A New Year's Eve Shocker: Laura Kelly Drops Out

Early this morning the Topeka Capital Journal broke some good news - JV candidate Laura Kelly is dropping her bid to take on Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins in the 2nd district. Kelly claims demands of conducting the U.S. House campaign and responsibilities of being a member of the State Senate were incompatible. The obligation to serve her constituents proved stronger than the desire to defeat Jenkins, she said. "I can't do this race and do the Senate," Kelly said.

Our thoughts: As an extremely liberal member of the Kansas State Senate who will probably have to vote for a tax increase this year, loves unions and would support everything Pelosi pushes - Kelly just didn't stand a chance against Jenkins. So what's the REAL reason Kelly is dropping out? A personal scandal? Can she really not run a campaign and govern at the same time? Could she not raise money in a climate that has become toxic for Democrats (especially here in Kansas)? Maybe she just doesn't have the fire in her to run a rigorous campaign. I guess we'll take her at her word.

Nancy Boyda got 46% of the vote in 2008 against Jenkins in the general election. We'd estimate that number is padded with an extra 2-3% from people turning out for Obama. Kelly really isn't known outside of her district and would need a lot of money to get her name out there. We'd guess against Jenkins in the general in 2010 - Kelly would have been lucky to break 42%.

We'll go ahead and add Laura Kelly to the 'Democrat Candidates That Weren't' Club - Tom Wiggins, Greg Orman, Dan Glickman, Mark Parkinson...So let's recap. Democrats are now without a candidate for U.S. Senate, Governor, the 2nd Congressional seat, the 3rd Congressional Seat, and pretty much, the 1st Congressional seat.

We can hear Democrats saying: Help us Raj Goyle, you are our only hope.

So with that, we wish you all a Happy New Year! We'll be back in 2010 to continue telling you What's Right With Kansas!

Senate ObamaCare: It's Finally Here

The Democratic Party’s decades-long push to insert more government control into our U.S. health care system cleared a major hurdle early Monday morning, with the Senate voting to advance a massive $871 billion bill to extend coverage to nearly all Americans and tighten regulations on private insurers.

If the Senate passes the bill as expected — after two more procedural votes this week and a final vote set for 7 p.m. Christmas Eve — House and Senate negotiators will begin the arduous process of melding two substantially different bills. Democrats are optimistic they can reach a final compromise, but that is by no means ensured.

Check out the video below. Luckily we know where Senators Brownback and Roberts stand on the bill.

Welcome to the Senate - Senator Huntington

State Representative Terrie Huntington was elected tonight to replace retiring state Senator David Wysong. Huntington will compete the last three years of Wysong’s second term and could run for re-election to the Senate in 2012.

Huntington was unopposed and was voted in by the precinct committees. The State Senate 7th District consists of some 61 precincts in Fairway, Leawood, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Mission Woods, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, and Westwood.

Congrats Terrie! Enjoy your new larger majority in the Senate. Though they are nasty, those 9 Democrats can't put up much of a fight against the 31 Republicans.

Schmidt, Schmidt He's Our Man

Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts today endorsed State Senator Derek Schmidt for Attorney General. Schmidt is running against replacement-incumbent Stephen Six.

Six was appointed in January of 2008 by Sebelius after Democrat Paul Morrison was disgraced out of office after a sexual harassment claim was made against him by a former employee and fling.

We're optimistic that Schmidt whose name will appear two offices under Sam Brownback on the ballot - who is currently unopposed again - will be able to win on Republican turnout alone. Though he's also more than qualified and working hard to win the office. We're looking forward to bring the Attorney Generals office back to the Right side.

KCYR Holiday Party Thursday

Kansas City Young Republicans invites you to

Elephants and Eggnog

Thursday, Dec. 17th

6:30 PM at t the "Fireplace Room" at the Gran Falloon, on the Plaza

Please bring a new toy with you to donate to the Toys for Tots program.

