Topeka — Retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore’s wife, Stephene Moore, will seek the Democratic Party nomination to replace him as representative of the 3rd District, according to several reports Thursday.
Dennis Moore, a six-term incumbent, announced in November that he would not run again for the seat. In February, Moore said “stay tuned” when rumors circulated that his wife was considering the race.
Although there was no official word from Stephene Moore on Thursday, Republicans from Washington D.C. to Kansas were putting out statements criticizing her candidacy.
Several Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination. Dennis Moore is the only Democrat in the Kansas congressional delegation. The 3rd District includes east Lawrence.
Comments
Sulla 3 years, 1 month ago
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ozzynbn 3 years, 1 month ago
Well, should she represent the democrats in the election, then it's a slam dunk for a Republican win.
Dennis ended up being such a disappointment.
doubledogleg 3 years, 1 month ago
will the media call them on the inconsistency? I thought Moore said he wanted to spend more time with family and that it's time for a new generation of leadership. How does this make sense?
srj 3 years, 1 month ago
I do find this odd. Seen spouses step in after death or term limits but for retiring?
commuter 3 years, 1 month ago
He wants to spend more time with his family. It looks like his wife wants to spend less time with him!!!
Besides being a politician's wife for over 20 years, what has she done and what are HER views???
bearded_gnome 3 years, 1 month ago
will the media call them on the inconsistency? I thought Moore said he wanted to spend more time with family and that it's time for a new generation of leadership. How does this make sense?
---one would infer then that Denny Moore's wife is not part of his "family."
---good job here Vanguard.
obviously Denny Moore couldn't get reelected. on the radio the other day he sounded like such a wheenie!. oh there's a lot of people calling my offices about the health care bill but I have no idea how many on one side or the other!
tried to phone his lawrence office and all of the voice mail boxes were conveniently full!
this guy does represent the democrat party currently in power. he voted with Nancy Pelosi something like 95% of the time! he thinks we oppose the health debacle because we don't understand it=elitist rot.
and then they wonder why we get so angry?
poor little denny moore didn't do townhalls because of threats?
well! back in '06-07 I received three or four threatening PM's here from antiwar nuts.
didn't stop me.
what a wheenie you are Denny Moore!
*but wait! to keep you on the reservation, did Nancy, Harry and Obama promise you some kushy job at a lobbying firm, "think tank," or the U.S. embassadorship to Dopeslapia? you obviously voted against representing your constituents.
... Oh! is Dopeslapia a form of threat nancyboy? maybe in your silly world.
LiberalDude 3 years, 1 month ago
Good news! The Moore's know how to win KC.
jackpot 3 years, 1 month ago
I live northwest of Hallmark plant did not know that's east Lawrence.
tuschkahouma 3 years, 1 month ago
dennis moore has always been a standup guy. it's a shame that the intellectually challenged teawhatevers chose to target a good person because their lack of intellect allowed them to succumb to fear, misinformation, and no concept of public embarrassment. Just like Scott Brown and all of the other "Whiffer's" watching the home plate adter a called third strike, these people are just arguing pointlessly with the umpire.
Did_I_say_that 3 years, 1 month ago
It is a done deal as far as the Moores are concerned. Now, we only have to wait on the coronation. Representative Moore made some significant revisions to his "retirement" statement, taking back an endorsement of Democracy and the two-party system in order to make way for his wife. http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/did_i_say_that/2010/mar/26/dennis-moore-with-revisions-for-stephene/ Love him or leave him - it is not up to him to crown his successor.
iamtired 3 years, 1 month ago
In order to support this Dennis Moore has a much higher opinion of Congress, and its inhabitants, than most do; or, a much lower opinion of his wife. How could he do this to her?
TopJayhawk 3 years, 1 month ago
Yes, this is the guy who said he wanted to spend more time with his family. This is the man who refused to hold any debates about health care.
This is the man who voted for health care against the wishes of a majority of his constituents.
This is the man who has been basically a no show in Washington ever since.
