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Brownbackers Still on the Ballot in 2020

9/12/2020

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In the general election this November, the people of Kansas have opportunities. In the introduction to his new book The Rise and Spectacular Fall, Ed Flentje wrote: “The lurch to the far right in the second decade of the 21st century will likely be viewed by historians as an aberration, though grassroots politics will require tending in order to flourish.” 

That tending must get very serious now, so that in November we can take first steps electing candidates who understand and are willing to take head-on the work of correcting the damages done by eight years with Brownback as our Governor. Yes, his name is not on the 2020 ballot but certainly what he stood for and brought to Kansas remains.

Brownback’s far right ideology can be summed up this way: Cut taxes to primarily help very high-income taxpayers, weaken the government to set up more reasons to cut budgets, and promote private education to the detriment of public education. The vast majority of both House and Senate Republican incumbents, as well as their new recruits, are locked into the Brownback philosophy of anti-government and give full attention to whatever far right special interests want. 

This past August’s Republican Primary results certainly added to the challenge we face. With so many Republican moderates in both the House and the Senate losing their elections, the informal alliance that has in recent years been so helpful is really in trouble. This makes holding back further policy damage from the far right even more difficult. And, for many Kansans, the choice for maintaining fiscal sanity and a rational approach to governing may involve crossing party lines to support a Democrat, especially given the number of far right successes in the primaries this year.

Who we elect to serve us come January will not just be the legislators taking on Medicaid expansion, support for public education, and a host of other issues. These people will also decide the district maps for both House and Senate for the next ten years. For that process to have any built in fairness, at the very least, Democrats will need enough votes to back up a Governor Kelly veto, to force some degree of balance rather than creating a total gerrymandered Republican set of maps.

I’ve read commentary on the coming legislative races that includes a focus on the need for Democrats to have the votes necessary to protect any Governor Kelly veto. From experience, I know sustaining a veto is important. Doing so will be key for the Governor to match the strength of the majority, but that should be a minimum goal. We need to take steps toward having the numbers to have real influence and legislators who, over time, can deliver for the state what is desperately needed to address the obvious challenges we face.

Although we know this will take many years, we can at least begin with this election to make the changes necessary. Starting now is imperative. There are quality Democrats in many districts, both House and Senate, that could bring back a direction of wisely, not wildly, investing in our future, much like in years past when Republicans, working with Democrats, got the state's business done and done well.

Again, Brownback’s exit from Kansas is true only in mailing address. He still very much impacts our state and not for the better. Fortunately, we have an alternative direction that can begin with changes made in our November General Election. Now, go do something to help. The future is hanging in the balance.
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Book Review - The Rise and Spectacular Fall: Radical Kansas Republicans, 2010 to 2020

9/5/2020

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Recently, my friend Ed Flentje sent me a book he authored including cartoons by Richard Crowson, entitled The Rise and Spectacular Fall: Radical Kansas Republicans, 2010-2020. I’ve read it and came away with not only an excellent refresher course in Kansas government and politics but a clear message that Governor Brownback may be gone but his damaging and totally counterproductive politics live on, and based on the recent Primary results, that continues into 2020.

In the Foreword written by Davis “Buzz” Merritt, newspaper reporter and editor since 1957, he started with a quote combined with his own addition: “Those who cannot do, teach, those who can do, can’t teach,” and “Those who cannot do or teach write newspaper opinion pieces.” That was a light way of introducing Ed’s collection of ten years of opinion pieces he wrote and shared around the state. And it is quite the archive of Kansas political thought and history.

Organized around three chapters: Finance, Politics, and Governance, Ed’s opinion’s are shared as the ten year period progressed, leaving us in depth information and analysis based on his observations and opinions at the time on government action and politics. For me, this read is a must for anyone who wants to better understand the unfortunate "lost decade" just completed in Kansas, but most importantly, to appreciate that the decade following will continue to be heavily influenced by the Brownback failures and, unless that is understood and dealt with, the damage will continue.

I will have more to say on this subject next week on my blog, but I share this today as a focus for further reading and learning on the topic. The book provides excellent background and great detail about the many problems created during those years, and it is my hope that it can provide both education and inspiration, as we charge up for another contentious and consequential election year.

Crowson’s cartoons will add a lighter touch but still very effective at getting the messages across in an entertaining and digestible way. The book is available via eBook or hard-copy and is a must read for anyone concerned about the challenges we face as a state and the politics of the time.
Ed Flentje - The Rise and Spectacular Fall: Radical Kansas Republicans, 2010 to 2020
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The U.S. Postal Service is Essential to Democracy

8/29/2020

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Republican members of our Congressional delegation are basically silent on the President’s straightforward attempt at destroying the Postal Service for what he sees as a key to his re-election. The President’s motives are very clear. He believes that making it more difficult to vote by mail, confusing people, and creating mistrust may result in fewer turning out to the polls and many ballots not arriving in time to be counted. All tactics that Trump thinks could increase his chances of winning. 

Trump also wants to privatize the United States Postal System even though the impact on many citizens will be higher costs and loss of services all in the name of serving the bottom line for private investors. 

For us living across Kansas with so much rural area and the necessity of quality service that will deliver mail to remote areas, without the U.S. Postal Service, where would we be? Kansans are poised for another large increase in mail-in voting participation this fall, but it's not just election results at stake. Just think of all the critical and time sensitive shipping services that either by budget cuts or the private sector push for profit would be so dramatically impacted. Essential medical prescriptions, business transactions that require timeliness, bills that need to arrive and be paid on time, and of course Social Security and other retirement benefits, all create real life impacts when mail delivery is delayed.  

Is destroying the Postal Service a direction we want to take? I do not think so and wonder why our Republican Congressional delegation is so silent given all the rural areas they represent. But it's not just silence that is damaging; a current candidate for U.S. Senate—​doing Trump's work for him—​recently referred to it as a "so-called crisis." Their inaction and misinformation is also a clear message that Republicans are not concerned about our right to vote and to have all of our ballots counted in the middle of this brutal pandemic. 

This strikes right at the heart of our system of government and the integrity of our all-important elections. Faith in our elections and the peaceful transition of power are bedrock principles that parties and candidates throughout our history used to support, not undermine. Those Republicans should ask themselves exactly what kind of country we want to be and what freedom really means to them. What credibility do we have in promoting the idea of self-government abroad when our elections are now the ones that need to be monitored by independent sources in order to ensure integrity? Without the right to vote and fair elections, this is no longer the republic we thought we lived in and that we were gifted by our founders.

The U.S. Postal Service is not a product of either Republican or Democratic ingenuity but of Benjamin Franklin, a founding father and our first Postmaster General. He recognized at the very beginning of our democracy the need for citizens to have a way to communicate and have mail delivered in a timely fashion. Franklin believed that having such a system was critical to keeping the citizens informed and making our new government work, which is why it's rooted in the Constitution itself. To paraphrase Franklin's famous words, they left us a republic, if we can keep it...
                                                                     
Instead of concerns about the Postal Service, our delegation is not just silent but instead are raising concerns about issues that are not at the top for most Kansans. Take a recent television ad for Congressman Marshall that includes Senator Moran with both focused on Sanctuary Cities (Kansas does not have one) and immigration as an excellent example of their gaslighting. Both are using these issues as punching bags for self-serving political purposes that results in very negative side effects. In particular, the agriculture sector in western Kansas very much needs immigrants to do much of the work, and the focus on vilifying others does not exactly lay out the welcome mat to immigrants nor new business. 

