Stay Red Kansas

Approval of the Moore and Boyda Congress Hits All-Time Low..Again..

Concerned Kansans — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:22:09 GMT

Yesterday, Rasmussen Reports released their most recent Congressional approval ratings. Shockingly enough, the public approval of Congress bottomed out at 9 percent. That's right…a mere 9 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing.

Even more telling - just 12 percent of Americans believe that legislation has been passed during the past six-month time frame that has improved their lives. 12 percent!

Perhaps the frustration may have something to do with the fact that while gas prices have continued to sky-rocket and the economy stalls, all Congress can seem to do is pass budgets with record spending and send out fundraising e-mails on behalf of lobbying colleagues.

Incumbents all over the country better take notice – the American public will no longer accept the utter lack of results they've been getting.

That means you Nancy Boyda and Dennis Moore – your lock-step votes with Nancy Pelosi's out-of-touch agenda has gained you favor with the slimmest majority of Americans (9% to be exact).

Since Dennis Moore and Nancy Boyda took the majority, gas prices have risen an amazing 75% and the economy has taken a turn for the worse. While the politicians in Washington make excuses, the folks out here in America are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore...

Jordan Campaign Announces 'WakingUpWashington.com'

Concerned Kansans — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:53:53 GMT

This afternoon, the Jordan Campaign announced their new Campaign blog, ‘WakingUpWashington.com.’ It will serve as a journal of the Campaign’s daily activities from through Election Day. Kudos to the Jordan Campaign for leading the charge on the blogosphere in the 3rd District.

This increased web-presence came just a day after the staff of Jordan’s opponent, Dennis Moore, literally broke the law with a series of illegal fundraising e-mails on behalf of Washington-lobbyist turned Senate candidate, Jim Slattery.
We will certainly keep tabs on wakingupwashington.com and hope that Nick gets all of the resources he needs to inform the public about the shenanigans taking over Moore’s office. Not only has Dennis been sitting on his hands while his fearless-leader Nancy Pelosi takes the Country in the wrong direction – he’s actually been sitting tight while his staff breaks the law.

Here’s a video that’s posted on the website describing the Jordan Campaign’s plan to take their message to the voters.

Moore of the Same From Dennis - New Round of Violations Worst than the First

Concerned Kansans — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:19:07 GMT

In a Roll Call article this morning, Congressman Dennis Moore was hit with a new round of ethics violations as his staff again misused the official House e-mail accounts and computers provided to them by Kansas taxpayers. Rather than simply spreading Campaign information, as Moore’s staff was caught doing in May, these new e-mails actually were designed to help raise money for the Kansas Democratic Party’s Senate Candidate, former lobbyist Jim Slattery.

In an e-mail to supporters, Moore legislative assistant Sarah Lochner encouraged supporters to ‘get our your checkbooks,’ a very obvious violation of House ethics rules. Unfortunately, low-level staff assistants weren’t the only ones at fault here – for the second time in as many months, Moore’s most senior staffer, Chief of Staff Howard Bauleke, found himself breaking the rules. In response to a related e-mail from Lochner, Bauleke replied that he would soon be sending out campaign information from his personal Comcast account, so it wouldn't be as obvious that campaign e-mails were sent from a Government computer. Talk about leading by example. While Bauleke was obviously breaking the rules by simply discussing the Campaign on the taxpayers’ time, his conduct also raises some far more serious questions.

Does Bauleke’s association with Slattery (serving as Chief of Staff to the former Congressman) distract from his responsibilities as a servant to the citizens of Kansas’ 3rd District?

Though we sincerely hope we’re wrong (but given his track record, we’re likely not), it seems to us that Howard Bauleke doesn't mind skirting the law for political gain. He’s already been caught twice abusing House ethics rules – he can’t afford a 3rd violation. Rather than learning from these mistakes and focusing on serving Kansas, Bauleke seems to be shrugging off what possibly could be Federal or criminal violations.

This ‘Comcast’ comment raises serious red flags – these e-mails are much harder (if not impossible) to track than those sent from the official account. Will Bauleke simply send out campaign-related communications from his personal account while at work (which is still highly-illegal) to avoid getting caught? That way, Bauleke can still break the law, but this time, he’ll control the evidence.

In any case, it seems that Dennis Moore and his close advisors have become all-too-comfortable abusing the taxpayer-trust. It’s this sort of arrogance of power that has taken over Washington and created the divisive and bitter atmosphere that runs rampant through the halls of Congress.