Government Health Care Fails Again

Health officials are recalling hundreds of thousands of doses of swine flu vaccine after tests indicated they may not be potent enough to protect against the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified doctors about the recall Tuesday. The recall involves about 800,000 doses made by Sanofi Pasteur. The doses are pre-filled syringes intended for young children, ages 6 months to almost three years.

Health officials recommend children those ages get two doses, spaced about a month apart.

Health officials say it's not clear how many doses have already been given, but they don't think children need to be re-vaccinated. The lots passed potency tests when they were first shipped, but tests indicate the potency waned after.

A little awkward that this comes a day after Governor Parkinson hung out with 'Sid the Science Kid' to promote the H1N1 vaccine. “In some cases, we have supply that is actually not being used,” he said. Good thing we've got some extra here in Kansas since apparently kids that think they're vaccinated - may not be. This is just a preview of what's to come when the government runs our health care system.

Obama Plans Gitmo Move to Illinois

Whew - at least it's not Leavenworth, Kansas. Though we think the majority of American's will still not be supportive of President Obama's decision to bring known terrorists into his old back yard for no reason other than the current detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has a 'bad stigma'.

Clearly we rarely ever see eye to eye with Barry - but doesn't it seem like a good thing for terrorists to detest the idea of Gitmo? Ya know, so they won't want to plot attacks against us and risk being held there?? Crazy idea, we know. At least Senators Brownback and Roberts are on board with us.

Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback say they are relieved that suspected terrorist detainees won't be coming to Kansas. And they still think bringing the detainees to the United States is a bad idea. They say moving detainees to the United States creates more risk for the public with no clear gain.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is pleased, though, that President Obama has decided to have the federal government buy an Illinois prison....schocking!

KS-03 Yoder's In

State Representative Kevin Yoder confirmed today that he will seek the Republican nomination for the 3rd district to replace retiring Rep. Dennis Moore. Yoder joins 2008 nominee Nick Jordan, and previously filed candidates - Lightner, Scherer, Rysavy and Gilyeat. Semi-incumbent nominee Jordan raised just over $1.1 million for the race last year - but that was in 08 when the field was pretty clear for him. We're guessing Yoder looked over Jordan's FEC reports before deciding if he could mount a credible challenge.

“Having led the fight in Topeka to reign in government spending, we are now prepared to take this battle to Washington ,” Yoder continued. “A reckless disregard for the future economic well-being of our children and grandchildren has become all too common in our nation’s capitol.”

Rep. Yoder’s campaign will be focused on bringing fiscal sanity back to Washington , common-sense solutions to create jobs for Kansans, reducing the cost of quality health care, and protecting services for seniors. “We deserve an experienced leader who will stand up to Congress on job-killing policies such as ‘cap-and-trade’, ‘card check’, and the government takeover of health care.”

Some say Jordan had his chance and should step aside, others say Yoder's too young and can wait. We just hope the two don't destroy each other in a nasty primary and let the to-be-named Democrat run away with the seat. I think we all can agree that either of these guys is a million times better than Dennis Moore the Sequel.

Obama Gives Himself a 'Good Solid B+'

Perhaps Obama is grading himself on a curve - which compared to his cabinet of tax evading, unqualified cronies - would MAYBE get him a B +

National Energy Tax passed House - 50%
Government Health Care passed House - 50%
Close Guantanamo - Incomplete
End the Iraq/Afghanistan wars - Incomplete

SHOCKING - He blames his low personal score on the fact that he inherited so many problems from the previous administration. When doe he have to stop blaming Bush and take the responsibility for his own failure in creating jobs and getting the economy moving??

JoCo Republican Party Civics Bowl Tuesday

1st ANNUAL CIVICS BOWL - HOSTED BY JACK CASHILL

The Elephant Club is the only organization sponsored by the Johnson County Republican Party and proceeds from the luncheons help fund our operations. The Luncheons provide a great opportunity to meet Republican leaders and share political fellowship.

This month's luncheon is a test of your civics knowledge in a Civics Bowl hosted by Jack Cashill, executive editor of Ingram's magazine and author of several political books.

Party Chairman Ronnie Metsker will also give The Year in Review and "Win in 2010" Preview.

