US Senator and GOP gubernatorial front-runner Sam Brownback has a brand new idea for the state of Kansas in the event that he is elected: an Office of the Repealer.  Read that full story at the Lawrence Journal-World, and note how even in the headline of the story, it is pointed out that he can’t think of any specifics.

You see, there is lots of waste in the government, which needs to be dealt with.  Senator Brownback is sure of this, but has no clue what that waste actually is (being out of Kansas politics for over a decade will do that).  Thus, there must be a whole new government position to find and do away with waste.  Yes, there would be a new government program to repeal hypothetical government programs.

Brownback is quoted as telling supporters that his new Bureau of Crushing Irony is necessary because Kansas must “look more like Texas and a lot less like California.”

That quote, and the entire idea of an Office of Repealer, are as shallow as anything one would expect as Brownback stumps for Stepping Stone to the White H… er… governor of Kansas, but they also bring to light a few of the ideas that the Republican Party has used for years to terrify voters.

First up, the haunting specter of government programs.  Turn on your TV and check out any of the ads Todd Tiarht and Jerry Moran are running to attack each other (fittingly, to replace Sam Brownback in the Senate).  How long will it take before one accuses the other of wanting more government?  Especially with the rise of the libertarian-tinged Tea Party movement, it is trendy for Republican candidates to swear up and down that they despise the very existence of government, all the while tip-toeing around the fact that they wouldn’t have careers without it.  Brownback can’t actually name anything he’d like his new office to do away with, but is banking on the very idea of something dedicated solely to getting rid of government services resonating with the more paranoid wings of the Kansas Republican Party.

Second, that delightful quip about looking more like Texas and less like California.  In the lore of Republican rhetoric, “California” is code for “liberals”, “giant government”, and all the other scary things that midwesterners are supposed to revile.  “Texas” evokes images of hope, in the form of small government, big trucks, George W. Bush, and all the other things that scream out “Go America!”

Mention to Sam Brownback that California has a Republican governor, or is the home state of Ronald Reagan, or passed a major piece of anti-gay policy via public referendum, and the most likely reaction is for him to shout “Look over there!” and duck behind a piece of furniture.

All snarkiness aside, when can Brownback, or any Republican candidate for that matter, forget about scare tactics and start campaigning on something positive?  When will they stop reminding us that government is scary, and start looking for ways to make it work in a more productive manner?  And when will the Kansas GOP stop evoking California, Texas, and the like, and start trying to find an identity for Kansas, beyond aspiring to be Texas-lite?

Controversial evangelical leader Lou Engle arrived in Uganda from Kansas City last week.  His trip coincides with a rally in support of a bill that suggests life imprisonment, and the death penalty in some cases, for homosexuals and prohibits the advocacy of gay rights.

Yesterday, Gov. Parkinson vetoed the anti-choice legislation that would have put into place draconian new restrictions on abortion in Kansas.  These would have included no abortion past 20 weeks with a “fetal pain” reasoning, eliminating the mental health reason for a late-term abortion, including an option for the family of a patient to sue after an abortion, even if the woman consented to the abortion and does not want to sue the doctor.

These restrictions were very similar to those passed in Nebraska, and the similarity in these bills is not by chance.  This is an orchestrated movement by the anti-choice side to target Dr. Carhart.  Immediately after Dr. Tiller’s murder, Dr. Carhart stated that he would open a late-term clinic in Wichita, and then later stated he would perform the procedures in his clinic in Bellevue, NE.  These bills are intended to make it impossible for him to provide a safe, legal medical procedure in both of these states.

Once again, abortion care provider-hunting season in Kansas is winding down again.  All that’s left is to see if the legislature tries the “override the veto” maneuver, and then the some more of the obligatory tilting at windmills.  I liked Pamela Merrit’s comment on RH Reality Check yesterday regarding the Missouri state legislature, which is sadly applicable to the Kansas legislature (and many others) as well: “I guess the message is that government involvement in health care is okay as long as it involves denying women our reproductive rights and treating us like children.”