Our elected Representatives’ silence is allowing the damage to the Postal System to continue when we know how critical this service is to our democracy. Their inaction is hard to fathom.
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19th Amendment Centennial and Where We Stand Today

8/15/2020

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On August 18th, 1920 the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution received final approval when Tennessee became the state to achieve the ⅔ vote necessary to amend. Kansas ratified the 19th Amendment a year earlier on June 16th, 1919. To put this achievement in some perspective, shortly after the Civil War, Black men's right to vote was recognized with the passage of the 15th amendment to the Constitution. Over forty years would pass before a woman's right to vote would be recognized.

This significant advancement was not accomplished by men leading the change. Men were not making the case to their colleagues that the time had come for women to have the right to vote. Much to the contrary, women persisted in leading the way. In 1869 the National Woman's Suffrage Association was formed and led by Susan B. Anthony. This movement was built off of previous women-led efforts around abolition and temperance movements.

Women have always been key in leading change and that is even more important for our future.

From a point of view of state pride, Kansas in many ways has led the nation on women’s equality. Kansas was the first state in the nation to hold a referendum on women’s suffrage in 1867 and recognized women's right to vote in local elections in 1887. That same year, the town of Argonia, Kansas elected the first female mayor in U.S. history. And, in 1912, Kansas recognized a woman's right to vote in national elections, eight years before the 19th amendment passed.

Understanding our past holds lessons for our future. My focus in this blog is on what should be done to make the most of the underutilized talents of the women in our workforce. This is not just about equal pay, but promoting women into positions that make best use of their talents and leadership skills for the benefit of everyone. Especially, at this time in our nation where there is a critical need for making positive change.

The growing fact is that many young women are outperforming young men at a significant pace by doing better in their classes, by simply learning more, and by being better prepared to really make a difference through leading change. I want to make it clear that we have many very talented young men, it is just that they tend to be fewer in number. The key is getting the right person in the right position of leadership and more often than not a woman.

So how does that progress take place? There needs to be more awareness and acknowledgment that when employers fail to fully engage women in the workplace, there are consequences, including a potentially negative impact on the bottom line. Whether financial or due to unachieved policy outcomes and practices with public institutions, the consequences can be quite significant. Given the huge challenges that are coming out of the pandemic, ensuring women are allowed to fulfill their potential is even more important.

In a strange way, the pandemic and all the needs it exposed for major change in our society may accelerate interest, motivation, and pressure for major change. We just might be more aware of the reality of our shortcomings, that we are no longer number one or close in many key areas, and going forward with the past ways will just not get it done. That will put more pressure on getting change agents—​often women—​in a key position to lead us on climate change, improving education, and addressing the many local issues needed for economic growth in the future.

The fact that more women are stepping up to run for public office also gives me hope. The new, very talented women in Congress from 2018, and likely more coming from 2020 elections including a candidate for Vice President of the United States, is very positive. Younger generations also inspire me to believe that the message of equality is taking hold, and their continued engagement is precisely the thing that can bring about the lasting changes we need.

So here’s to the women’s leadership and engagement that brought us the 19th Amendment. It is my hope that future celebrations of progress for women include not just pay equity but rightful promotions. When that happens, we will not only celebrate but also reap the economic and policy rewards.
To learn more about the history of the 19th Amendment and the key leaders and documents that made it a reality, I’d highly suggest following along with the National Archives this month, as they share suffrage stories and publish inspirational and educational materials on their website. I look forward to reading and sharing these great resources for learning about our country’s history.
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Trump's Manufactured "Riots"

8/3/2020

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Chaos started (Portland, Oregon) when President Trump said “the locals couldn’t handle it.” First, he called on states to “dominate protesters.” Then, he directed federal agencies to increase their presence to protect federal property including statues and monuments even though several years earlier he pardoned Ammon Bundy, whose armed militia took over federal buildings in Oregon. What motivated Trump’s action was not helping locals but his latest sinking poll numbers and just three months to recover.

Governor Kate Brown of Oregon shared that the locals had things under their control and unrest was calming down following the protests of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police officers. Local officials were united with the Governor on dealing with it locally. Then Trump sends in the Feds and everything explodes. Compounding the problem, the officers Trump sent in were not trained for such activities and the pushback against the militarized federal deployment naturally followed. Keep in mind, the vast majority of the protesters are energized young people, moms and dads, and veterans exercising their Constitutional Rights on the concerns they have about the current directions of our country. 

Former Chief Justice Rehnquist was quoted saying, “Police power is reserved for the states.” I believe firmly that those who commit violence against others and engage in the destruction of property should be prosecuted under applicable criminal laws. That should not be a matter of serious debate, and local officials with state support can handle the protest situations without federal intervention. The President should be taking a leadership role instead on the coronavirus crisis, where national leadership would have and can still make a world of difference.

What we have here is all politics. Trump is trying to duplicate President Nixon’s 1968 strategy where he used similar tactics to totally disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The national press coverage that followed totally overwhelmed any positive message that could come from the convention and made “law and order” a successful campaign theme through the November election. 

Now Trump is taking actions ostensibly intended to advance the interests of law and order, but one patently designed for the purpose of creating division, heightening levels of fear and anger, and advancing his reelection prospects. Trump has repeatedly, over time suggested that Democrat-led and sanctuary cities are filled with crime. Now, he is threatening to send more “troops” of militarized federal officers from Border Patrol and other agencies into these areas to use force against American citizens. 

The Battle of Portland and Trump’s military-style force against citizens exercising their Constitutional rights to seek greater equality brings to light larger questions for our nation. Who is creating the real source of carnage within our country? Who should be the object of greatest scorn and attention? Who presents the greatest threat to Americans, to our institutions and our values? I think it is fair to ask who has inflicted the most pain on other Americans and who is most responsible for damage to the economy of this country. Is it a Chicago gang member whose violent acts are disruptive to neighborhoods and cause great pain (even death) to other individuals and families? Is it the elected leaders who refuse to increase the minimum wage while actively dismantling the social safety net? The gang member’s conduct certainly deserves condemnation and should be punished. But his or her impact, however, is numerically and geographically constrained. 

In contrast, by distracting the American people with unneeded use of Federal Law Enforcement Officers, by dismissing the reality and severity of the coronavirus and encouraging activity that would spread the virus, Trump has eviscerated the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans. His chaotic and cavalier response to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the intentional rejection of scientific opinion on how most effectively to address it has contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans and to illness and unemployment for millions. 

For a superb in depth analysis with historical context, read the piece “Trump’s Wag-the-Dog War” by Thomas Friedman, Opinion Columnist for the New York Times. Friedman said, “This notion of Trump commanding a “surge” of federal law enforcement troops into Democratically-governed cities is appalling in the extreme.” ​

Without a doubt, these actions serve to create further division in our country, at a time when we desperately need to heal and work to find better, more peaceful, and more just ways forward for our communities and nation.
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A scene from Portland, Oregon [Photo: Reuters]
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Some VP Thoughts for Joe Biden

7/29/2020

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Joe Biden, sometime very soon, as the Democratic Presidential Nominee, you are going to have to make a decision on your running mate. So whether you will see this blog or not, here is what I think about your options. My views are based on years of experience in politics as a citizen (I voted for Truman in ‘48 at Smolan Grade School) and in elective office as well as my concern for my grandchildren and their future given the impossible challenges we face as a nation.

Of the potential running mates that are mentioned most frequently, Stacy Abrams is a real talent that has emerged on the National scene in a big way and very quickly. She would clearly bring a passion for change that would help excite the younger generation and has demonstrated her capacity to lead change with communication and organizational skills so necessary to succeed. I think she needs more national seasoning but certainly could help your administration in a number of different ways.