When: Tuesday, Dec 15. Doors open at 11:00,

Lunch is served at 11:30.

Where: Hereford House at Leawood Town Center Shopping Plaza,

5001 Town Center Dr, Leawood, KS

Reservations:

Call 341-VOTE (8683) or Email: jcrpks@att.net
Member: $30.00
Non Member $45.00

KS-03 The Field Narrows

State Senator Jeff Colyer announced he would not seek the Republican nomination for Kansas' 3rd dirstrict. He also went ahead and endorsed former candidate, Nick Jordan.

“I love public service and enjoy campaigning, but now is not the right time for me to be a congressional candidate,” Colyer said in the statement. “However...I’m proud to endorse Nick Jordan. Nick is experienced, honest, and effective."

Looks like State Rep. Kevin Yoder and Nick Jordan are becoming the final major players still considering joining the race (joining Lightner, Gilyeat, Scherer and Rysavy who have already filed for the seat with the FEC).

Republicans Leading Generic Ballot

Republicans lead Democrats in a test of generic congressional matchups, a new poll found Thursday.

42 percent of likely voters said they would prefer a generic Republican candidate for Congress versus 38 percent who said they would prefer a generic Democrat, according to a Bloomberg News poll released yesterday.

16 percent said they were unsure who they'd support, while four percent answered not voting.

ObamaCare Still Unpopular

3 new polls released yesterday show Americans still are opposed to the Senate version, and the even worse House version, of health reform.

CNN: “Do You Generally Favor [The Senate Health Care Bill] Or Generally Oppose It? … Favor 36% Oppose 61%.”

FOX NEWS POLL: “A Majority -- 57 Percent -- Oppose The Health Care Reform Legislation Being Considered Right Now. About A Third Of Americans -- 34 Percent -- Favor The Reforms.”

NYT/CBS NEWS POLL: “And 42 Percent Approve Of The Way [President Obama] Is Handling Health Care, Down Five Percentage Points In The Last Few Months.”

Let's hope Senators Brownback and Roberts can stop this runaway train!!!

Brownback Continues Fiscal Responsibility

Brownback Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback co-sponsored the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act, introduced today. The legislation would establish a bipartisan task force that would review federal government spending and make recommendations for cutting programs that are redundant or unsustainable.

“Federal spending is out of control, and it is past time that Congress takes steps to rein it in,” said Brownback. “The Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act is a common sense approach to making better decisions about where and how tax payer money is spent. In these tough economic times, it should be a no-brainer that the government should now, more than ever, take action to end unnecessary spending.”

Brownback continued, “For years I have championed similar legislation that would establish better oversight of government spending; I recognize the importance of making sure the government is exercising fiscal restraint. I am therefore hopeful that this legislation will be passed quickly by my colleagues.”

Roberts Continues Fiscal Responsibility

In light of President Obama's jobs summit and a possible new stimulus/jobs bill - Senator Roberts released the following.

"We cannot spend our way into creating jobs. Despite billions in stimulus spending, we have little to show for it and record numbers of unemployment," Senator Roberts said.

"TARP authority should end on December 31^st rather than continue on as a slush fund to be used at Treasury and president’s discretion," Roberts said. "This money does not belong to us. It should be used to pay down the deficit for our grandchildren."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves, Senator

Boxer: Abortions are Like Viagra or Something

Speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday during the debate on abortion in the health care bill, liberal California Senator Barbara Boxer once again went off the deep end. Her rationale for allowing taxpayer funding for abortions is this: If men get coverage for Viagra, women should get coverage to abort their child. See the clip below.

KS-01 Race Highlighted on RedState

According to RedState - Wasinger and Huelskamp are leading the pack in KS-01.

'In KS-01, there are several conservatives running, but two really, really stand out. Tim Huelskamp and Rob Wasinger. They are both fine men. I don’t have an unkind word to say about either. The Club for Growth has lined up behind.

However we have a problem: the two good conservatives in each race are in danger of cutting into each others’ votes thereby helping the squishy guy get elected. Tim. Fred Thompson has lined up behind Rob.

