the primary.
On page 35, after line 12, by inserting the following:
??(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 2006 Supp. 25-4501, and amendments
thereto, on and after the effective date of this act, during the fiscal years ending June 30,
2007, and June 30, 2008, no expenditures shall be made from any moneys appropriated for
the secretary of state or any other state agency from the state general fund or any special
revenue fund for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 by chapter 142 or 216 of the 2006 Session Laws
of Kansas, or by this or other appropriation act of the 2007 regular session of the legislature
to hold a presidential preference primary.??;
On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 34; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not
voting: 6.
Yeas (To cut the funding for the primary): Aurand, Ballard, Bowers, Burroughs, Carlin, Carlson, Craft, Crow, Dahl, Davis,
Donohoe, Faber, Faust-Goudeau, Feuerborn, Flora, Frownfelter, Garcia, Gatewood,
George, Goico, Grant, Hawk, Hayzlett, Henderson, Henry, Hill, Holland, M. Holmes, Hue-
bert, Huntington, Johnson, Kelsey, Kuether, Landwehr, Lane, Light, Loganbill, Long, Lu-
kert, Mah, Mast, McCray-Miller, McKinney, McLachlan, McLeland, Menghini, Merrick,
Jim Morrison, Judy Morrison, Moxley, Myers, Neighbor, Neufeld, Owens, Palmer, Pauls,
Peck, Phelps, Pottorff, Powell, Proehl, Rardin, Rhoades, Roth, Ruff, Ruiz, Sawyer, Schroe-
der, Schwartz, Sharp, Siegfreid, Svaty, Swanson, Tietze, Treaster, Trimmer, Vickrey, Ward,
Wetta, Whitham, Williams, Winn, B. Wolf, K. Wolf, Worley.
Nays (Voting to keep the primary): Beamer, Bethell, Brown, Brunk, Burgess, Colyer, Crum, Dillmore, Flaharty, Fund,
Gordon, Goyle, Grange, Hodge, Horst, Humerickhouse, Kelley, Kiegerl, King, Kinzer,
Knox, Masterson, Metsker, O?Neal, Olson, Otto, Patton, Powers, Sloan, Swenson, Tafanelli,
Watkins, Wilk, Yoder.
Present but not voting: None.
Absent or not voting: Colloton, C. Holmes, Peterson, Shultz, Spalding, Storm.
The motion of Rep. Roth prevailed.
PMom, the most important thing I got tonight is that THE Democratic Party nominee will win! I was in the little group — Obama’s supporters almost doubled our numbers. But afterwards, when we all celebrated the huge numbers of us that came out tonight, we agreed that come November we are a strong and unified and determined group of voters!
Oh and I do want to say this. The old party dems who keep running things need to step back and let the younger generation take over. we told them many times that the venue was far too small. They made no attempt to move it. They also only had 4 people checking folks in. We didn’t get finished checking people in till after 8. The lines were chaos.
We almost were able to get control of the chair, but the old people kept resisting the changes the newer chair wanted to make. This caused some infighting and finally the new chair said if you won’t let me run this thing, you take it back. And that’s exactly what happened.
I was THRILLED to see such a fantastic turnout, as any other dem event was far smaller than I had ever seen.
Yes, we want change. We want to undo the last 8 years and get back on track. Clinton didn’t leave this mess.
I could not caucus tonight – personal reasons – but I would have gladly stood in the wind and snow for Barack Obama. I watched his speech tonight on MSNBC and was inspired once again.
For the first time since Bobby in 1968, I am inspired. I am an old SOB – obviously if I remember RFK directly – but Obama is a fresh breeze in a world of old farts.
I can only hope that Barack has turned the Clinton tide in time to get the nomination. He will be a great president.
The time for the Clintons and Bushes has long since passed. It is a time for new blood and new ideas.
It is time for Barack Obama.
Will Rogers is known for saying, “I’m not a part of any organized political party. I’m a Democrat.”
I enjoyed and celebrated the chaos that too many showing up created!
Looks like Willard Romney is calling it quits…
WS, what true policy idea does Obama have?
What is something he has truly accomplished?
bloggus, all those folks with the “R” beside their name should call it quits!
lindainks55,
That’s a fact! Any Republican who feels there’s any hope after tonight is delusional.
Rage,
Wish you could have been here. The Kansas Democratic party had to send out for several copies at Kinkos to accomodate their requests for membership. Things are right, but not at all normal, here in the sunflower state.
I say, Alright, brother… do I hear a response…?
What has Hillary accomplished other than rubber stamping the Bush War of Choice on Iraq?
Nothing.
Obama presents a hope for change, a new way of thinking, a new approach for solving complex problems.
Hillary only provides us with the thought of eight more years of gridlock and partisan warfare.
