Dear KDP - Can We Get Some Candidates Please? Part II
Last edited Mon Jun 4, 2012, 10:40 PM - Edit history (2)
It's June and I'm sad to say my original question still stands for the most part (see block quote below).
Rev. Schlingensiepen seems like he may be able to make the 2nd district race at least somewhat interesting. Although, frankly, it is too late for any congressional candidate to start now and be successful barring some kind of miracle. Hopefully, the good reverend can arrange for one.
Of course, there's no candidate for the 1st which is more understandable since the likelihood of Dems ever winning in the first is exceptionally low.
However, there is absolutely no excuse for not already having credible candidates in the 3rd and 4th districts! This is embarrassing and, in my view, shows a failure of leadership. We can't blame redistricting because everyone knows that Johnson County will be in the 3rd and Wichita will be in the 4th.
I know there were some potential congressional candidates who had some unfavorable interactions with the new KDP leadership and subsequently elected not to run. I also know that some Dems in the 3rd were in the "we must have Joe Reardon" camp and when it became clear that Joe didn't want to run they failed to turn their attention to others who might be credible candidates.
My opinion is that Democrats need to stop behaving like marginally attractive men who think they should be dating a supermodel. These types can be with a woman who is much better than they should get based on what they have to offer, but they'll be constantly looking to better deal her and refusing to invest in the relationship. Guess what happens - they end up alone.
Similarly, the lesson here is that if reasonably credible candidates express an interest in running, don't treat them like crap just because they aren't your ideal "savior" candidate. Because - guess what - your ideal choice may not be interested. We don't need this type of dysfunction as the underdog party in the state.
It will be a real shame if Pompeo and Yoder can just sit on their cash for another election cycle as this will make them exponentially harder to beat in 2014.
Here we are approaching late February in an election year and we have no announced candidates for any of the congressional districts. We need to identify some excellent candidates and get going or we are practically handing the seats to the Republicans for another term.
Here are some folks that I think would be excellent possibilities for each of the four districts:
1st district - Dennis McKinney (former State Treasurer and State Rep.) from Greensburg. He is a Western KS guy through and through but a solid, common sense Democrat. He's the kind of guy that could get voters to cross party lines which is essential in the 1st district.
2nd district - Steve Boyda (former Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's husband and Topeka area attorney) could be a good choice. He's a likable guy and would have some name recognition. However, my top choice would be Josh Svaty (former Sec. of Agriculture). Very charismatic, articulate, young man who could do very well against Jenkins in a debate. I think he could be very compelling as a candidate.
3rd district - Joe Reardon has some good credentials and accomplishments to brandish but all indications are that he doesn't want to run for Congress. Other possibilities include 2010 candidate Stephene Moore (but she may not want to pursue this given Dennis' recent diagnosis), 2010 Senate candidate Lisa Johnston, and wildcard Sean Tevis who ran in the 2nd district in 2010.
4th district - Raj Goyle could give it another go (unless he has officially moved to NY). He was a great fundraiser but probably needs a little help coming across as more authentic and not so rehearsed. Lee Kinch (KDP Vice Chair from Derby) could also be a compelling figure if he was interested in taking on the campaign.
What do you all think? Who would you like to see running in the districts?
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