Thornburgh bowing out of governor's race / LJWorld.com

Archive for Monday, June 15, 2009

In this Feb. 14, 2008 file photo, Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh holds copies of voter registration applications in Topeka, Kan. Thornburgh ended his bid to be the next Kansas governor Monday, saying he lacked the funding and support to challenge for the Republican nomination.

By Scott Rothschild

June 15, 2009, 11:27 a.m. Updated June 15, 2009, 4:47 p.m.

Associated Press

Topeka — November 2010 is a long way away, but can Sam Brownback now be considered a shoo-in as Kansas’ next governor?

One obstacle for Brownback, a conservative Republican U.S. senator, disappeared Monday when GOP rival Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh dropped out of the race.

With no other Republican or major Democrat now in the contest, Brownback could be on the glide-path to the governor’s mansion.

Thornburgh, a moderate Republican, had trouble raising funds and trailed badly in early polling against Brownback.

“Internal research shows that we do not have the ability to do what needs to be done in order to win,” Thornburgh said in a letter to supporters. “As much as I want to be your next governor — the reality is the facts are not with us this time.”

Thornburgh made no mention of Brownback, a two-term senator who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination last year. Spokesman Jesse Borjon said Thornburgh would not comment now on whether he would endorse Brownback for the GOP primary, set for August 2010.

In a statement, Thornburgh urged Republicans to adhere to principles of lower taxes, less government and more individual responsibility and accountability.

“It is more important for the ideas and ideals that I believe in to win in November than for me to run. Our priority is the next generation of Kansans — not the next election,” he said.

Former Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, a Democrat, recently became governor after Kathleen Sebelius left the state to become President Barack Obama’s U.S. secretary of health and human services. Parkinson has said he will not stand for election as governor.

Borjon also said that Thornburgh, who has been secretary of state since 1995, will not run for re-election to that post. Kris Kobach, a former Kansas Republican Party chairman, and J.R. Claeys, of Salina, have announced their candidacies in the GOP primary for secretary of state.

Discussion

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15 June 2009
at 11:34 a.m.

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Boeing (Anonymous) says…

Makes sense…no point in spending all that money when you really don't have a shot against a big name like Brownback.
15 June 2009
at 11:42 a.m.

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75x55 (Anonymous) says…

Well. That stinks. But then again, that's politics.
15 June 2009
at 11:59 a.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

Well, no problem there. Ron was such a loser as SOS. And he doesn't want to run against the cancerous Brownback.
15 June 2009
at 12:07 p.m.

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staff04 (Anonymous) says…

Who's this Thornbugh character mentioned in the headline?
15 June 2009
at 12:14 p.m.

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Cappy (Anonymous) says…

No one wants to run against Brownbackside. He will slur any opponent until they have little political career left. Hopefully, we'll have another situation where the far right puts up Brownback as the candidate and the moderates find him distasteful so we get a Democrat governor again.
15 June 2009
at 12:15 p.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

As more and more Republican moderates defect to the Democrats, it's increasingly difficult for a moderate Republican to win any nomination.

If Thornburgh really wants to be governor, his best bet is to run as a Democrat.
15 June 2009
at 12:18 p.m.

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MyName (Anonymous) says…

I'm hoping for something like that too as I don't think Brownback would make a very good governor. However, the Dems haven't put anyone up yet. On the other hand, maybe that's all part of the plan as the later you start, the less time your opponent has to sling mud at you.

15 June 2009
at 12:40 p.m.

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number1jayhawker (Anonymous) says…

I'm just glad what's her name is in DC. LOL
15 June 2009
at 12:40 p.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

Cappy, bullying and slurs are the name of the game for the Religious Rite. I think it is it time to call them on the lies and the horrible behavior that is slurring and bullying. It is time to stop the Religious Rite's childish, immature behavior and force them to become the adults they pretend to be.
15 June 2009
at 12:41 p.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

I would love to see Sandy Praeger run against Brownback for governor. Gods I love that woman!! She rocks!!
15 June 2009
at 12:42 p.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

Ron is not!! not!! not!! moderate.
15 June 2009
at 12:47 p.m.