Expecting a veto override to fail would be not be the same, however, if Brownback were to win in November.  I’m sure as Democrats we all realize the importance of not electing an anti-woman politician, but this should be a bigger wake up call for everyone.  It’s only April, but time to get working and donating to the Tom Holland for Governor campaign.  We need another responsible, well-reasoned person in the Governor’s office, and not an extremist.

Also, be sure to drop a note to the Governor’s office thanking him for the veto.  You can always head to the Capitol-Journal and vote supporting Gov. Parkinson in their poll about the veto as well.

On Sunday, March 7 our next governor, Tom Holland, spoke to a group at The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn, Valley Falls. I think Sen. Holland is precisely who we need to lead our state through the difficult times we are in. Don’t write him off. That was the mistake made by the last two Republicans he ran against. Both were incumbents; first in a state House race, then a state Senate race. Both districts were conservative. Sen. Holland is a very pragmatic and formidable candidate who will pull no punches in the race against Sam Brownback.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The press release issued by the Tom Holland for Governor campaign shortly after Holland’s announcement:

February 17, 2010

CONTACT: Frances Gorman Graves

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 785/331-5378

SMALL BUSINESSMAN TOM HOLLAND ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR

Entrepreneur and State Senator Will Bring People Together to Solve Kansas’ Problems

TOPEKA – Announcing his candidacy for Kansas Governor before a crowd of supporters today, Tom Holland said he will use his small business experience to solve the problems facing our state.

“Kansas needs a problem solver with a business mindset for its next governor,” Holland said. “I have a proven track record in running a successful business, making a payroll for over 15 years, creating jobs and bringing people together to find solutions.”

Holland, owner of Holland Technologies, Inc. of Baldwin, Kan. has represented the families of Kansas’ 10^th House District from 2003-2009. In 2009, he became a State Senator representing the 3^rd District in rural Douglas, Leavenworth and Jefferson Counties.

In his remarks, Holland said he decided to run to prevent U.S. Senator Sam Brownback from “putting his failed Washington politics and divisive agenda to work in our state.” Holland is likely to face Brownback in the General Election.

“The people of Kansas deserve a problem solver who knows how to create jobs and rebuild our economy,” Holland said. “Not dig us deeper into the debt, gridlock and partisanship we’ve seen in Washington.”

Holland, joined by his wife, Barbara, and their four children, announced his candidacy near Lowman Hills Elementary School in Topeka. The location called attention to problems facing communities across Kansas dealing with public school closures and overcrowding.

“Kansans are facing problems of historic proportions,” Holland said. “Our economy is the worst it has been in over two generations. I understand the problems facing our state, and I am the only candidate who will put politics aside and bring people together to find solutions.”

In the coming months, Holland plans share his problem solving platform during visits to Kansas communities across the state. Holland said he has named Martha Harris, Professor of Business and Economics at Baker University, as the official Treasurer of his campaign committee.

###



The Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA) will hold its 34th annual public policy day on Thursday, February 11 at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Over 1,000 nurses and nursing students from across the state are expected to attend. Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson will welcome the group and provide opening comments at 9 a.m.

The purpose of the day is to discuss policy issues that impact the practice of nursing and the delivery and financing of health care. Andrew Allison, PhD, Acting Executive Director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority, will be the keynote speaker at 11:15 a.m. The Kansas Health Policy Authority is the principal health care agency for the state of Kansas. Established in 2005, KHPA serves as the single state Medicaid agency in Kansas, administering the medical portion of the Kansas Medicaid program, as well as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP, also known as “HealthWave”); MediKan, which provides coverage for certain low-income, disabled Kansans; the State Employee Health Program; and the State Self- Insurance Fund (SSIF), which provides workers compensation coverage to state employees.

Other presenters include Patricia Plank, MSN, RN, KSNA President; Dawn Zimmerman, President of the Kansas Association of Nursing Students; Sarah Tidwell, MS, RN, KSNA Legislative Chair; Anthony Hensley, Kansas Senate Minority Leader; Jason Eberhart-Phillips, MD, MPH, State Health Officer and Director of the Kansas Division of Health; Rachel Lindbloom, MS, MSW, LSCSW, Section Chief for Health Data Analysis, Kansas Office of Health Assessment; Robert Stiles, MPH, MS, BS, Director of Primary Care, Kansas Bureau of Local and Rural Health; Ronda Eagleson, MN, ARNP, FNP-BC, ARNP Task Force Chair and KSNA Board Member.

