In Kansas, Democrats Turn To the Right to Keep Seat

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

In Kansas, Democrats Turn To the Right to Keep Seat
Freshman Rep. Boyda Faces GOP Onslaught; A Fight for 16 Spots
By KEVIN HELLIKER
June 8, 2007; Page A1

(snip)

Today, the 51-year-old Ms. Boyda is a Democrat. But you often wouldn't know it as she gears up to run for re-election in November 2008. With Republicans aggressively attacking her, and two Republicans already seeking her seat, she is positioning herself as independent. She plans to keep the word "Democrat" off her yard signs and rejects assistance from the Democrats' national congressional campaign committee.

Next year's battle for Congress is well under way, even as presidential politics are getting most of the attention. Ms. Boyda's success will help determine whether the Democratic Party can keep control of Congress, and show how firmly it has planted new roots in conservative corners of the country where it made surprising gains last fall -- places like Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas. In these places, the Democrats are often barely distinguishable from Republicans on many issues such as gun control. Ms. Boyda and other candidates won by painting the Republicans into a corner and portraying the Republican Party as the party of corporate interests and the Iraq war. They hope to win re-election the same way.

(snip)

About 20 Democratic freshmen are seeking re-election in Republican-leaning districts. Republicans could regain control of the House by picking up 16 seats, assuming they didn't lose any. Aware that the benefits of incumbency accumulate over time, the Republican Party is targeting many of these freshmen, believing that the presidential election will draw a bigger turnout from core Republican voters. In recent days, the National Republican Congressional Committee paid for radio attacks in the districts of 12 freshmen Democrats. "These so-called conservative Democrats have compiled voting records identical to San Francisco Speaker Nancy Pelosi, due in large part to getting strong-armed by the Speaker and her lieutenants daily," says a Web site of the Republican committee, which also has started blogs critical of 21 Democratic freshmen.

(snip)

The political struggle in the district over the next year is likely to center on the war in Iraq. Ms. Boyda has described the invasion of Iraq as colossally misguided. "Diverting resources from Afghanistan and invading Iraq may be one of the most dangerous decisions this country has ever made," Rep. Boyda said in a speech on the floor of the House this spring. At an April meeting with constituents in Topeka, many raised concerns about the lack of progress in Iraq. The issue worked against Mr. Ryun in the 2006 vote. At one point he earned some skepticism in the local media by arguing that violence in Iraq showed the U.S. was succeeding in overhauling the country. Mr. Ryun invited President Bush and Vice President Cheney to campaign for him in the last week of the race. Mr. Ryun "absolutely pinned his campaign to support for the Iraq war and for the Bush-Cheney administration," says Dan Garrity, a lawyer in Atchison and lifelong Republican who has tended to vote Democratic recently. "For those of us who opposed the war, for those of us who still believe in the Republican core values of fiscal responsibility and limited government, it's pretty hard to sign on with what the Republican Party stands for today," he says.

(snip)

A glance at the Kansas Democratic Party shows how divisive these battles have been. The state's Democratic lieutenant governor used to be chairman of the state Republican Party. The attorney general, another Republican-turned-Democrat, won office last year by soundly defeating the Republican incumbent, who had made national news by providing legal support to movements that oppose abortion and support teaching intelligent design.

(snip)


URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118126644598528636.html (subscription)

[Rydz777]

1. I think the Democratic Senate is safe in 2008. There are only 12

Democrats up for reelection, and all are safe except two. The Republicans have 21 Senators up and many are vulnerable. The House is another matter. The Republicans are going to go after it with all they've got - Boyda a case on point. We're going to have to work hard to keep the House, but I am optimistic that 2008 will be a Democratic year from top to bottom - barring some terrible and unexpected event.

[Yukari Yakumo]

5. 22 Repug seats.

A special election is being held in Wyoming to vote on someone to complete the late Sen Thomas's term. This puts both Wyoming seats in play in 2008.

[snowbear]

2. Still.. there are more registered Democrats in Kansas than registered Republicans

According to the Richmond Register: http://www.richmondregister.com/statenews/cnhinsall_story_145164256.html

I think a lot of DU'ers understand what that WSJ article is saying in that piece.. how in some places (Kansas for example) for Democrats to win, they have to run a more centrist (independent) candidate than maybe we'd prefer.

Then again.. we'll always have the DU'ers who insist that under no circumstances should we ever run centrists candidates regardless of the location.

I say.. run whoever the hell will win!!! I'd rather have a Jon Tester than a Conrad Burns.. I'd rather have a Jim Webb than a George Allen.. I'd rather have a Bob Casey than a Rick Santorum!!!

And even if Kansas is one of those places that like their Dems more moderate.. ..if it keeps the Republicans out, elect em if you've got em.

BTW. Kudos to Kansas for getting ready to boot their corrupt Republican Governor (Ernie Fletcher) too!

[UnityDem]

3. Kansas Governor is Dem Sebellius

The congrats that you mean to send here is to Kentucky. They will, hopefully, oust their corrupt Repub Gov Fletcher. Kansas has a great Dem Gov Kathleen Sebellius who has been mentioned as a possible V.P. candidate.

[snowbear]

4. Oops... you're right! Wonder if Kentucky has more registered R's than D's?

I was REALLY surprised to read that Kansas has more Democrats, so who knows?

Then again.. pretty soon all states will have MORE Democrats!! (Read it and weep lurking Freepers! )

In Alaska, voters elect whoever is pro-drilling.. and as far as political affilations go, there are more registered Independents than the other two parties put together.

I still can't get over that article though... More DEMS in Kansas --- Who knew!?!

[question everything]

7. And a wonderful governor

After the recent tornado disaster she stood in front of cameras and noted the shortage of national guards who would aid in such cases because they are in... Iraq.

And had a great letter to TIME recently

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3275113

[question everything]

6. Perfect examples

I was really glad that I was not a voter in PA (to vote for anti-choice Casey) or TN (to vote for pro-war anti-gay Ford).

The reality is that most of the Democrats that voted for the recent war funding bill came from districts that used to be Republicans.

If you want to win, you have to enlarge the tent. Sure, some DUers can decide to "stand on principles" and to prefer a small, diminishing party then to actually control at least the committees in Congress. Yes, many are disappointed with the recent bill, but we did pass others, like the increase in the minimum wage.

We lost in 1968 because many anti-war activists were not excited about Humphrey and chose to stay home; we lost in 2000 because many voted for Nader.

I lived in California in the 90s when many Republicans chose to "stand on principles" and kept losing every state office. Arnold really did not win because he was a Republican and his pro-choice, pro-gay, pro-universal health care (more or less) do not make him a Republican poster boy.