On May 27, when StayRed discussed the first round of violations committed by Dennis Moore’s staff, we raised the question about exactly what other abuses of power were taking place in Moore’s office on the taxpayer dime. Now, unfortunately, it seems that we have received our answer – and confirmed our worst fears.

Dennis Moore’s staff has consistently abused the authority vested in them by the constituents of Kansas’ 3rd District, and in our opinion, is in serious need of a wake-up call. It’s our hope that they receive just such a notice on Election Day, when Kansas voters will join hands with frustrated Americans all over the Country who will remove status-quo Congressmen from their perches atop our broken Congress and replace them with leaders who believe they are elected to serve the people – not the interests of their political parties.

Talk around T-Town

RightKansas — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:44:27 GMT

SRK had the opportunity to talk to some "power players" on both ends of the political spectrum the other day and heard some interesting comments regarding state legislative races and inside political moves.

1. Governor Kathleen Sebelius is trying to funnel money away from Minority Leader Dennis McKinney and into the hands of Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson. This is no surprise, as Parkinson is the "chosen" successor, and McKinney has always been a hitch in the Sebelius agenda. The talk is, the Governor is making it clear to donors and lobbyists that she wants McKinney out of House Leadership, and strapped for cash.

2. There is also talk about The House Democratic Campaign Committee targeting two somewhat "swing" districts in Johnson County: State Represenative Kevin Yoder (R-20) and State Representative Terrie Huntington (R-25). This is somwhat puzzling, as Yoder and Huntington are seen as ferocious fundraisers and pretty good at working their districts. We can only hope this is their plan, as it will sap resources elsewhere and garner little traction in these districts.

GONE WITH THE WIND

RightKansas — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:19:53 GMT

Governor Kathleen Sebelius and her top lacky Mark Parkinson took their energy revival ways to the streets on Thursday talking about the future of energy in Kansas and across the nation. For Sebelius, this is a desperate effort to become Obama's Energy Secretary (probably one of the most lackluster cabinet positions). Finally, Sebelius and her left-wing friends in Topeka realized Obama would be OUT OF HIS MIND to pick her as a running-mate given she adds nothing to the ticket, and has performed poorly for him out on the stump.

Sebelius, of course was not in Kansas talking, but rather in Denver (Did the state pay for her flight?), and was selling her effort to increase wind energy. Of course, all agree that while it is a great idea, and wind energy is a "cute" saying for environmental crazies, it is just not plausible to fix the energy needs of Kansans.

Parkinson, was in Topeka talking about energy, and in a speech lacking details, called for bi-partisanship and all Kansans to get involved with the future of energy. This is a great line, however, since the debacle of the two coal-fired plants in Holcomb neither the Governor, Lt. Governor, or their staffs have reached out to Republican leadership in the House or Senate.....What kind of cooperation is that?

So, to sum up Thursdays events from the "TOP BRASS" in the Democratic Party, Sebelius was trying to sell her Energy Secretary (that is right folks, Energy Secretary---Sebelius is so desperate to get out of KS, she is going around begging to be Energy Secretary) credentials to Obama by talking in Denver off the Taxpayer dime. Lt. Governor Parkinson was in Topeka urging all sides to work together, even though his office specifically has made no effort.

Kline Effect

RightKansas — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:27:33 GMT

There has been A LOT of talk about the candidacy of Phil Kline for Johnson County District Attorney. Will it help/hurt conservatives? Will moderates come out and vote for moderate candidates just because of Kline? Can he win the primary? What happens in the General Election if Kline wins?

First, the talk about how Phil Kline has no right to run is a fatally flawed argument. Anybody has the right to run for office, just as party leaders have the right to talk people OUT of running for office. Honestly, it would have been better for JOCO GOP politicians if Kline would have stayed on the sidelines and waited for another opportunity or even bolstered his anti-abortion reputation by working for a National Pro-Life group, but he is in, and there is nothing that can be done.

SRK things that the effect is less than what is anticipated. Primary turn-out will be significantly low, and conventional wisdom is that the more die-hard party loyalists, which tend to be conservatives vote in primaries. of course, it seems that now the JOCO establishment, KS elected officials and Party leaders are behind Steve Howe, so that will take a chunk out of Kline's support, Therefore, the real effect is probably more on Kline. He has to build an organization and start swaying support from Howe. Can he do it?