Let’s pay attention. Let’s see who proves viability. We may have to weigh in to ensure across the board conservatives get the nomination. I hope the candidates themselves will be honest with themselves. From years of running campaigns, I know that is sometimes the hardest thing to do. But we have a chance in both districts to improve on the men who are leaving by elected guys with even better conservative bona fides. We cannot afford to blow it.'

On the FEC website - there are still 8 Republicans fighting for their party's nomination. And there's still the lone Democrat, Alan Jilka, hoping for a bloody enough primary that he can somehow over come Moran's 80% R win in 2008.

ObamaCare in Jeapordy?

The Senate narrowly rejected (45-54) an amendment that would have restricted abortion coverage in the pending health-care bill, leaving in question whether Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) has the 60 votes needed to move the bill toward final passage. Luckily for us - Senators Brownback and Roberts both supported the amendment.

A few weeks earlier the House passed the Stupak amendment to their health reform bill to prohibit the use of federal dollars to pay for abortion. Do surprise here - Rep. Moran, Tiahrt and Jenkins supported the amendment while Rep. Moore opposed.

The measure addressed the scope of restrictions on coverage of abortion services for people who receive subsidies to buy insurance. The outcome was expected, but could cost the support of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who has threatened to filibuster the $848 billion bill unless abortion restrictions are tightened.

Senate Primary - Anyone's Race

SurveyUSA released another poll this week in the Kansas Senate Primary. Jerry Moran is leading Todd Tiarht - 37% - 34%. With still close to 30% undecided. Looks like these two are going to start spending some of their campaign cash to started educating the rest of the state (outside their districts) on what they stand for.

Most interesting is when you look at the Ideology breakdown of the results.

Conservative Rs break for Tiahrt: 40-33%
Moderate Rs break for Moran: 46-25%
Liberal Rs breaks slightly for Moran: 30-28%

The candidates have finished inside of the survey's theoretical margin of sampling error in 4 of 5 SurveyUSA tracking polls.

Leavenworth County Republican Meeting Tonight

Tonight - 7-9PM
Lansing Community Center
800 First Terrace
Lansing, KS 66043L

Come spend an evening among friends and fellow citizens who share your concerns and frustrations about the Kansas financial mess.

State Representative and possible 3rd district candidate, Kevin Yoder will be speaking. As the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the Kansas Legislature, Kevin has a powerful influence on how your tax money is spent. Find out if the state legislators plans on asking you for more money.

Come join with us and meet other concerned voters like yourself. Bring your friends and neighbors with you! They have a vested interest as well.

KS-03 Primary Poll

We'd like to direct our readers over to the Kansas Republican Assembly website. They're conducting a poll to see who should be the 3rd district Republican nominee. No end date listed - so vote now!

http://www.kansasra.org/blog/archives/1876

We'll be sure to post the final results whenever the poll ends.

Don't Tread on Us - The Movie

This past week the Tea Party documentary was unveiled. Nothing strikes more rage into the hearts of liberals than when patriotic, flag-waving Americans make it known that they love their country but don't trust government. Whether you have attended a tea party or haven't, this movie will give insight into the movement that is taking our country back.

"Tea Party: The Documentary Film" follows the struggles of five grassroots individuals and their transformation from home town rally goers and rally organizers to national activists in the 912 March on Washington. In the process, the film reveals what is at the heart of this nationwide surge of civic engagement - a return to and respect for a Constitutionally limited government, personal responsibility and fiscal restraint at the Federal level.

Wiggins a Triple Threat?

Tom Wiggins created a stir a couple weeks ago when he threw is hat in the ring for Governor....or Senate....

Seems the former California Republican just can't seem to decide how he can best serve Kansans. And now with Dennis Moore retiring, rumors are that he may throw his hat in this third ring and compete for the triple crown. We're hearing he's already willing to commit $3 million to the race. But is that enough to overshadow the face that he hasn't lived in the state for 20-30 years.