This is the man who only voted for the health care bill because he knew he was toast in the next election anyway. This is the man now who wants to keep his gravy-train going, even though he has abdicated his responsiblities. Anyone who votes for his wife, is just enabling the cronyism in D.C. I say let's vote'em all out. Republican or democrat.
BigPrune 3 years, 1 month ago
His wife must be a total idiot. Who in their right mind would run for office as a pinko commie democrat embarrassment? Only an idiot.
I think heir Colonel Hogan (look alike) was retiring for 'family reasons' too.
getreal 3 years, 1 month ago
Thank goodness she is running, there is not one moderate republican in the race. Perhaps she decided to run because she believed that the 3rd distirct deserved more than was being offered by the GOP. There were moderate republicans that could have won the support of johnson county, but none of them are running. Instead the joco gop gave us nothing but a slate of conservatives. You have Yoder who has slashed what Kansans value most, our schools, and then he proposes the biggest property tax hike to throw a bone to two school districts and leaves the rest of Kansas kids behind. The gop has nothing to offer, except "NO for schools, NO for healthcare, NO for Kansas.
I will be saying NO to them at the ballot box in November and I'll stay home in the Aug. primary nobody on that ticket that even sparks moderates to vote.
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
You GOPers sure are an angry bunch. How does it feel? Now you know how we felt when your buddy Dubya sent our troops to (unfunded) war based on LIES. The main difference I see is that Obamacare (funded) will save lives and the Iraq war has killed 4385 (more than on 9-11) US troops so far. And who knows how many innocent iraqi's? And who knows how many more people will die before we can get the hell out of there? More than anything else, that is why I vote DEMOCRAT. I vote for the party that shares my interests. War, unfunded tax cuts (giveaways) for the rich, corporate welfare and war on the middle class are not in my best interest. The GOP has proven time and time again they don't give a rats ass about the common man. Actions speak louder than words. Unless you are very wealthy, the GOP is actually working against you. The Dems may not be perfect, but atleast they attempt to solve problems. The GOP causes problems. Just compare the state of this country when W took office and when he left. He f'ing killed us.
Stephene Moore gets my vote. The Democratic party gets my contributions. The GOP can go to hell.
Flame on.
truthhurts 3 years, 1 month ago
"Several Republicans" - ok. Also someone who is actually worth voting for:
http://www.talbertforcongress.org/
Bartstop - Obama has increased troop levels in Afghanistan so potato potahto
merrill 3 years, 1 month ago
The repubs are running around claiming to be concerned for the american people what a lot of garbage
Repubs are doing everything possible for press while being anti american obstacles with their phoney rhetoric.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 3 years, 1 month ago
"I know that emotions on the subject of health care depend on one's lot in life and the choices we have made up to this point,"
No, it depends on whether you have the cognitive abilities to recognize our Rube Goldberg healthcare system for what it really is-- a method of generating easy profits, not delivery of healthcare.
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
Pilgrim2 says: Just another Gimme-gimme-gimme loon from the left.
Oh look, more childish name calling from the right. I guess when you belong to party that has no solutions and only criticism, that's all you can do.
merrill 3 years, 1 month ago
Actually Dennis Moore did side with republicans initially and would not support the public option.
Dennis Moore is definitely a blue dog democrat.... certain no liberal. Does he wife share those same exact viewpoints?
Hey Scott Rothschild and LJW what is democrat Lee Jones doing?
It does kind of concern me that voters get excited about returning incumbents to office instead of demanding new faces. OR put more neocons in office and wonder how wars get started.
It also concerns me when a legitimate new face appears that voters consistently support the big spenders. Like what happens in our local city commission elections.
Why do voters believe the special interest big spenders should get the votes?
meggers 3 years, 1 month ago
"Maybe he should do a Carnahan to elicit sympathy to get his wife elected"
Keeping it classy, I see.
The best of luck to Stephanie Moore. Given all of the attacks her husband has endured over the years from republican candidates and the PACs that do their dirty work, at least she probably has a pretty good idea of what she's getting herself into.
And for those of you saying that the majority of Representative Moore's consituents do not support the health care plan, where are your stats? Considering that the majority of his district voted for both him and President Obama, and both campaign platforms included health care reform, I would like to see your numbers.
For the record, even in national polls, a healthy percentage of those polled who disagreed with the current plan did so because they support single-payer or, at the least, a public option. Attempting to cast those voters (such as myself) as being against health care reform is patently absurd.
Now go back to crying in your tea.
merrill 3 years, 1 month ago
Very good meggers.
The republicans offered nothing new to agree with.
Repubs offer up the status quo which is definitely easy to disagree on!
agl 3 years, 1 month ago
Vanguard: Interesting that you mention "power". It's unfortunate that our system now regards those seats as powerful. We the people are supposed to own our govt. Our elected officials are to vote based on the will of their constituents. Too bad this isn't the case anymore. Our elected officials now seem to take the stance of "you elected me because of my knowledge and I will make the decisions." And yes, this does equal power. The vote does not match the will of the people, and not just here, but across the country. Moore did not vote on behalf of his constituents when it came to the bailout either. Furthermore, it's completely obvious that those in Congress will receive financial kickbacks from the insurance companies for their Yay votes. This is health insurance reform, not healthcare reform. The cost of healthcare remains unaffordable. So flawed in so many ways, where does one even start....
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
Healthcare-Moocher says: I'll bet Pilgrim2 has a job and all his teeth... do you?
Actually my wife and I grossed $104,000 in 2009. I have my own business that I run on side. I have medical insurance, dental insurance, optical insurance and life insurance. Oh and I do have all of my teeth. So stop jumping to conclusions.
Jimo 3 years, 1 month ago
Still waiting to see what the GOP has on offer.
Same slogans [Yoder] , some failed policies [Lightner], same old faces [Jordan]? Where are the Tea Party people to challenge the old-guard Republicans, or is the whole movement just a joke?
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
Pilgrim2 says: I gave it the effort it deserved.
Maybe you and your party should put some effort in to solving some problems instead of partisan bickering.
gravitykills 3 years, 1 month ago
Agreed agl. I think more and more people are taking interest in politics. As a result, those that do not listen to their constituents will not be re-elected. I'm hopeful.
The wrong people get re-elected during good years (on the basis of why change it). And it's been 'good' for quite awhile. I'm betting there will be a two party senate cleaning in the near future.
gravitykills 3 years, 1 month ago
(senate and house cleaning party)... don't wanna leave out our representatives
Kontum1972 3 years, 1 month ago
its a free meal ticket....lifetime perk.....for everything....
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
@Pilgrim2
Again, childish name calling. Man up. Your party lost the presidency, they lost the congress and they lost the healthcare debate. They were on the wrong side of history once again. They have no leadership. They have comprimised our democracy by refusing to negotiate. Their game plan failed and so has the party in general. They claim to be the party of fiscal decipline but they can't walk the walk. Actions speak louder than words. Bush inherited the largest budget surplus in US history. When he left the Whitehouse we had a 5 trillion dollar budget defecit, 2 wars and a collapsing economy. Is that what conservatives fight for? Is that why you want to put the GOP back in power? They've made a mess of this country and now you criticize the people who are cleaning up the mess they created. You need a reality check.
gatekeeper 3 years, 1 month ago
Just for the record - he didn't say he was quitting to spend more time with his family. His official statement is below. He did say that he wanted time to spend with his 9 grandchildren. Way to make things up people.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to have been elected six times to represent the people of the Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have decided not to seek reelection in 2010. It is time for a new generation of leadership to step forward. I am proud of all we have accomplished since I was first elected in 1998. I have always sought to be an active representative, engaged in the concerns and activities of our community. My staff of hardworking Kansans has resolved thousands of cases for constituents facing federal government-related problems and has supported my work in Washington. I was proud to write and help enact legislation to increase death gratuity benefits for service members' families, improved R&R travel benefits for service personnel and childproof cap requirements for gasoline cans. And I successfully worked to bring over $190 million of targeted federal funds back to our district for things like flood control, improved transportation and social services. I served as Policy Co-Chair for the Blue Dog Coalition for two years during the first Congress in which they were part of the congressional majority. With the Blue Dogs and as a member of the House Budget Committee, I strongly supported fiscally responsible budgets and pay as you go rules. As a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, I became chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, which this year has already held seven hearings on TARP implementation and ways to strengthen financial services industry oversight, and helped lay the foundation for comprehensive regulatory reform. I have always taken this responsibility very seriously. A public office is a public trust. This has been the most exciting and frustrating job I have ever had. Exciting because of the opportunities to do the right thing for our people, especially those who most need our support. Frustrating because of the strident partisanship which too often distracts Congress from squarely addressing the critical issues of our time.
