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The Consequential 2020 Presidential Election

2/18/2019

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When you think about where we are on climate change, the national debt, and international challenges like immigration and trade, as well as the possibility of four more years under the current administration, the reality is that this coming election will have more impact on our future than anything else. These issues, if not handled wisely, have the potential for devastating impacts not just now but will negatively alter the future for our children and even more so for our grandchildren.

So, with the 2020 election closer than we realize, where are we now? One thing for sure is that we are going to have plenty of candidates and possibly even more Republicans. Already several Democrats are out in Iowa with well organized beginnings of a national campaign. Several more are very likely to follow including an Independent candidate (one who usually negatively impacts the results). I hope the Democratic Party learned from the 2016 Republican Party mistakes dealing with so many candidates. Remember, they almost all initially thought Donald Trump was unqualified but they ended up splitting the votes and nominating the least qualified candidate.

So who is, for Democrats, the best nominee? It is obviously way too early to tell but I certainly have some criteria that I am using to evaluate the candidates. I am going to try avoid falling in love too early with any candidate that, upon further review, is unlikely to win in November 2020. That candidate might fit my personal agenda to be the one I want to work for in say a caucus fight, coming in about a year for Kansas. But that choice also might be one that has little chance in the end of winning.

So how do we pick a winner, one who can not just get the nomination but win and be our next President? First, it is remembering the Electoral College, not the popular vote, determines the outcome. Democrats have done well winning the popular vote, but that is not enough. What does this mean? Simple. The states Hillary Clinton lost but were very close need to be won. That means keeping in mind, as we evaluate the field, who will best appeal in states from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin? This is where we are most likely to pick up the electoral votes we need to win. It will be important to consider who is best at communicating a message that reaches the voters we need.

It is my hope we have a nominee who can run a creative campaign that doesn’t come across to voters in “red states” that they are the enemy. We need a candidate who brings people together, not further divides us. And, if done during the campaign, this will increase his or her chances of having success when elected. Having the right nominee will also give us a better chance of electing more Democrats to Governorships and more majorities in more state legislatures. Remember that it is not just “Winter is Coming” but the census and reapportionment that will be on the line in 2020.

Bottom line: Don’t rush to judgment. There is way too much at stake to get this election wrong.
presidential podium
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Why Don’t We Hear About the National Debt?

2/7/2019

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I remember when I was in leadership with the National Governors Association and taking our concerns about key issues to Washington, to the Congress and President. The focus was on problems that significantly impacted the states but could not be resolved state-by-state. Acid Rain, for example, where the states producing it were not impacted, made action at the national level a must. Another example, funding for emergency weather response, especially in states where their constitutions require the budget to be balanced. But the key message we always delivered was our concern about the national debt, the impact it could have if neglected, and the fact that all key parties had to be at the table to have any hope of making progress.

Why do we hear so little from our politicians on this issue of national debt? It is really quite simple. For one, very seldom does the press talk about debt. Both parties run away from the issue making it the so-called third rail in politics: the one that could kill you, or as in politics, throw you out of office. When Republicans are in power, they like to feed the very rich what they want. Recently, it was the major tax cut that was primarily focused on the ultra rich. They couldn’t pay for it through higher taxes from the rest of us, so they treated it like it was “off-budget” and didn’t really count. For the Democrats, protecting Social Security and Medicare is a must. They want to avoid opening a debate about debt reduction because, if done responsibly, proposed changes may not be liked by their loyal supporters. In both cases, doing nothing will be far worse than making responsible changes.

To underline the fact that neither party wants to deal with the national debt, and will not unless voters wake up and make it an issue, I share a couple experiences I had campaigning for responsible action. When I tried to meet with then Speaker Jim Wright from Texas, he met me at the entrance door and verbally threw me out. He did not want to hear our message and wished me to go away. The powerful minority leader in the Senate, Robert Byrd from West Virginia, called me at my hotel on one of my visits and basically read me the riot act. They had plans to attack the then President Reagan on some funding issue they wanted and our raising the issue of debt in a bipartisan way was counter to their interests.

Exploding national debt should be something that we as citizens understand. For most of us balancing our personal or business budgets, we know that debt can work for us but always with the understanding that it can go too far. If we go too deep into the red, creditors could start raising interest rates or we run the risk of simply borrowing more than we can afford to pay back. Remember the housing crisis a few years ago when suddenly far too many housing loans were under water? In agriculture, managing debt is always a huge challenge. And the basics of debt can be applied to government. When the financial crisis hit in 2008 and recession came, deficit spending was needed in order to account for declining government revenues and encourage economic investment. This was an example of a time the federal government utilized debt to help get through difficult times, and it worked. However—​and most importantly—​as the economy improved and revenues began to stabilize, that deficit spending began to decrease during the later years of the Obama administration. This is precisely the response you’d expect to see from a responsible household or business planning for the future. Because, as a country, one of our major bankers is China and at some point—​just like with any creditor—​if we borrow too much, the interest rates could go up. And we also risk saddling future generations with a national debt so huge they may never be able to pay it back.

Unfortunately, concerns over the national debt were totally overlooked by the Republican-controlled Congress and White House when they pushed through a huge tax cut for the rich, without any plan—​outside of trickle-down fantasy—​for how to pay for it. As a result, in just the last two years, our national debt has grown two trillion dollars. There are economists who believe we are close to the tipping point and, without responsible actions, that point could be as soon as three or four years.

Now, the good news. Responsible action can happen. In the late 90’s Democratic President Clinton and Republican Speaker Gingrich successfully worked together to not just balance the budget but start to pay down on the national debt. What stands out in this example? Bipartisanship, something we struggle to have in today’s politics.
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Time to End Government Shutdowns, For Good

1/26/2019

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The longest government shutdown in US history has finally come to an end, at least for now. But the pain this all has caused to our federal workforce and the damage done to our nation’s economy and image around the world cannot be undone. In the next three weeks, we can hope to see some movement on a compromise that satisfies both sides and leads to a longer-term funding bill. And I’m especially glad that we can have the debate the country needs to have, in the place where these decisions should be made (within the legislative process), and on the terms it deserves—​without using federal workers and government services as pawns in the political negotiation. It’s also my hope that, after the immediate business is handled, this situation leads us to take a hard look at the practice of routine government shutdowns and take action to make this one the last of its kind.

