New Poll: Who will Brownback choose for Lt Gov

Rumors are starting to fly about who Senator Brownback will pick to serve as his lieutenant governor. We've posted a new poll but would love to hear your suggestions as well!

Some of the most likely candidates
- Retiring Secretary Ron Thornburgh who dropped out of the race for governor and would pull in some moderates for Brownback
- 3rd district candidate and former state Senator Nick Jordan - this would help avoid a nasty Republican primary in the 3rd and pull in some Kansas City votes for the Senator. Also would leave Yoder as the front runner for the 3rd who is a bit more moderate for the district that voted for Obama in 2008
- State Senator Jeff Colyer - also pulls in Kansas City votes and money for the senator, as well as experience in the health field. The two also served as White House fellows and are rumored to be close

Other possibilites could be Moran or Tiahrt if one of them decides to drop out of the race for the Republican nomination for Senate, Brownback's former chief of staff Rob Wasinger if he decided to get out of the crowded primary for the 1st district, Kris Kobach if he gets out of the SoS race - close with Brownback since serving as state party chair, or Jim Barnett if he were to drop out of the primary in the 1st - he's already got some statewide name ID after running for Gov against Sebelius.

Holland's In....Maybe

State Senator Tom Holland may run against Lynn Jenkins - no wait, now he may run against Sam Brownback for Governor. Good decision, if you're not well known enough to mount a credible challenge in the 2nd district you should definitely go ahead and give statewide a shot.

According to the Cap Journal - State Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, said he will decide soon whether to seek the Democratic nomination. "Several people have approached me about running for governor," Holland said. "I'm actively considering it."

At year end, Holland reported raising $7,700 last year and currently has $12,900 COH. Holland won his senate seat in 2008 against incumbent Roger Pine. Although this was an impressive win in a year where Kansas only got more Red - winning on 48% of his own district doesn't exactly bode well for a statewide race against Brownback who will likely outspend him 10 to 1.

Favorite fact on his facebook page: Holland is a fan of 'ForwardKansas' - but really, who isn't??

Best of luck thought Tom - we're looking forward to the entertainment!

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.

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.

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!

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.”

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.

Senator Brownback Town Hall Tomorrow

The Leavenworth County Republican Party is hosting Senator Sam Brownback tomorrow

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 1:00PM - 2:00PM Olathe City Hall, 100 E. Santa Fe, Olathe, KS

Senator Brownback will be discussing Health Care and other relevant issues. Come join and thank Senator Brownback for all his hardwork!

ObamaCare at a Standstill in the Senate?

Dem Senators are peeling off of President Obama’s government takeover of health care and its liberal fantasy land that spends more than a trillion and contains hundreds of billions in new taxes.

As James Carville told CNN, President Obama only has 57 votes.

Reuters is reporting that Senators Liberman, Landrieu and Nelson are at NO, and Bayh maybe too.

As we all know, no 60 votes, no laundry. (Senator Reid needs 60 votes to break the filibuster on the motion to proceed to consider the bill. If he does not get 60 votes, ObamaCare never comes up on the Senate floor.)

Luckily we can count on Senators Brownback and Roberts to oppose this expensive, government takeover of the health care system.

Help Coming for Treece

Roberts, Brownback and Jenkins announced yesterday that Congress has approved legislation to provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to buyout Treece, Kansas. The legislation will allow the EPA to protect and improve the lives of residents living with the daily threat of contamination and health related risks from long abandoned lead and zinc mining should a federal buyout be initiated. The bill now heads to the President’s desk where it is expected to be signed into law by Saturday.

“With this important first step, I look forward to working with Administrator Jackson and her team on a long term solution for residents of Treece,” Roberts said. “I applaud the EPA for going the extra mile, sending representatives to the area to listen to residents firsthand, and then understanding their special hardships. Together, I think we can now give these folks a little hope.”

Kudos to the Kansas crew for getting this accomplished. Speaking of Senator Roberts - he's launched a new official website. Check it out HERE He's also joined the cool kids club and is now on Facebook. Add him as a friend today!