gatekeeper 3 years, 1 month ago
CONT....
The current year has been the most intense and busy of my tenure. We have spent long hours struggling over detailed, controversial and far-reaching legislative proposals to reform health insurance, control global warming, and stimulate the economy, along with financial services regulatory reform. Yes, it is tiring. But I have always sought to represent the moderate mainstream of the district, which I hope now will host a robust competition between the two parties to fill this congressional seat. As the first Democrat elected to represent this district in 40 years back in 1998, I know that there didn't used to be partisan competition in northeast Kansas. This progress is good for democracy and important in ensuring that all voices are heard. I will remain fully engaged in my job until the end of 2010 and anticipate a smooth transition with my successor. My sincere thanks to the voters of the Third District, to my wonderful wife Stephene, our family, my friends, staff and congressional colleagues for making this unique opportunity for public service possible."
Hepburn 3 years, 1 month ago
barstop, you said it better than I.
gatekeeper 3 years, 1 month ago
I know I'm going to get slammed because grandchildren are family, but so many on here are slamming him because they think family is only his wife. While serving, I'm sure he wasn't able to see his grandchildren very often and he will now have the time to do all the stuff he's been unable to do while in Congress. Maybe this is something his wife has always wanted and they are going to switch roles in the family.
Danimal 3 years, 1 month ago
There's no way she gets elected. It looks like Nick Jordan will be the Republican running against her, and he will probably completely dismantle any Democratic opponent.
Did_I_say_that 3 years, 1 month ago
@ gatekeeper - You are correct; his statement did not say that.
The statement you posted however, is the old one. It still has Congressman Moore's support of a robust debate between two political parties. He took that out when Stephene showed an interest in inheriting his seat. I have links to both versions: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/did_i_say_that/2010/mar/26/dennis-moore-with-revisions-for-stephene/
rtpayton 3 years, 1 month ago
The Moore's want to do what the Clinton's and Bush's did. Double dip the taxpayer pension retirement fund. Can't say I blame them with most personal income down in most states.
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
@ Pilgrim2
More doom, gloom and name calling again. The government did not take over health care. The government did not take over health insurance. You, and everyone else reading this forum, got consumer protections from the bill. The insurance companies will now have to compete with one another in the exchange, which was a GOP idea by the way. Unless you are a business owner that refuses to buy insurance for your employees or you have a health plan that costs more than $27,500 you won’t pay any additional taxes. You get so upset that people less fortunate than you will get government subsidies to purchase healthcare. Well, what happened when your hero GW Bush signed Medicare Part D in to law? Government subsidies for corporations, that's what happened. That's right, your hard earned tax dollars are being handed out to corporations to discourage them from cutting healthcare for their retirees and dumping them on to medicare. Were you outraged about that? Or was that OK because it was a Republican idea? Were you outraged when your GOP president presided over the creation of the biggest government bureaucracy in US history (Dept of Homeland Security)? I hear all this talk about constitution this constitution that. The Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) can decide whether or not you have constitutional rights. If they label you a terrorist, they can hold you indefinitely. You won't be allowed to talk to an attorney, they can torture you, they can tap your phone line without a warrant, they can search your home and take your belongings without a warrant, they can monitor your online activities without a warrant. You say the Democrats are for big government. What do you call the DHS? Your party does exactly the things that you are so upset about. Your party does not adhere to conservative principles. They talk a good game but when it comes down to it, they don't deliver. Remember that they had complete control of Washington just a few years ago? Why is abortion still legal? Why are there still gun regulations? Why did they expand the government? Why did they expand Medicare? Why do they take peoples rights away? Remember Bush's daddy? Do you remember "READ MY LIPS, NO NEW TAXES" and then turned around and signed the biggest tax hike in US history? You call me a lemming and yet you follow the GOP that does not practice conservatism. There is a reason why the Tea Party is getting so much traction. The GOP is corrupt and conservatives are tired of it. But, on the other hand they put Sarah Palin in charge. This is a lady who decided to resign her Governorship because she could make more money writing books ( http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=4274 ) and making TV shows (Discovery Channel). She would fit right in with the GOP. She is in it for money and power and her actions prove it. If you think the GOP is going to be any different the next time around, think again. They are just a corrupt as ever.