Barack can unite – Hillary cannot.
After looking at the proposed Bush Federal Budget for fiscal 2009, it is obvious that we need a bipartisan solution for severe problems facing this country.
If Hillary is president, all hope for bipartisan solutions is gone.
The Cons, witness our very own Paul F. Rossell, will never work with Hillary, even if she was dead right and they were dead wrong.
We need a change from the same old same old.
Barack Obama is our best hope for change.
OK, I’ve wound down. Hasn’t been since sometime in the early 60s I felt this kind of high… ;-) Good night all. January 20, 2009 comes closer with each passing day!
Confirm
MSNBC says a visit by Romney to Kansas in advance of the Saturday GOP caucus is now “in serious doubt”.
And if he was planning to come to Kansas, Willard was already desperate.
It will be McCain and the winner of a brokered Democratic convention.
I’ve said it before. The Democrats ARE electing the next President.
Let’s let it play out. The Obama supporters are the best of our optimism and hope.
But hope and optimism are what you cling to when you have little left. You have to have to take a stand and start demanding back before you fall back on hope and optimism.
I look forward to a convention that is more than a coronation party. I’ve not known otherwise and I am more than 40.
Thanks for proving my point WS. Not even you can mention ONE thing.
Do you imagine that paulthecon and I could work together WS?
I’d rather die.
I say, Alright, brother… do I hear a response…
At the risk of spontaneous combustion, AMEN BROTHER!
*******
Obama is going to HAVE to come up with something more to win.
I dunno, P-mom, his “hope” thing reminds me of two previous pols: Jesse Jackson, and, yes, Ronald-friggin’-Reagan. I remember a cartoon that ran in 1984, after Reagan beat Mondale 59 to 41 percent:
‘The youth vote for Reagan explained’
When you were in college who was more popular?
Cheerleaders (Reagan with pom-poms) OR
Guys who lettered in debate (Mondale as the ultra-nerd).
Obama has also tapped into the ‘Camelot,’ crowd, simply because his eloquent oratory, youthfulness, and dramatic approach reminds people of John and Bobby (he actually got the endorsement of remaining Grateful Dead!).
But “hope” isn’t policy. I supported Jesse Jackson (4th choice) in 1988 because he was bringing new people into the process. But wanting to believe isn’t enough. I will look forward to raking both of them over the coals, thank you!
And then voting for the winner in November.
P.S. To the Paul supporters: I fully appreciate the Constitutional issues he’s raised; they need to be raised, and so far he’s the only one who’s been doing it. Good for hime!
But his policy prescriptions are just a variation of the same ol’ Republican “Got mine, up yours!”, and, furthermore, the numbers don’t add up, and they have zero chance of making it thru the Congress anyway! No thanks.
Clark and J R,
I am sorry, but I think with either a Hillary or an Obama win, the people win. And in the end, isn’t that what is most important???
Thank you.
MSNBC reports even delegate split between Senator Clinton and Obama.
WS and supporters of Obama? You must first work with those in your own party before you get to reach out to the other.
All in all, a not bad day.
“Thanks for proving my point WS.”
And what does Hillary have to offer, P Mom?
With all due respect – and that is considerable – Ms. Clinton only can offer politics as usual – nothing else.
“You must first work with those in your own party before you get to reach out to the other.”
And how are the Clintons “working with those in her own party?”
By slamming Obama’s opposition to the War on Iraq as being a “fairy tale?”
By implying that Obama only won South Carolina because he is black?
By suggesting that Obama was a drug dealer?
Is that how you work with members of your own party?
Clark, two words: John McCain.
Hillary instantly starts looking good!
And I was going to bed.
WS?
Obama extolled Reagan. He also called the GOP the “party of ideas”.
Now, he is going to have to explain that. And you are going to have to explain why you support him in light of that.
When he said those things my jaw hit the floor.
Good night.
“Obama extolled Reagan”
No he didn’t.
Read the quote – he said that Reagan changed the trajectory of American politics.
He never said that he AGREED with Reagan.
What has Hillary done?
Just remember, the ONLY Democrat that could lose in November is Hillary.
By the way, J R, you conveniently ignored my points about Hillary “working within her own party.”
…………like calling Obama’s opposition to the War on Iraq a “fairy tale.”
Etc..
“Clark, two words: John McCain.”
I will vote for ANY Democrat over ANY Republican, but that does not mean I will like it.
Rush O’Hannity is positively salivating over the prospect of a second Clinton presidency.
NOTHING will get done during a Hillary Clinton presidency – zero.
We don’t have time to wait to unite this country.
. . .Obama also said that they were the party of ideas, with emphasis on the past tense. He made it clear in the whole statement that their time had passed—not strong enough for my taste, but not exactly complimentary, either.