Kamala Harris gets lots of attention and understandably so. From starting in a local elected office, she quickly moved to being State Attorney General, and now represents California in the United States Senate. As a woman of color with national standing, it is no surprise she is on your list of potential running mates. She has the potential problems that come with being a former prosecutor. But, overall, her strong and effective voice in the Senate and her ability to take the Trump administration and its officials to task in committee hearings and elsewhere has certainly earned her serious consideration for the Vice Presidency or for other roles down the road.

Not surprisingly, Senator Elizabeth Warren gets a lot of attention. She is very bright, passionate, and has a balanced set of experiences that make her a logical option. She has not only her Senate experience but as well being a part of the Obama Administration leading the then newly established agency to protect the consumers interests. She clearly will be an important ally, especially from a policy perspective. The question is in what position. I would definitely make the best use of her talents for sure if you can get the Republican Governor of Massachusetts to appoint a quality Democrat to her seat.

There are other prospects getting attention and rightfully so. Governors like Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico are showing real leadership under fire, but I think their potential opportunity will come down the road. Susan Rice was in the Obama Administration but has never run for office and her focus has been at a high-level advising rather than executive leadership positions. This leaves us with Congresswoman Val Demings from Florida and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois, unless, Joe, you have a big surprise for us.

Earlier, I thought Congresswoman Val Demings from Florida would be the best. Her job on the Impeachment team to represent the House was outstanding and gave her substantive national exposure. She is certainly smart and a great communicator. What also caught my attention was her experience as a Police Chief in Orlando Florida, a state that will be key with the Electoral College. Her piece in the Washington Post giving the Minneapolis police hell had more punch coming from her and reinforced her support for change. She was certainly not born with a silver spoon in her mouth and will be able to identify with millions of Americans regardless of color.
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But I did some more checking and learned a couple things from my contacts in Florida. I was reminded that with so many Congressional districts in Florida, her statewide political clout is likely limited and 25 years on the police force could have some risks that have not surfaced yet. However, she is clearly another talent to keep an eye on.

Of the names circulated the most at this point, that leaves Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois as, I believe, the best choice. Early on, I didn’t even think of her as much of an option, but then she started getting more attention so I went online and got acquainted. Born in Thailand, her father was a retired Marine who was working for the United Nations Refugee Program. Her public service leadership experience at both the state and national administrative level followed by two successful terms in Congress and now in the United States Senate, certainly gives her solid and broad credentials. FYI, for more depth Google “16 Things You Might Not Know About Tammy Duckworth.” You will, I think, be amazed.

As a woman of color, who has sacrificed much for her love of this country, Senator Duckworth would be a significant asset for winning in November. But she also has what might be most important. In talking to several of my political friends, the question that came up most was who is most ready to step in from day one to be your successor? That day will come, and the huge problems we have will only be addressed by strong leadership over a significant period of time, thus making your choice for Vice President even more important. Senator Tammy Duckworth would be the valuable partner you will need, Joe, as well as the strongest leadership credentials to help return this country to the policies and actions that restore our nation’s reputation at home and overseas.

Mr. Vice President, you certainly have your pick of some outstanding potential VP’s, along with a host of exciting talent to build your administration around. But first, it’s incumbent on all of us to do everything in our power to make sure there is no second term for the Trump administration. As you’ve rightly pointed out on the campaign trail, our country can recover from one term of this, but after two, the damage would be irreparable. The stakes are simply too high to get this one wrong.
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The Kansas GOP’s Assault on Health Care

7/20/2020

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My last blog asked whether Republicans would ever stand up to President Trump, speak truth to power, and help set us on a cooperative path to address critical needs in our country. In that blog, I identified Kansas Republican leaders from times past who kept the common good in the forefront of their political decision-making and who, I believe, would not have hesitated to speak out in opposition to the dishonesty, the flights from reality, the manifest errors, and the cynical divisiveness that have characterized actions of this President and his administration.

I may not always have agreed with the policies of those past Republican leaders, but I never doubted that they were motivated by a determination to act in the best interests of our state and country. Today, however, that doesn’t seem to be the case. With a few exceptions, the current crop of elected Kansas Republicans has chosen far right wing ideology and loyalty to Trumpism over the very real needs and interests of Kansas citizens. This choice is starkly reflected in their approach to health care and health insurance, especially given the presence of a pandemic that has caused suffering and devastating casualties across our country and the world.

The most publicized of their actions has been the obstinate resistance to Medicaid expansion among Republican legislative leadership—​particularly in the Kansas Senate. This resistance has to-date cost Kansas taxpayers and businesses approximately $4 billion in forgone federal funding; has deprived tens of thousands of hard-working but low-income Kansans of the opportunity to obtain health insurance coverage; and has done untold, long-term damage to the survivability of rural hospitals in the state. 

The Republican leadership's obstruction comes despite the fact that Medicaid Expansion is favored by a wide majority of Kansans—​and even by a majority of both houses of the Kansas Legislature. Interestingly, in a statewide election earlier this month, the Oklahoma electorate approved Medicaid Expansion in that state—​leaving Kansas as one of the few outliers still refusing to participate in the program.

Although the Medicaid expansion issue has received the most attention, an effort by Attorney General Derek Schmidt to have the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) thrown out would have broader and even more devastating consequences for Kansans. General Schmidt has joined with a number of other Republican attorneys general in filing a lawsuit seeking to have the ACA declared unconstitutional. The case is now before the United States Supreme Court.

I think we all realize that undermining and ultimately eliminating the ACA, because it was an achievement of the Obama Administration, has been a continuing objective of Trump. Who can forget the fictional Trump campaign promise to offer a simpler, less expensive, and universally available health insurance program?  Such a pipe dream, of course, was never real and has never materialized. Instead, the ACA has been the target of unrelenting attack by the Trump administration and his minions, including Attorney General Schmidt. Trump and the Attorney General have chosen ideology (or perhaps simple jealousy) over the financial, emotional and physical health of literally millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Kansans.

What are the specific consequences to Kansans if Attorney General Schmidt and his colleagues prevail? First, of course, their efforts would deprive more than 100,000 Kansans of health insurance coverage that they have been or would be able to obtain under the ACA—​but that is only the beginning.  

Additionally, Attorney General Schmidt’s efforts would eliminate the possibility of Medicaid expansion. Tens of thousands of hard working, but low income, Kansans would be deprived of the opportunity to acquire health insurance through Medicaid. They and our state’s hospitals and businesses would continue to suffer without the possibility of legislative relief. 

And there is much more. If the Attorney General prevails, protections for those having pre-existing health conditions would be taken away. The ACA prohibition against placing lifetime or annual limits on the dollar value of coverage for essential health care benefits would be eliminated. There would no longer be a requirement that health plans extend coverage to dependent children up to the age of 26. Beyond that, a host of other health care benefits for individuals ranging from transparency requirements to limitations on eligibility waiting periods would also be lost.

I do not know what decision the Supreme Court may reach. I do know, however, that Attorney General Schmidt and others who recklessly seek repeal of the ACA have elevated loyalty to Trump and his agenda above the very real needs and interests of individual Kansans and Americans. They have departed from any path that elevates the common good above political ideology. In doing that, I believe they dishonor the tradition of their Kansas Republican predecessors and all those sensible representatives who prioritize listening and doing right by Kansans, rather than scoring political points. They should be called to account.