Studies show that 80% of our families live paycheck-to-paycheck. Lack of savings leads to an inability to pay for much, which then impacts many small businesses who also live on an ongoing cash flow. You can’t spend what you don’t have. Federal workers and contractors suffer greatly every time a shutdown happens. And we cannot overlook the long-term damage to the federal workforce from the level of disrespect being shown towards government service and the further exodus of qualified employees who are forced to seek work (and more certainty) elsewhere. In total, the negative economic impacts will continue to pile up, as economists further assess the damage left behind and the total cost to the economy, all of which amounted to nothing but an unfortunate political stunt by President Trump.

The shutdown highlighted the mess we have in Washington. Key issues—​climate change, the national debt, and ticking time bombs all around the world—​are getting little or no attention. Instead, we fight over a 5 billion dollar wall the President wants that even many Republicans in Congress do not. I can assure you Presidents Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and “W” would have not pushed issues for which the public and even their own party had serious reservations.

And such actions certainly do not help our image around the world, when at the same time we have abandoned all other nations on dealing with climate change. Our approach to securing much needed trade deals seems to be “our way or the highway.” A win-win approach almost always goes into deals that get finalized, serving the best interests of both parties and the American people. Additionally, we are much better off economically when our world partners are prospering too. I fear the practice of shutting down government only emboldens those who support this kind of approach to deal-making, and we should all be wary of the precedent we risk setting by making hostage-taking a normal tool for negotiation in Congress.

In the end, this shutdown ended because the cost to the country finally became a substantive political cost to President Trump, to the point where the President himself began to take notice. The onslaught of concerns over the delivery of basic government services and the security of the American public began to pile up and, eventually, boil over—​even among some of President Trump’s staunchest supporters. I’ve always said that, in the end, voters can have real influence but political leaders need to know their concerns and the facts around the issues. So maybe this was an example of that process finally playing out, and it might even help to make the scope and impact of government more real and tangible for more Americans. And, perhaps, we can all agree to view our public employees as the do-er’s of the people’s business and treat them with respect and confidence.

The past 35 days have clearly demonstrated that the practice of shutting down government serves no one. And, while it’s true that this shutdown has brought about no tangible gain, it may have brought an opportunity. It is my sincere hope that we can use this unfortunate event to find a bipartisan solution, legislatively or otherwise, to take future shutdowns off the table and seek better ways to resolve our political disagreements without inflicting such unnecessary harm on the country.
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A Plea to Senator Roberts

1/19/2019

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I think most observers of political races thought Senator Roberts would not seek reelection, but not everyone was so sure. There were frequent rumors and predictions that, given his stature, experience, and solid Republican support, he would run for another six year term despite his age. An open race would be hard to predict, and there is much less confidence of ending in a Republican victory. It is slam dunk for Republicans that he will finish his term. I say that because there were many rumors that he would step down and have Governor Brownback appoint an agreed upon replacement. I doubt Senator Roberts would work that deal with Governor Kelly.

Obviously, given my age and time frame of political involvement, I have been an observer of Senator Roberts’ career for decades. He certainly has been successful, never losing a race and a whole lifetime of work in Washington D.C. He started as staff support for Congressman Keith Sebelius. Leadership on agriculture has been a focus and he has played a very significant role on that budget, and most importantly, the once every five years renewal of the Farm Bill. I know he worked quite closely, in a bipartisan way, with then Congressman Dan Glickman. Back then, when earmarks were in practice, he was very successful at “bringing the bacon” back to Kansas. Right here at K-State, he was key in getting resources for the bioscience research facility (the Hall bears his name) and, in many ways, he was helpful in the bipartisan effort to secure support for NBAF, the National Bioscience Agro-defense Facility being built just off the K-State campus.

I write this blog not so much to recognize Senator Roberts. Others in widely covered editorials have been extremely positive and one can assume there will much more of that given he still has two years left to serve. But, since he does still have these two years to serve, I write this to make the plea for our Senator to now, free of reelection plans, step up and provide some much needed leadership on key issues not currently being addressed and also to speak out when the best interests of Kansans, or the values of our country, are not being served.

Senator Roberts’ lock-step loyalty to Mitch McConnell (who currently holds the power to end the ongoing government shutdown) and his 'look-the-other-way' approach to the words and actions of President Trump have set back the country and also hurt Kansans—​even on the issue to which Senator Roberts has devoted the most time over the years, agriculture. Though he's finally shown the ability to speak at least some truth to the President and to Kansans on the issue of trade, I wonder what a difference it would make if Senator Pat Roberts would speak out on the challenges of climate change, for instance. His focus could be tied to the impacts we are already feeling with changing weather patterns that negatively impact production agriculture. Floods and droughts in the same year is a formula for disaster and in 2018 we got a taste of that in Kansas. I’m reminded the Time Magazine article sometime back on Durum wheat in North Dakota, and how rising temperatures have forced the growing of that crop further north. Another ten years and who knows what we might be facing, particularly if we do nothing to lessen the change.

The time has come for Senator Roberts to step up and, in the Kansas tradition, be a bellwether for common sense and decency in the country. If not now, we'll be left to conclude that blind party loyalty has won out, and it will put a lasting stain on a long and distinguished career in public service.
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Governor Kelly Will Take on a Long List of Challenges for Kansas

1/10/2019

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As Inauguration approaches and the transition period for newly-elected Kansas Governor Laura Kelly comes to an end, the initial approach to the many problems the state faces will become public and ready for the Legislature to engage. I have high confidence that the Kelly administration will do the very best they can for Kansas, and I have no intention of second guessing their directions. What I do want to do is help educate the public on just how massive the problems are and how desperately important it will be for enough legislators from both parties to set politics aside and, in a-non partisan way, work with the Governor to address our endless challenges.

I say all this because we are at a point of no return. We either step up and correct what is not working or the state, at some point soon, will be in a hole so big that getting out just may not be possible. Making these corrections will, from my experience, require at least two actions to take place. First, will be the incredible importance of quality and sustained communication from the Kelly administration to the Legislature and the people of Kansas. Kansans must understand the massive problems we face. Second, citizens need to participate, speak up, and let the Legislature know they expect (and will support) action in addressing these challenges.  

The reality is that quality state government has been totally decimated as a result of the disastrous Brownback years. Public education, as it should, gets lots of attention and, to a lesser extent, the need to take care of our infrastructure is known. Both these areas must be responsibly addressed. But my point is that recent policies have negatively impacted state government across the board. Twelve and sixteen hour shifts for workers in our prisons and state hospitals are not the norm because it is the new way to better serve these agencies’ missions. These institutions simply do not have the budget to adequately undertake their responsibilities and maintain accreditation standards, which can lead to loss of federal funds, further compounding the problem.