For additional information, please contact KSNA at 785-233-8638 or ksna@ksna.net

State Sen. Tom Holland

He has ran in the past on creating and protecting Kansas jobs, maintaining the state’s commitment to education, taking advantage of clean energy opportunities, and lower residential property taxes. Tom Holland has also shown a strong commitment to protecting the disabled and senior citizens. He also serves on the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC) board of directors. As a entrepreneur in the field of information technology, Holland knows how to grow the 21st Century economy of Kansas.

Holland defeated incumbent Representative Ralph Tanner in 2002 to enter the legislature, and then defeated incumbent Senator Roger Pine in 2008 to join the State Senate. In his tenure in the State House, Tom became very visible and well liked by Republican and Democrats alike in the communities of Lawrence, Baldwin City, Ottawa, and Wellsville. Holland was a true representative of his district and reached out to his constituents like few can. This service to his constituency has continued as State Senator.

I remember being a high school senior when I first saw Tom Holland at a Franklin County Democratic Party rally in 2002. Holland impressed me with his outspoken, plainly stated approach. During his time as my State Representative, my community (Ottawa) was impeccably served by Tom Holland. He was a visible figured at many community functions and meetings. If one needed something from Tom, he was always willing to do his best to help. While he no longer represents Franklin County, he still comes back from time to time, even regularly to Smokey’s on Saturday mornings to drink coffee with his former Wellsville constituents.

Yesterday, Holland said, “If I make a decision to run, it will definitely be to win.”

Kansas Democrats need a candidate for Governor, and we need someone who not only wants to win, but has a shot. Sam Brownback didn’t raise the enormous amount of money expected of him last year. Holland has raised serious money in his four campaigns and knows what it takes to win in tough districts and against entrenched Republicans. A Facebook group, Drafting Tom Holland for Governor has been started today. I urge everyone reading this to join the group. Let’s convince Sen. Holland that he has support from the Democratic faithful in Kansas and that we believe he will keep our state on track to success through these tough times.

Now accepting applications for Governor for the State of Kansas.  Job promises to be challenging yet potentially rewarding.  Past job applications have been able to advance to promising positions fighting the Swine Flu.  Please have understanding or experience in budgeting, supporting education, and not be too ideologically aligned with either extreme.

The Lawrence Journal World has an article this morning about the Kansas Democratic Party searching for a proper candidate.  Our own Chad Manspeaker was quoted

Chad Manspeaker, who ran Democratic Rep. Nancy Boyda’s 2008 campaign, said it’s difficult for Democrats because they seem to have gone through the list of candidates who already have name recognition in the state.

“I’m going to remain the eternal optimist,” said Manspeaker, the public affairs director for Labors Local 1290 in Wyandotte County. “Anything is possible in Kansas politics.”

The piece says there are several people who had intended to run but stepped aside when retired businessman Tom Wiggans declared, but the close of his exploratory committee has left many of those candidates rethinking their intentions.

One candidate proposed was Lawrence Senator Marci Francisco.  I love Marci, she’s very sweet.  In 2004 right after the election I got the flu and a good friend went to the Merc to pick up some soup and juice and other such things and Marci saw my friend and heard I was sick and sent her back to me with all sorts of goodies.  Its thoughtful politics at its best.

That said… Marci isn’t right for the Governor’s office for the same reason that Sam Brownback isn’t right for the office.  She’s too ideologically aligned.  She’s great for young KU students and represents her district flawlessly.  I think Kansans want someone who is a little bit more moderate, has a little bit more experience with Kansas specific issues, and for me personally I’m looking for someone that at the very least embraces transparency and online accessibility a little bit more.  I mean, all it would take for the other side to totally discount her potential is to start calling her Marci “San” Francisco …. and the time it would take to make her into a a lefty Lawrencian can be clocked with an egg timer.

Love Marci, she’s super sweet, not right for the Governor’s office.