​The people of Kansas deserve leaders who will represent their interests and work for them, rather than for themselves or their own partisan gain. This November's election will be yet another opportunity to bring this closer to a reality for the Kansans who need it most.
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Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt [Photo by: John Hanna/AP]
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Political Fundraising: Tales from the Inbox

7/11/2020

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Although it’s a necessary part of the process, it seems candidate staff tend to have no respect for those of us receiving fundraising solicitations and, FYI, the really crazy messages all come from out-of-state. I guess the writers assume we are naive, forgetful, and mostly suckers for whatever they write and ask. They just have to ask, which is essential, and, yes, often the request does work.

Ninety-eight to 99% of emails I receive are fundraising messages, many from candidates I have no idea who they are. I clean out my email inbox several times every day. This has meant deleting one fundraising request after another, giving little or no thought and I know at least once a day I delete a message that I should have read and in some cases should have responded. 

Typically, seven days a week, I will get more than a dozen or two requests a day from the Biden campaign. But, I can give Joe Biden a break. His direct fundraising letters, even those from his staff, usually have thoughtful appeals tied to real issues generally of concern. My problem with Biden’s campaign is that they ask me so often that I now just delete and move on. 

In general, most campaign requests start asking for only $5. They share how desperate the candidate is and that the campaign will be all over if they do not raise $5,403 by midnight and your $5 will make the difference. The candidate is running for the United States Senate, and you tell me my $5 towards raising just $5K, could lead to victory? Do they think I am stupid? Yes, probably so, because the fundraising system works.

But the craziest thing I see in online political fundraising is the strategy to hit you from both extremes on the same day. For example, in a morning email the focus can be on a devastating new poll where the candidate they want you to support is crashing and can only be saved by a rush of new money. In the afternoon, that same poll for the same race shows the same candidate charging ahead and only with your dollars can the candidate hold the lead.

One of the best examples of that is the McGrath-McConnell race in Kentucky. On June 10th at 7:59am, I received this email headline: “Amy McGrath Wins” followed by “We just got the best news from Kentucky- brand new poll 41% to 41%. Amy is dominating him (McConnell).”
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​Then, that same day, at 10:06am, I received this message: “Amy McGrath lost. Almost no one—​seriously no one—​is donating to hit our June goal. 36 hours left. If 12,254 people donate right now, we’ll hit tomorrow's ad budget goal and Mitch McConnell will lose.” Crazy as it seems, they do raise big money.
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I want to make this clear, I am not discouraging folks from giving to candidates they want to support. I just wish that more candidates would use straight-forward requests and a little more honest substance on why one should make a contribution.
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Will Republicans Ever Stand Up to Trump?

6/28/2020

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I’ve had this thought for some time after earlier screw-ups, wondering how, not just our own Kansas Republicans, but almost all elected Republicans stick with the President regardless how obvious the mistakes. What purpose does that serve? I suppose the answer is an easier re-election. But, given all the problems we have (including the unfolding story about Russian bounties for killing for U.S. troops), wouldn’t it be a good time to speak up respectfully? 

IF THE NFL AND NASCAR CAN STAND UP TO PRESIDENT TRUMP WITH BILLIONS AT STAKE, WHY CAN’T YOU?

Over the past several weeks, we have seen people of all colors and backgrounds take to the streets, not just in this nation but around the world, demanding action to solve the obvious racial issues we have. Police departments all across the nation are under (and rightfully so) close inspection for major long overdue changes. Social justice for now is at the top of most political agendas. But where are the Republicans who are actually standing up to the President? This is a time for Republicans to join Democrats to pass real sensible legislation that has large public support and will signal just maybe we are on the road to recovery and sanity and, if necessary, over the President’s veto. 

Consider also COVID-19 in the early stages, when lessons from other countries should have been learned and turned into mitigation strategies for the United States. Why were the Republicans silent when it became clear that cutting the CDC budget was a huge mistake? Where were they when the cross-agency federal task force set up by President Obama to deal with such problems was abandoned? Democrats spoke up, but I’m sure the general public saw that as only politics. We needed Republicans to speak the truth, speak the truth to power, but they did not and here we are.

I think back to the Republicans who previously represented Kansas that I have known and in some cases worked with for the common good. This includes Senator Frank Carlson, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Senator Jim Pearson, Senator Bob Dole, and Congresswoman Jan Myers. I can't imagine any of these Kansans not standing up to President Trump for the best interest of the country and even the future of the Republican Party.

It is not just our Kansas delegation but the Republican Party in general. We need a return to the days when we had two strong, competent political parties representing in general two different philosophies. Leaders from both parties were committed to work together in the end to get done what needed to be done for the best interests of the state and country. With the Republican Party now being so very far right and in so many ways anti-government, compromises are hard if not impossible to come by, and the result is needed action doesn’t take place. 

This stalemate explains why issues like social justice, climate change and infrastructure needs have never been dealt with and very likely will not be addressed unless major changes take place in how our political system works. That will only happen, it seems, when the people rise up and demand change, demand respect for the rule of law, and a return to the democracy our founders created for us. This positive change starts at the ballot box.

​Register and vote like our future depends on it, because it most certainly does.
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Majority Leader Mitch McConnell maintains a Republican shield, protecting the President's lawlessness and preventing needed legislative progress.
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The 19th Amendment and Kansas

6/16/2020

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June 16th is a day that truly merits recognition and celebration. This is the day Kansas ratified the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, in 1919. Kansas in many ways has led the nation on equality for women, being the first state in the nation to hold a referendum on women’s suffrage in 1867, sparking many other states to take similar steps. When Kansas eventually recognized a woman’s right to vote in local elections in 1887, it helped lead to the election of the first female mayor in U.S. history, Susanna Salter of Argonia, who was elected in April of that year. And, in 1912, Kansas recognized the right of women to vote in national elections, eight years before the 19th Amendment was ratified at the national level on August 18th, 1920.

As we celebrate 100 years of Votes for Women, we can be proud that our state was one of the original 36 to ratify the 19th Amendment and one of 22 states to ratify the proposed Equal Rights Amendment in its first year—​and doing so by a solid vote—​which required leadership and engagement from Kansans of all stripes in order to achieve. But, clearly, the fight for equality is far from over. Now is the time for greater focus on equal pay as well as equal opportunity for women to advance in the workplace. 

My focus in this blog is on what can be done to make the most of the underutilized skills of the women in our labor market. This is not just about equal pay but promoting women to make best use of their talents and leadership skills for the benefit of us all.

The growing fact is that many young women are outperforming young men at a significant pace by doing better in their classes, by simply learning more, and by being better prepared to really make a difference through taking action. I’ve seen it here at K-State in my own teaching. I want to make it clear that we have many very talented young men, it is just that they tend to be fewer in number. As an extreme example to make a point, at K-State’s School of Veterinary Medicine, women dominate enrollment, which I assume is likely tied to their scoring higher on entrance tests. 

Given our historical record and struggles in Kansas and nationwide striving for gender equality, to be successful at making real change, I think it will require a greater understanding of the material benefits to equality and greater incentive for those moving toward it. This can start with an awareness and acknowledgment of the fact that, when companies pay women less for equal work and/or fail to make full use of the leadership talent that women bring to the workplace, the negative impact on the bottom line can be quite significant. A comparable illustration of this would be a co-ed basketball team where the coach would only play the men, even though several of the women players' stats were far superior. Not having the team’s best players on the court—and in a position to make a difference—​could cost them the game.

So how does that progress take place? 

First, this change is not going to come from government action alone. Progress will come only when the business community sees the significant positive economic benefits. Then decision-makers, public and private, can set the example by hiring, paying equitably, and promoting the person who can do the job best regardless of gender. The grassroots of the country must lead this change, and I’m pleased now that there are leaders in athletics, business, and government who are helping to raise awareness and inspire action from the general public. The fact that more women are stepping up to run for public office also gives me hope. And younger generations inspire me to believe that the message has taken hold, and their continued engagement is precisely the thing that can bring about the lasting changes we need.