Often forgotten is the devastating damage the Brownback administration did to the civil service system. That administration was able, with legislative support, to ignore the long standing system where merit prevailed, which lead to quality folks being attracted to public service. I am sure the Kelly administration will work to get the civil service law changed back. But in this case, the law will allow the administration to switch back to merit now and start the process of recruiting quality public servants we need to successfully carry out state programs and functions. This will all take time and probably much of the four-year term for any significant progress to be made. But steps in the right direction will need to start right away.

For quality government to be restored, it is essential that the public know the long range plan and that the initial steps taken by the Kelly administration are consistent with that plan. From a practical point of view, this will take leadership from both sides of the aisle understanding that it cannot be politics as usual. I know the Governor will be reaching out and doing her part. Key to success is whether the legislative leaders within both parties can set aside 2020 election goals and “gotcha” politics that only lead to stalemate and getting done only what has to be done. We must now put the state and its future first, or that future will not be what we want and need.
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The New Congress Gavels In

1/3/2019

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Listening to several new members of the U.S. House of Representatives, I see a much stronger commitment to focus on the issues they ran on and act on what they learned from the constituents they now represent. Seems like these new members were motivated to run, to serve, and fight for what is needed and not just take a step toward a long career in politics, which requires putting re-election efforts first and foremost. If my initial observations prove to be true and new members sell some veterans on putting the needs of the people first, like health care and infrastructure, we just might begin to address gridlock in Washington D.C.

Much of the success in increasing the size of the Democratic Caucus was achieved by talented women. If history is any lesson, this is a very good sign. The current women in Congress have, in general, been much more willing to cross the aisle and put country first. There is no indication that the new members wouldn’t follow that same pattern of bipartisanship. In Kansas, it was the women in the Legislature, in a well thought-out, nonpartisan way, that made major contributions to reversing some devastating outcomes of the Brownback Experiment. In Washington, for key crossover votes, almost without exception, Republican women are on that short list. At this moment there are not many Republican women in Congress, but there are several key ones who are willing to at least listen and set politics aside for the good of this country.

The Republican makeup of the U.S. House is different only in having fewer members in the caucus. It isn’t like there was any surge of new Republicans who fit the moderate mold replacing hard-line conservatives. I assume this is tied to the President’s dominance in Republican politics, including picking and supporting only candidates that are in line with the current far right direction. The Republican political machine probably doesn’t even recruit moderates that might be the most likely to win and to partner with Democrats.

While there will be plenty of opportunities to contrast with the President and speak up for American values, I believe another key for Democrats is not to go “investigation-crazy” now that they have power. Yes, some questions need to be answered, but I hope they pick the investigations with the strongest case that most Americans expect them to conduct. Hopefully, they stay away from dominating the evening news cycle with only coverage of what is being investigated. Much of what needs to be done for the good of the country has strong public support (for example, dealing with climate change). But if the public does not get the news on those issues and becomes distracted by one investigation after another, they won’t be the partner needed to get legislation into law.

In sum, much of these new members’ success, in my opinion, will depend heavily on what legislative plan is put together and how hard they are willing to work to avoid being just another different version of what we’ve had before. If all we get is lots of talk and investigating with no real effort made to reach across the aisle, progress, if any, will be limited. They need to remember the Senate is now even more Republican and if the Democrats’ effort to work with them comes across as partisan politics, I fear come 2020, the public will not be happy with either party. It may be impossible, but their efforts have got to be real and effectively communicated.
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Memories of President George H.W. Bush

12/3/2018

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Given the many presidential norms we've seen shattered over the past two years, we mourn the loss of someone who brought dignity, respect, and civility to the office of the Presidency. Though not loved by many at the time, eventually President George H.W. Bush significantly gained in popularity. He had the misfortune of following President Ronald Reagan, a very well liked President, and having to also eat his words on “Read my lips, no new taxes.” But since that time, the admiration and respect for both him and First Lady Barbara Bush have only grown. With their passing so close together, we have in a very short time lost two who set a high bar for public service.

My experience with President Bush included work with his Presidential Library, where I was involved heavily with setting up record storage on a temporary basis and working on the construction of the Library to ensure compliance with federal law. Here are some reflections on that time, while I was serving as Archivist of the United States.

Early in the process, the project’s lead archivist developed a relationship with the former President to the point that when the Library opened, Bush 41 wanted him as Library Director. I tried telling the President and his advisors that my man was a very good archivist but not a leader with the skills they would want and need. 41 held out and I appointed that archivist only to be contacted a short time later asking that he be removed. In their experience, he was not capable of working with the power players at Texas A&M, the Library’s home, as well as the many rich and successful supporters of the Foundation.

A special plus for me was the opportunity to get acquainted with Brent Scowcroft. A key member of the Bush 41 administration, he was the lead advisor to the President in his retirement and the person assigned to work with me. I came to know him as not just a person of many talents but the highest of character as well. Since then, he has continued to be active in public service, setting a high standard that too few achieve.

George Herbert Walker Bush will be remembered not only for his lifetime of quality public service but the way he carried out his responsibilities. Given the passage of time, I think history will be very kind to a man and a President who took seriously his role to serve.
John Carlin, Lynn Carlin, George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush
This picture was taken about ten years ago, when Lynn and I joined the Bushes at an Eisenhower Library function.
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Doubling Down on Climate Denial

11/27/2018

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Despite the overwhelming evidence and grave warnings issued in a new US Government report on climate change, President Trump and supporters of the status quo continue to double-down on climate denial. In response to the report—​commissioned by Congress and conducted by departments within his own administration—​President Trump first worked to bury its release among the hoopla of “black Friday” and then flatly dismissed its findings, saying, “I don’t believe it.” As a concerned citizen and grandparent, the simple question I would ask to the President and anyone still denying the facts about climate change is: “What if you’re wrong?”

On December 5, 2015, I posted a blog entitled “Climate Change Skeptics, What If You’re Wrong?” I stand by that, and I'd encourage people on all sides of the issue to ask themselves that common sense question. Because, as a believer in science and a supporter of action on climate change, I would much rather be wrong and have paid some short term costs rather than face the grave consequences of inaction. And the evidence from the past three years has only strengthened my feeling about the issue, from scientific findings to the events unfolding that have already inflicted huge damage, including Hurricane Florence. But the real clincher is for me is what’s going on in California right now with fires causing damage that goes way beyond any historical pattern. I would hope that the significant loss of lives, the fact that a whole town is totally wiped out, and the unfortunate reality of more tragedy looming on the horizon would at some point get our attention.