bartstop 3 years, 1 month ago
The fact of the matter is, we have to somehow get the money and special interests out of Washington. I think the first people to go should be the lobbyists. Then, I think we should come up with a way that all candidates have the same amount of money to spend on their campaign, and no personal money can be spent. That way the ordinary man could have a chance and the campaigns would be based on the issues and not who has the most money to pay for campaign ads. Our country is run by the rich and powerfull and it's never going to change until we can reform the campaign finance laws. It shouldn't be all about winning, it should be all about the issues.
Did_I_say_that 3 years, 1 month ago
"The fact of the matter is, we have to somehow get the money and special interests out of Washington. I think the first people to go should be the lobbyists."
Get congress back to a part-time public service position. If they could only meet a few weeks per year they wouldn't have time to accept lobby incentives and act upon them. They would quickly learn to deal with government business, and only government business, in order to get the job done in time to go home. One fact is true: when congress is home or on a junket they cannot pass legislation or raise taxes.
none2 3 years, 1 month ago
These anti-Moore posts get really old. I have been exercising my right to vote for over 30 years, and in that entire time few politicians actually listened when someone like me asked a question to the face to face:
1) Marci Francisco (a LONG time ago) 2) Sandy Praeger 3) Dennis Moore
(Years ago, I did post questions to Tom Sloan, but he never seemed to understand anything outside of what interests him -- ie energy. I wasn't upset nor did it cause me to decide that he was a bad person, but I was very disappointed with his lack of ability to listen.
So despite all these posters who despise Moore, he is on my short list of elected officials that bother to listen in the first place and even smaller list of those who can actually respond.
I have seen Dennis Moore stand up to bullies. Several years ago, he met with constituents at the Lawrence Public Library. There were several senior citizens who waited a long time in line to talk to him about specific problems they needed addressed. They could not even be heard because of a group of obnoxious anarchist liberal trash who were yelling and screaming that he had voted for the conflict in Iraq. Dennis Moore told them in no certain terms to shut up and let him meet with these seniors who had been waiting longer than they had to be heard.
I also him at a debate in Johnson county (where I asked my questions to pretty-boy Kobach). Even though his supporters were outnumbered by the fanged, JOCO right-winged fanatics Dennis Moore didn't loose his cool.
(continued)
none2 3 years, 1 month ago
(continued)
Specifically as it relates to Health Care Reform, I did NOT want THIS PARTICULAR bill to pass. I think our government is way TOO far into debt to take on all the health care. I am glad that they are going to change the rules on pre-existing conditions. Likewise, I do know people who got way over their heads into debt for medical care -- because they didn't bother to at least have catastrophic health insurance. There does need to be a way of having everybody able to afford insurance. Furthermore, once it is affordable to all, I do believe that society has a right to expect ALL citizens to at least have catastrophic health insurance. Not because we need a nanny state but because we have a right to be protected against other people who gamble that they don't need insurance and then have to have medical care and stick the rest of us with the bill in terms of higher health care costs.
So my opinion on this Health Reform bill is mixed. I definitely am not overjoyed, but neither do I think it is the end of the USA. if I had felt the strong need to express my negative opinions about this bill with Representative Moore, I would have done so in a civilized manor. I wouldn't have yelled and screamed and challenged his manhood or threatened his well being like some immature bully that thinks people should vote their way because they screamed the loudest and threaten the most.
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