We encourage our readers to contact Mr. Wiggins (913-839-3543 or 913-341-5597) and ask him to make a decision on what he's running for - Gov, Senate, House, Kansas Czar or local dog catcher. Regardless of what it is - we're confident Kansans won't appreciate his idea that they can be bought.

Happy Jobs Summit Day

When times are tough - wants the best solution? Get together and talk about the problem, but don't announce any solutions. We wouldn't want that kind of sensitive material about how Obama plans to create jobs, to leak out before we truly need the jobs.

Today President Obama convenes plenty of politicians of his lockstep politicians as well as labor bosses and academics. After 10 months and the authorization of $787 billion in government spending, the economic policies of the White House and the Democratic Congress have failed. 15.7 million Americans are out of work, 3.2 million of them since the stimulus was first passed in February. Unemployment, at 10.2 percent, is higher than the President promised it would be if he did nothing. The Obama-Pelosi-Reid economic policies are hurting, not helping.

When will the President learn that we're sick and tired of his lofty rhetoric - it's time for him to develop real solutions. Don't just throw money at the problem with another stimulus, it clearly didn't work the first time.

State Senator Huntington?

Kansas state Sen. David Wysong of Mission Hills has mailed letters to GOP precinct committeemen and women announcing that he is resigning his seat. In the letter, Wysong asked the party leaders to join him in supporting four-term State Rep. Terrie Huntington, a Mission Hills Republican, as his replacement. Huntington currently serves as Chair of the High Education committee in the House.

Wysong wrote that his resignation is "due to family considerations." His last day in office will be Dec. 13.

Wysong, 60, has served a decade in public office as a Mission Hills city councilman, Johnson County commissioner, chairman of the Johnson County Republican Party and 7th District State Senator. He is currently chair of the Senate Commerce Committee and serves on the Ways and Means Committee.

"I have enjoyed my public life experience but it is actually past time for this decision. I have met some amazing people along the way. Very, very smart people who only have one thing in mind and that is to help the people of Johnson County and the State of Kansas."

State law requires that Ronnie Metsker, the Johnson County GOP chair, will call a precinct committee meeting for the purpose of selecting Wysong's successor.

Is 2010 the Age of Aquarius?

A couple weeks ago we gave an update on State Senator Laura Kelly who is challenging Rep. Jenkins for the 2nd congressional district. After surveying her campagin website which gives us little detail - we reported on some of the interesting findings on her MySpace page. Unfortunately, Liberal Laura is staying true to her astrological sign and has rebelliously taken down the site.

Aquarians can be stubborn in their opinions. They can become impatient with those who don't see their point of view and disagree with them. They embrace their eccentric ideas so much that they can be viewed as rebellious and unpredictable. Famous politicians who are also Aquarians - Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mozart and Oprah!

Sorry if we've offended you Laura. Please don't become impatient with us. We simply would like to know where you stand on Obama's trillion dollar stimulus plan, the national energy tax, a government health care option that rations care and using tax-payer money to pay for abortions. Guess we'll just keep checking her website or other new media for updates.

Obama: 75% Support for Our Troops

Tonight President Obama layed out his strategy for the War in Afghanistan. After months of delay, he announced to no one's surprise that he would not be requesting the full 40,000 troop surge the Generals on the ground asked for. He thinks they can manage with 75% - 30,000. He is going to request that the UN supply the additional 10,000 so I guess we can let him be on that one.

The most troubling part is that he has once again set a completion date for himself. He wants the first troops to begin withdrawing by July 2011. Declaring a timetable for a withdrawal would merely send the Taliban underground until the Americans began to leave. It also sends the wrong message to our troops - that no matter how hard they work and successful they are, they may still have to pull out before the job is done.

According to the latest Gallop poll - 35% of Americans approve of the way President Obama is handling the war in Afghanistan. 55% disappove and had we been asked - we'd have checked this box.

Senator Roberts' - I remain concerned that artificial time lines for withdrawal will tie the hands and further endanger our men and women in uniform while emboldening the Taliban and other terrorists. I hope this will not be the case.