Recently, Lynn and I were with grandchildren in Estes Park, Colorado. This area has been impacted by warmer weather in pretty dramatic ways. For starters, there are mountain pine beetles that have destroyed many pine trees due to warmer winters increasing the likelihood of damaging wildfires. There are areas where folks have built cabins and second homes in places of beauty without a second thought that they could go up in smoke at any time. The hotter, drier climate has changed all that and, as we watch California burn, you can’t help but think, “will Colorado be next?”

Since posting that first blog in 2015, I think it is fair to say we have made little or no progress on dealing with climate change. To be truthful, we really never recovered from the initial moniker “Global Warming.” It was used and abused by those who defended the status quo for various selfish reasons, including ignorance. There has been very little acceleration in US-based research and now, as a country, we have totally abandoned our international friends in dealing with the issue of climate change. Another report that really grabbed my attention from the United Nations moved up projections for crisis and irreparable damage. If significant progress is not made within the next ten years, it will be too late to save many of Earth's natural wonders such as coral reefs. And if the environmental impact hasn’t motivated you yet, the economic realities soon will. Indeed, the market is already shifting in response to climate change. So when will our government catch up? And, rather than simply reacting to the symptoms—​in terms of our environment, our economy, and our national security—​will we ever begin to be proactive about solutions or strategies to address root causes?

In order for progress to be made, we’ll have to change this pattern of indifference and ignorance about the problem. So how do we begin the process of putting pressure on our elected officials about the seriousness of climate change? One obvious barrier we have is the current state of politics, where an issue such as climate change gets little or no coverage in the press, and therefore, little or no educating of the American people. And compounding the problem is that as you listen to many newly elected or re-elected members of Congress as they list their priorities, climate change doesn’t tend to get mentioned. Although, as the economic impacts begin to hit home for more Americans, there is some hope this could change when the new Congress is gaveled in next year.

So what can we do? There are organized groups who are leading the cause for not just understanding of climate change but also action. What we need is for large numbers of citizens to join, to support, to lend a hand, and to help make climate change a voting issue. As I’ve always told my students, most elected officials will change their positions if their re-election is at risk. That can happen when rank-and-file citizens engage, which is what we need or it will not be just the trees that are burning.
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Thanksgiving 2018

11/21/2018

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Over the years, Thanksgiving has evolved into much more than just a day to ponder how much we have to be thankful for. Now it is, in practical terms, a week off for many and a fall break for students. It used to be, with Black Friday, the kickoff of shopping for the December holidays. Now, in many ways, this holiday season starts around Halloween. Thursday will be professional football, a declining turkey population, and opportunity to commercialize almost everything.

For me, one benefit of producing a regular blog, is that it does, especially in the case of Thanksgiving, force me to reflect and to think about what there is to be thankful for. It would be easy to be overwhelmed with the problems of the world that make this grandparent really worry what the world will be like for my grandchildren. Violence and limited empathy dominate much of what is happening daily.

So where is the positive? For me this year it is the realization that when one gets older, it is understandable that one can and does lose family and friends, and that the time we have with them is very valuable and we should be thankful for it. Time may be limited, but that should not be an excuse to not take advantage of every opportunity.

Have a safe and meaningful Thanksgiving experience.
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Reflecting on Election Night 2018

11/9/2018

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“Bittersweet” sums it up for almost everyone. Republicans and Democrats both had something to brag about as well as some real disappointments. From the far right to the left, both had winners and losers. D.C. Democrats now have the House and Pelosi back as Speaker. The Republicans have a stronger hold on the U.S. Senate. And in Kansas, the excitement of Senator Kelly winning the Governor’s race drew national attention, given her talent, experience, and the fact that President Trump campaigned twice for her opponent. We also gained the very talented and dynamic Sharice Davids, who will add balance to our Kansas delegation and benefits to our state. Both parties lost incumbent state legislators but, come January, the makeup of the Kansas House will be about the same. Winning for the Democrats in the 3rd Congressional District was somewhat offset by a very hard to understand loss in the Second.

Nationally, the big winners were President Trump and Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi. The President now has a much stronger Republican Senate making it easier to appoint and confirm far right Judges. The House Democrats now have the subpoena power to hold hearings and successfully get the records they want. But they, in particular, would be wise to not overplay their hand. If the House develops an image of just holding hearings and working to get even with the Republicans, their majority may be short lived.   

One shocker for me in Kansas was Representative Tim Hodge’s apparent loss in the Newton House District, although there are more votes to be counted that could change the final result. Tim is an exceptional talent and was an incredible freshman legislator. Bright, personable, and very hardworking, he really made a difference for his constituents which, as a freshman, is really rare. So what happened? I couldn’t come up with any reason until I found out Laura Kelly shockingly won Harvey county over Kris Kobach. It then became clearer to me. That area of Kansas was the only one that applauded my four-time veto of capital punishment. Supporting machine-gun-toting Kobach was too much for many Republicans, but their party loyalty would not allow a second vote to be given to a Democrat. If Governor Colyer had won the Republican Primary, Tim Hodge would certainly be heading back to Topeka for a second term.

Another shocker, and bitter pill, was Paul Davis losing the Second District Congressional race to soon-to-be Congressman Steve Watkins. This makes absolutely no sense. The Second District is fairly favorable territory for a Democrat. Davis had the experience of campaigning in 2014 for Governor to build on. As I’ve written before, Watkins would have never won a runoff election with any of the Republicans he defeated in August. He has serious problems with the truth and was certainly not ready for primetime as a candidate. What he did have was lots of money and no hesitancy using an unfortunate incident from many years ago over and over against Davis.

With 2020 and the Presidency now starting to get the political attention, Tuesday’s results do not seem to add to the candidate lineup for the Democrats or introduce any new Republican backup to President Trump. Had there been different results for Democrats in the Senate race in Texas or the Governor’s race in Florida, I might assess this election differently. And with some recounts and potential runoffs ahead, there will be more to learn in the weeks to come and, no doubt, more to say about the impacts of Tuesday, November 6th. What we can, I hope, all agree on is how great it would be if we were allowed a break from partisan politics and fundraising, at least until after the holidays.
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Just Days Left to Determine the Future of Kansas

10/23/2018

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As we look to the future, Kansans are already voting in what is shaping up to be a pivotal election. And what you do in the next two weeks (and counting) will greatly influence the future of our state. The Governor’s race will determine whether we return to sane, sensible leadership or go with Brownback 2.0. In the Secretary of State contest, we have the opportunity to elect someone who actually wants all eligible Kansans to vote, a marked contrast to our current Secretary of State. The Congressional races are unique because all four are competitive, something that doesn’t happen in Kansas. So, how will this all turn out?

