3 ms·

I have kept up a little. The GOP establishment is scrambling to keep Kris Kobach out of the race, but he's popular with the sort of voter who shows up in droves

I have kept up a little. The GOP establishment is scrambling to keep Kris Kobach out of the race, but he's popular with the sort of voter who shows up in droves to the Republican primaries. So, he's the front runner. Considering his loss in the 2018 gubernatorial race, KS Democrats are hoping he'll win the primary. He's as unpopular with general election voters as Brownback now is. Democratic side is full of candidates who would be moderate Republicans in any other state. None of them are particularly exciting. Though the most recent entry in the race on the Democratic side is a woman who was a leader in the state legislature as a Republican. She changed parties last year due to both Trump and Brownback. Changing parties in a very red state like this is an act of courage, or a foolish act, or the act of someone who knows what the long term trends are. She's the most interesting so far.

dillondoyle 7y ago
Glad you like Boller - or minimally think she is interesting / courageous ;) I think there's a struggle to motivate national $$ with a moderate message/candidate. But I think we all might be surprised that the truth, the honest personal story, (and the insider electability politics) might be even more valuable than some liberal issue crusader.
- dunnevens 7y ago
  Bollier seems alright. Have a feeling she'll be the nominee. She's already gotten one person to drop out. And I don't mind her. I'm personally to her left but, then again, I'm to the left of almost every politician in this state. I accept that as one the prices I pay for living in Kansas and not California. :) She is courageous to a certain degree. But, her move might be accepted more here than in other red states. Kansas is one of the last red states where truly moderate Republicans can still be found in the wild. The moderates have been willing to endorse Democrats from time to time. Laura Kelly was the beneficiary of such in 2018. Many of them will probably endorse Bollier next year. 2020 should be an interesting election year. Kansas waffles between Trump being above or below water in approval. Kansas is also one of the leading states hit by farmer bankruptcies thanks to the tariffs. On top of that, Kelley has decent approval ratings and has been doing a good job. All this combined might make more people than usual willing to "hold their nose" and vote for a Democrat. Trump is almost certain to win, but the state races could be wild.

dillondoyle 7y ago

Glad you like Boller - or minimally think she is interesting / courageous ;) I think there's a struggle to motivate national $$ with a moderate message/candidate. But I think we all might be surprised that the truth, the honest personal story, (and the insider electability politics) might be even more valuable than some liberal issue crusader.

dunnevens 7y ago
Bollier seems alright. Have a feeling she'll be the nominee. She's already gotten one person to drop out. And I don't mind her. I'm personally to her left but, then again, I'm to the left of almost every politician in this state. I accept that as one the prices I pay for living in Kansas and not California. :) She is courageous to a certain degree. But, her move might be accepted more here than in other red states. Kansas is one of the last red states where truly moderate Republicans can still be found in the wild. The moderates have been willing to endorse Democrats from time to time. Laura Kelly was the beneficiary of such in 2018. Many of them will probably endorse Bollier next year. 2020 should be an interesting election year. Kansas waffles between Trump being above or below water in approval. Kansas is also one of the leading states hit by farmer bankruptcies thanks to the tariffs. On top of that, Kelley has decent approval ratings and has been doing a good job. All this combined might make more people than usual willing to "hold their nose" and vote for a Democrat. Trump is almost certain to win, but the state races could be wild.