Kansans. do we want our governor to be the next HHS secretary?

[proud2BlibKansan]

[SheilaT]

1. I didn't vote because I no longer live in Kansas,

but I worry for the future of the state if Kathleen leaves. I know that this has been a difficult legislative session, and since Mark Parkinson has already said he won't run for Governor, I simply don't see any Democrat with enough visibility to run for Governor in 2010. Nor do I see any Democrat poised to run for Brownback's seat next year, unless Dennis Moore decides to, in which case I can't imagine who might run for Dennis's Congressional seat. Maybe there is someone out there who is secretly building a war chest to run for any of those offices, but too many Democrats who strike me as logical or possible candidates have been (in my opinion) curiously uninvolved in such things.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. After the lack of respect given to Jim Slattery,

I don't blame anyone for not coming forward to toss their hat in the ring.

I personally contacted both DSCC and DFA and neither organization was interested in helping Slattery. DSCC didn't even respond and DFA told me they based their endorsement on members asking for it for particular candidates. And in Kansas, we don't have thousands of DFA members to vote on their website.

Until we can get some statewide support and national money and endorsements, our candidates are screwed.

[SheilaT]

5. That's interesting. The lack of support

for Slattery, I mean. Did the state Democratic Party do much for him?

And you don't need to get me started on my opinion of the Kansas State Democratic Party Chair.

[crimsonblue]

8. You know who should run for Moore's seat if he vacates?

Boog Highberger. I don't know if you know local Lawrence politics, but the guy is an awesome, unabashed liberal and he is extremely well liked in the area. He has been the only voice of reason many a time on the City Commission, as Sue Hack and Doug Compton try to steal land, jack up sales tax rates, all the while cutting education spending. Boog would have probably no chance, but I would love to see him give it a try.

[hfojvt]

3. the poll is contradictory

I wish her well, and don't think we need her to stay in Kansas, but really do not want her to be HHS secretary. I want to send her to DC as a Senator. Failing that and we are looking at Senator Moran and Governor Brownback. We can probably use her help trying to defeat Chris Kobach as Secretary of State.

Why is it that I know who the Republican candidates are and have no idea who our Democratic candidates are?

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Because we don't have any Democratic candidates

[beyurslf]

4. I want her to be my new Senaor.

And I want to see her in the White House in a few terms.

[greenbriar]

6. I was hoping she would take brownstains seat

in the senate

[crimsonblue]

7. I wish she'd stay...

but maybe having the Lt Gov do the job for a couple of years will give him a leg up in the gubernatorial race.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. He's not running

He announced a couple months ago he is retiring from public office in 2010.

[crimsonblue]

11. every politician and his mother says that.

I bet he runs.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. He made a formal announcement

I also know several people who know him personally.

He is not running.

[SheilaT]

13. I'll tell you who needs to

change political parties and run for some one of the offices that are now going to be vacant: David Adkins. He left the Kansas Senate to run for Attorney General in 2002, but lost in the Republican Primary to Phill Kline. He has since left politics and I believe currently works for KU Med Center. I met him at a couple of political events when I was running, and his heart was really with the Democratic Party.

If he were to step up and run for Governor or Senator as a Democrat, he'd have an excellent chance. In 2002 he just could not stand up to the Phill Kline juggernaut, but things do seem to have changed in Kansas since then.

I honestly don't understand why the Democratic party heads in Kansas don't spend more time wooing people like him.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Yes I remember him.

Some of the moderate GOPers in Kansas are really not all that bad.

[bad_robbie]

15. Three party system

We really do have 3 parties in KS. And it looks like we may be on the forefront of a new political movement nationwide. I for one would welcome the return of non-End-Times-Dreaming Apocalypse-Praying Bible-Thumping Republicans who merely disagreed with me and didn't want Jesus to torture me to confess my political sins. But I regress . . .

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. Very true

I can remember when I actually voted for republicans in Kansas. But not any more. :)

[beyurslf]

17. I hope a true Democrat runs.

I am glad the Lt Gov is not running. He is another of the moderate Republicans who have come to us. He said he didn't change but the Repub party changed. Well, folks, that means he is not a Democrat. It means he believes all of the things he believed when he led their party. It means he still believes Kathleen Sebelius was the wrong choice in 2002, which he publically stated at the time. It means he believes they have better ideas about education, health care, social security, personal freedoms, and taxes than we do. Sure, he agrees with us on abortion and the crazies in his party hate that. Boo hoo! He just can't win any elections in Repub primaries because his party is so radicalized. Who do you think did that? The moderates who used those radicals to win. Problem is, they kept growing and eventually took over. Don't come to us whining about it now. You can vote with us and caucus with us; you can join our party--but don't for a minute think you can lead us! I don't need some whiny moderate trying to lead MY party because he help create a monster in his party and can't control it now. And don't you dare tell me you didn't change. You and your party were wrong even 15 years ago and you are still wrong today.