One thing I know is that, in competitive races, the old adage that ‘every vote counts’ is very real. Remember, just recently in the statewide Republican Primary, Kris Kobach won by less than 400 votes. The outcome will be determined entirely by who shows up to vote and who does not.

So what does that mean for all of us who understand how important this election is? What is it that we all need to do? Here's a list to get you started:
  • VOTE EARLY. Make sure the folks around you vote early if possible, either in person or by mail. You can find a location to vote early in your county here: iwillvote.com
  • OUR CANDIDATES NEED RESOURCES. Pick at least one to give a financial contribution, every dollar helps.
  • GET OTHERS OUT TO VOTE. Pay special attention to Democrats who don’t always vote in the midterms. Remind them of when and where to vote (early, if possible). Offer a ride.
  • DOOR-TO-DOOR WORKS. Political parties use modern technology and work to understand different communities and voters. Your local party can give you a focused list of doors in your neighborhood to knock on. You’d be surprised how appreciative people are to have face-to-face contact with like-minded voters.
  • SAME IS TRUE OF CALLING. Done right, calling people to get them out to vote can make the difference.
  • QUALITY LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES. Share information about the legislative candidates in your district. Pass on mailers, share via social media and email.
  • LOCAL ELECTIONS AND BALLOT ISSUES. The same is true for educating yourself and neighbors about local initiatives. Find quality information in your community and take time to share this with other voters.
  • VOLUNTEER ON ELECTION DAY. Give your time to candidates or your local party. We must finish strong.
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​In the end, who is elected to lead us and shape our future is up to the voters. We need to make sure we’ve done everything possible to not only help educate voters, but get them out to vote. Please understand that, given the quality of the Democratic candidates, what you do for one does help others on the ticket by increasing possibilities for the entire ticket. Given what is at stake, there should be no hesitancy on our part to make sure we do everything possible each day we have. Let’s make the evening of November 6th one that puts a smile on our face as we look to a better future for the state of Kansas.
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Senator Laura Kelly: A Clear Choice for Kansas Governor

10/16/2018

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It seems apparent that Kansans are very engaged in following this year's race for our next Governor. Secretary of State Kobach, with his extracurricular out-of-state activities, is the most known (though not exactly the most liked) of the three candidates, and there is consensus that he has locked in the far right base but might be having trouble adding to that number. Then there is Greg Orman, an independent with ample personal money, trying to repeat his strong effort in 2014 against Senator Pat Roberts but struggling build up a strong base of support. And that leaves Democratic Senator Laura Kelly, who is currently slightly ahead in most polls. Kelly is focused on motivating Democratic turnout and adding additional moderate Republicans to the many who have already joined her team. I strongly believe Senator Kelly is the right pick for the job, and I’d like to share more of my thoughts here.

I have met Kris Kobach only once. It was a number of years ago at a celebration in Topeka for the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express. Scheduling circumstances gave us about thirty minutes, just the two of us visiting. In that time, he came across as friendly, respectful, and with skills that would make him a good campaigner. I share that because for those of us clearly supporting Senator Kelly, we need to take Kobach very seriously. Yes, he has done some very crazy things, including voter suppression and anti immigration policies that are harmful to Kansas agriculture and our economy, but his supporters back him on both issues, giving him a solid voter.

I have known Greg Orman since the beginning of his campaign against Pat Roberts. As a person, I like and respect him. He has a record of business success and clearly wants an opportunity to serve the public. But to this point in the race, he has made little or no progress, confirming what I have believed all along: Kansas is not ready to get excited about an independent candidate running against both a Republican and Democratic nominee. In 2014, there was no Democrat on the ballot against Roberts. My biggest concern with Orman is his disdain for both political parties, and I wonder: how could he ever successfully work with a legislature filled with Republicans and Democrats? Then, of course, is his potential for being a spoiler, helping to elect Kobach by taking votes from Kelly.

Then there is Senator Laura Kelly, the most qualified candidate to lead our state the next four years and to correct the eight years of backward thinking and huge mistakes from Brownback and company. Having had a long and productive experience in the legislature, she knows the system, the legislators, and the issues—​which puts her as Governor in a strong position to lead. Several years ago, how many I forget, Laura came to see me. She was looking at running for Governor then and wanted to visit. I remember leaving that discussion very impressed, and I still am.

Having laid out the choices Kansans have for our next Governor, I share this thought: Without a doubt, if this decision goes the wrong way, as in electing Kris Kobach, it will have a huge negative impact on our future. We could survive Greg Orman, but he is likely not going to win. Senator Laura Kelly has the skills and experience to lead us back to sanity, pull us together with a plan that most Kansans can support, and start restoring our image as a stable, sensible state that wisely invests in its future. The challenges the next four years bring are huge, but progress can be made with a Governor Kelly leading the way.
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Don’t Let the Kansas 2nd District Be Bought

10/8/2018

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When I look at the Kansas Second Congressional District race, I see much of what is wrong with our politics today. Driven by the United States Supreme Court decision on Citizens United, unlimited money is pouring in to try defeat Paul Davis. With no limits for billionaires on how much they can put in and the fact that it can all be done in secret, it makes for ads filled with false information—​and the candidate who’s being helped by them can simply deny responsibility.

In 2014, if there had not been the off-the-charts efforts of National Republicans to save Senator Pat Roberts’ re-election, plus dark outside millions, Paul Davis would be Governor Davis today and running for a second term. Anyway, that didn’t happen. But now, in Paul Davis, we have a candidate with a proven record of solid Kansas values and important leadership experience. He understands how government works, what being a representative of the people means, and how to best serve the people of the Second Congressional District.

His opponent, Steve Watkins, it is fair to say, is totally new to politics and does not know what it means to represent the people. He has few if any real Kansas connections and his resume is filled with outright lies. In fairness to many Republicans, he would not be the Republican nominee without the very crowded field of candidates and lots of his father's money. I think it is fair to say there were several other candidates with more relevant experience. Even far-right Republicans should have some concern, given Watkins’ support of Democrats before his recent conversion to the Republican Party. Now, contrast that with Paul Davis, who has built up a strong record of public service as a Democrat who knows how to work with both parties to deliver common sense solutions for Kansans.

However, the reality Paul Davis faces in the next four weeks is huge. The Republican Speaker Paul Ryan PAC has targeted more money for the Kansas Second than any other district in the country. As much as four million dollars to support Republican Steve Watkins will be coming into the district. If you are asking why, it is quite simple. Many of the very, very rich that have benefited much from the federal government in past years do not want any changes in Congress that could over time take those tax breaks away.

