Topeka ? Democrat Kathleen Sebelius eventually boils all of her campaign themes in running for governor down to “been there, done that.”

She talks about solving budget problems, supporting education, improving health care services and stimulating economic development.

Despite the state’s traditional Republican bent in politics, Sebelius is seen as leading the governor’s race over GOP nominee Tim Shallenburger.

Sebelius is actively courting moderate Republicans, in part by suggesting Shallenburger is ready to cut aid to public schools, which he says isn’t true.

Shallenburger and other Republicans have tried to paint Sebelius as a liberal by, for example, citing her votes as a Kansas House member against capital punishment and other crime legislation.

Sebelius said Shallenburger supporters were really trying to convince voters that they don’t know her well.

“Labels really have very little play, I think, in this campaign,” she said. “I like to say the only liberal I’m interested in this election is Liberal, Kansas, and I’m happy to go talk about my issues there and any place else.”

Shallenburger has said Sebelius is vulnerable on tax issues. He’s promised not to increase taxes. Asked whether she makes a similar pledge, Sebelius usually says that’s the wrong place to start and would begin with a top-to-bottom review of state government to make it more efficient.

So far, many Republicans and reporters and commentators have viewed that answer as a dodge.

But Sebelius said such a review could lead to some savings quickly. She ticked off a list of governments that have had successful efficiency initiatives: Colorado, Georgia, Illinois and Texas.

“We’re looking now at models of five or six states that are very impressive in terms of what they’ve done, how quickly they’ve been able to do it, and what kind of savings they’ve achieved,” she said.

Like Shallenburger, Sebelius said she believed the state can save $100 million or more by attacking fraud in the state’s medical programs, despite some reports to the contrary. Also, she believes that being more aggressive in collecting delinquent taxes could bring in more than $50 million.

In addition, Sebelius said she would support an expansion of legalized gambling.

Finally, she said, she believed the state can be drawing down more federal dollars.

Still, Sebelius said she was prepared to cut spending and make reductions quickly. She pointed to her experience during her first months in 1995 as insurance commissioner.

“At that point, what I made a strategic attempt to do is just get new services out of the existing money,” she said.