BATTLE FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE

RightKansas — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:40:19 GMT

Sorry for the hiatus, however, have been busy battling crazy left-wing D's across the nation, and that has been taking up most of my blogging time. I am back, and will regularly post about my favorite RED STATE.

One of the most intriguing aspects to the 2008 election cycle are the state legislative races pitting moderate v conservative Republicans. On the outside, this might look like a bad deal for the GOP, but in all reality, it is not bad at all.

It is time for the GOP electorate to clean out any junk (as in politician) in Topeka or any junk that wants to go to Topeka. Let's make this primary election stand for a re-alignment is necessary to get our ducks in a row for the general.

LISTEN UP KS GOP VOTERS, take a long and clear look at your choices if you have a GOP primary. Let's stop wasteful spending, the mentality that government "must" be funded, and the weird educaton formula that hurts all school districts. Pick someone this August who is going to represent the True Republican Principle of less government.

Got Boeing?

JeffersonThomas — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:22:40 GMT

We want to thank Senator Pat Roberts and Congressman Todd Tiahrt after today's announcement that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld Boeing’s protest on a $35 billion contract that was awarded to a foreign company. This is a significant victory due in part to Tiahrt and Roberts’ aggressive actions on behalf of Kansas workers and our national security. This move hopefully pushes the Air Force to reconsider the tanker contract.

While Kansas Democrats were busy pointing fingers, these two public servants went to work to give our men and women in uniform the best Tanker possible, which is the Boeing Tanker built by Kansas workers. We also want to point out here, that these two have worked in a bipartisan manner with Democrats from Washington state on this issue. StayRed commends Roberts and Tiahrt for their leadership on this important Kansas issue.

An Eye Over State Line..

Concerned Kansans — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:04:04 GMT

Typically we stick to this side of the state line, but with the developing ad-drama happening just over State Line, we thought this one was too good not to put up. Check it out...

JOCO House Updates

Concerned Kansans — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:54:20 GMT

In the weeks since the 2008 Session adjourned, the House and Senate rosters have undergone a tremendous amount of turmoil, specifically in the Johnson County delegation. Several incumbent representatives have unexpectedly resigned while others have shifted around to jockey for their places. We'll give you a long-overdue update complete with our projections.

49th House District

This was the move that started the whole firestorm. Representative Ben Hodge, an Olathe Freshman, resigned his seat effective at the conclusion of Session. This move was expected by some who speculated that Hodge's out-of-district franked mail may point to a run for higher office. After waiting in limbo for several weeks, Hodge announced his candidacy for the Senate seat vacated by Barbara Allen (we'll get to that later).

Outlook:

- After Hodge's resignation, Johnson County Party Chair and former State Rep. Scott Schwab was nominated and selected as his replacement. Schwab ran unopposed in the nomination convention and likely will remain so during the November elections, at least with a serious opponent.

22nd House District

This seat, long held by Democrat representative Sue Storm, came into play after Storm's sudden resignation. Almost immediately after, former Republican turned-opportunist, Lisa Benlon, decided to throw her name into the ring. Once again, this move continues a trend for Kansas Democrats - being forced to turn to washed-up, defeated Republicans after showing an utter incapacity to recruit solid candidates.

Outlook:

- Benlon should attract a Republican challenge - we're working on who that may be.

48th House District

With Dennis Wilson bowing out from the Senate, Representative Jeff Colyer snapped at the opportunity to take his place. Colyer put his name on the ballot for Wilson's seat, leaving the spot open for a Republican replacement.

Outlook:

- We've discovered the name of the likely candidate, though we're not going to release it at this point. Our reports indicate that the conservative faction of the Party will not be fielding a contender - meaning that the next representative from the 48th will, in all likelihood, be a moderate.

37th Senate District -

Dennis Wilson left the seat, opening it up for Republican replacement. As previously mentioned, Colyer quickly threw his hat in the ring. Also on the ballot is Rob Hodgkinson, a perennial Libertarian Party candidate. At this point, no Democrat has filed.

Outlook:

- According to our reports, Colyer will draw no Primary challenge. He's acceptable to both sides of the Party and simply has too much money to be beaten. If he draws any opposition from the Left, it will be token. Look for Colyer to walk to this one with a larger margin than most any other Senate candidate.