So what does Paul Davis do to win? Well for sure his campaign team and Paul Davis know very well what that is. He has to raise as much money as he can so it doesn't get too one-sided on TV advertising, continue to work the district growing his army of supporters, and make sure every county is taken seriously, especially in close elections, every vote does count. In the end, his supporters have to come through and, most importantly, they must help get every vote out for Paul Davis.

One other thing I add is the value to Kansas to have both Democrats and Republicans representing our state in Washington. There would be at least two benefits: One, we would have links to both sides of the aisle in Congress and ties to whichever party had the White House, and two, Kansans would be hearing directly from representatives of both political parties. Now we only hear one side, and all-too-often, only one side of the argument has gotten their way in Washington.

We need our representatives to work on behalf of all the people, not just those who can afford to pour endless money into an election in order to amplify their point of view. But, in order to make that happen, everyday Kansans will need to stand up, speak out, and work hard in support of candidates who will do right by Kansas. In the Second Congressional District, that means sending Paul Davis to Congress.
Paul Davis, Kansas 2nd District
At this event, Paul is announcing a group of Republican leaders who have endorsed him in this race for the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas.
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BAM: A Qualified Kansan for Secretary of State

10/2/2018

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Not getting the attention that it deserves, the race for Secretary of State here in Kansas provides a unique opportunity for change. Obviously, I’ve been around a long time, and I think it is accurate to say that in my lifetime every elected Secretary of State has been a Republican. Until eight years ago, that had not been a problem. They did their job, almost without exception, in a manner that served all Kansans, and no serious questions about their performance or motives were ever raised. As a partisan, sure I would have liked that a Democrat won at least once, but in terms of good government, we were well served.

The first Secretary that I actually knew was Elwell Shanahan, originally from Smolan. Her two brothers, for four terms, carried my petitions to file for State Representative. Successors to Elwell included Jack Brier, Bill Graves, and Ron Thornton—​all good men who ran an honest shop without favor to one party or individual. Then, in 2008, we were introduced to a different kind of public servant, Kris Kobach, who is now the Republican nominee for Governor. This is setting up a choice between Kobach’s Republican successor and Brian “BAM” McClendon, a Democrat who brings very interesting skills and a commitment to restore not just sanity to the office but new ideas to better serve the voters and citizens of Kansas.

BAM—​and I’m told that name will be on the ballot—​is a Kansan who went to California and had huge success. He co-founded the company that became Google Earth and now has returned to Kansas to serve his native state, something that not enough Kansans who exit do. In a nutshell, BAM has the technology skills, the leadership experience, and the public service commitment to be the right person to undo the damage done by Mr. Kobach and set a new and better course for the office.

Secretary Kobach spent too much time on out-of-state immigration issues and figuring out new ways to discourage and/or stop some voters from voting—​then more time and taxpayer money on defending those actions, largely unsuccessfully, in court. BAM is committed to doing the actual work of the job: protecting the right to vote, improving services for our Kansas business community, and increasing transparency and access to official state information for all Kansans.

With all the legitimate concern about the security and integrity of our election systems, it is more important than ever that our Secretary of State have a background in technology—​and especially leadership within technology. BAM can lead improvements to the process that will help provide assurance to the voters that their vote was properly recorded and counted. And, instead of a Secretary of State focused on voter suppression, we can have one who is committed to increasing voter participation and citizen engagement with our government.

It is rare that someone with Brian “BAM” McClendon’s skills and experience steps up for public service. It will be up to the voters of Kansas to make their choice. I urge all voting Kansans to take a serious look at BAM and the opportunity we have as Kansans to elect a Secretary of State that is not only uniquely qualified but is such a marked and welcome contrast to Kobach.
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Hope for the Kansas 'Big First' Congressional District

9/20/2018

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To those of you who question why I would even raise the First District race for Congress as one that should be a priority for Democrats, I want to make that case for the possibility of winning as well as helping the party for the future. I know we’ve had good candidates make real efforts in the Big First before, but we really didn’t ever make their campaigns a priority. The reality is we as Democrats have all-too-often conceded the First District to the Republicans. What I want to do in this writing is make the case for working hard for Alan LaPolice, but just not for him, but for the future of the Democratic Party in the Big First and Kansas.

So why can Alan win? What is different that would make one feel confident that it is at least a possibility? It starts with the basic fact that Alan has run before. He first ran in a Republican primary during 2014, where he represented sanity against the incumbent at the time, Tim Huelskamp. Two years later, he ran as an Independent, where it’s a challenge to build up a strong base of support. And today, as a Democrat, he’s running in a year when he and the party are both extremely energized and focused on change. LaPolice knows the district, has contacts all across the area, and is well versed in how to successfully campaign in a district as large and varied as the Big First. And his background growing up on a farm and serving in the United States Army should give voters confidence in both his care for our state and his dedication to public service.

Another big difference: Alan is raising money, something that earlier candidates largely failed to do. That has created outside interest and, in a year where the balance of Congress is in question and many voters are seeking a check on Presidential power, the First District of Kansas is getting some real attention. And for good reason. Many in the district’s key industries have become rather uneasy with their current voice in Congress. It’s clear that, in his race to embrace the Trump Administration and its agenda on issues like trade and immigration, Congressman Marshall lost touch with the voters of the district. As you may recall, he was delivered a “wake-up call” by the Kansas Farm Bureau during the primaries. They initially declined an endorsement of him, essentially telling him to, “remember who got you here in the first place.” This act alone opened some doors that normally would have locked us out. After finally receiving some engagement and assurances from Marshall, Farm Bureau eventually released a lukewarm endorsement. But the overarching message is clear: When your Congressman has to be reminded of who he represents during an election year, the people deserve an alternative who understands their issues and will work hard on their behalf. Alan understands the needs of the district and has traveled across the Big First listening to industry and community leaders who are telling him they want change. He’s very smart, articulates his message well, and brings energy and enthusiasm everywhere he goes. In a nutshell, Alan is a great candidate.

As I alluded to earlier, this race can help the Democratic Party as well. It is a simple fact that areas ignored by political parties shift over time heavily to the other party. For Kansas Democrats, this is why we have so little strength in rural counties. It is why we lose statewide races that we should have won. But it is not just statewide races, legislative and local races are also impacted. In my 50 years of political activity, we have gone from being frequently competitive to all-too-frequently not even having a candidate to support. When I was in the Legislature, we had a sprinkling of legislative Democrats from rural areas throughout the state. Today, many years later, we have none. This trend cannot continue if we have any real desire to be competitive and equally represented, which is vitally important for our system of democracy to work. 

