Posted by Joel Mathis November 8, 2004 at 8:24 a.m.

Brownback vs. Sebelius?

Wait, wait, wait.Last week, Congressional Briefing unveiled [The Sam Brownback in 2008 Watch,][1] predicated on political rumors that the U.S. Senator from Kansas might make a run for president in the next election.But it's time to amend the watch a bit to include 2006.That's when Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is up for re-election. And press reports over the weekend indicated her opponent just might be Brownback.In an article touting Brownback as the "clear leader" of the Kansas GOP, [The Lawrence Journal-World][2] reported that: "Brownback declined to answer when asked if he was a possible rival to Sebelius in the 2006 gubernatorial campaign."But he would comment on the ability of Sebelius -- a Democrat in a Republican state -- to attract statewide support."Now at the midpoint of her first term as governor, Sebelius has fashioned a coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans to tackle health care and education issues. "Brownback partially attributed Sebelius' victory two years ago to her ability to take advantage of the split between conservatives and moderates in the Republican Party. "'Republicans will win if they don't fight with each other. When they fight with each other is when Republicans lose,' he said."[The Wichita Eagle][3] suggests a "Sebelius in 2010 Watch" might be more appropriate."As the Democrats try to figure out how to win support in the Heartland, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' name is coming up as a presidential possibility in 2008. Meanwhile, Republicans hoping to take the party in a more conservative direction that year mention Sen. Sam Brownback as a potential nominee. "The likelihood of either even running that year, much less gaining the nomination, is low. A Senate Battle Royal in 2010, when Brownback is up again and a re-elected, term-limited Sebelius would need a new job, is much more likely."The next Congress [The Wichita Eagle's][4] Alan Bjerga looks at new assignments for the Kansas Congressional delegation.He reports: Sen. Pat Roberts will either keep his post atop the Senate Intelligence Committee, or take over the Agriculture Committee. Rep. Todd Tiahrt will move up a slot on the House Appropriations Committee. And Sen. Sam Brownback may have to choose between current assignments on the Foreign Relations and Appropriations committees -- his terms on both have expired, but it's believed he could receive a waiver to remain on one of them."That's a committee that helps you do things for Kansas," Brownback told the Eagle. Other links:Sam Brownback links [Clone Ban Unlikely to Pass Senate][5]Dennis Moore links [Moore looks formidable after victory, but trouble looms][6]Jerry Moran links [Moran, President Bush's health care administrator visit Kiowa County Hospital][7]How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][8] [1]: http://blogs.ljworld.com/kansas_congress/2004/nov/04/brownback_2008/ [2]: http://www.some-web-page.com [3]: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/special_packages/election2004/10118858.htm [4]: http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/10126278.htm [5]: http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65617,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1 [6]: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10123239.htm [7]: http://www.dodgeglobe.com/stories/110604/local_110604011.shtml [8]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed