LJWorld Reader blogs

Here are today's headlines on the 2006 campaign trail:Governor[(Kansas Public Radio) Sebelius in re-election bid:][1] Four years ago, Democrat Kathleen Sebelius was elected governor of Kansas. Since then she's spent much of her time battling a Republican-controlled legislature over issues such as education funding, health care reform and budget priorities. She's now running for re-election against Republican challenger Jim Barnett. Statehouse reporter Peter Hancock spoke recently with Sebelius about her re-election campaign and asked her why voters should give her a second term in the governor's office. [(AP) So far, abortion is a backburner issue:][2] Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Republican challenger Jim Barnett hold sharply contrasting views on abortion, but both have shied away from the issue while campaigning. [(Hutch News) GOP nominee thinks Sebelius commercials are 'turning people off':][3] Republican nominee for Kansas lieutenant governor Susan Wagle said she's seen some "really good" polling data recently that is encouraging for the Barnett-Wagle ticket. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' television commercials are "turning people off," Wagle said Thursday night, addressing Reno County Republicans at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center, Hutchinson.[(Hutch News) Kansas leaders say they'll wait for federal carbon caps:][4] Kansas officials said Thursday they'd prefer to wait for the federal government to place new caps on carbon emissions rather than follow California's aggressive approach to curb global warming. ... Those can help reduce emissions, but any major policy overhaul should be done at the federal level, said Joe Harkins, natural resources advisor to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. ... Kansas should do more to address energy issues, said Sen Jim Barnett, the Republican candidate for governor. "Certainly California's one of the greatest contributors of pollution in our nation, so that's a very favorable step on their part," Barnett said of the new regulation.Attorney General[(AP) Business PAC endorses Kline:][5] The Kansas Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee has endorsed Republican Attorney General Phill Kline over his Democratic challenger, Johnson County District Attorney Paul Morrison. Other election newsFrom the Journal-World notebooks: And then there were three: House Majority Leader Clay Aurand, R-Courtland, has taken himself out of the race for House speaker, leaving three candidates, Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, and Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing. Aurand said he intends to run again for majority leader. Current speaker, Doug Mays, R-Topeka, is leaving the Legislature. [1]: http://66.116.209.168/kprnews.php [2]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/sep/01/sebelius_barnett_shy_away_abortion/?politics [3]: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/local/stories/wagle090106.shtml [4]: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/regional/stories/carbon090106.shtml [5]: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/15411687.htm