8th Senate District -

Unlike the resignation of Dennis Wilson, Barbara Allen's retirement came as a complete shock to most. Our sources tell us that even her closest advisers had no idea that she was departing the Senate until the day of her resignation. Almost immediately, speculation began as to who would jump in the race. Ben Hodge immediately filed. Tim Owens filed shortly after. Others also speculated to be interested include Kevin Yoder and Jim Yonally.

Outlook:

- At this point, Ben Hodge and Tim Owens are the only candidates for the seat. As we mentioned, several others are considering an entrance. Our guess - this is what the field remains, at least in terms of big names. It makes sense for Kevin Yoder to run (though he'd have to move into the District to do so). If Owens hadn't already jumped in, we'd be shocked if Yoder stayed in the House. He seems too politically astute, however, to enter a Primary in which he may not be the front-runner. Hodge will probably work hard, but unless he raises significantly more money than he did during his previous House-candidacy, Owens will be tough to beat.

In the next few weeks, we'll keep you up to date on all the jostling that may occur among the JOCO Delegation. Look for a few more names to pop up, and when they do, we'll let you know.

Rep. Dennis Moore’s Chief of Staff Violates House Ethics Rules, Uses Tax Payer Resources for Campaign Purposes

Concerned Kansans — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:37:21 GMT

According to TheHill.com, Moore Chief of Staff Howard Bauleke violated House ethics rules last week by broadcasting campaign related e-mails from his official taxpayer-funded e-mail account.

That's right – Dennis Moore's Chief of Staff, the ranking member of his official staff, violated one of the most basic tenants of Congressional ethics – don't use any taxpayer-funded privileges for campaign purposes.

The e-mail was sent out to recruit people to work for Moore and other Democrats in Kansas. Unfortunately, this is just one more example of the abuses of power that have made the American people frustrated with Congress.

Whether it's the taxpayer-funded full-color fluff pieces Dennis Moore consistently sends out to targeted constituents or the abuse of House resources to do the Kansas Democratic Party's recruiting, the Moore "Official Office" Campaign has fallen into the realm of prototypical Washington, D.C

If the most authoritative member of Dennis Moore's entire operation was brazen enough to commit such an arrogant ethics violation, what other abuses of the public trust can we expect from Dennis Moore?

This raises serious questions about what other activities are taking place in Congressman Dennis Moore's office on the taxpayer's dime.

What's in a word?

JeffersonThomas — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:52:32 GMT

A lot…if you’re LOBBYIST Jim Slattery. While he tries desperately to reconnect with Kansas after 14 years in Washington at top lobbying firm, Wiley Rein, the “L” word continues to dog him at home and nationally.

Yesterday, the Washington Post’s front page story on the presidential contest between Obama and McCain declares, “Candidates Vie to Be The Anti-Lobbyist.”

Jim’s own presidential pick, Senator Obama, said in a speech in Montana yesterday that “lobbyist aren’t just part of the system in Washington, they’re part of the problem.”

The Kansas Republican Party issued the following release regarding Slattery’s uphill battle with the “L” word.

Obama to Slattery:
Keep Your Dirty Lobbyist Money!

It must be tough to be a lobbyist these days, especially one running for the Senate in the Democrat Party with Barack Obama as the potential nominee.

With Obama having all but clinched the Democratic nomination last night, it’s worth asking what effect his campaign will have on Kansas.

Speculation varies, but one thing is clear—it can’t be good for lobbyist Jim Slattery.

As Kansans know, Slattery stopped working for Kansas fourteen years ago to cash in with special interests. The Associated Press reported last week that he made more than $4 million in 2006 alone.

But it sounds like those millions came at a real price. Consider what Obama had to say about the Kansas Democrat’s choice of profession just yesterday:

“Lobbyists aren’t just part of the system in Washington, they’re part of the problem.”
-Sen. Barack Obama, Washington Post, 5/20/08

Given this dim view, it’s understandable why Obama was Slattery’s third choice for President. According to publicly available disclosure reports, in March of 2007 Slattery gave $1,000 each to the Presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson—no doubt hedging his bets like any good Washington lobbyist does.

In May 2007 Slattery gave another $250 to Richardson; and in September 2007 another $1,000 to Clinton.

But he hadn’t hedged enough.

After Obama began his winning streak that propelled him to his status today, Jim Slattery—ever the opportunist—attempted to hop on the Obama bandwagon.

Perhaps hoping no one would notice, Slattery sent Obama’s campaign $50 in February of 2008.

