Stay Red Kansas
Jason Croucher: Kansas' Biggest Jackass
For almost a year, Jason Croucher (the former golden-boy of the Kansas Democratic Party) managed one of the State's most frequently-updated political blogs - KansasJackass. Though, we certainly didn't agree with Mr. Croucher on too many topics, his website was typically an entertaining read - if for no other reason than to get a good laugh.
Croucher's prominent position in the Kansas Democratic Party afforded him some very unique and exciting opportunities, including working as Communications Director for failed Senate Candidate Jim Slattery, appearing as a regular guest on Lawrence's radio station 1320 KLWN and covering the daily developments in Kansas' Capital City. In fact, Croucher had big plans to embark on a state-wide tour and even posted a poll on his website asking readers to vote on what he should call his upcoming trip around the State.
Then, in one quick moment, Croucher's profile came crashing down as quickly as he had built it up. Croucher was going on a trip, alright - but the upcoming trip to the Shawnee County jail probably wasn't exactly what he had in mind.
Croucher abruptly stopped updating KansasJackass and promptly vanished from the public political scene. What made things even more confusing was that he provided absolutely no explanation - no justification for his disappearance, no explanation for his silence and more disappointing for us loyal readers, not even a 'goodbye.' For almost a year, we were left with one question burning in our minds - where the heck is Jason Croucher?
Unfortunately, we finally have our answer.
Jason Croucher, the former golden-boy of the Kansas Democratic Party, the former Communications Director for Democrat Jim Slattery and the former editor of KansasJackass was most recently a current inmate of the Shawnee County jail.
Croucher was indicted on June 2nd for two counts of receiving or distributing child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, Croucher faces between 5 - 20 years in jail - a hefty punishment for a serious crime.
With the grave nature of the charges Croucher's currently facing, we'll let the judicial system work itself out and determine his ultimate punishment. For someone who made a name for himself smacking Republican politicians for unscrupulous behavior, it's a quite fitting end to such a brief and unproductive career.
In any case, many of the burning questions surrounding Croucher's disappearance have been answered. With those answers, we have been able to confidently say that - without a doubt - Jason Croucher is Kansas' biggest jackass.
Croucher's prominent position in the Kansas Democratic Party afforded him some very unique and exciting opportunities, including working as Communications Director for failed Senate Candidate Jim Slattery, appearing as a regular guest on Lawrence's radio station 1320 KLWN and covering the daily developments in Kansas' Capital City. In fact, Croucher had big plans to embark on a state-wide tour and even posted a poll on his website asking readers to vote on what he should call his upcoming trip around the State.
Then, in one quick moment, Croucher's profile came crashing down as quickly as he had built it up. Croucher was going on a trip, alright - but the upcoming trip to the Shawnee County jail probably wasn't exactly what he had in mind.
Croucher abruptly stopped updating KansasJackass and promptly vanished from the public political scene. What made things even more confusing was that he provided absolutely no explanation - no justification for his disappearance, no explanation for his silence and more disappointing for us loyal readers, not even a 'goodbye.' For almost a year, we were left with one question burning in our minds - where the heck is Jason Croucher?
Unfortunately, we finally have our answer.
Jason Croucher, the former golden-boy of the Kansas Democratic Party, the former Communications Director for Democrat Jim Slattery and the former editor of KansasJackass was most recently a current inmate of the Shawnee County jail.
Croucher was indicted on June 2nd for two counts of receiving or distributing child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, Croucher faces between 5 - 20 years in jail - a hefty punishment for a serious crime.
With the grave nature of the charges Croucher's currently facing, we'll let the judicial system work itself out and determine his ultimate punishment. For someone who made a name for himself smacking Republican politicians for unscrupulous behavior, it's a quite fitting end to such a brief and unproductive career.
In any case, many of the burning questions surrounding Croucher's disappearance have been answered. With those answers, we have been able to confidently say that - without a doubt - Jason Croucher is Kansas' biggest jackass.
KS-4: Ad-Watch
In his bid to replace Congressman Tiahrt, Wink Hartman has been airing ads for several months. Most recently, Hartman released an ad focusing on the dangerous policies coming from the Democrats in Congress. We'll continue to post ads from the race as they're released.
"Solutions"
"Solutions"
KS-Sen: Ad-Watch
With less than three months left before the 2010 GOP Primaries, candidates in various races are beginning to bring their message to the voters on the airwaves.
Over the next three months, we'll do our best to bring these ads to you as we see them.
In his bid for the US Senate, Congressman Jerry Moran has released the following ads:
"Lavish Dinners"
Over the next three months, we'll do our best to bring these ads to you as we see them.
In his bid for the US Senate, Congressman Jerry Moran has released the following ads:
"Lavish Dinners"
Senate Narrowly Passes Bloated Budget
Is it just us or is Topeka looking more and more like Washington these days?