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Ranger35 (Anonymous) says…

I'm sure Bill Snyder would carry Douglas County easily.
15 June 2009
at 1:01 p.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“Ron is not!! not!! not!! moderate.”

Unlike other Republican Sec's of State, he never engaged in overt election rigging as occurred in other states, Florida and Ohio, in particular. Probably because he didn't need to. He's appeared to be somewhat apolitical, so I really don't know what his politics are. But it's probably a safe assumption that he isn't nearly the wackjob that Brownback is, whether or not that qualifies as “moderate.”
15 June 2009
at 1:08 p.m.

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chic (Anonymous) says…

How about Barbara Ballard?
15 June 2009
at 1:14 p.m.

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Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…

Brownback could blow this election chance, although it's not likely. It may depend on how long it takes him to get into the snake-handling and footwashing as exposing his nature could hurt him. A good, strong Democrat might be able to beat him, but it will be difficult.

15 June 2009
at 1:25 p.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

The Religious Rite has lead their party to a GOP ice age.

Let's get the Religious Rite to third party status (!! they have already proven that they are too immature and thoughtless to run a party) …
and let the GOP blossom again, to return to the fine party it once way prior to the Religious Rite morph.
15 June 2009
at 1:26 p.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

I love Ballard, But I don't think she can beat Brownback at this moment. Oh but I do like Ballard!!
15 June 2009
at 1:30 p.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

I have been to those voting machine meetings. You speak outside of the knowledge base necessary to make that statement.

Those electronic voting machines are rigged for wireless access, and there is no voter-verified paper ballots. Those v-v paper ballots are necessary for an honest election!!!!

Ron failed in his task to insure democracy!!
Brad Byrant, Fox News addict, was worse than Ron!!
Brad has little care for an honest election.

Kansas is turning blue, and they are wanting to stop it anyway they can.
15 June 2009
at 1:43 p.m.

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75x55 (Anonymous) says…

Foaming, much?
15 June 2009
at 2:01 p.m.

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Renaissance (Anonymous) says…

As a high school government teacher, I CAN tell you that after making hundreds of calls to various state elected officials and representatives over the past three years, Ron is the ONLY one to both take my calls personally AND come and speak to my classes without hesitation. Strange that OUR elected representatives aren't readily available to their constituents. I'll always appreciate Ron for that.
15 June 2009
at 2:09 p.m.

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63BC (Anonymous) says…

Classy move by a classy guy.

Brownback will do a super job.
15 June 2009
at 2:20 p.m.

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BigDog (Anonymous) says…

I have been around hundreds of politicians over the years some good ones and some bad ones ….. on both sides of the aisle ……… and I can say Ron Thornburgh is truly one of the class acts in politics.
15 June 2009
at 2:35 p.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

“Kansas is turning blue, and they are wanting to stop it anyway they can.”

The only part of Kansas that's turning blue is Lawrence - and that's from holding its breath waiting for any kind of say in state politics.

Off your lithium again, mania? Already 5 mentions of this mysterious 'Religious Rite' you seem so see hidden in dark alleyways and under your bed. On another thread you fumbled and stumbled trying to explain exactly what you meant by the term - but it's evident that all 'Religious Rite' means is anyone who doesn't agree with *you*.

15 June 2009
at 2:42 p.m.

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edjayhawk (Anonymous) says…

Parkinson vs. Brownbutt would be a good race. Parkinson would appeal to moderates on both sides.
15 June 2009
at 2:52 p.m.

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fentkansas (Anonymous) says…

Hey, notajayhawk, do you mean you really don't know who the religious right are? Or are you just asking so you can start a semantic battle? And do you mean to imply that they're an imaginary force in Kansas politics?
15 June 2009
at 3:01 p.m.

