Toto, I don't think we're...uh, never mind
Kansas, the "What's the Matter" State, is governed by the immensely popular Dem governor Kathleen Sebelius. Named one of America's Best Governors by Time, she's been one of the names tossed around as a running mate for 2008. But from what I've read about her, she could be an excellent president. I'd take her over La Hill, most certainly.
It turns out that Sebelius is no Joe Lieberman-esque "Fox News Democrat" either. In fact, she's been nudging moderate Republicans toward the party of the Donkey. Republicans do still outnumber Democrats in Kansas, but there's an intra-party split between the Brownback branch (i.e., the fundie wackos) and the moderates. The conflict, as it turns out, is the gift that keeps on giving for the Kansas Democrats.
Current Lt. Governor John Moore is an ex-Republican who switched just days before joining Sebelius on the ticket. Now, Mark Parkinson, the head of the Kansas GOP has switched parties.
The head of the Kansas GOP, folks. The head of the Kansas GOP.
Anyway, Parkinson is believed to be in the running to become Sebelius's new lieutenant governor. He and Moore are not the only Kansas Republicans to leave the GOP, either. As it turns out, one Kansas state legislator is miffed about this:
Well, whoop dee do. When a party no longer represents your interests and, in fact, seems to have been taken over by nut cases, it's probably reasonable to jump ship. I don't doubt that political self-interest played a role in Parkinson's decision, but it's telling that a man in his position would jump ship.
Sebelius is doing the smart thing by peeling away the moderate Republicans who are alienated and disgusted by what's happened to their party.
And you may wonder what Bush's approval rating is in Kansas. According to SurveyUSA, it's 35 percent. Maybe Kansas isn't so wingnutty after all...
It turns out that Sebelius is no Joe Lieberman-esque "Fox News Democrat" either. In fact, she's been nudging moderate Republicans toward the party of the Donkey. Republicans do still outnumber Democrats in Kansas, but there's an intra-party split between the Brownback branch (i.e., the fundie wackos) and the moderates. The conflict, as it turns out, is the gift that keeps on giving for the Kansas Democrats.
Current Lt. Governor John Moore is an ex-Republican who switched just days before joining Sebelius on the ticket. Now, Mark Parkinson, the head of the Kansas GOP has switched parties.
The head of the Kansas GOP, folks. The head of the Kansas GOP.
Anyway, Parkinson is believed to be in the running to become Sebelius's new lieutenant governor. He and Moore are not the only Kansas Republicans to leave the GOP, either. As it turns out, one Kansas state legislator is miffed about this:
House Speaker Doug Mays said he was disgusted by Parkinson's lack of loyalty to the party that made him chairman.
"To me, one of the most valuable traits that a person can have, particularly a person who find himself in a position of authority is loyalty," said Mays, R-Topeka. "I think he's being opportunistic on a personal basis. The Republican Party had been very good to Mark Parkinson."
Well, whoop dee do. When a party no longer represents your interests and, in fact, seems to have been taken over by nut cases, it's probably reasonable to jump ship. I don't doubt that political self-interest played a role in Parkinson's decision, but it's telling that a man in his position would jump ship.
Sebelius is doing the smart thing by peeling away the moderate Republicans who are alienated and disgusted by what's happened to their party.
And you may wonder what Bush's approval rating is in Kansas. According to SurveyUSA, it's 35 percent. Maybe Kansas isn't so wingnutty after all...
Comments