The problem for Republicans in Kansas

A wheat field near Salina, Kansas
Photo: Jeff Cooper/AP

My first journalism job was at a small daily newspaper in Hays, Kansas. I lived a half-hour west of Bob Dole's hometown of Russell and covered the 1996 presidential election locally through the eyes of his lifelong friends. I still keep an eye on Kansas politics and occasionally chat with my first editor.

In liberal circles in the US, the question has been: What's the Matter with Kansas? Thomas Frank, a Kansan himself, wondered how conservatives convinced blue-collar Kansans to care more about social issues than economic issues, often to their own financial detriment. Now, Kansas seems to be showing what the problems are for Republicans in this year's midterm elections.

The popular Democratic governor, Kathleen Sebelius, is famously saying that she is "converting Republicans one at a time", and largely down to her influence and popularity, nine former Republicans will be running as Democrats this year. The Washington Post referred to her as the recruiter-in-chief (registration required). Here's something the Post said to challenge a little bit of perceived wisdom about Kansas:

"Though yet untested in the election booth, the Democratic developments in Kansas reflect polls in many parts of the country. As elsewhere, Democrats and moderate Republicans say they are frustrated with policies and practices they trace to Republican leadership,including the Iraq war, ballooning government spending, ethics violations and the influence of social conservatives."