There isn't anything the matter with Kansas...

[crimsonblue]

People that continually say "Kansas will never vote Democratic in the GE" really irk me. I will admit that there exists a large right wing faction in much of the western part of the state, but many of the counties in western Kansas have less than 1000 people. That's a population density of about a person a mile. These counties, while there are many, will not play as important a role in the outcome of the election as will the counties of Sedgwick (Home to largest city-- Wichita), Wyandotte (KC Ks), Johnson (Olathe and Overland Park), Douglas (the liberal bastion of Lawrence), and Shawnee (state Capitol). Johnson and Wyandotte counties are some of the fastest growing in the nation-- a new high school is built in Johnson county every five years. These areas went heavily for Obama, and is full of Democrats and moderate Republicans (many of which are pro-choice and anti-fundies). These counties helped swing the Board of Education back into the realm of reality (got rid of Jennings Bryantesque evolution standards). There are enough votes in the aforementioned counties to tilt the GE to Obama. People forget that Sebelius won election handily (after the run of the most well-liked Republican Governors in decades, Bill Graves). She also won reelection handily, and even had defections from the Republican party (Attorney General, lieutenant governor). Obama and Sebelius are very close on the political spectrum, and Sebelius has shown she is willing to make the correct decision, even if there is marked opposition (her denial of a new coal plant in Western Kansas. Who would have thought that this would happen in Kansas?).

There are a lot of fundies in Kansas that give the state a bad name. I talked to my grandmother this weekend, and she said she wouldn't vote for Obama because he "looked scary." So I know that there will be people that oppose Obama here. But my grandpa, my aunt and uncle, and my parents all support Obama-- my parents have voted consistent republican since Reagan (they did both vote for Sebelius twice)). After the fiasco of the last female governor Kansas had (Joan Finney, anyone?), many people in the small towns saw it as proof that women should stay out of politics. Under Sebelius, many new ethanol plants have opened up, and the state is preparing for its best wheat harvest EVER. We also have 2 democratic congresspeople: Dennis Moore and Nancy Boyda. Moore has been an unwavering supporter of reproductive rights, and Boyda is committed to bringing the troops home and preventing telco immunity.

Many speculate that Sebelius would turn Obama down for the VP slot. Brownback is not running for reelection after his term is up (at least so he says), and Sebelius is considered the front runner to replace him. She would provide a progressive voice in the Senate for us blooding heart Jayhawks. Also, Lee Jones is running against Pat "yes man" Roberts for US Senate this year. Here is his website; please consider donating for a good cause. Lee Jones for US Senate

k&r so that people can understand that Kansas is not just the home of farmers and hicks. We bleeding heart jayhawks hate Bush as much as anyone, and want to see a return to the precepts of the Constitution.

edit: changed the title from "To those spouting off on Kansas"

[Mabus]

1. I was with you until you advocated for that scoundrel Slattery

and you should have mentioned that Sebelius is the first governor to have vetoed coal plants based on the climate crisis. Additionally she appointed a board earlier this year to work in corporation with other states for alternative energy resources.


As for Slattery, he's been a one of the top telecom lobbyists since 1994 when he left Kansas and took up residency in Virginia. And, although Slattery describes himself as just an attorney at the top K Street telecom lobbyist firm, he is/was in fact a partner at Wiley-Rein. It is no surprise that he's one of the top lobbyists since his firm Wiley-Rein's former named partner (Fielding) quit to work for Bush's FCC. In fact, Wiley-Rein has a lot of former past employees working in the FCC. It has more than any other lobbying firm. And what has been one of the hot issues that Slattery has been lobbying on? Can you say telecom immunity? And just where does Sprint have their HQ? Overland Park, KS. Who is Slattery going to represent if he wins. If history is any indication he will serve those who have helped in the past with their contributions and power.

Another of Slattery's clients is involved with nuclear energy. Do we want more nuclear power plants in Kansas? How's Wolf Creek doing? And then there's his insurance company client. It's an offshore company and he lobbied on their behalf over taxes. And then there's the lobbying he did to push terrorism insurance.

If Slattery had had his way, the SLT would have gone through and the Haskell-Baker wetlands wouldn't exist as it does today. (Back in the day, Slattery was working with Gipp, Praeger and Winters to give away Haskell http://www.robertwellmancampbell.com/Haskell-Baker-bibliography/Haskell-Baker-bibliography.html)

If Slattery is elected expect him to sell out to the highest bidder. The real Democratic candidate is Lee Jones. http://www.leejones.com/ Additionally, Lee has been living in Kansas and has put his neck out when the tide wasn't so blue.

[crimsonblue]

2. noted and corrected

thanks.

[GeoK]

3. K & R!

I couldn't agree with you more crimsonblue. As a Kansan, I have real hope for the progressiveness of this state, even though I live in one of the oldest and reddest counties in Kansas. (Doniphan)

I am optimistic that Kansas might come close to turning blue this election. Polling from Survey USA shows a 6-point difference against McLame. Maybe striking distance for Obama? http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=b360f1e0-c0d9-46af-b292-5d4ab0cdd0d9">Link here and http://www.cjonline.com/stories/030408/kan_253465342.shtml">here

I think I'm the only house in town that has an Obama sign in their front yard. It's amazing someone hasn't stolen it.

Rock Chock! :hi:

[LiberalAndProud]

4. I've been hearing good things about that state to the south of us.

Congratulations, and best of luck!

Thinking it might be possible is on the same plane as splitting the Nebraska delegates, it could happen ... but I'm afraid that it might be too much to hope for. We just have to do what we can to make it so, I guess.

[crimsonblue]

5. nice to hear from the lonely state the the north...

you know they say Nebraska is so boring that they don't even mention it. :P the Omaha and Lincoln regions are bustling, and I'm glad to see that NE is moving back to its shared (with kansas) progressive roots. I've read about the leaders of early Kansas and Nebraska, and we as states need to go back to that. Liberty and justice for all, with malice towards none.