ObamaCare - One Scary Step Closer

The Democrats government health care bill (and by bill we mean 260 page draft document) passed the Senate Finance committee today 14-9. We know what you're thinking - aren't there 10 Republicans on the committee? CORRECT

Maine Senator Olympia Snowe voted in favor of the Baucus legislation. Rumors have it that Snowe will still be opposed to the final legislation in the Senate if it includes the public (GOVERNMENT-RUN) option.

Now we all wait and see what Senator Harry Reid will come up with. He now has the power to merge the Senate HELP and Finance committee bills together and basically bring whatever final version to the floor that he wants. Luckily Senator Liebermann has come out public saying he is opposed to the Baucus bill and in a surprising alliance for Republicans - about 30 Unions are opposing this version as well. Though they're opposed because they want a public option included but also because of the taxes it would impose on expensive insurance policies.

Lucky for us Kansans - we can continue to count on Senators Brownback and Roberts to push for reform that won't include a government take over of the system, increase the deficit or make cuts to Medicare.

Enjoy the Weekend! Follow fellow GOPers on Twitter

Here's a listing:

@RepToddTiahrt, @jerrymoran, @RepLynnJenkins, @lynnforcongress, @sensambrownback

@ksgop, @amanda_adkins, @jrclaeys

If there are any other Kansas Republicans or Libertarians out there that we should be following, let us know in the comments section!

Good News: Guantana-NO

Yup, that's right. It looks like after the hard work of our Kansas delegation at all levels, terrorists sitting tight in Guantanamo Bay probably won't be headed to Kansas. So who are the winners and losers?

Winners:

• The people of Kansas: Most Kansans, especially the people of Leavenworth said NO to having these terrorists in their state and city and it reverberated to Washington.
• Sens. Roberts and Brownback: Our senators took the courageous and bold step to put a hold on President Obama's nominations until the senators got some real answers about Guantanamo. It looks like their leadership and strategy proved successful.
• Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins: Jenkins introduced legislation earlier this year to prevent funding to transfer the terrorists to Fort Leavenworth. If they go elsewhere, this will be a big accomplishment for Jenkins and one the people of her district should be proud of.
• Leavenworth officials: They weren't afraid to take a position and make it clear where they stood. Although local officials don't always get a lot of attention, we'll give them a shout out.
  

Losers:

• The terrorists: Isn't that one obvious? Looks like they may be headed to cold, crisp Michigan where the average temperature in the winter is an icy 30 degrees. Sure won't be the ocean side view that was Guantanamo. Hope they pack their warm jackets.
• Shameless "We Want Thems": Believe it or not, some Kansans wanted the terrorists in Leavenworth and use them for "economic development" Strange logic, but needless so say, that crowd consisted of the Wichita Eagle Blog, some KC Star editorial members, and the libs in Lawrence.
  

Dems Hopeful Dark Horse for Gov?

We're hearing rumors around our capital city that KDP Chairman Larry Gates is in fact going to be the Democrats hopeful dark horse candidate to take on shoe-in Governor Senator Sam Brownback. Word is that Gates is shopping around for some campaign staff.

After looking on the Kansas Ethics website - there's currently nothing filed. I'm sure it's just an oversight and he hasn't officially started raising any money yet.

The only recent success of Dems in the state seems to be due to - party switchers (Boyda, Morrison, Parkinson, etc), nasty Republican primaries or Queen Kathy's assistance. It seems hard to imagine that the guy who is the voice and face of liberals in the state has much hope of appealing to Independents and peeling of Republicans in a year when Kansans are already fed up with the frivolous spending of the Obama administration and Nancy Pelosi Congress (Here).

Dems: Don't Let the Debt Get You Down!

Kansans cannot keep every politician across the nation accountable, but we CAN keep our politicians accountable. While our Republican delegation - Todd Tiahrt, Jerry Moran, Lynn Jenkins and our Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts are fighting against these outrageous spending packages, Democrats like Dennis Moore are out of control. Click here to donate to Defeat the Debt.com and to help them place more of this ad around the country. While Democrats could care less about the debt now that they are in power, it's OUR responsibility to hold their feet to the fire.