The problem is Obama doesn’t like what Jim Slattery has been up to in Washington the last 14 years. So…

Obama sent it back!

It must be tough to be a lobbyist these days. Especially one running for Senate in a party where the Presidential nominee thinks you’re too tainted to give him fifty bucks.

If it wasn’t going to be hard enough to beat popular Senator Pat Roberts in November, an outright rejection by your party’s nominee for President is just another black eye on a campaign that is already treading water. Here’s to another 28-point loss in November for Democrat lobbyist Jim Slattery.

Breaking News: Kansas Dems STILL Irrelevant

Concerned Kansans — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:15:13 GMT

On the heels of their most successful election cycle ever in 2006, at the tail-end of the most celebrated Presidential Primary in Party history, in the midst of the emergence of perhaps the most charismatic and inspiring politician the Left has ever seen – Kansas Democrats still are utterly incapable of posting even semi-respectable polling numbers in the race for the White House.

According to SurveyUSA’s most recent 50-state tracking poll, Senator John McCain literally trounces the ‘elitist-who-would-be-President’ by a sizeable 55-34 margin.

While the K.D.P. has consistently spit out talking points over the last year - such as ‘we outnumbered Republicans two-to-one at our caucuses and the radical right-winger Mike Huckabee won the State, etc.’ - in a thinly-veiled attempt to paint the Sunflower State ‘purple,’ this recent polling data provides the cold hard facts necessary to gauge Kansas’ ideological leanings. Thankfully, folks, they are red as ever before.

So, did the most recent polling figures find an encouraged audience with those Kansas Demos that had been looking forward to a potentially monumental showing by liberal Golden Boy Barack Obama in this year’s Presidential election? Not even close. More likely, it came as little more than a hard smack of reality, relegating them yet again to their second-tier status.

Don't Pack Your Bags Quite Yet Kathleen...

JeffersonThomas — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:44:30 GMT

Governor Sebelius has probably been doing back-flips with the Washington Post’s recent prediction that she might indeed be Barack Obama’s pick for Vice President. Why shouldn’t she. She abandoned Kansas and her moral upbringing to set herself up for this. In her terms as governor, Kathy has succeeded in creating a larger-than-ever bureaucracy while stifling economic growth by way of blocking the Holcomb plant. Even with CO2 re-capturing, she has continued her fight in this effort thus denying Western Kansas with the shot of energy it needs, all in the name of “environmentalism”. She abandoned her Catholic upbringing and teaching to define herself as a true Democrat. Recently, Archbishop Naumann asked Sebelius to refrain from partaking in communion for her record on abortion.

Sebelius proved ineffective in her home state of Ohio. Her Kansas taxpayer-funded campaign trips to assist Obama certainly weren’t something most Kansans approved of. With recent polling indicating her approval rating on the decline, one would think she’d pay attention to what Kansans think. But who cares? She no longer is talked about as a 2010 Kansas Senatorial candidate. She has her eye on something in D.C.

Ric Anderson’s article in the Topeka Capital Journal today outlined the reasons Obama probably won’t pick Sebelius to be VP. Mainly, she lacks foreign relations experience. Anderson explained that most pundits throw Kathleen’s name into the hat only to provide some variety in their lineup. Of course, Kathy is probably listening to the Washington Post instead of Ric Anderson. After all, listening to Kansans isn’t something she’s been doing for a long time.

Slattery's Big Day Falls Flat

JeffersonThomas — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:27:09 GMT

Jim Slattery must have imagined his announcement day like a young girl imagines her wedding. It would be perfect, with all the press writing nice things, TV cameras hovering close by, the total center of everyone’s attention after so many years out of the spotlight, which he has missed so much.

But sadly for Jim, his dreams never quite became reality. First, after a triumphant announcement of his “statewide” swing (minus the entire First District – guess he’s conceded 69 counties on Day One), he hit his first roadblock. Newman University in Wichita didn’t want him to announce on their campus. Complaints started flooding the college asking why, with Jim’s past voting record, the Catholic college would allow it? Jim had to pull the event or face a firestorm from the Catholic community. Not exactly a hero’s welcome.

On announcement day, all seemed well with supporters crammed into a hall in Topeka that had been roped off to allow the audience to appear bigger for the cameras. But…the Roberts campaign already had a radio ad up and running, defining Jim as the well-heeled lobbyist from Washington. The press enjoyed the food fight and the ad figured prominently in poor Jim’s news cycle.

