Daily Archives: July 22, 2009

Is GOP focused on policies or politics?

July 22, 200911:55 a.m.

demintSen. Jim DeMint (in photo), R-S.C., gave President Obama and Democrats an opening when he said that health care could be Obama’s “Waterloo” and could “break” him politically. Obama replied this week: “Think about that. This isn’t about me. This isn’t about politics. This is about a health-care system that is breaking America’s families.” DeMint defended his comment by saying that his opposition isn’t personal but is focused on Obama’s policies. But a Democratic National Committee spokesman said: “As long as (Republicans) are going to politicize this issue instead of working to solve it — we’re going to hold them accountable.” Meanwhile, Obama is holding a news conference tonight to make his case for reform.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress, Health and safety | Comments (38)

See the Democrats stumble

July 22, 20096:03 a.m.

WA Obama VisitAccording to columnist David Brooks, President Obama’s poll numbers are sliding because the “insular liberals from big cities and the coasts” who control Congress don’t fear him. “Months ago, it seemed as if Obama would lead a center-left coalition,” Brooks wrote. “Instead, he has deferred to the Old Bulls on Capitol Hill on issue after issue” — who are flouting his priorities on health care, cap-and-trade and tax rates. “Every new majority overinterprets its mandate,” Brooks concludes. “We’ve been here before. We’ll be here again.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress, President Obama | Comments (149)

Open thread 7/22

July 22, 20096:02 a.m.

thread3117

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (256)

County should learn lesson about non-agenda items

July 22, 20096:01 a.m.

Here’s hoping Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Kelly Parks and other commissioners learned a lesson about rushing to approve non-agenda items. The commission last week approved — without prior public notice and with little vetting — an agreement for Heritage Development Group to promote the Kansas Coliseum complex for livestock, rodeo and equine events. This week The Eagle reported that Heritage offered few details in its business plan and that president and CEO Greg Lippincott was recalled in 2007 as trustee of Ryan Township in Sumner County in a dispute about open meetings and records violations and alleged misuse of funds. When contacted by The Eagle, Lippincott said he was too busy to talk about his company’s plans and experience. We can hope the seven-month agreement will be successful for the county and Heritage. And if it isn’t, at least the county hasn’t agreed to pay Heritage anything. Still, it’s embarrassing that the county approved the agreement without knowing more about the company or its plans.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Sedgwick County | Comments (6)

Findley starting to look familiar

July 22, 20096:00 a.m.

findleytroyTwo months into the job, Lt. Gov. Troy Findley remains one of the state’s highest-ranking and least-recognizable public officials, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. So what percentage of Kansans could name the current lieutenant governor? “I do not know. Five percent?” Findley told the newspaper. “I think we’d probably be lucky if we were there.” But as he attends public events and conducts other official duties, he at least is starting to look familiar. “I notice when I go out and about, people will kind of give you that look, ‘I think I know who you are, but am just not quite certain,’ ” he said.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (3)