Sebelius cites actor among Kansans

John Brown? Check.

Amelia Earhart? Check.

Dennis Hopper? What?

Late Wednesday, during the roll call to nominate John Kerry at the Democratic National Convention — when each state gets a few seconds to brag about itself on national TV — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius invoked the name of Hopper, the often off-beat actor, perhaps best known for directing and starring in the classic “Easy Rider.”

In the short speech, Sebelius named the abolitionist Brown and pilot Earhart as famous Kansans who displayed bravery. She then named Hopper, who grew up in Dodge City, quipping that he was brave for being “Dennis Hopper.”

Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said Sebelius mentioned Hopper as a way to do something funny and out of the ordinary during the oftentimes-tedious roll call vote of states.

Later at a party, Hopper spoke with Sebelius on the phone and thanked her for naming him, Corcoran said.

“He thought it was quite cool,” Corcoran said.

Scott Poor, executive director of the Kansas Republican Party, said he thought Sebelius’ choices were odd. Poor claimed Brown and Earhart were Republicans, and Hopper had said in a recent interview that he strongly supported President Bush.

Since Sebelius was using Republican examples, she should have at least named President Eisenhower, Poor said.

“It’s kind of curious, we did have a Kansas president and she didn’t mention him,” Poor said.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, of Kansas, casts her state's votes for John Kerry, during the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Sebelius mentioned famous Kansans Amelia Earhart, John Brown and Dennis Hopper.