Kansas Democratic Party

Does it concern you that 46% of republicans believe the President is Muslim? Or that 27% doubt he is a citizen of the United States? If so Read Timothy Egan of the New York Times post from 8/25 (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/building-a-nation-of-know-nothings/).

Where do Jerry Moran, Sam Brownback and Mike Pompeo stand on the president's citizenship and his religious affiliation? I want to know and I think Kansas has the right to know. Why? Because if they believe that he is a Muslim or is not a citizen then they will be wrong and at a minimum look foolish for being misinformed which erodes their credibility. If they admit that he is a citizen, a Christian and that TARP was a republican bill that was signed by a republican President then that erodes their conservative base. Either way we Donkeys win! Why is the media not asking where these candidates stand on this? Why is no questioning why Brownback voted for Cash for Clunkers and how he rationalizes that with being fiscally conservative? Where does he stand on state and federal financial support for aviation and agriculture? How does that line up with his parties stance on government intervention in the market place?

These are important questions that deserve to be asked of candidates from both parties.  I suspect they will playh in favor of Democratic candidates.

Overland Park, Kansas — August 18, 2010 — Dr. Lisa Johnston has earned the endorsement of the Mainstream Coalition, a highly respected nonpartisan political organization.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Mainstream Coalition” said Lisa Johnston. “I believe that Kansans want leaders who are reasonable, moderate, and dedicated to representing the interests of everyday people including personal and religious freedom, human rights, and strengthening public education. My opponent demonstrated in his primary election that he is not a moderate but an extreme conservative which is not what the majority of Kansans want in their leaders.”

On August 3rd, Lisa defeated four other Democratic primary candidates to become the Democratic nominee for United States Senate. Voters throughout the state responded positively to her four key campaign priorities: job creation in Kansas, promoting economic strength and fiscal accountability, prioritizing education, and leading with integrity. Learn more about Lisa by visiting her website.

Lisa hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the U.S. Senate. “The overwhelming majority of U.S. Senators have professional backgrounds in law, business or politics. For example, my opponent in this race has a background in law and has been as a U.S. Congressman for fourteen years. He is a true Washington insider which is not what people are looking for right now.” said Lisa “We need more diversity in our political leadership and people from all walks of life with professional experience that will strengthen the legislative process. Education is under-represented in Washington. We need more U.S. Senators who understand education from the inside. I feel my leadership experience, professional expertise in education, desire to represent the people, and commitment to serve with integrity will allow me to succeed as a U.S. Senator and fight for what is best for Kansans and all Americans.”

About the Mainstream Coalition:
The Mainstream Coalition is the Moderate Alliance of Informed Neighbors. Founded in 1993, the Mainstream coalition is dedicated to civil and human rights, public education, personal and religious freedom, and eliminating prejudice, discrimination, and hostility. The Mainstream coalition endorses candidates running for all levels of office regardless of political affiliation based on their stated positions on issues central to the mission of the organization.

So the Pompeo campaign got caught slinging mud...and why is anybody surprised? It is what he and his party do. I'm not running for office so I'll say it like it is, it's typical. They got nothing. Their economic mismanagement brought the world to the brink of financial ruin and their lies caused a war that could have been avoided (that's Iraq for you Pachyderms). How do you come back from the political ash heap after that? Launch mud and see where it lands. If it means play on peoples fears rather than inspire them, do it. Why is anybody surprised by this? They have no choice. It is either that or become politically insignificant. The toothless get ruthless.

So buckle up Raj and all the other Donkeys in key races around the state. The GOP is just getting started.

Hey GOP! I'll see your the 14th amendment and raise you the second. Now...as a hunter and gun owner I have no intention of advocating the repeal of the second amendment, but do you see where this is headed? Constitutional amendments are not there to be changed or repealed for political convenience. Otherwise who is to say that all of them couldn't be changed at some point given the right political conditions, including your prized second amendment. This is a genie you do not want to let out just because you disagree with the ruling of a specific judge or court. The potential long term consequences of your short term political grandstanding are substantial.

BTW- I wonder where Jerry, Mike and Sam stand on this issue? Maybe someone should ask them. I'm pretty sure I know where the Dems are on this.