Morning Brief: H1N1, Thornburgh Backs Brownback, Obamamaniac Takes a Bite, Liberal WEBlog

• Kansas Prepares for more H1N1: A cause for alarm or media hype? According to the CDC, as many as half of all Kansans could contract H1N1. Seems like a second round of the swine flu scare that happened earlier this year. Hospitals are preparing and schools are trying to figure out what to do to prevent an outbreak. Medical professionals says Hope'N'Change can't cure H1N1. White House takes issue.
  
  
• Thornburgh Backs Brownback: All smiles and hugs yesterday when Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh endorsed U.S. Senator Sam Brownback in his bid for governor after Thornburgh dropped out in July. The endorsement lines the entire GOP behind Brownback after Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger made her endorsement official last week. Kansas Democrats were pretty much neutered after Queen Sebelius took a mad dash to Washington...unlikely they'll have a serious candidate. Possibilities include Democrat Senator Chris Steineger and KS Dem Party Chair Larry Gates. Either would prove entertaining. Predictions on how much Brownback will report in January? Leave a comment with your estimate.
  
  
• Obamamaniac Takes A Bite: Just like it sounds. An Obamacare supporter and MoveOn.org fanatic bit off the finger of a 65-year old man who opposes a government takeover of health care. See interview here. Word to the wise: watch out for vigilers and health care proponents who tend to dwell in the Lawrence...they pack a mean bite.
  
  
• WEBlog on Dem Party Payroll?: For real. Have you read the Wichita Eagle's blog lately? Take a look. Enough said.
  

University Daily Kansan: Current Kansas GOP strength - a precursor to national revival?

By Tyler Holmes of the University Daily Kansan

"The only event in life that lacks a silver lining is the death of someone important to you. Unfortunately, it is a truth that I have been introduced to all too recently (though my pain pales to those closer to this tragedy, my heart aches more for them than itself).

So right now, death is all I can write about, all I can think about, until I can connect this to something I know — politics. (This transition in no way fairly compares the two.)

At the national level, the Republican Party is in disarray. Out of touch. Out of power. Sarah Palin. Rush Limbaugh. And trips to Argentina. The stench of death seems to be here, too.

But even without holding the cards in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, the Republicans have hope — and I’m not referring to health care as being President Obama’s “Waterloo,” like Senator Jim DeMint.

I’m referring to the state of things here. I’m talking about Kansas." (FULL STORY)

Morning Brief: Revenues, Dream Ticket, Jenkins' Town Hall, Dole Schools Obama

Some of the top headlines this morning:

• Revenues Up, For Now: The Associated Press is reporting that Kansas state revenues are up for August, coming in at $376.8 million, up from the predicted $369.9 million. Alan Conroy, director of legislative research was this was "modest" good news and Governor Mark Parkinson issued a statement, saying the revenue report is an "encouraging sign".
  
  
• The Dems Worst Nightmare?: Yesterday, the KC Star reported Senator Brownback, Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, and GOP Chairwoman Amanda Adkins will hold a press conference at 11am on Thursday. Could this really be the dream ticket Republicans are waiting for or will it be a friendly, unifying endorsement? Seeing how the Democrats' bench is literally non-existent, especially after Jim Slattery's humiliating defeat in last year's election, a Brownback-Thornburgh ticket would seal the deal for the GOP to take the governor's mansion back for the next 8-16 years. But either way, Brownback will be governor in 2010. Such a ticket will surely send Dems running with their tails between their legs.
  
  
• Jenkins Fends Off MoveOn/Dennis Kucinich Clones: The Topeka Capital-Journal and Lawrence Journal-World highlights Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins' town hall yesterday at the Dole Institute in Lawrence. Single-payer loons, public option fiends, and "Health Care for All" advocates were there to spout their usual talking points. An enlightened KU student said health care is "the biggest social justice issue (in our time)". Riiiight. You know when liberals start making moral arguments like this, they've run out of actual reasons. A poll yesterday said only 40 percent of Americans support President Obama's handling of health care...if that's national number, I can't even imagine what the number is in Kansas. Stating the obvious: Kansas DO NOT want government in their health care.
  
  
• Bob Dole Schools Obama: In case you missed this goodie a few days ago, former Senator, and a great Kansan, Bob Dole, lashes the White House for its amateur handling of health care. Dole dishes out good advice for the president and if his Ivy League education taught him anything, he'd come down from his Hope cloud and listen.