For the last few years, interest groups and elected officials have been ringing alarm bells about significant budgetary problems to come if our State spending wasn't controlled. Unfortunately, Topeka spent every single surplus dollar they could find, bringing us to last night's vote.
After a more common-sense budget proposed by House Republicans was defeated, the Senate, by a vote of 23-17, passed a bloated budget which included a massive tax hike that will (supposedly) close the budget gap.
More unfortunate is the fact that we have a whole host of Republicans to blame for this tax and spend budget.
Our biggest question, at this point: will the big-spending Republican who believe Topeka needs more of your money right now want to return it to you when/if we ever get back to surplus mode? Wouldn't hold your breath (or count your tax-return money)...
Here's the roll call of Republicans who joined with Governor Parkinson and the rest of the Democratic Party in raising your taxes in this tough economy:
REPUBLICANS WHO RAISED TAXES
For the last few years, interest groups and elected officials have been ringing alarm bells about significant budgetary problems to come if our State spending wasn't controlled. Unfortunately, Topeka spent every single surplus dollar they could find, bringing us to last night's vote.
After a more common-sense budget proposed by House Republicans was defeated, the Senate, by a vote of 23-17, passed a bloated budget which included a massive tax hike that will (supposedly) close the budget gap.
More unfortunate is the fact that we have a whole host of Republicans to blame for this tax and spend budget.
Our biggest question, at this point: will the big-spending Republican who believe Topeka needs more of your money right now want to return it to you when/if we ever get back to surplus mode? Wouldn't hold your breath (or count your tax-return money)...
Here's the roll call of Republicans who joined with Governor Parkinson and the rest of the Democratic Party in raising your taxes in this tough economy:
REPUBLICANS WHO RAISED TAXES
- Pete Brungardt, Salina
- Jay Emler, Lindsborg
- Terrie Huntington, Fairway
- Bob Marshall, Fort Scott
- Carolyn McGinn, Sedgwick
- Steve Morris, Hugoton
- Ralph Ostmeyer, Grinnell
- Tim Owens, Overland Park
- Roger Reitz, Manhattan
- Vicki Schmidt, Topeka
- Jean Schodorf, Wichita
- Mark Taddiken, Clifton
- Ruth Teichman, Stafford
- Dwayne Umbarger, Thayer
- John Vratil, Leawood
- Steve Abrams, Arkansas City
- Pat Apple, Louisburg
- Jim Barnett, Emporia
- Karin Brownlee, Olathe
- Terry Bruce, Hutchinson
- Jeff Colyer, Overland Park
- Les Donovan, Wichita
- Tim Huelskamp, Fowler
- Dick Kelsey, Goddard
- Julia Lynn, Olathe
- Ty Masterson, Andover
- Mike Petersen, Wichita
- Mary Pilcher-Cook, Shawnee
- Dennis Pyle, Hiawatha
- Derek Schmidt, Independence
- Susan Wagle, Wichita
KS-Sen: David Haley to Lose 3rd Straight State-Wide Bid?
After losing two down-ballot bids for Secretary of State, what should be the logical next step for a potential candidate?
Well, according to Kansas City State Senator David Haley, it's run for one of the two highly-coveted seats in the US Senate, of course.
That's right - David Haley, who has twice been embarrassed in wildly-unsuccessful bids for the Secretary of State's office, has now become the 3rd Democrat to enter the Senate Primary.
Over the last few months, all eyes have been focused on the GOP side of the Senate showdown. With this development, however, we're shifting our concentration to the Democratic side of the ticket -- it's going to be a REAL barn-burner.
With any luck we can get an answer to these burning questions:
Well, according to Kansas City State Senator David Haley, it's run for one of the two highly-coveted seats in the US Senate, of course.
That's right - David Haley, who has twice been embarrassed in wildly-unsuccessful bids for the Secretary of State's office, has now become the 3rd Democrat to enter the Senate Primary.
Over the last few months, all eyes have been focused on the GOP side of the Senate showdown. With this development, however, we're shifting our concentration to the Democratic side of the ticket -- it's going to be a REAL barn-burner.
With any luck we can get an answer to these burning questions:
- Will Charles Schollenberger post another SIX-DIGIT fundraising quarter?
- Will we ever find out who the hell Lisa Johnston is?
- Will David Haley even have the chance to get embarrassed in the general election with such top-tier Primary opponents?
Senate Falls One Vote Short on Veto Over-Ride
With Session rapidly nearing a close, it has been an extremely eventful week in Topeka. On the docket today was the Senate's attempt to over-ride Governor Parkinson's late-term abortion veto.