With the pandemic and economic challenges we face, returning to old norms seems less and less likely to happen. This means success will tend to go to changemakers, leaders in all sectors who are willing to adjust and do what it takes to be most successful. And one of those change areas must be positioning the talent of women for best results.

So here’s to the leadership and engagement that brought us the 19th Amendment. It is my hope that future celebrations of progress for women include pay equity and rightful promotions. When that happens, we will not only celebrate but also reap the economic and policy rewards.
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Thanking the Governors (Most of Them)

5/20/2020

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With the exception of a few who are content with carrying out whatever the President wants from them—​and setting aside my own possible bias—​I’ve been especially impressed with the Governors and their role with today’s Coronavirus crisis. Leading on the front line, dealing with unbelievable challenges, and making decisions daily that are seldom easily understood by their constituents, Governors have been the ones with the courage to lead. All of this comes at a time when the Federal Government just cannot get its act together on any consistent basis. National media outlets are turning to the Governors to get honest information on what is really taking place. Led by Governor Cuomo of New York, Governors from both parties, including our own Governor Kelly, are clearly stepping up and in many cases filling the leadership void coming from Washington.  

From my experience, I know about how challenging an issue like this pandemic can be. Issuing Executive Orders based on the best science available, while knowing your economy and state budget are going to hell, makes for long days. Then there is the pressure from the public to keep everyone safe and healthy but also get people back to work and students back to school. Nothing is easy here. And the lack of federal guidance and support has left the states to largely fend for themselves on necessary supplies and infrastructure—​and foot the bill for it. We can only hope Congress will get its act together and pass some budget relief for the states, otherwise, it will be yet another failure in the response from Washington, D.C., and this one will be largely due to problems they failed to solve during the initial relief stages.

Many Governors are demonstrating real leadership at a time when it is so desperately needed. Their strategy is not rocket science. They surround themselves with very good, qualified advisors. They listen to these experts and then make the tough decisions. These Governors respect science and take seriously that they are leading for all the citizens of their state, therefore leaving politics to a very definite back seat. And, as important as anything, they understand the value of communication that is accurate, understandable by the general public, and does not require walking the statement back shortly after its release.

I have always thought that those who have served as a Governor should be the most important pool from which to draw for potential candidates for President. I say that because in contrast to U.S. Senators, Governors have actually led large, complex organizations. They have experience making tough decisions that directly impact citizens as well as putting together leadership teams that are successful. And because Governors are closer to the people, they have experience dealing with the many challenges that come with being a decision-maker for the public’s interests.

When President Obama was starting out as U.S. Senator from Illinois, I recall telling him when he was in Topeka for a Washington Day Address that my unsolicited advice was to go back to Illinois and run for Governor and then he would be in a really strong position to run for President. Obviously, he didn’t take my advice and was a very good President, but could he have been even better with more Executive experience? On the flip side, given a high percentage of Illinois Governors have ended up in prison, rejecting my suggestion certainly had some merit.

The bottom line is that Governors represent not just the leadership needed now in this health and economic crisis, but they are the pipeline for future leaders of our country. Both political parties have talented Governors who would be excellent national leaders. Maybe the current debacle with a totally inexperienced leader at the national level will be a lesson we do not forget.
Governor Laura Kelly
Here in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly has listened to the science and taken responsible action to keep Kansans safe during this difficult time. [Photo by: John Hanna/AP]
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Democrats Lucky to Have Speaker Pelosi

5/9/2020

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​Speaker Nancy Pelosi has led through difficult times, balancing political realities with what is best for the country. She has certainly come across often as the adult in the room of Congressional leaders and the Administration. Despite representing a very liberal district, she has operated from a very pragmatic point of view. She has charted an aggressive course of action while working to keep her caucus in the majority, knowing if they lose the majority everything accomplished would be destroyed.    

There are those that lump both Houses as making up the do nothing Congress. The facts clearly document that she and her caucus have actually been very responsive to the needs of the American people. Through her leadership and the hard work of her committee chairs and the Caucus, over 400 bills, many key ones, like safeguarding our elections and with huge public support, have passed the House and been sent to the Senate. From there, Republican Majority Leader McConnell makes sure the House legislation goes nowhere and that very few originating bills come out of the Senate for the House to work.

Her first major challenge was dealing with President Trump and the decision of Impeachment. Early on, she clearly wanted the Fall 2020 election to determine if the issues surrounding the President merited impeachment. I believe Speaker Pelosi thought delaying was both best for the United States as well as her Democratic Caucus. But when the Ukraine scandal more clearly brought to light impeachable offenses and the public tide shifted towards holding hearings, she quickly assigned her Judiciary and Intelligence committees to hold hearings. She managed the process effectively and amazingly kept her troops together (albeit, there was one defector), to pass the impeachment of the President and send the indictment to the United States Senate.

Her role in the government’s response to the Coronavirus again showed her leadership skills and capacity both to challenge and to work with this Administration. Speaker Pelosi worked one-on-one with Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to develop packages that address the nation’s needs as well as secure the support of the Administration and the votes needed in the Senate. While not perfect, these relief efforts have been made significantly better through the help of Speaker Pelosi and other Congressional Democrats.
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The first day of the 116th Congress, Nancy Pelosi was once again elected Speaker of the House on January 3rd, 2019.
What makes her accomplishments even more interesting is that, after the 2018 Congressional elections and winning the majority, many members of the Democratic Caucus worked hard to deny Pelosi the Speakership. Yet, she not only won, but today is almost without exception solidly backed by the entire caucus. This is not an easy thing to accomplish. But the amount of respect she has garnered among her colleagues over the years and her experienced leadership have clearly made her the right person for the job, at the right time.

Given the challenges of dealing with a President like Trump and a Majority Leader like McConnell, Speaker Pelosi has done amazing things. History will place her in the short list of Speakers who have really stood out with common sense, political savvy, and success. She has impacted Washington action in a positive way for the best interests of our country.

I am currently reading the new book “Pelosi,” by Molly Ball. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve already learned about so many fascinating, character-building experiences she’s had in her decades of public service. She has always been a smart, tough leader. And she's paved the way for so many other outstanding female leaders, who will help guide us into the future. I’m looking forward to learning more about her brilliant career as I finish reading this insightful new book.
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This photo was taken at the Reopening and Rededication of the Rotunda at the National Archives on September 17th, 2003. Pictured here are Congressional leaders, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Tom Daschle, and Speaker Dennis Hastert along with former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who delivered remarks and myself, Archivist of the United States.
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Lessons from Coronavirus: Respect for Science Saves Lives

4/22/2020

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One lesson I learned very early in public life is that when the government fails to deliver during any kind of crisis, whether that be a snow storm or something of the nature we have now nationally, people are more likely than ever to not forgive the person(s) in charge come election time. Whether that will hold true with the current crisis remains to be seen. I know from experience that even the folks who follow the small government philosophy expect the government to do whatever it takes in a crisis to get things back to normal. And the best way to get back to "normal" in today's circumstances would be to follow the advice and guidance from health care professionals and public health experts. Unfortunately, with folks openly defying and protesting stay-at-home orders, politics has been injected into a situation that should revolve solely around science and the responsible actions that are needed in order to keep people safe. Continuing with the Lessons from Coronavirus I started last week, it is my hope that one thing this crisis can teach us is the value of science in our governance and day-to-day decisions. 

