Daily Archives: March 23, 2008

Obama mania left Kansas less red

March 23, 20085:04 a.m.

obamasebelius11.jpgKansas remains a Republican state, but less so than when 2008 began: More than 13,100 Kansans registered as Democrats in the first two months of the year, for a total 445,000, as the number of registered Republicans dipped by more than 1,500 to 741,000. The 4th Congressional District gained 2,600 Democrats and lost 380 Republicans. Clearly, the state’s Obama mania left a mark. “I think there’s a lot of excitement about the choices voters have this year,” Mike Gaughan, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party, told Harris News Service. Let it also be noted that Democrats allowed registration at the Feb. 5 caucus sites, while Republicans had to register in advance for their Feb. 9 voting.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (68)

Open thread 3/23

March 23, 20085:03 a.m.

thread

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (213)

Patriotism or pork-barreling?

March 23, 20085:02 a.m.

tankerkc307.jpgThe Wall Street Journal made light of the fuss over EADS’ contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s tanker fleet in an editorial headlined “Patriot Tanker Games” and disparaged the calls “for ‘patriotism’ in defense procurement.”
The editorial also warned about the consequences to Boeing if Congress starts a trade war with the European Union over the tanker. “What’s really going on is a familiar scrum for federal cash, with politicians from Washington and Kansas using nationalism as cover for their pork-barreling. Todd Tiahrt, a Kansas Republican, has even talked about a ban on companies whose home governments don’t spend 2 percent of GDP on their militaries, which would include most of Europe.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (22)

Clinton vs. Obama vs. McCain

March 23, 20085:01 a.m.

debate1.jpgHad it with head-to-head Democratic presidential debates? How about a threeway preview of the fall? “The Democratic candidates should debate John McCain. Think of it as Lincoln-Douglas-Douglas — especially fitting in a year that marks the 150th anniversary of those famous encounters,” wrote Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus, who suggested it would be one-stop shopping for voters.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (321)