And so it went in Kansas City, Kansas and Johnson County…about two dozen people were all they could muster at the events. Kansas City area TV stations barely gave his announcement a mention. By the time he arrived at his new location in Wichita, there were more Slattery protestors and Roberts supporters than Slattery fans.

Wonder when Jim is going to realize he’s miscalculated. Obama’s wave has stalled under the Rev. Wright controversy and the Democratic primary drags on. Many of Jim’s friends have told him they won’t back him over Roberts, who people widely agree has worked hard for Kansas and delivered positive results all across the state. His theme as an “agent of change” fell flat even among reporters – hardly a change agent when you’ve been a fat cat lobbyist for 14 years in Washington.

You know what they say, Jim. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Coal-Gate - Day 1: House Vote on Holcomb Still Held Up

Concerned Kansans — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:58:21 GMT

Earlier this morning, as reported by various news agencies, the Senate handily overturned the Governor's politically-motivated veto of the Holcomb Coal-Fire Power Plant legislation. All that was left was to see if Speaker Neufeld could muster the votes in the House to do the same. We can now report that the House of Representatives has just adjourned for the evening - without conducting a Holcomb vote.

Today has been an absolute roller-coaster, as behind the scenes, Neufeld has lobbied hard for the legislation. At roughly mid-day, the Republican Caucus confidently emerged, sure that we'd locked up the votes to pass this necessary and responsible legislation. Sadly, several of the votes have slipped away.

To understand why, we must first turn to the Senate's failure to overturn the Governor's recent late-term abortion veto. Republicans initially had the votes to beat the Gov..once again. Unfortunately, two of our yes votes failed to come through. Senator Jean Schodorff changed and voted no and Senator Jay Emler was absent.

Because of this, two conservative legislators - our sources are telling us with solid confidence it's Ben Hodge and Judy Morrison - decided at the last minute to obstruct a vote until the Senate finds the additional two votes to overturn the abortion veto.

So, it looks as though the pivotal House vote on Holcomb will not occur until tomorrow. Our hope is that the mess over the abortion veto will be solved - Semler's return would make us one vote short, and if Senate leadership can't flip one of the fourteen no-votes we're in real trouble anyways.

In any case, we're still a day away, but it's looking very likely that Speaker Neufeld has reigned in the necessary votes. We're cautiously optimistic - and if House obstructionism blocks perhaps the biggest G.O.P. victory in the last decade, there will be hell to pay.

We'll keep you updated as news comes in, but this is where things are left standing now after an incredibly eventful day in Topeka.

Pelosi Policy: Tax-Rebates followed by Tax-Hikes

Concerned Kansans — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:25:00 GMT

This Monday, many Americans began to see the initial effects of the Bush Administration's Economic Stimulus package, designed to help re-inject millions of taxpayer funds back into the economy. So, the money will be returned to the hands of its' rightful owners while simultaneously being invested back into our stagnant economy – sounds like good policy on two fronts, right?

Not if you listen to House Democrats, who seem befuddled by the fact that it will be the taxpayers themselves – not Washington representatives – controlling how their money is spent.

On the eve of the enactment of perhaps the only fiscally responsible legislation passed by the Democratic House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi can do nothing more than complain about the possibility that consumers will spend their tax rebates on gas. The horror!

Even Senate Democrats have jumped into this debate…on the wrong side.

"It's galling to think that taxpayers' stimulus checks will be lining the pockets of OPEC. The sad truth is that the average American family will spend almost their entire stimulus check on higher gas prices this year," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chairman of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress.

In their effort to pin rising gas prices on the Republican Party, the Democratic Party has unknowingly illustrated to the American Public exactly what the last year of liberal leadership has resulted in – tax increases.

Our encouragement to folks wondering how to spend the money is this – don't 'line O.P.E.C.'s pockets,' as Chuck Schumer so ignorantly put it, save the money for next year's tax filing – when the new Democratic tax increases take effect, you're gonna need it!

Even more ironic is the fact that Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats seem to think that Republicans somehow are the ones responsible for high gas prices. It was Democrats like Dennis Moore that recently rejected a call to force Speaker Pelosi to explain to America exactly why they are now experiencing so much pain at the pump.

During the last election season, when she was furiously trying to lobby her way into the Speaker’s Chair, Nancy Pelosi promised the American people that the ‘Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices.’ Now, a full two years later, we’re left wondering – when the heck will we see it?

