Daily Archives: May 31, 2009

Divisive confirmations weren’t always the rule

May 31, 20096:04 a.m.

scalia1It only seems as if every U.S. Supreme Court opening has always turned into a bitter partisan fight. As the New York Times’ Caucus blog reported that Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., was the first senator to say he’d vote against confirming Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, it noted that “Justices John Paul Stevens, Antonin Scalia (in photo) and Anthony Kennedy, members of the court for more than two decades, were all confirmed unanimously.” Ditto former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The confirmation votes on other sitting justices: Chief Justice John Roberts, 78-22; Samuel Alito, 58-42; Clarence Thomas, 52-48; Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 97-3; Stephen Breyer, 87-9; and the now-retiring David Souter, 90-9.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Supreme Court | Comments (233)

Open thread 5/31

May 31, 20096:03 a.m.

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By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (786)

What Kassebaum, Sebelius have in common

May 31, 20096:02 a.m.

kassebaumTwo Kansans were among the “top five political daughters with the most influence” on the Stimulist Web site. Second on the list was former Kansas Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker (in photo), whose dad was former Kansas governor and 1936 GOP presidential nominee Alf Landon. “The second-longest serving woman senator in U.S. history, Kassebaum should be remembered by every female politician to come,” blogged Carlos Watson. Third place went to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, whose father was Ohio’s governor before she was Kansas’ governor. Watson wrote: “Could she challenge Hillary in 2016 to become the first female president? That probably depends on her success with health care reform. If, after 60 years of failure, Sebelius can . . . lead the change that gets this health care thing to work, she might just get a shot at the big desk.” The rest of the top five? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (first), the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (fourth) and Kennedy clan member and California first lady Maria Shriver (fifth).

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation, Kansas government, U.S. politics | Comments (2)

Good news on foster care

May 31, 20096:01 a.m.

It’s encouraging that Youthville, which oversees foster care in this region of Kansas, has significantly fewer children in its system. From July 2008 through last month, Youthville had 294 children enter its system, compared with 539 kids from July 2007 through June 2008. That means more families are staying intact and Youthville has more time to try to help the kids who are in the system reunify with their families. One key reason for the drop is a 2007 initiative that started stationing social workers at the Wichita Children’s Home. This has allowed for more timely interventions that have helped keep kids out of foster care. Good job to all involved in this important work.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Child welfare | Comments (7)

So they said

May 31, 20096:00 a.m.

thornburghron1“I don’t know if it was clear to her. Judging from some of her actions, I don’t know if anything’s clear to her.” — Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., asked if it was clear that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knew about waterboarding

“I’ve never been the guy with the most money, never been the guy with the biggest name ID, but I’ve been the guy with the most friends.” — Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh (in photo), on his ability to beat Sen. Sam Brownback in the 2010 GOP primary for governor

“You don’t stop when you’re in the fourth and final phase, basically, of fixing your house.” — Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, on the $285 million renovation of the Statehouse

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation, Kansas government | Comments (6)