Archive for Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Analysis: Vice president from Kansas? Sebelius’ success as governor attracts national attention
Barack Obama and Kathleen Sebelius
August 19, 2008
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Kathleen Sebelius: Two decades in politics
Kathleen Sebelius is the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services in Obama's Cabinet. She has served as Kansas' governor since 2002 and before that was insurance commissioner and a state representative.
When it comes to politics, it has always been difficult to determine whether Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is just plain lucky or good - or a combination of both.
As a Democrat, she has managed to win four statewide elections in a state that is overwhelmingly Republican.
Sebelius supports a woman's right to an abortion. She vetoed concealed carry handgun legislation (and was overturned by the Legislature). She opposed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters. Most recently, the governor blocked the construction of two coal-fired electric power plants that had the support of nearly every business and labor group in the state. And she has proposed tax increases that were rebuffed by the Legislature.
While her positions would seem to be political suicide in conservative Kansas, she has enjoyed high approval ratings, winning her last election, in 2006, by a landslide. And she is a rising star on the national scene, as evidenced by her consideration as a vice presidential running mate with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
How does she do it?
For one thing, Sebelius has been a master at taking advantage of the schism in the Kansas Republican Party - the constant warfare between the so-called conservatives and so-called moderates. And she has worked hard to focus on issues that have widespread appeal to most Kansans, such as education and health care.
Her current lieutenant governor, Mark Parkinson, was a former state GOP chairman who switched parties to run with her, saying, "I decided I'd rather spend time building great universities than wondering if Charles Darwin was right."
GOP in-fighting
During her administration, the Republican Party's bickering over social issues crossed with another major issue: education. And that fell in Sebelius' favor.
While conservative Republicans on the State Board of Education were making worldwide headlines denouncing evolution, Sebelius and lawmakers and the Kansas Supreme Court wrestled for more than a year on something that was probably more significant to most Kansans: how schools are funded.
It was a bruising battle, but in the end Sebelius, Democrats and some moderate Republicans pushed through a $466 million, three-year commitment that satisfied the court and by most measures has been dubbed a success as student test scores have improved.
In fact, many thought Sebelius' election as governor in 2002 was due in large part to her promise not to cut school funding as the state faced a nearly $1 billion shortfall. Her opponent, conservative Republican Tim Shallenburger, had said schools could probably handle a small reduction.
Better prepared
In addition to taking advantage of GOP in-fighting, Sebelius does her homework.
"She really cares about governing," said Kansas University political science professor Burdett Loomis, who worked for Sebelius during her first term as governor.
"That is why Obama likes her; she's good on politics and policy. He could give her big projects to take care of and not worry about it," Loomis said.
Prior to her election as governor, Sebelius gained national attention when as insurance commissioner she blocked the proposed purchase of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas by Anthem Insurance Cos.
It was the first time the Indianapolis-based Anthem, which had bought Blue Cross plans in several states, had been rebuffed by a state insurance commissioner.
The move was hailed by consumer advocates. Sebelius said the purchase would have raised rates for Blue Cross Kansas customers while depleting the company's surplus. Eventually, the state Supreme Court backed up her decision.
In 1994 - President Clinton's first midterm election - at a time when Democrats were being punished at the polls, Sebelius defeated an entrenched Republican incumbent for state insurance commissioner. It represented the only statewide Democratic victory against a Republican incumbent in the nation.
During her tenure as insurance commissioner, she refused contributions from the insurance industry. Prior to that she had been a House member from a well-to-do section of Topeka.
What's in a name?
While a hard-working official, Sebelius has also benefited from her name. Married to Gary Sebelius, the son of a longtime Republican Kansas congressman from the Big First District, the Sebelius brand still carries sway in many parts of Kansas.
And although she opposed the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, she lucked out by not having to run for re-election when the proposal was on the ballot.
That assist came courtesy of an unlikely group. Conservative ministers who pushed for the measure had demanded that the Legislature put it on the ballot quickly, so the amendment was approved in April 2005 instead of being on the November 2006 ballot when Sebelius faced voters.
During the last legislative session, Sebelius again went counter to the wishes of the Legislature by vetoing bills that would have required construction of the two 700-megawatt coal-burning plants in southwest Kansas. Sebelius' stated concerns about carbon dioxide emissions angered Kansas supporters of the project but certainly increased her national profile as more Americans began to accept that climate change was occurring and something needed to be done about it. Lawmakers failed to overturn her vetoes on that issue.