Without a doubt, there are now and will be more citizens who will die as a result of federal failures and some Governors who have refused to issue orders for the public to follow standard protocols in minimizing the spread of the Coronavirus or will move to reopen their states without the adequate testing procedures in place to ensure public safety. The key question now is: When the real health experts tell us what we need to do to get back to normal and stay there, will the President and all Governors really lead? Or will some elected leaders simply ignore them and fumble around giving lip service at best and putting the blame elsewhere?
 
One clear example of accountability is observing how leaders provide the public with reliable, factual, and science-based information. There have and will be more deaths from the virus, the direct result of citizens getting their news and health updates from Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. Fox News has finally come around to accept some real science but only after large death numbers have piled up. Such behavior borders on criminal action. And now, they are pushing to “open up the economy” immediately, viewing all those who will be infected in the future as an “acceptable loss.” 

Unfortunately, if folks simply refuse to understand or believe the real danger posed by COVID-19, that does not exempt them from getting sick or infecting others. In fact, reckless behavior in this volatile time will have dire consequences. Time will reveal the whole story. And, when the results come in, it will be impossible to ignore the real impact and loss of life from a virus that does not stop to ask someone if they believe in its existence before infecting an individual and taking its toll. So, more than ever, Americans need to hear the truth and operate from one set of facts in order to guide responsible action and decisions.

The appreciation we’ve seen for health care professionals gives me hope that perhaps more people will respect their sacrifices by heeding their expert advice—​during this crisis and into the future. Given all the time we have been staying at home, there is plenty of time to think. In this case, I want to look for a silver lining, something potentially positive to come out of this horrific tragedy we are living through. Writing this blog got me thinking about what could be really positive spin offs to come from what we are experiencing. As I wrote last week, it’s critical for us to learn from this crisis in order for us all to emerge stronger.

​Could one result be the public having MORE RESPECT FOR SCIENCE in governance decisions? And, if so, does that extend to other policy areas, many of which have parallels to what we’re seeing with Coronavirus? For instance, what about a majority of the public accepting the realities like climate change and voting in November for candidates who understand and are willing to invest in policy changes needed for our own good?  

Naturally, coming to this conclusion without a global pandemic would have been the ideal, but I will take second best, given our choices at the moment.
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Lessons from Coronavirus: Federal Failures

4/14/2020

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When we experience a challenge or crisis—​like we’re seeing with the COVID-19 pandemic—​it reveals what we’re made of. This comes with a recognition that previous actions and decisions have consequences, and they ultimately lead us to the norms, systems, and structures we currently have in place. Unfortunately, we cannot change the past events that have led us to this disastrous point with the Coronavirus crisis, but we can most definitely learn from these events in ways that better prepare us for the future. There are many aspects to cover and many things to learn, and I plan to continue exploring other lessons throughout the crisis and further down the road on my blog. But I want to start with the area that is perhaps the most glaring vulnerability that has been exposed by this crisis: the failure of federal leadership to respond to and address the immediate public health risk that all Americans now face.

​Here are some of the governance lessons that stand out to me from the federal level:

First, it’s clear that, with something as big and complex as the current crisis, there is not and can not be just one Federal level agency with the budget or capacity to fully deliver. Over four years ago, President Obama recognized this and put in place a coordinating mechanism that could reach across agency lines to better assure that the response to a major crisis would have the best chance of success. President Trump abolished the Obama-created White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, consistent with his philosophy of small government being best. In my opinion, that was a short-sighted decision and the current crisis is clear evidence there are challenges where every resource of the Federal government needs to be brought together in a coordinated way to be the most effective. 

Second, if a small government approach is the path a President takes, it becomes even more important to have better coordinating and operating systems in place. In any crisis affecting multiple states, there will always be some resources and involvement from the Federal government. For example, the Department of Defense resources for working with state and local governments to deal with the health crisis should always be an option. And, in terms of engagement with the private sector, it should be done in a coordinated, mission-oriented fashion, rather than the “everyone for themselves” approach we’re currently seeing. The private sector has expertise and a huge capacity for innovation and production, but this needs to be leveraged more effectively—​which requires strong leadership making specific directives and implementing smart, strategic policies.

With this pandemic, we were simply not prepared. The Federal government was not ready to deal with the challenge and certainly had no coordinated system worked out with state and local government. The fact that our government and infrastructure at the national level and in many states was so woefully under-prepared to deal with this pandemic is linked to successful right-wing moves at all levels of government and across many areas, like health care, the social safety net, and more. They have been able to cut necessary programs at every opportunity, without thinking about the real results including loss of lives. 

The other clear lesson in this crisis is that choices made in selecting leadership across all levels of government can and does make a huge difference in the capacity of government to respond with clear, accurate information and decisive action. In making appointments, President Trump emphasized family, business, and political connections much more than whether the person had the capacity to deliver. And, perhaps worst of all, those folks are now in positions where they can effectively shut out or, worse yet, actively ignore or deny the advice of the scientists and experts we do have within our government.

And, when it comes to leadership at the very top—​from the President himself—it pains me to see just how far we've fallen from President Truman's "the buck stops here," to President Trump's "I don't take responsibility at all" stance. Deflecting any blame and trying to rewrite the history of his administration's response is a sign of weakness, not strength, in a time of crisis. And it's certainly not the way to actually solve problems or gain trust and credibility with the American people.

Hopefully, out of this crisis, we learn something. Government should be at the size and quality to serve the legitimate needs of the public. Whether that be Federal dominated or heavily led by the states, the response to a crisis like Coronavirus must be well-planned in advance, with the correct systems in place, and the leadership needed to carry out the mission.

I’ll have more “Lessons from Coronavirus” in the coming weeks, including some positive notes on the leadership we’re seeing across our state and country, so I hope you’ll continue to follow along. And keep in mind as we go through these difficult days and weeks: There is always more we can learn. These challenging times will require all the dialogue and lessons we can possibly generate in order to help us all emerge from this crisis stronger. It’s something we can all contribute to and participate in; whether it’s changes to large, complex systems or in our everyday activities, we can always improve, and creativity will be key. Good ideas and leadership can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time. Remember: Challenges simply reveal what we’re made of.
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Wearing his campaign hat, President Trump visited CDC Headquarters on March 6th. It was the day he promised that, "everyone who needs a test gets a test...they have the tests and the tests are beautiful." With a group of experts standing behind him, he utilized his press conference to talk at length about his own intelligence and how much he understands about science and public health. As several states were reporting their first cases, including Kansas the day after this visit, he also utilized the opportunity to spread misinformation about the virus being "under control" and mischaracterizing the timeline for possible vaccines and treatments. He then took to attacking the media and smearing Governors of the opposing party, calling Gov. Jay Inslee, "a snake" and telling Vice President Pence not to be complimentary of him. And, of course, when asked about taking in Americans from the Grand Princess cruise ship, he explained that he'd rather not because, "I like the numbers being where they are." All of this happened at a time when Americans desperately needed correct, clear communication about the spread of COVID-19 and the enormous challenges facing all of us.
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'All Hands On Deck' Against COVID-19

3/28/2020

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First, a message to those who think the virus is a hoax or are comfortable that they will not be impacted: You are wrong. Until that is understood, bringing this crisis to a safe and satisfactory conclusion will not happen. As long as we have folks operating as usual, this virus will continue to spread and the economic pain and health risk will continue for all of us.