Because those things are NOT TRUE Ws, and you should know that. There is NO WAY in Heck that Hillary would disenfranchise the blacks. That whole statement was so overblown out of proportion by who? By the Republicans. I DO think Obama is taking a fairy tale approach, that isn’t nasty. If you guys think THIS is nasty, geez, how are you going to handle it when the Republicans come after you?
He did make it sound as if he were INSPIRED by Reagan, and Reagan did nothing inspirational…did you forget what life was like under Reagan? No I’m not interested in making nice with the Republicans.
As far as true ideals for America, She wants to get TRUE universal healthcare, she will start getting us out of war RESPONSIBLY. She has a plan to stop US businesses from benefitting from slave labor outside of the US to line their pocketbooks. These are all very important. And I never hear Obama even hardly mention these things.
Why? Because he hasn’t figured out what he’s going to do about it yet.
Uhm, P-mom, what Bill actually said that Obama’s opposition to the war was a “fairy tale,” because of his subsequent votes in the Senate. I think he’s wrong, but it’s a defensible criticism.
And what you’re saying is the very perception the Clintons have been trying to stamp out.
And with this I will go to bed.
WS?
Obama never said he disagreed with Reagan either.
“We don’t have time to wait to unite this country.”
Oh I agree. But Obama and you want to work with people who put wallet first, second, and third. Their concern for their country and countrymen is well down their list.
I’ll let them come on my way. IF they will. I’ve backed up enough thanks. And if they will not ?
To hell with unity.
“There is NO WAY in Heck that Hillary would disenfranchise the blacks.”
Who made the statement that Hillary wasn’t/didn’t win South Carolina because she was white?
Bill.
I used to think that Bill Clinton was a good president, but that comment ended my positive view of the Clintons.
“He did make it sound as if he were INSPIRED by Reagan”
ONLY in reference to Reagan’s POLITICAL skills, not his policies.
Even with my IQ of 64 (ya’ll know what that means) I knew what he was saying.
The ONLY Democrat that could possibly, maybe, could, might, somehow, would lose in November is Hillary.
We can’t take that chance…………..
“Obama never said he disagreed with Reagan either.”
And he never said that Hillary should have stepped in where Monica volunteered, either.
So what…………………
To my knowledge, Obama has never spoken out about McCarthy or Woodrow Wilson, either.
Does that mean that he agrees with them?
JR
I actually have great admiration for the Hillary camp and the Obama camp, getting their people out in the poor weather, here in Kansas, was something to admire.
However, I am an issues guy
I think your party is, generally, wrong on the issues.
The problem that Republicans must face is that we did not live up to our ideals, not that our ideals were wrong to begin with. (In my opinion, of course.)
Spending got out of control, and Bush did not do a good job of explaining himself, on defense and other issues, like Ronald Reagan used to do. This made him look arrogant, when I really dont think that he is, at all.
Anyway, my wish for you is that you do not take things so personally.
Also, JR, a piece of wisdom I picked up from the Blogs:
Hillary won in states the Dems usually carry, in November.
Obama won in Red states that the Dems dont usually win. In other words, Hillary does not need many of the states that Obama carried. Obama WOULD need the states that Hillary carried.
The “super delegates” in your party will notice that.
I think Hillary will win the nomination.
Funny thing, Hillary is more conservative than Obama, on several issues.
I would rather be governed by Hillary than by Obama, on policy matters, but she would make me grit my teeth more, I admit.
I also think Hillary will be easier to defeat, in November, though I concede that McCain has a tough job ahead of him.
I sincerely admire Obama.
Try to look at issues as well as personalities.
Obama is much closer to the views that you have expressed, here. The purpose of politics is to decide policy. Yes, “people are policy” sometimes, when it comes to who a President or appoints and stuff like that. Still, POLICY should drive the debate.
We all fall into the trap of taking personal shots at the other side.
I am going to make a serious attempt, when I post, to stick to policy and not get personal. With Bloggers or candidates.
This will be a very interesting year.
And, as I said to you, long ago, If I saw you on the side of the road, and you needed help, I would stop.
I do not hate you. I just disagree with you.
I do fear Obama.
I like him and I fear him.
I fear that Obama could advance liberalism without making people mad at him, like Hillary has such a nack at doing.
Anyway, I congratulate the victors.
I looks like McCain against Hillary.
Of course, I am waiting for the Alaska vote! lol
I spent three hours at the caucus location, two were spent either standing in line or waiting to leave. For some reason the wordpress blocks the name T-exas.
I was at the Manhattan caucus. There were more than 1,000 voters. A HUGE number of KSU students were there. I bet 200+ registered or changed their registration. The Obama campaign was very well organized.
Doug
Wordpress blocks ape with an r in front of it, but it let someone use the “F” word, yesterday.