Despite elective victories, Sebelius has certainly sustained setbacks - the most public being her support of Paul Morrison, a Republican who turned Democrat and then defeated conservative Republican Attorney General Phill Kline in 2006. But early this year, Morrison resigned from office following revelations of a sex scandal.
When news of the scandal erupted, Sebelius said if the allegations were true, Morrison needed to step down. He announced his resignation within the week, and Sebelius appointed former Douglas County District Court Judge Stephen Six to the position.
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19 August 2008
at 6:12 p.m.
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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…
Geez, Scotty don't wet yourself in this lovefest.You may find that a Dem Gov. will not be elected next trem because of the damage Kathy has visited upon Kansas (the right wingers aren't much better).
19 August 2008
at 6:43 p.m.
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Centerville (Anonymous) says…
So Scott Rothschild and Burdett Loomis are LJW's experts on Sebelius - good thing Obama has a vetting team that is willing to dig a little deeper. This article is even more hilarious than Scottie's usual pander-fest.
19 August 2008
at 7:04 p.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
Thus showing a broad swath of Kansans just “like her” ….and don't have one iota of clue of her politics.Believe me, I know several of them by some type acquaintance.I like to see right in Lawrence the criminal media is alive and well, employing the likes of Scott Rothschild, a hard-slanted liberal journalist……who could not hide it if he tried.
19 August 2008
at 8:07 p.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
I'll repeat what I wrote somewhere else.Rumour has it that Sebelius is the pick for VP. The announcement is set for Wednesday morning, hump day, so as to catch all the women midweek and carry past the weekend on the news shows. Obama figures he will then carry Kansas' 7 electoral votes and the positive press of a red state turning blue will show that change can happen hoping to carry this change in attitude nationwide and pull off an upset in Florida which McCain is leading by just a hair. Obama also wants the gullible Catholic vote, even though Sebelius excommunicated herself with her pro-abortion views.Then again, it's just a rumour.
19 August 2008
at 8:18 p.m.
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GoKansas (Anonymous) says…
Kathleen Sebelius has succeeded in Kansas by recognizing our problems and seeing them as opportunities. In that she is much like Senator Obama. It would be great to see her talent at the national level, as vice president this year or as senator in 2010. How can anyone seriously defend the Republican party, at the state or national level, after the last 8 years? Our economy, our standing in the world, our sense of well-being are at the lowest point in a generation, and the Republican president and majorities are largely responsible. When has any party in recent American history caused more damage than the Republicans over the last 8 years?They need some time out of power to recover their principals and perspective. We would all benefit from that. Obama and Sebelius, at least, seem to have the determination and the vision to reform their party. That's our nation's best hope for competent leadership over the next few years. Lord knows we need it.
19 August 2008
at 8:36 p.m.
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dannylandulf (Anonymous) says…
Obama just announced that he will announce his VP on Saturday in Illinois…anyone happen to know where Kathy will be this weekend?
19 August 2008
at 8:39 p.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
What has Sebelius done to make Kansas more prosperous, and to make life better for the average Kansan?
19 August 2008
at 8:42 p.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
I will admit that Seblius has accomplished a lot for herself, her donors and the Democrat party. Unfortunately, the rest of Kansas suffered as a result.
19 August 2008
at 8:52 p.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
This will mean a dynamic dual of weakness. Both are extremely short on experience. I seriously doubt she will be chosen. This is just something to throw the dogs off track. Don't be fooled.
19 August 2008
at 9:26 p.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
What I enjoy as a small business owner are her taxes. If you bought a photo copier for your business 10 years ago for $2000, your property taxes TODAY are still based on the $2000 value. That's pretty nice. I wish they would do the same thing for automobiles - but instead, they depreciate cars.
19 August 2008
at 9:49 p.m.
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jmadison (Anonymous) says…
Gov. Sebelius deserves to be in Washington, DC in some capacity, if not VP, certainly President Elect Obama will elevate her to a cabinet level position in his administration.
19 August 2008
at 10:01 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
pruney, the Republican controlled legislature are the ones who pass tax bills, not the governor. get over your problem with her getting elected. maybe if the Republicans had some good ideas, they would elect a governor. instead they spend all their time and effort fighting evolution, pushing unnecessary coal power plants and lastly attacking Dr Tiller for performing a legal medical procedure.
