And the big winner of the weekend Florida GOP straw poll was . . . Herman Cain, with 37.1 percent. How did that happen? According to the Washington Examiner’s Byron York, Florida Republicans were dismayed by front-runner Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s debate performance Thursday and even “insulted by Perry’s accusation that people who don’t support his immigration positions are heartless.” Then Perry chose to go to Michigan rather than speak before the voting Saturday. “It was Cain who delivered a barn-burner that brought at least seven standing ovations from the delegates. Wavering Perry delegates became Cain voters,” York writes. Some think it means the race still could use more candidates, starting with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Of course, York notes, “after Michele Bachmann’s victory at the Ames, Iowa straw poll and Cain’s win in Florida, some will say it’s time to do away with such contests.”
Wichitans can feel a little envious of the pomp and power accorded to Topeka as the state’s capital city. So it’s a nice change to see the state’s two highest courts conducting some of their official business in Wichita. A three-judge panel from the Kansas Court of Appeals heard cases last week at Wichita State University as part of Constitution Day activities, during which students had the rare opportunity to ask questions of the judges. And the entire Kansas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a special session at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Wichita City Council chambers. What’s described as a historic road trip also includes a session Wednesday in Greensburg; both high court sessions will stream live at www.kscourts.org. Such off-site proceedings can’t help but bring Kansans closer to their justice system in understanding and appreciation.
Turns out there is something that most Kansans agree on, whether they bleed purple or blue: 75 percent of those polled last week by SurveyUSA for KWCH, Channel 12, said it was important that Kansas State University and the University of Kansas remain in the same conference. The percentages were even higher for those who’d attended either KU (84 percent), K-State (79 percent) or both schools (96 percent). Despite the inanity of the ongoing conference realignment, 96 percent said that athletics are a plus for universities.
And the big winner of the weekend Florida GOP straw poll was . . . Herman Cain, with 37.1 percent. How did that happen? According to the Washington Examiner’s Byron York, Florida Republicans were dismayed by front-runner Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s debate performance Thursday and even “insulted by Perry’s accusation that people who don’t support his immigration positions are heartless.” Then Perry chose to go to Michigan rather than speak before the voting Saturday. “It was Cain who delivered a barn-burner that brought at least seven standing ovations from the delegates. Wavering Perry delegates became Cain voters,” York writes. Some think it means the race still could use more candidates, starting with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Of course, York notes, “after Michele Bachmann’s victory at the Ames, Iowa straw poll and Cain’s win in Florida, some will say it’s time to do away with such contests.”