Also, It leaves words out of my posts that I am just positive I typed, before posting.
Oh well. What do you want for nothing?
Wordpress blocks ape with an r in front of it, but it let someone use the “F” word, yesterday.
Not anymore. I just suggested forcible fornication of the Lone Star State, and it blocked it.
Indefensible idiocy–banning words–but, as you point it, it is free (like in “free beer”).
Testing 1-2-3.
Marijuana. Meth. Shit.
Dallas. Austin. San Antonio.
To all the Obama supporters congrads! To all the Democrats, he is really a good man it seems and a good choice. MOM if I can not get Paul, do you mind if I come over and brought Obama? JR, come on guy, I agree whole heartily that we have many fools that had ruined this country. But friend with out hope anger is all there is. The best revenge would be for the Democrats to bring this country back and once again each party be a balance for the other. I am reading Al Franken’s “LIE and the Lying liars that tell them.”.
Since some of his favorite targets are the talking heads of Fox. It is a good read, LOL they are no better at lying the a ten y.o. with cookie crumbs around his mouth and denying he was the one with his hand in the cookie jar. If that is the best that the right wings has, I am betting on your boy in a debate with any of them!
Obama got through Super Tuesday with its focus on big states Hillary was going to use to knock him out – New York, New Jersey, California, etc. But wins in places like Kansas and many other small states helped Obama level the playing field. Now the campaigns move on to strong Obama territory – Louisiana, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, DC, etc. He could win all, or close to it, of the states and territories voting in the next couple of weeks and generate some real momentum. It looks like the state to the south of Oklahoma (I am reposting this comment without the name of that state because your ridiculous filters censor it – how in the world is T**** a cuss word?) and Ohio in early March will turn out to be the keys to this race.
Seeing the comments here, and the language used, don’t you think you have a rather incompetent filter system? Whoever is in charge needs to either do their job or be replaced.
I slept like a baby knowing January 20, 2009, is coming closer each day and that is when the new POTUS — a member of the Democratic Party will replace bushco. bushco have made a royal mess of our country but, on the positive side, have gotten our attention.
Happy to report my high will last clear to November!
Econ101
Posted February 6, 2008 at 12:55 am
“I am going to make a serious attempt, when I post, to stick to policy and not get personal. With Bloggers or candidates.”
————————
Paul, I agree completely on the fellow bloggers part! But those who are public figures are fair game in my book.
And, why should we bloggers pick on one another when we have people we elected messing with our country!? I could start with members of the Democratic Party who disappoint and never even get to those from the Republican Party by next November because there are a bunch of screw ups we keep sending back with our votes.
Now, I’m not going to start with the Democrats because there is NO BIGGER SCREW UP than bushco. We must keep him and his from doing further harm to our country. He is marginalized but he is also a psychopath with even crazier people advising him.
The Democrats couldn’t have paid for a better ambassador than bushco! I wish we had never had him but that is one thing he did on the positive side!
November 20, 2009! 348 days, 16 hours, 18 minutes!
I’m going to wear a shirt on Saturday to the Republican Caucus that says:
“Ann Coulter says:
Vote for Hillary”
It will be interesting to see if this Republican state can turn out 37,000 voters Saturday (when the weather is predicted to be fine and dandy).
Who is motivated?
Anyone have TOTAL figures? How many TOTAL people voted yesterday from all states and which party won that number? I’ll try to come up with that number as I think it would be an interesting one to look at.
Spectacular! Linda – sorry I didn’t see you but in THAT crowd … WOW! One BIG thing I noticed – whether for Clinton for Obama everyone I talked to was united in the spirit that it is time to kick the Republics out once and for all. ALL of them!
I hope this translates in a termination of Tankerless Todd’s tenure.
Tony – GO FOR IT!
;)
The best revenge would be for the Democrats to bring this country back and once again each party be a balance for the other.
Very well said, writerdog! Balance. Sounds like something the Founding Fathers had in mind when they set out writing the Constitution.
Clark, you know I love you dearly and respect you tons. But…
Really. You obama supporters NEVER list any accomplishments. Just the “hope” thing. And while I think hope is good thing, just attacking or questioning Hillary instead of answering the questions seems to be a pattern among obama supporters.
I wonder if your vote is more anti-Hillary than pro-Obama?
And Rage, you know I love you too brother, but I gotta ask…
How’d that attracting the Camelot crowd thingy work out in Mass? In California? Seems like the Kennedy crowd didnt really influence the voting much in those states.
Ben
“whether for Clinton for Obama everyone I talked to was united in the spirit that it is time to kick the Republics out once and for all. ALL of them!”
I’ll believe it when they purge them out of the Kansas Legislature. Both houses.
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Eric…
Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts…..