Moore: Democratic honeymoon will be short

Here are today’s headlines from the Kansas congressional delegation:Rep. Dennis Moore (D)!(Bloomberg) Democrats, Taking Control, Face Short Legislative Honeymoon: Democrats take the reins of power in Congress tomorrow planning a burst of activity during the session’s first 100 hours. Their legislative honeymoon may not even last that long. … Congress doesn’t have much time to rack up achievements before maneuvering for advantage ahead of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections stalls momentum, said Representative Dennis Moore, a Kansas Democrat. “Realistically, we have a few months and at best a year,” said Moore, who is co-chairman of the Blue Dog Democrats, a 44- member coalition that supports balanced budgets and less business regulation. … Moore said it is unlikely Bush and Congress will reach an agreement to make adjustments to Social Security and other entitlement programs. “Nobody wants to give up anything,” he said. “People don’t want their benefits cut or want the retirement age to be increased.” Sen. Sam Brownback (R) !(AP)Brownback touts conservative values: am Brownback said Thursday that conservative values like opposition to abortion and gay marriage will distinguish him from others vying for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. Brownback’s visit comes one day after another possible GOP contender for the White House – former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating – visited South Carolina. “There’s a good probability South Carolina will make the determination of who the Republican nominee is,” he said. Rep. Jerry Moran (R)!(Wichita Eagle) Governor, congressman to tour western Kansas: Governor Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, will tour western Kansas today to survey the damage left by a winter storm that hit the state last Thursday and left behind nearly three feet of snow in some areas. The storm is blamed for one death, numerous closed roadways and power outages that have affected approximately 60,000 people.