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fentkansas (Anonymous) says…

Thornburgh would have been a whole lot better for Kansas than Brownback. Only an extreme right-winger would disagree with that, if they know what they're talking about. Ron Thornburgh is a lot closer to “moderate” than most Kansas Republicans. I'm no moderate myself, I'm a socialist, but this is Kansas. Give credit where it's due. Thornburgh has been a good public servant and his office has been responsive, even when I've written to gripe about their policies and public statements. I have to give him credit for that.
15 June 2009
at 3:01 p.m.

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grammaddy (Anonymous) says…

Who are the Dems running? I can't bear the thought of Brownback as governor!!
15 June 2009
at 4:11 p.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

fentkansas (Anonymous) says…

“Hey, notajayhawk, do you mean you really don't know who the religious right are? Or are you just asking so you can start a semantic battle?”

I know who most people refer to as the religious right. If you were familiar with Ms. Mania's posts, you'd know she draws some kind of distinction with the “Religious Rite.” If you're not familiar with her posts, maybe you shouldn't have tried answering for her.
15 June 2009
at 4:16 p.m.

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yankeelady (Anonymous) says…

Sandy Praeger would be a good choice, but I don't think a moderate Republican would have a prayer in a primary race.
15 June 2009
at 4:16 p.m.

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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…

I am also announcing that I will not be seeking the Republican or the Democratic Kansas Governor's nomination.
15 June 2009
at 4:37 p.m.

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KU_cynic (Anonymous) says…

Is Thornburgh going to run again for SoS? Anybody other than Chris Kobach, please!

15 June 2009
at 4:49 p.m.

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AlfVenison (Anonymous) says…

Can't remember the last governor who would stoop to wash my feet. This could be interesting.
15 June 2009
at 5:04 p.m.

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merrill (Anonymous) says…

His access to big special interest money will further corrupt Kansas government.

Why is it time to increase Brownback's expense to the taxpayers?

For someone who hates big government it sure is hard to keep him off government payroll. His politics has never reduced the size or cost of government.

Why keep the same old tired ideas that are failing in office?

Brownback has not been worth two cents in Washington D.C. He has never been a mover and a shaker.

Voters in Kansas obviously do not pay attention to their elected officials.
15 June 2009
at 5:08 p.m.

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Mixolydian (Anonymous) says…

Thornburgh has been an asset to the citizens of Kansas as SOS. He's a stand up guy as others above have noted.

Anyone who says otherwise is an ignorant political hacks looking only at the “R”
15 June 2009
at 5:17 p.m.

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MyName (Anonymous) says…

lol @63BC

Yeah, “you're doing a heckuva job Brownie…” err… I mean Brownback.

Now that I think about it, Brownback isn't unbeatable, even in Kansas, all you have to do is paint him as close to the Republican leadership of the last 6 years as you can.
15 June 2009
at 8:56 p.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

merrill (Anonymous) says…

“For someone who hates big government it sure is hard to keep him off government payroll. His politics has never reduced the size or cost of government.”

So you're suggesting what, genius? That we reduce the size of government by going without a governor? Or a senator?

I take it back - stick with the cut-and-paste, merrill.

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MyName (Anonymous) says…

“Now that I think about it, Brownback isn't unbeatable, even in Kansas, all you have to do is paint him as close to the Republican leadership of the last 6 years as you can.”

Did you happen to see any of the last election results in Kansas, MyName? If you identify him with virtually any Republican politician in the state, he'll win by a landslide.

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bennyoates (Anonymous) says…

“I've got an idea. One or more of the right wing message board regulars, like barrypenders, Tom Shewmon, or glockowner can put himself out there and make a run for Governor.”

You gonna' run on the Democratic ticket, benny? That might be amusing.

“They behave like they represent the common person and true American freedom against the elites embodied by the man they hate with a passion, Barack Obama.”

Luckily, benny, outside of Larryville, they *DO* represent the common people of Kansas.
15 June 2009
at 9:01 p.m.

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srj (Anonymous) says…

Maybe the DNC could make Thornburgh an offer he can't refuse? A couple of million, an Obama visit, something? The guy has won four statewide elections, he would be better then anyone else we democrats would waste money on.
16 June 2009
at 7:57 a.m.