In this time of uncertainty, I want to keep my message focused on the immediate steps that are needed to help keep us all safe. So here are a few key points that stand out to me:

  • TAKE THE ADVICE OF HEALTH  PROFESSIONALS. It is not rocket science, but the full implementation of policies like social distancing FOR ALL OF US must be taken seriously. Our health care professionals are taking enormous risks simply by showing up to work and helping people. With these heroes risking their lives for our health and safety, the least we can do is follow their advice on how to slow the spread of the virus.​
  • The ECONOMIC IMPACT will vary dramatically. If you can, LOOK FOR WAYS YOU CAN HELP those most severely impacted and those who have very limited options to survive. The passage of a relief package in Congress is a welcome development for much of the business community, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about how businesses and workers can benefit from this federal investment. So extra help and attention should be given to vulnerable populations as well as to many of the small businesses we love, to make sure their doors can eventually reopen once medical experts have deemed it safe to do so. 
  • In time, I plan to share more about the leadership that is (or is not) being exercised in our government and across our country in response to this crisis. But, in the meantime, it’s important to remember that EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will take all of our creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance to get through this. Whether you're regularly checking in with friends and family, planning new ways to meet community needs, or simply following the advice of medical professionals, I want the history written on this challenge to be one where we did RISE TO THE OCCASION, that ALL HANDS WERE ON DECK, and the PAIN AND SUFFERING WAS MINIMIZED as a result. 

I WISH ALL THE VERY BEST IN THESE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
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Abortion Amendment Would Bring Damaging Consequences

3/7/2020

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Senate Resolution No. 1613, already passed by the Kansas Senate, is a“Proposition to amend the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the State of Kansas by adding a new section thereto stating that there is no constitutional right to abortion and reserving to the people the ability to regulate abortion through the elected members of the legislature of the state of Kansas.”  

Earlier in this Legislative Session, with the full support and pressure from Speaker Ryckman, Senate Resolution No. 1613 was brought up on final action in the House. The vote fell four votes short of the ⅔ or 84 votes needed to amend the Kansas constitution and have the amendment on the Primary Ballot in August. The eighty or so supporters in the House are a combination of straight-forward Pro-Life believers mixed with conservatives who are playing politics for their own re-election hopes and to expand their voter base. They use the issue to get the turnout they need in the August primary to defeat high-quality moderates. 

Shortly after the vote, I posted a series of tweets that outlined both the direct impact on women and their reproductive rights as well as some of the other consequences that could come if our state were to take such a drastic and extreme action on this issue. In this blog, I’d like to expand on some of the potential outcomes that may or may not have been intended but will most certainly have a damaging effect on the growth and future of our state.

I’ve been in politics in one way or another for a long time, and I sort of understand why such practices in today's politics happen. What I do not understand is why these same elected officials do not appreciate the devastating link such decisions have on the growth and economy of our state and the higher taxes and lesser results for Kansas taxpayers that would come with such actions.

We’ve been through this before. Have we already forgotten the lousy national press Kansas got during the Brownback era when a number of stupid policy decisions were made and the accompanying downward trend in so many critical areas of economic impact and quality of life took place? Having TV comedians use Kansas to get laughs for themselves and their sponsors’ financial gain is at our expense and one that we cannot afford. People see these messages and take them into account, whether you’re a person considering relocating to Kansas or a business that is looking for a place to invest.

By every serious measure and the forces of larger economic trends, Kansas is losing population. This is especially true when it comes to our young people in the state, who are leaving at an even higher rate to seek higher wages and better quality of life elsewhere. Over the past several years, GDP growth in Kansas state has lagged behind our state’s previous economic performance and other comparable states. And wage growth is lagging as well, which is so critical to keeping more of our citizens here to raise their families and live a good life in our state. 

When people leave our state, it leaves fewer people behind to pay the taxes and maintain the services and quality of life we’ve all come to expect and appreciate about our state. And one of the largest quality of life issues we have is access to health care in our state. This makes the effort to tie the constitutional amendment to Medicaid expansion, which would provide health care to more Kansans, particularly destructive for people all across the state, especially in rural areas. At a time when our state’s population is decreasing, we should be working to find ways to make our communities better places to live and work and raise the quality of life for all Kansans. 

There are many factors to why our population is decreasing, and it will need to be addressed through a number of different policy measures. But why in the world would we consider enacting a policy that would move us further backward on our growth goals?

Governor Kelly and her administration are working on a plan to grow Kansas and turn around the actions that put us close to the bottom of states in many areas. They are working to move past our previous mistakes that have impact on keeping as well as attracting growth, people, and businesses as well as slowing the exodus of too many of our young people.

What the Republican leadership wants to do with this Abortion Resolution, in my opinion, is one of the worst, dumbest actions in my 50 plus years engaged in Kansas public policy because of its economic impacts far, far beyond the issue of abortion itself. An August 2019 Pew Research Center poll found that 70% of adults under 30 support legal abortion. Keeping and attracting the young talent we need will just be all the more difficult. Despite all the positive actions that can be taken to turn Kansas around, a decision like this could significantly reduce the gains that make our state more attractive for internal growth and new businesses and residents.
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[Photo: The Topeka Capital-Journal]
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Time to Consolidate the Democratic Field

2/24/2020

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After watching the Nevada debate and caucus results and in the context of the rules set out by the National Democratic Party, in my opinion, if the candidate field is not reduced soon, ideally before Super Tuesday, President Trump will be on his way to a second term and after four more years of continuing damage, the democracy that we have unfortunately taken for granted will be gone. 

After 2016 and the long Clinton-Sanders fight up to the convention, the Democratic Party changed the rules to keep that from happening again. They thought getting over early and having a longer time for the nominee to have total focus on defeating the incumbent would increase the chances of winning in the end. With Super Tuesday looming on March 3rd, the Party hope was that for all practical purposes the Democrats would have their nominee the next day. Tragically that plan just might work, if winning in November is no longer a priority. 

What they didn’t factor in their planning was the possibility that having several quality moderate candidates who split the moderate vote would be a huge advantage to the only socialist in the field whose 2016 campaign created a very hardworking Army ready to go, this time with confidence of winning the nomination. With the Democratic Party rules requiring 15% or more in each state to qualify for any delegates, as long as the current field of candidates stays in with each having some support, it will allow Senator Sanders to take all the delegates in many states with only 25 to 30% of the vote.

Well, to all of you who are saying that you understand this potential outcome but those are the rules and we should wait and see what happens, I am certain we will nominate Bernie and, I fear, lose big in November and not just the Presidency. Speaker Pelosi will lose her majority, the Senate will be much stronger Republican, and all across the land Democratic majorities in state legislatures will be lost, giving the Republicans more power on reapportionment after the 2020 census. 

In Kansas, this election would be a total wipeout for many Democrats and moderate Republicans with down-ballot races especially. Why am I so confident of these projections? Not complicated. Studies show that we Americans have made huge progress in accepting candidates of color or who are gay, with only 10 to 15% reluctant to support such candidates. When the question is asked, “could you support an acknowledged Socialist?” the number goes to almost 50% who would not support such a candidate. 

Reasonable people can argue over the meaning of the Socialist label and what it means in context of Bernie's vision for the country, but for most folks who haven't given it much thought, the term alone will be used to stoke fear and resentment towards anyone who seems to be aligned. This would put Democrats on the defensive against every historical reference to socialism in the book. And, after months of TV ads and rallies chipping away at that 50%, it could almost automatically give President Trump a second term, and he will bring to an end the democracy we've grown up with and assumed would last.

So what is needed to keep this from happening? Aside from a miracle or intervention from God, I can think of only one possible solution. We need some of the Democratic candidates with very limited possibilities of winning to drop out and very soon. Given what we know from the polls, nominating Klobuchar or Steyer, is not going to happen. They could, however, by exiting the race give a much better chance to Biden. And, in my opinion, Warren and Buttigieg are teetering right on the edge of this, with each needing stellar Super Tuesday performances to really make their case for staying in. Biden looked much better in the Nevada Primary debate and, despite a less than sterling performance, I want another look at Bloomberg. Then, after Super Tuesday, some movement will be needed in order to get to a one-on-one race. 