Helping Alan LaPolice can make the Democratic Party stronger across the state and put us in position to really make a positive difference for Kansas. This is particularly true at a time when so much of the Republican Party is tied to the far, far right. We have seven weeks left to help elect Alan LaPolice in the Big First. Our hard work will make a significant investment for a better future.
Alan LaPolice
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Will Republicans Ever Break their Logjam of Support for Trump?

9/12/2018

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Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does. With a person inside the White House leaking all sorts of damaging information about the chaos within the Trump Administration, what can be next? What could sound the alarm bells more clearly than what we are hearing now? How about a key member of Congress? But I’m not going to bet that will in fact happen. We've been there many times before, only to be reminded that yes, it can and will get worse.

So when will it be? When will there be a Republican insider, member of Congress, part of the Trump Administration, publically stand up and say enough is enough? Time out. This must come to an end for the sake of the country and, oh yes, the Republican Party. When will someone in John McCain’s image and character pull the plug on this evolving nightmare and take us a step back to sanity and beginnings of hope?

Yes, there are several Republican members of Congress who have spoken out. True, true. But they are all leaving to the safety of retirement, thus making their statements lack the credibility and punch we need to send the strong, clear message to the people of this country. Maybe, what we need is one of those very rich political supporters to let members of Congress know that they will not be blackballed for speaking the truth. But holding your breath for that one also makes little sense. The very rich are very happy. Huge tax cuts and scrapping regulations can have that kind of impact. So who is it going to be? Not Senator Lindsey Graham now that he doesn't have Senator McCain to provide cover.

One would have thought after a full week of honoring Senator McCain for his courage and commitment to the fundamental values of our country (and then recognizing the anniversary of September 11th, 2001 and all the sacrifices that have been made for our country over the years since), that someone might see the opportunity to be a part of history, taking that first step towards restoring faith in our institutions and political systems. If you listen to or read George Will and/or Steve Schmidt rail against current Republican members of Congress and the Republican Party in general, one should feel comfortable that all this concern is not just the usual commentary from the opposing political party. Their historic ties to Grand Old Party are more than well documented. And the same goes for former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough, who authored an op-ed piece in the Washington Post where he reflected on September 11th and stated, "Trump is harming the dream of America more than any foreign adversary ever could."

But when and who will it be to stand up for the United States of America and our values? Now saying that, I am aware of what our Senator Moran said Tuesday at a Landon Lecture on the campus of Kansas State University. His message seemed to suggest at least a semblance of sanity on some of these issues. But, before we pin a ribbon on him, I'd remind Kansans that saying what he said here is not saying it on the floor of the Senate to his colleagues and to the American people. We need it said loud and clear and, most importantly, for it to be backed up with action. I hope and pray the time is coming soon. Then what happens? Will that open the floodgates of mutual support? Or will that person be mocked and discredited to the point where the status quo survives? I want to believe the former will prevail, that the strong majority of the American people will be so relieved and supportive, that restoration of our democracy will be on its way.
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A Labor Day Salute to Missouri Voters

8/29/2018

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On this coming Labor Day, September the third, I salute the wisdom of the voters of the State of Missouri. On August the 7th, they voted to repeal their existing Right to Work law and helped restore some hope for me that the people, the voters, do have something to say and do have a role in how their government should operate. The vote was overwhelming, and I know that didn’t just happen on its own. Much work, including help from Kansas, went into educating the voter on what Right to Work really means and the benefits of workers having some of their strength restored at the bargaining table.  

It was just a year ago this weekend that I posted a blog on “The Labor Movement and the Middle Class.” I stand by what I wrote then in terms of the critical link between the labor movement and the success of the middle class. But, on reflection, if you had asked me at that time of the chances that Missouri would repeal their Right to Work law, I would have probably said slim to none. I would have said so because, as I wrote, the labor movement had been on a long decline. How could they possibly have the political muscle to achieve this goal? Oh for sure the labor folks worked hard and invested much in this effort. But I really believe what brought this success this time is they got the people to understand that what they wanted would be for the greater good of the State of Missouri, not just for union members and Unions in general.

As I put this salute together, I was reminded of a parallel experience growing up on and operating a dairy and Registered Holstein herd for many years. Most agricultural commodities had a checkoff so that, as commodities were sold, there would be money pooled to promote the product and fund further research and development into that commodity. For dairy, it was milk checks to go primarily towards marketing their product. It was put in place by a vote of those who produced and sold their milk to Co-Ops primarily. But when the majority vote took place and it came time to implement, the checkoff applied to even those who opposed the checkoff. There was no “right to sell” without the checkoff but with the benefits. Everyone participated. I also remember listening to dairymen defend their system and, at the same time, oppose labor’s view on Right to Work. Apparently, consistency doesn’t always govern.

Federal laws permit and enforce many mandatory commodity checkoffs. Meaning we currently require farmers to chip in “for the good of the group,” but when workers wish to pool together their resources for their collective benefit, we pass laws that essentially exempt people from having to pay into it. Afterall, the so-called “Right to Work” is really just the right to avoid paying union dues, while any benefits that result from the negotiations—​to the employees themselves or the labor market as a whole—​still come your way.

So I salute the repeal of Right to Work in Missouri, and I issue a warning to their Legislature. The initial reaction from the Republican Legislative leadership on the repeal is to consider the possibility of just passing a new “Right to Work” law. In their view, they are the all-powerful legislature and are in a much better position to know what is best for the state. If that is the case, the next people's movement just might be taking them out of office.
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Something Good in Every Day

8/19/2018

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“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.”  This message is posted right over the check-in desk at the lab where I have my blood tests on a regular basis. We do have bad days for sure. But I think, all too often, we fail to see or appreciate some part of the day that was good. When not appreciated, it is often our loss as well as missed opportunities to positively impact other folks or happenings.
​
My most recent personal example was election day, August 7, 2018. The winners in the Primaries have now advanced to gear up for the general election in this critical election year, but in their wake, there are many other qualified and committed Kansans who offered up their names and life experiences to their fellow citizens and asked to represent them and work on their behalf. So how could something so depressing as losing an election that you and many others had put so much time and energy into have something good to acknowledge and benefit from? From personal experience, having lost three elections, I can say that it is not easy, and it often has to come days later. For Democrats, in the crowded field for Governor and 3rd District Congress, I am sure some of that reflection is still coming.