Unfortunately, the Senate fell one Senator short of the 27 votes necessary to over-ride Governor Parkinson. More unfortunately, six Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats in blocking the bill.
Unfortunately, the Senate fell one Senator short of the 27 votes necessary to over-ride Governor Parkinson. More unfortunately, six Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats in blocking the bill.
- Republican 'No' Votes:
- Pete Brungardt, Salina.
- Terrie Huntington, Fairway.
- Vicki Schmidt, Topeka.
- Jean Schodorf, Wichita.
- Ruth Teichman, Stafford.
- John Vratil, Leawood.
- Pete Brungardt, Salina.
The Internet Doesn't Lie...
Hat-tip to yet another alert StayRed reader for submitting this gem. We'll let the picture speak for itself...
KS-3: Patricia Lightner on Taxes
As most of you know, we have some very competitive Republican Primaries to sort through this year.
Perhaps more important than any due to the nature of the seat is Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District where Republicans have the clearest path to Congress in over a decade thanks to the retirement of liberal Democrat Dennis Moore.
While there are at least six Republicans currently seeking the GOP nomination, there are only two that have a real chance to represent the Party in November – Patricia Lightner and Kevin Yoder.
For the last few months, Lightner has commonly portrayed herself as the banner-carrying conservative in the race and has made passionate and (almost) convincing arguments to try and support these claims.
We have been tipped off by a loyal Stay Red reader, however, with some pretty strong evidence to contradict this assertion.
The first topic we’ll examine are the numerous tax hikes supported by Lightner during her time in the Kansas legislature.
With the retirement of Dennis Moore, 3rd District Republicans have a clear path to Congress for the first time in more than ten years. With this in mind, it’s very important that we select a true fiscal conservative. While Lightner’s election-year rhetoric describes herself as such, her voting record raises some serious questions about her commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Stay tuned in the coming days as we will continue this in-depth look at Patricia Lightner’s conservative credentials.
Perhaps more important than any due to the nature of the seat is Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District where Republicans have the clearest path to Congress in over a decade thanks to the retirement of liberal Democrat Dennis Moore.
While there are at least six Republicans currently seeking the GOP nomination, there are only two that have a real chance to represent the Party in November – Patricia Lightner and Kevin Yoder.
For the last few months, Lightner has commonly portrayed herself as the banner-carrying conservative in the race and has made passionate and (almost) convincing arguments to try and support these claims.
We have been tipped off by a loyal Stay Red reader, however, with some pretty strong evidence to contradict this assertion.
The first topic we’ll examine are the numerous tax hikes supported by Lightner during her time in the Kansas legislature.
- In 1999, Lightner Voted To Raise The Gas Tax By 4 Cents A Gallon. (John L. Petterson and John A. Dvorak, “Kansas Approves Program For Roads,” Kansas City Star, 5/1/99)
- In 2000, Lightner Voted For A New Bistate Sales Tax.
- In 2002, Lightner voted to pass a $275 million tax package that included a sales tax increase to 5.3% and a 65-cent increase in the cigarette tax. (Journal of the House, 5/13/02)
- On May 13, the same day Lightner voted for the $275 million tax package, the House soundly defeated a proposal to increase taxes on beer, wine and liquor to raise more than $5 million for the state’s coffers. Lightner voted for the tax hike. (Journal of the House, 5/13/02)
With the retirement of Dennis Moore, 3rd District Republicans have a clear path to Congress for the first time in more than ten years. With this in mind, it’s very important that we select a true fiscal conservative. While Lightner’s election-year rhetoric describes herself as such, her voting record raises some serious questions about her commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Stay tuned in the coming days as we will continue this in-depth look at Patricia Lightner’s conservative credentials.
KS-3: Will the Real Patricia Lightner Please Stand Up?
Last week, we examined the recent developments in the 3rd District field, specifically the exit of ’08 nominee Nick Jordan and the entrance of Stephene Moore (perhaps the single LEAST qualified US Congressional Candidate in recent memory.)
While we’ve heard whispers about several other potential candidates, it’s highly unlikely that any candidate of substance will be tossing their hat in the ring.
The conventional wisdom, at this point, is that this race has come down to Yoder vs. Lightner, and that’s probably the case. There is another bit of ‘conventional wisdom,’ however, that we are not so willing to accept; namely, that Patricia Lightner is the unchallenged conservative in this race.
Yes, Lightner talks a good game. Heck, she even acts the part of a staunch conservative. Unfortunately for Lightner, however, her voting record – you know, the actual evidence of a politician’s true beliefs – paints a far different picture.
In the coming days, we will take a more detailed look into the background and voting tendencies of Patricia Lightner in an effort to find out who she truly is behind the soaring political platitudes and the always-profound ‘bolts of Lightner.’
Stay tuned..it should be very informative.
