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Republican candidates make last swing through Fort Scott
With the Nov. 2 election drawing ever closer, local, state and national Republican candidates made a swing through Fort Scott Thursday as part of the "Voting the Kansas Way Bus Tour."
On the bus, which had the slogan "Clean Sweep" on its front, were gubernatorial hopeful and outgoing U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, lieutenant governor candidate state Sen. Dr. Jeff Colyer, R-Overland Park, incumbent District 2 U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins and attorney general hopeful Derek Schmidt, running against Democratic incumbent Steve Six.
Also, Caryn Tyson, the Republican running for the Kansas House of Representatives District 4 position held by incumbent Shirley Palmer, and Ron Estes of Wichita who is going for the state treasurer's job, currently held by Democrat Dennis McKinney. Along for the trip was incumbent U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, who is not up for re-election until 2014. Jenkins said Roberts is responsible for getting the 2nd District back into Republican hands.
Speaking to a loyal crowd of about 30 at the Crooner's Lounge downtown, Jenkins asked everyone to give all they have left to ensure a "clean sweep" across Kansas and the nation for the Republicans. The key, according to a Brownback official, is turning out the vote.
Some 130,000-plus people have cast advance votes statewide. Of those, 56 percent are registered Republicans and a little less than 30 percent are registered Democrats, she said.
This was Day 2 of the four-day tour, which, along with Fort Scott, featured stops in Topeka, Ottawa, Iola, Pittsburg and Independence. Stops today will include Wichita and the surrounding area and Saturday's territory will take in Southwest Kansas, ending in Salina Saturday night.
"It's going really well. We're getting a lot of enthusiastic crowds in support of our message of growth and doing things the Kansas way and not the Obama way," said Brownback who faces Democratic challenger Tom Holland next month.
He added he self term-limited himself after serving two terms as a U.S. Senator, but wanted to get the state back on a "growth track."
"I felt like I still had something to offer the public," said Brownback, who grew up in Parker and now lives in Topeka. Tyson's father was his Sunday School teacher.
Estes' campaign manager Derek Kreifels said the event was designed to show Republican solidarity. "We've got a great slate of candidates who are united to bring Kansas values back to our government," Kreifels said.
Jenkins said the group has been well received throughout District 2. "The turnout has been fabulous," said Jenkins, who is completing her first term in office. "I think it indicates the Republican message is resonating with Kansans. It's been a lot of fun. We hit Lawrence, Topeka, Iola. We're getting to visit with a lot of Kansans. Clearly the Kansans we are meeting are frustrated with the direction Democrats and the majority in Washington have taken.
"We're eager to change the course and deal with the issues at hand -- the economy, jobs, taxes, spending and debt. The message I'm hearing is that (House) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi (D-Calif.) is not addressing those issues in a way they feel the should be addressed. We are telling them what we'd do if we led again," Jenkins said.
Roberts said Republicans have a unique opportunity this election cycle. Instead of just pointing out what's wrong, he said those elected have to come up with alternative solutions. The House, he said, looks prime for a GOP takeover. But if seven or eight Republicans are elected to the Senate, more work can be done by reaching across the aisle. He hopes to bring some Democrats who have voiced concern about President Barack Obama's agenda on board as well. Roberts noted his main job on this tour is as "chief introducer" and to point out how "terribly important" this election is.
Roberts said he hopes Obama changes course, but doubts he will. He contends Obama is more ideological than former President Bill Clinton, who moved to the center after the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress.
"It's definitely a social contract. Obama wants to go in one direction and people are saying woah. That's why you see this crossroads election," Roberts said. "It's a unique time in our history. President Obama has followed a blueprint of a European socialist state. I'm not saying that as a pejorative. You can't go anywhere in Kansas, for that matter anywhere in the country, (where people don't say) what the heck are you guys doing there (in Washington)?" Roberts said.
He tells them he's not a "you guy, I'm an us guy. I call us the brave, the few, the 41."
Fort Scott resident Deborah Hall has Jenkins, Brownback and Jeff Locke, Republican candidate for state representative District 2, on her Facebook. "It's great. I'm in contact either through their e-mails or when I have an issue or problem I want to address or have an opinion on," Hall said.