Bottom line: There is too much at stake to not one way or another nominate someone who can win!
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Republicans Perfectly Comfortable with Trump's Wrongdoing

2/1/2020

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The United States Senate—​with all but two Republican Senators—​has cleared President Trump of any impeachable actions. What does that mean for our immediate future? What will Trump do beyond what he has already done? Certainly, Trump will do whatever it takes to win re-election, but it would not surprise me if he makes plans to stay in office beyond a second term.

At this point, just what would President Trump have to do to lose the support of Republicans in Congress? This week almost all Republicans are making it clear they are with him regardless of what additional evidence emerges. Even the President’s defense lawyers for the hearings admit to his wrongdoing in many cases. But they insist his actions do not reach the level for “Impeachment (Indictment) for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” (Article II Section 4 of the United States Constitution).

I think back to all the earlier Republican Senators from Kansas that I’ve had a chance to work with or at least get to know. I cannot imagine any of them supporting what is going on now. Kassebaum, Pearson, and Carlson for sure, and I have to believe Senator Dole privately is shaking his head in disbelief. Their values and principles would have stood up to any future primary threat like what now seems to be keeping many of our current Senators towing the party line.

President Clinton lied about sex with a White House intern, and most Republican Senators had no hesitation supporting throwing him out of office. The Democrats in the end backed Clinton, but the trial was a real trial with witnesses and records very available. The rules for the trial were adopted on a vote of 100 to 0. That is in total contrast to the circus run by Majority Leader McConnell. Their vote to essentially skip the actual trial phase and deny the American people access to all the information and relevant witnesses is equivalent to full participation in the cover-up. Now, with multiple branches of government participating in this cover-up, we have reached a dangerous new low for our country.

If Trump, now having survived an impeachment trial, wins a second term, returning to our system of democracy and the rule of law will very likely not happen. Capitalism will dominate. The very rich will solidify their hold on Washington D.C., and our good memories of the past will be just that.  

Trump and his campaign operatives will certainly feel comfortable doing whatever they want to win re-election. Certainly in play will be courting foreign countries to help rig the election in return for some kind of promise of financial support. In time, not cheating may become the pathway to almost always losing. 

If leaders accept this conduct from a President now for whatever reason, I raise these questions: Just how do we get this genie back in the bottle? How do we go from ignoring the law and the Constitution to respecting and adhering to the Democracy and system of checks and balances set up by our founders? This is not just a setback that simply in the passage of time will be corrected. And this is particularly true if President Trump is re-elected, making November 3rd a do or die day for our future.
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Just Weeks Before Iowa, Where Are We Now?

1/17/2020

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Which candidate benefited the most from the last debate before the Iowa caucuses? That depends on who you ask. Each of the six candidates clearly think they won and the press varies in their observations with at least some positive remarks for all six. For me, no one hurt themselves or unlikely got a big boost, but if I had to pick one winner, I’d say Tom Steyer. Steyer had the advantage of being the one we’ve heard less from on the debate stage, although his television ads are becoming all-too-familiar. However, he did have some powerful responses to several key questions and looked right into the camera talking directly to the American people. 

I thought the debate was the best so far with CNN and their panel did a really good job. I think they asked the right questions, in some cases targeted to specific candidates who clearly differ  in opinion on what is the right approach. CNN moderators also focused in on problem areas for specific candidates like Vice President Biden with his son on Ukraine and Mayor Pete and the black vote.   

For right now, I do not see any candidate who is really on a roll. One might say Biden with his name recognition advantage. But, given that several candidates are bunched at the top of the polls and the history of surprises in both Iowa and New Hampshire, who knows? Senator Sanders has come up in the polls and could win both Iowa and New Hampshire. In the Iowa caucuses, voters for candidates who don't make the 15% threshold on the first round can go home or stay and participate in the second round and shift to one of the remaining candidates. That makes being the second choice for candidates remaining quite important. This also makes the back-and-forth between Senators Sanders and Warren an interesting feud to keep an eye on, given that they need to draw some contrast while also keeping one another's supporters willing to cross over if the situation calls for it. Meanwhile, this divide may open the door for other candidates to compete for the rest of the votes that are currently up-for-grabs.

Two new issues make predicting winners more difficult. First, the new schedule put together by the Democratic National Party moves up many state primaries and caucuses to have a real Super Tuesday on March 3rd, just one week after the South Carolina Primary. Second, Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg will then be on many of those ballots.

For Super Tuesday, Biden and Sanders will still be in the running, Mayor Pete and Warren probably, as well as Steyer and Bloomberg who have the money to continue. One additional wildcard is Senator Bennett from Colorado who is flying below the radar. He is very well qualified but hampered by his late start. He has put everything into New Hampshire and that primary does have a history of impacting the vote in remaining states. 

Before you dismiss the chances of Bloomberg and even Steyer having any real opportunity, remember that by Super Tuesday the other candidates will likely have very little money. Having momentum out of the first four contests is more important than saving dollars for March 3rd. Biden could be the exception with his name recognition. Bloomberg and Steyer are certainly the wild cards with television ads all across the country. I say that because they are both on television here in Kansas with high quality ads, certainly a new experience for us.

So where does that leave us? The only thing I know for sure is that our granddaughter is still very much with Mayor Pete.
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Best and Worst from the 2010s

1/4/2020

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Looking back over the last ten years and my eighth decade of life, I am sharing what stands out for me both in good ways and bad:

On the good side:

  1. I had the pleasure of finishing ten years as Archivist of the United States and played a role in making sure we all understand that it is not just for history that we have records, but to protect citizens’ entitlements (Veterans, for example). And maybe, most importantly given the times we are in, conveying the importance of records as essential in holding the government accountable.
  2. My engagement with the Staley School of Leadership Studies at Kansas State University for the entire decade has grown my confidence in the potential of our younger population, giving me hope for the future.
  3. Governor Kelly defeating Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the 2018 election.
  4. Kansas City Royals won the World Series for the first time since 1985, K-State won Big 12 championships in both football and basketball. Yes, KU won the other nine in basketball, but offsetting that, K-State was 10-0 competing against KU in football. 
  5. Kansas State University closed the decade by making really good decisions and hires that will, I believe, have significant positive impact for the coming decade. 


On the bad side: 

  1. Having to endure eight Brownback years (and all the mistakes that will haunt Kansans for many years) really makes a much more difficult path to the future for both the Governor and Legislators.
  2. The election of Donald Trump as President in 2016. A man with little or no respect for the law, little or no understanding of how our government functions, and little or no appreciation of the huge challenges (e.g., climate change) we face that, if not addressed, will do damage of unbelievable portions.
  3. Having Moscow Mitch (Republican Senator from Kentucky) in a position to stop almost every important piece of legislation through the entire decade, even those that had overwhelming public support. In addition, his handling of the courts and judges has set several damaging precedents for the future.
  4. Almost 100% of Scientists with a climate background have issued serious warnings throughout the decade and there has been little or no action in response.
  5. The national failure to make any progress on immigration reform, funding of infrastructure needs, dealing with gun violence, addressing climate change, as well as the increasing National debt. This represents the utmost failure of our leadership in Washington D.C.

Here’s to a new year and decade with the hope that progress can and will be made.
Rotunda National Archives
The rotunda of the National Archives, home to the "Charters of Freedom." These documents, including our Constitution, have safeguarded democracy in our country since its founding. But, as we know from Dr. Benjamin Franklin, our nation is only a republic, "if we can keep it."
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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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