But as I look back now, I can see several positives. For starters, many candidates who lost will live to fight and win on another day, and within that group, there is a lot of talent that will be recognized and supported. Through their leadership, they will each continue to impact their communities and our state. And there will also be many valuable lessons learned from their campaigns that, in time, will have positive impacts. That is why the good and bad needs to be found, documented, and stand ready for the right opportunity to be used.

On a personal level, looking back on the Democratic Governors race, there was much good to appreciate. I got to know Josh Svaty and Katrina Lewison (as well as their spouses) much better and appreciate their huge potential for the future. I also got to listen to these two exceptional speakers election night, not just appropriately conceding to Senator Kelly, but also communicating their support going forward. They made it clear that the fight for a better Kansas goes on and that all Democrats must do their part. I also know there are hundreds and hundreds of Kansans across the state that feel the same and will be there to help now as well as with opportunities in the future.

The realities of our current system have made it even harder for qualified citizens to step up and offer their service. But, without good people with diverse experiences running for public office (and strong supporters working hard for something they believe in), we will never achieve the outcomes the people want and need. So to all those who have sought public office or given it serious consideration: We need you, and we need your leadership at all levels of government. The path to positive change will not always be an easy one; there will be bad days. But we must find the good in every day, and use it to drive the pursuit of progress.
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Still Learning Lessons from Tuesday’s Primary

8/13/2018

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For many years, I have been telling students to be a learner, and not just for classes they are taking, but life going forward. Learn from experiences as well as understand what is changing and adjust accordingly. Last week’s Primary Election night was a learning experience for me personally, and it also raised some structural points about our elections that could use some more thought. From the impact of so many candidates, to the influence of big dollars from one donor, to how the primary—​because of timing and structure—​has unique implications, I think a greater understanding of these lessons will have value going forward.

Let me start with some background. We hold our primary on even numbered years and on the first Tuesday of August. Historically, Democrats have had so few contested primaries there is little awareness that a primary exists. Making it worse, in the summer, a vast majority of voters are way too busy with all the summer distractions to even know the campaigns are going on. The impact, I think, is it puts a special value on the last few days with the advantages going to candidates that have significant money on hand.

Now, in terms of the structure and laws that govern our elections, Tuesday night has left some critical points in my mind about the value of more open primaries and some other adjustments that could help elevate the citizen voice in our government. First off, having a closed primary—​where voters must be registered with the party they intend to vote with in advance of the election (a registration date that was recently moved up by Kansas election laws)—​adds unnecessary complications for voters who are simply trying to exercise their right to vote. Many voters do not adhere strictly to a party line or change parties frequently based on shifting priorities and dynamics in our politics, and these are precisely the voters whose voices are diminished by a closed primary. So why not open up the process and allow anyone to register (on Election Day and during early voting) and vote for any candidate of their choosing? As we have seen in the ongoing county election canvases, this complication (and the interpretation of the laws set out by our Legislature and Governor) will likely decide the winner of the Republican Primary for Governor.

In addition, from Tuesday’s results, I want to put on the table for discussion moving up our primary to allow time for a runoff election if the winning candidate does not have 50% of the vote. This would not have impacted the Democratic Governors race but would have the Congressional race in the Third District and for the Republicans both in the Governor’s race and Second District for Congress. If the winner has less than 50% of the vote, the top two would duel it out say 30 days later. Yes, that is expensive, but it might be the incentive we need to shift to mail ballots, something that has worked well in states like Washington where the turnout is much higher for elections at all levels.

Personally, I think the Governor’s race for the Republicans shows the huge value of having a runoff election. For example, let’s assume the current numbers hold up and Kobach wins a very close race with Governor Colyer. Kobach was probably helped by three candidates going after him and splitting up the vote. One-on-one, the Governor might have won easily and in my opinion, with those results, the Republicans would have their top candidate—​which, regardless of partisan feelings, we should want.

The crowded field for the Republicans in the 2nd Congressional district is another example where I would contend the winner would not survive a runoff and again leave the Republicans with less than their best going forward. Now, as a fan of Paul Davis for this year, I guess the current system is okay. But in this case, it was also an example, as was the Governor’s race, where huge contributions came from one donor, obviously impacting the results, where a one-on-one would likely lead to a different candidate coming out on top.

As the votes continue to be counted in the close and undecided Republican Primary for Governor, we will see what other lessons may become clear from this hotly contested race. But one thing is certain: This Primary Election will have long-lasting implications for the future of Kansas. So let’s hope we learn our lessons well.
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Colyer's Clever Ways to Hide his Brownback Beliefs

8/4/2018

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Out of originally a large field of Republicans for Governor, what I see now is a two man race between Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Governor Colyer. Kobach is as much a clone of President Trump as possible. Currently, Governor Colyer is trying to come across as having been no part of the messed up Brownback administration. Colyer does have a much different personality than Governor Brownback. Yes, he is much more likable and does humanitarian projects we can all support. If you don’t care about the state and the negative impacts of Brownback and Colyer, it is quite easy to see Governor Colyer as an improvement. The problem is that his philosophy and direction on all critical issues is a continuation of Brownback.

As a politician, Colyer has made full use of his authority as Governor to sign bills passed by the Legislature and do it wherever it will get the most press. And it appears the press is accomodating him out of disdain for his principle opponent. I suspect the press, at least it appears, are doing everything they can, to push Colyer as a very different Governor than Brownback and to hurt Kobach wherever possible.

Colyer is touting highway projects like Highway 69 in southeast Kansas as something that will get done immediately. Sound familiar? The folks in southeast Kansas have been made this promise all too often. Colyer was a significant part of an administration that robbed from KDOT to balance the overall budget and conveniently forgot about the campaign promises made.

Politically, what Colyer has going for him is that he is not Kris Kobach. Kobach, it appears, has successfully wrapped up the far-right vote with the support of Trump. With the help of Kansas Farm Bureau, this allows Colyer to focus on more reasonable Republicans. What seems to be forgotten for the moment by Republicans is the bulk of Colyer’s positions basically continue the Brownback agenda including the failed KanCare initiative where Colyer had a major role. The wildcards in all of this are Ken Selzer and Jim Barnett who have legitimate campaigns, and probably will take significant votes away from Colyer, possibly helping Kobach to win in the end.

The results on Tuesday, August 7th will be a critical, clarifying step in what, from my perspective, has been one of the most complex and important election cycles we have faced in Kansas. The candidates who emerge from this gubernatorial primary will immediately begin a general election race that will determine the direction of our state for decades to come.
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    John W. Carlin​—​61st Speaker of the Kansas House, 40th Governor of Kansas, 8th Archivist of the United States, and student of leadership

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