As of now, the only plan we’ve seen from Dennis Moore and his Democratic colleagues is one that involves raising taxes on everything from hard-working American oil producers (not foreign ones, as Senator Schumer would have you believe) to American citizens themselves.

Want a commonsense plan for lowering gas prices? How about this – provide rubber-stamping, tax-hiking Democrats like Dennis Moore with a retirement plan this election-day so that the broken system in Congress can finally be cleaned up.

Howe Lands JOCO Heavy Hitters

Concerned Kansans — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:35:08 GMT

Just as Stay Red indicated last week, Steve Howe had yet one more ace up his sleeve. Today, Johnson County Commissioners Ed Eilert, David Lindstrom and Doug Wood were accompanied by Mayors Carl Gerlach (OP), Mike Copeland (Olathe), Laura McConwell (Mission), and Ron Shaffer (Prairie Village), in announcing their support for Steve Howe for District Attorney.

Enthusiasm for Howe continues to snowball, as endorsements from House Majority Leader Ray Merrick, and Reps. Arlen Siegfried and Jeff Colyer were also announced. Howe also cemented his support from GOP party leaders with endorsements from 3rd District Chair Ernie Straub, and GOP county officers Marvin Kleeb and Brad Seiter.

Howe has definitely harnessed the momentum in this race.

Howe Locks Up Major Endorsements

Concerned Kansans — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:19:05 GMT

Steve Howe has received the nod from both senators Brownback and Roberts. Former senator Nancy Kassebaum-Baker has also announced her support for Howe’s candidacy. His coalition of support across the party spectrum now runs all the way to the top ranks of the Republican party. No candidate in recent memory, particularly at the county level, has received such heavy-weight support so early in the election cycle, clearly indicating that Howe has proven himself an extraordinary newcomer to the political scene. His message of public safety as Job #1, restoring the public’s trust, and conducting the office with professionalism has resonated deeply throughout the county.

Howe’s virtual steamroller of support appears to have kept any challengers at bay, setting up a primary-free race. It’s bad news for Rick Guinn who had based his whole strategy on running against Kline, and promising to be another “Paul Morrison”. No doubt, Guinn might have had a shot with Kline in the race, but with Kline emphatically stating that he won’t run, and Morrison imploding, both prongs of Guinn’s strategy have fizzled. Curiously, Mr. Guinn has been virtually AWOL from the scene since Morrison’s sex scandal and allegations of criminal acts were exposed last fall, lending credence to allegations that Guinn may have known all too well what his boss and close friend Morrison was up to.

Stay Red has also learned that the Howe campaign will be making an announcement soon that is sure to amaze area pundits and give pause to any would-be last minute challengers. Stay tuned.

Great work, Steve!

Hodge, JOCO GOP

GOPnJOCO — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:50:00 GMT

We thought we'd go ahead and give you an update on the leadership situation as a result of the fallout from Representative Ben Hodge's sudden resignation.

First, we know that former State Rep. and current JOCO Chair Scott Schwab will be pursuing Hodge's vacated seat. It's unlikely that Schwab will draw a challenge from either the Left or Right of the Party, and largely because of that, it's also unlikely that the KSDP will finance an opponent too heavily during the General.

As to Hodge's situation, no one really knows where he'll be months from now. His name has been mentioned as a potential candidate for State Senate, State Rep (in another District) or State Board of Education. The truth is, however, that Hodge has held his cards close on this one. Your guess is as good as ours - we can't necessarily see any overwhelming rhyme or reason with any direction he may go. We are of the opinion, however, that this isn't all smoke and mirrors - our money's banking on Hodge being on a ballot in 2008...somewhere.

The final issue is appointing a successor for Party Chair following the impending resignation of Scott Schwab. The two names that continually surface - current Vice-Chair Arlene Krings or current Treasurer Marvin Kleeb - appear to be the only interested parties, at this point. Kleeb will likely receive the backing of the moderate precinct delegation while Krings will be the default candidate for many conservative voters.

At this point, it's simply who will turn out their base - if indeed this is the matchup. It's too far off to make a solid prediction, at this point, but StayRed is of the opinion that Marvin Kleeb's hard work - both financial and physical - on behalf of the Party and Johnson County Republicans, shouldn't go unnoticed. He has willingly shown the propensity to support candidates from both sides of the Party. We'll see how this one unfolds, but at this point, these two Party officials seem to be the front-runners.

Any thoughts?