19 August 2008
at 10:17 p.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
If what beobachter says is true, that the Republicans in the legislature are responsible for all taxes and spending, and, basically, everything that has happened since Sebelius became governor, I ask, again, just what has Sebelius accomplished, other than being the poster chld for passive-aggressive liberal victimhood?
19 August 2008
at 11:17 p.m.
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Rationalanimal (Anonymous) says…
Sebellius' successes…let's see- State is awash in debt- exploding energy costs- energy policy tantamount to T-Bone's magic beans- opposition to western Kansas economic development- Kansas is officially a safe haven for illegal aliens- crumbling infrastructure- consistent tax increasesHeck, it took her three days to show up to Greensburg. Kansas unfortunately won't be so lucky to have Milhous pick her for his veep. Although it would be fitting for a party that considers lack of experience a strength in the area of experience.
19 August 2008
at 11:30 p.m.
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ENGWOOD (Anonymous) says…
Take Her Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!share our pain with the rest of the country
20 August 2008
at 1:24 a.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
I wonder what black women think about Sebelius?Has Kathleen found her Mandingo?http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/jezebel/2008/08/obama_sebelius_080108.jpg
20 August 2008
at 1:49 a.m.
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Pogo (Anonymous) says…
Obama would be a full on knave to pick someone with the “credentials” of Sebelius. Sebelius' only claim to fame has nothing to do with her abilities but the fact her daddy was a hack politician and she married another who was awarded a federal judgeship (a job for life with no oversight, mind you).What was Sebelius doing before running Kansas into the ground financially? What other “feathers in her cap” are there? I can't find one. I don't even know if she was employed prior to her present free ride. Free rides….Sebelius seems adept at acquiring those….that much is certain.Obama is supposed to be about “change”? And he brings in a hack like Sebelius? Priceless.And this other free rider, Burdett Loomis…..why wouldn't he speak highly of the person who gave him the free ride? Put him back on easy street up there with them that can't…..ummm….teachers that is…..Mr. Rothschild, thanks for the “update”, but could we know more about what this woman did to actually work her way into being a decision maker other than being born into it?
20 August 2008
at 2:57 a.m.
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KEITHMILES05 (Anonymous) says…
The author of the article aptly stated her horrendous record or lack thereof on business for the state.
20 August 2008
at 7:33 a.m.
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stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…
good or bad… what has passed as law in Kansas in the past 5 years is the result of Sebelius working with the Republican majority legislature…regardless of what I might think of her or what any one else might think of her… she is generally believed to be able to work with both her own party members and the Republicans… she often disappoints extremists on both sides of issues…this is similar to Obama: as well as McCain:I don't think Obama will choose Sebelius as his VP candidate because she doesn't bring either of the two things he needs in a VP… one being experience with either foreign affairs or defense issues… the other being some one who can deliver their home State…Of the other 3 remaining possibilities:Biden Very strong foreign affairs credentials. Delaware is going to Obama no matter what.Bayh Very strong defense credentials. Some polls in Indiana have shown Obama could take the State and having Bayh on the ticket could tip it that way.Kaine No credentials in foreign affairs or defense. I believe it is likely that if he were chosen to be the VP candidate that Obama would win Virginia. My prediction:Biden
20 August 2008
at 8:28 a.m.
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fan4kufootball (Anonymous) says…
If Obama picks Sebelius he is only digging himself in a deeper hole than he already is… go for it!
20 August 2008
at 9:03 a.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
Jamie Dimon. Obama owes him, big time. Then Dimon will have even more control over using the Treasury to finance Citi.
20 August 2008
at 12:53 p.m.
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TheOriginalCA (Anonymous) says…
Kathleen Sebelius was a joke as KS Ins Commish and is a joke as KS Governor. She never responded to my formal complaint against Core Source in her days as Ins Commish. How in the world can she claim to be a champion of the people if she wouldn't even help someone in an insurance crisis years ago? I mean we never even received an acknowledgement from her office that the complaint was received. No phone calls returned.. no nothing!!
20 August 2008
at 1:10 p.m.
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Boeing (Anonymous) says…
“She opposed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters”So she ignored the mass consensus of the people for that of a small group, and you promote it? So much for Obama being the voice of change if he picks her…
22 August 2008
at 6:24 p.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
The VP pick is Bayh.