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CLARKKENT (Anonymous) says…

maybe, just maybe, as kansans we can wake up and realize that brownback was a big part of the trouble that we are in. he voted for anything and everything that bush wanted.

reading farther down in the story, here is that kris kobach name again. will he never go away?
16 June 2009
at 11:15 a.m.

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rayguns13 (Anonymous) says…

Brownback? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

16 June 2009
at 11:16 a.m.

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myvotecounts (Anonymous) says…

I'm really disappointed that Thornburg is not going to run. I think he would have been a good governor for Kansas.
16 June 2009
at 11:33 a.m.

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texburgh (Anonymous) says…

This is simply clear evidence that the so-called “moderate” Republicans have given up and surrendered their party to the extreme right wing of American politics.

It's all over. We all now know exactly where the Kansas Republican Party is.
16 June 2009
at 1:23 p.m.

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Orwell (Anonymous) says…

Thornburgh only looked moderate compared to Brownback. Unless there's a minor political miracle of some sort we can expect Brownback and the Kansas Republican Taliban to impose their twisted version of “small government,” making our moral decisions for us and expanding giveaways to the well-off at the expense of basic services.
16 June 2009
at 1:37 p.m.

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KS (Anonymous) says…

Only on the liberal left of Lawrence does one see so many personal attacks against politicians. It seems that if you can't win on the merits, you make personal attacks. When is the left going to learn how to have some class and at least make an attempt to be professional? Very typical.
16 June 2009
at 4:53 p.m.

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MyName (Anonymous) says…

Notajay:

>Did you happen to see any of the last election results in Kansas, MyName? If you identify him with virtually any Republican politician in the state, he'll win by a landslide.

What, the one where we elected a Democratic governor for a second term by a wide margin over a conservative Republican party hack? Or where the conservative rubberstamp Jim Ryun got pushed out of office by a no name? How about the one where the (admittedly loony) conservative Attorney General got kicked out of office by a District Attorney? Kansas has a history of moderate Republicans (of which Brownback is not) teaming up with Democrats to elect reasonable candidates to statewide offices.

But the main point in my earlier post was that, if Brownback is running on his record of service in Washington, he's in a heap of trouble, and the best way to bring him down is to paint him as close to Bush as you possibly can.
16 June 2009
at 8:25 p.m.

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KS (Anonymous) says…

bennyoates - You deserve everything you get with BHO. I just don't want to pay the darn bills for his excessive spending that he seems to think is just okay. Regardless if you are a D or R, the bill has to be paid. Just who do you think should pay for it?
16 June 2009
at 8:41 p.m.

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Orwell (Anonymous) says…

KS – My vote is for the upper income/asset echelons, on whose behalf Bush raided the federal treasury for two terms while putting two wars on the national credit card. After eight years of shifting more and more of the burden to the less well-off, I'd say it's time for the shoe to be on the other foot. I'll have to pay a bit more, and I should.
16 June 2009
at 9:01 p.m.

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KS (Anonymous) says…

Orwell - Do your homework. BHO has raised the national deficit to almost four times that of Bush's full eight years in office and he fought two wars. Go ahead and take if from the rich. Then you can go get a job from a poor man.

17 June 2009
at 12:57 a.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

MyName (Anonymous) says…

“What, the one where we elected a Democratic governor for a second term by a wide margin over a conservative Republican party hack?”

Um, well, gee, I think I said the last election. Amusing that you had to go back that far to find an election where a Democrat won anything of significance in Kansas.

“But the main point in my earlier post was that, if Brownback is running on his record of service in Washington, he's in a heap of trouble, and the best way to bring him down is to paint him as close to Bush as you possibly can.”

And just when I didn't think you could get any more ignorant.

http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULT…

Kansas 2008 Presidential Election results

John S. McCain, III 699,655 56.50%
Barack H. Obama 514,765 41.57%

Yeah. Looks like identifying him with Bush would really hurt a lot, genius.

When are the looney little Larryvillers going to realize that they are about as far from representative of the people of Kansas as can be?