If governor changes his mind

capitaldome10Gov. Mark Parkinson and other Democrats continue to challenge suggestions that the party plans to hand Cedar Crest to Republican Sam Brownback next year. But “the election is 15 months away and the Democrats haven’t endorsed a candidate,” wrote Topeka Capital-Journal columnist Ric Anderson. “It’s getting close to showtime — very close. The pews are full, the organ is playing, the minister is at the altar, and the bride hasn’t shown up. We’ve heard all kinds of names come and go — John Carlin, Dan Glickman, Nancy Boyda, Jill Docking and Bill Kurtis, to name a handful. But no one has stuck.” Anderson helpfully wrote the text of an announcement declaring Parkinson’s candidacy (should the governor rethink his decision not to run) in which Parkinson could point to “this crucial juncture in our state’s history” and the need for “a full and spirited debate on the issues,” and attribute the changing of his mind to “much soul-searching and extensive discussion” with his family.

8 Comments

  1. JWink
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 6:12 am | Permalink

    Kansas citizens should go hat in hand to Topeka to beg Governor Mark Parkinson to reconsider and run for Governor of Kansas.

    Parkinson is basically an unknown … I doubt if one of ten Kansans can come up with Parkinson’s name as the current Governor. In my opinion, he goofed on his quick decision to support building the coal fired electrical power plant in western Kansas near Holcomb/Garden City, a decision that will forever gulp up declining and fairly pure drinking water from the Ogallala aquifer.

    But the alternative would be far worse … electing the inside the Washington beltway, right wing candidate, Sam Brownback, who wants to use the Kansas Governor’s office as a stepping stone back to Washington. This is unacceptable.

  2. JWink
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 8:19 am | Permalink

    Let’s consider names in Rhonda Holman’s opening paragraph:

    Bill Kurtis, former national news commentator. I remember him from a national morning TV show back in the 1980’s. More recently, as speaker at a Pratt Chamber meeting, he made brilliant observations of Pratt’s economically sound Main Street, volume of water flowing in the Ninnescah River at south edge of town, the pumping oil wells, the cattle business and golden wheat fields surrounding the community. As some know, he is brother of Wichita’s state senator, Jean Schodorf. Owns a ranch in Montgomery?? County. Would be excellent if willing.

    Dan Glickman (D) is personable, well connected in Wichita and nationally. Has been gone from Kansas for a number of years. Might not be ready to roll up his sleeves and come back to real work as Kansas governor.

    Nancy Boyda from Topeka, former Congresswoman. I don’t know her so can’t comment.

    Jill Docking, married into the Kansas Docking family. A very personable individual, Wichita resident, kind of a Democrat/Republican, stockbroker, Board of Regents, ready for a step up to the Governor’s office. Would be a great representative of Kansas.

    John Carlin, (D), former Kansas Governor back in the 1970’s or so. Smart but terrible personality. Would be better as appointed Kansas Undertaker.

  3. Political_mama
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    Wow JWink, I thought for sure you’d want a right winger like Brownback. You’re not as conny as I previously thought.

    I agree that a gov Brownback would be far worse to Kansas than electing Bush to the presidency.

    We have GOT to get someone who can beat him.

  4. BobChi
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 10:45 pm | Permalink

    Brownback wins easily against any of them. They all have jobs right now that they like, and a hopeless and endless 16 months of fundraising and campaigning can’t look like much fun. Look for a state senator ready to move out of politics, at least for a while, to take it on as a name recognition publicity generator for future activities. I do think Raj Goyle can make a legitimate run for the 4th District Congressional seat for the Democrats though, and I’m thinking the state party will look in that direction for their 2010 focus.

  5. BobChi
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 10:48 pm | Permalink

    By the way give Anderson credit for a nice parody of politician-speak in his mock announcement. But Parkinson has said he’s not running so often and so clearly that it’s about time his fans let it go.

  6. JWink
    Posted August 3, 2009 at 4:37 pm | Permalink

    PMom: I was a Democrat in my college and graduate school days. In about 1970, I switched to the Republican party. My fellow Republican volunteers and precinct committee people in JoCo were basically moderate Republicans.

    As I have mentioned occasionally, the Kansas Republican precinct committees of JoCo and Sedgwick County appear to have been infiltrated in the past 10 years by right wing Republicans with no particular political interests. The moderate Republican worker bees drifted away and few party workers remain to speak of.

    The fun of competitive politics that expressed itself back in the Harry S Truman political era, 1928 to 1952, has generally dissapated so now political candidates tend to work on their own, using TV commercials, financed with funds from state and national levels.

    Bottomline, I currently consider myself a moderate Republican, financially conservative, moderate on most social issues and reserve the right to choose candidates who I think are best be they Republican or Democratic.

    I guess I expressed that properly.

  7. Monkeyhawk
    Posted August 3, 2009 at 5:04 pm | Permalink

    “JWink” –

    By merely admitting, “…I currently consider myself a moderate Republican…” you immediately brand yourself an “Evil Libruhl” in the eyes of those who control the Kansas Repubic Party.

    Get used to it.

    A huge majority of Kansas Democrats are far more conservative than I; much less “BlueJay” or “ksfarmgrrl.” You have no idea.

    I didn’t really learn how traditionally conservative I really am until I lived for seven years in Los Angeles.

    Kansas CONs are so out on the fringe of wingnut ideology they have no concept of reality. “Don’t let government spend anything!” or “Don’t get government involved in health coverage…but don’t you dare touch my Medicare.” People who invest in gold so they can “…not be affected by SPECULATORS!”

    It’s just too damned astonishing sometimes to deal with the arrogance, ignorance, and ideological bumper-sticker slogans some CONs consider their political positions to be.

    You see through some of it, “JWink.” Sometimes. And because CONs like you about as irrationally as they seem to hate me, you get a pass.

    It won’t last that long, though. You’ve admitted you’re a “MODERATE!” Repubic Party voter.

    That’s gonna ruin you in Kansas CON circles.

    Count on it.

  8. Roulette System
    Posted August 5, 2009 at 9:36 am | Permalink

    I cannot believe this is true!