 Please feel free to insert examples from your area into the following commentary and forward to others as you see fit...

So you say you are against big government spending? Recently CIBOR, are research facility at Wichita State University, grew bone in a mammal for the first time without the body rejecting it. It's a break through that could potentially help soldiers and crash victims among others. This same technology can be used to improve the structure and weight of emergency equipment like stretchers and surgical equipment. The University has collaborated with area suppliers to develop the technology yet much of its start up funding came from government sources. CIBOR is an example of a joint effort between the government and the private sector that can change lives and launch entirely new industries that otherwise wouldn't have been financially feasible for the foreseeable future.

So you say you are against big government spending? The you must be willing to let Hawker leave Kansas. Keeping them here will require local and state officials to put together an attractive financial package the may include funds given to the state by Washington for business development and worker training. For your stance to logically work you must be against such government intervention otherwise your flip flopping and we wouldn't want that would we.

So you say you are against big government spending? Where do you stand on the $27 million in state bonds issued by the State of Kansas to build the Learjet 85 in Wichita? The funding for which came from The Economic and Recovery Act of 2009. How would you have voted on the bailout of the US automakers? Are you against that but for this?

So you say you are against big government spending? Has your business received tax incentives, money for employee training, or bonds from local, state or federal agencies? Does the day care facility your children attend receive government funds. What about the agencies that oversee them so that they are safe and clean?

Like it or not, the government in its many forms can be a useful tool in growing the private sector and in creating and retaining jobs. If you are against big government spending than in order for your argument to work you must oppose these kinds of partnerships too and what a tragedy it would be to let these important partnerships fail.

During the upcoming election cycle it is important for us to critically and question those loud and boisterous politician wanna-bes that rail against such things without giving any details about what programs they want to cut and by what amount. Don't let them speak in generalities. Hold them accountable! Ask tough questions! Stir the pot! Then ask yourself how their answer might affect you, your family or your friends before you vote.

Vote wisely my friends.

Charles Schollenberger and his campaign staff wish to thank many Kansans around the state for their efforts in our behalf. While not ultimately successful in the recent U.S. Senate primary, we are proud that we were the only campaign that took a serious position on many of the major issues facing the country while at the same time proposing solutions.

We started out campaigning for both the health insurance and the financial reform bills until they both passed. We ran a campaign on many other issues, as well,  but we are particularly pleased  at what small part our efforts might have had in the passage of these two landmark pieces of legislation.

We can also be proud that in our 15-month campaign, we came out of nowhere to win the endorsements of four daily newspapers around the state, including a major metropolitan newspaper.

First and foremost, however, we’re proud of the fine young people who volunteered their time and talents to our efforts in their first debut into elective politics.

We’ll be proud to have them as our leaders of tomorrow: Ben Brungardt,  Creighton Coleman,  Jim Dailey,  Jeffrey Dazey, Benjamin Huntley,  Ben Long, Tom Oldfather, Stephanie Palcher, Patrick Rossol-Allison, and Nik and Theo Stavropoulos. All of our staff members served entirely without pay, an exceptional circumstance given the size and scope of our state-wide campaign.

Special thanks, as well, to political veterans Serena Hein,  Kathie Moore, and Debbie Snow, plus television news veteran John McGrath and his step-father, the most patient man in the world – Wayne Hohl – who loaned us his wife, Theresa,  for a year.

We also wish to salute the entirely volunteer efforts of our first and second campaign managers: Mayre Hoffman and Theresa Hohl, without whose tireless efforts this campaign could never have been waged.

Our  efforts across the state included DFA campaign training; attendance at three state KDP conventions; sponsoring hospitality rooms at two of these conventions, speaking at caucuses and congressional district meetings at these conventions; participating in parades in numerous cities; speaking to county meetings, breakfast meetings and dinner gatherings in over 20 cities; meetings with union leaders; and attendance at U.S. Senate forums in many cities, one of which was televised.

We appreciate the time and efforts that many committed Kansas Democrats have given to our efforts and hope that our campaign in some small way has helped arouse public awareness of the changes still needed in our country.