Kansas Gov. Sebelius Endorses Obama

Governor Represents GOP-Friendly State Where Candidate Has Family Ties

(AP)  Gov. Kathleen Sebelius told The Associated Press on Tuesday that she will endorse Democrat Barack Obama for president.

Her announcement came hours ahead of Obama's rally in El Dorado, the hometown of his grandfather on his mother's side, and one week before the Kansas caucuses, which are part of the Super Tuesday contests Feb. 5.

Democratic presidential candidates long had sought Sebelius' backing in a state that George W. Bush carried by large margins in the 2000 and 2004 elections. No Democratic nominee for the White House has won Kansas' electoral votes since 1964.

But Sebelius, now in her second term, has shown an ability to triumph in GOP territory. She won re-election in 2006 with nearly 58 percent of the vote. In Kansas, less than 27 percent of the voters are registered Democrats.

She said her two "20-something" sons and 86-year-old father, former Ohio Gov. John Gilligan, were already backing Obama. Sebelius said Obama had the ability to bridge generations for the betterment of the country.

"I think he represents the kind of leader that we need for the future of the country," Sebelius said. "I think he brings the hope and optimism that we really need to restore our place in the world, as well as to bring this country together and really tackle the challenges that we have."

Obama chose El Dorado for his rally because it was the hometown of his grandfather on his mother's side. But his campaign has paid an unusual amount of attention to Kansas, opening an office in Lawrence in October and bringing 18 staffers to this traditionally Republican state.

Sebelius has won two terms by wooing moderate Republicans and independent voters. Obama hopes to do the same in Kansas, which a Democratic presidential candidate hasn't won since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Democrats will have caucuses at 50 sites on Super Tuesday to split up 32 of their 41 delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Denver. Sebelius is one of the remaining nine delegates who will represent the state.

Her endorsement is important because she is highly regarded within the party nationally. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called Sebelius one of the party's brightest stars.

Democratic candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton opened campaign offices earlier this month in Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita and has three paid staffers in Kansas. Also, her state steering committee includes Joan Wagnon, Sebelius' secretary of revenue.

[shutupnvote]

A worthy cause social justice, yes very Liberal, very Camelotish and very 60s and certainly supportive of group grievance slanders and grudged code and all that ugly myopic focus that comes with pitting groups against one another that goes with that lofty lecture, I can understand how rich liberals have the luxury and arrogance to make this their only selection criteria the redemption of past injustices, I however disagree that this is Americas priority or the burning CAUSE of the day, To me it is an attempt to marginalizes others and the immediate needs of an the expanded community and massive pragmatic policies needed for the middle in this country.

An elitist Liberal agenda of grudge politics wrapped in the flag of hope social justice as reason for Obama selection as a candidate to right past social wrongs is not something I can support or NEED thanks anyway

[rowdytexan2]

Sorry, but this bright star in the democratic party just lost her star status. To support great oratory with no substance is rather foolish!

[davek455]

Kennedy endorses Obama because he wants change. Kennedy is a dinosaur. Ultra-liberal. A) Kennedy should not run for re-election if he wants change B) Kennedy''s endorsement makes me think Obama is too liberal. Can you imagine how the republicans will portray things in October if Obama is the Dem? "Ultra-liberal Obama, backed by Ted Kennedy. Never been to Western Europe. An admitted drug user with ties to muslim terror groups in Africa. Is this the kind of president we need to continue our war on terror?" Watch people run from Obama.

[shutupnvote]

The other side of the Kennedy clan, Robert F. Kennedy''s children, endorsed Clinton today:


While talk of unity and compromise are inspiring to a nation wary of divisiveness, America stands at a historic crossroads where real issues divide our political landscapes. Democrats believe that America should not be torturing people, eavesdropping on our citizens or imprisoning them without habeas corpus or other constitutional rights. We should not be an imperial power. We need healthcare for all and a clean, safe environment.

The loftiest poetry will not solve these issues. We need a president willing to engage in a fistfight to safeguard and restore our national virtues.

We have worked with Hillary Clinton for 15 years (and in Kathleen''s case, 25 years) and witnessed the power and depth of her convictions firsthand. We''ve seen her formidable work ethic, courage in the face of adversity and her dignity and clear head in crisis. We''ve also seen her two-fisted willingness to enter the brawl when America''s principles are challenged. Her measured rhetoric, political savvy and pragmatism shield the heart of our nation''s most determined and most democratic warrior.

[xzonz]

Clinton had his chance, what he did with it was entirely up to him. the reps have had their say now dems can take the stage: America for all,Obama 08!!

[davek455]

Paul Krugman with The New York Times had this to say yesterday in his Op-Ed: "...those who don%u2019t want to nominate Hillary Clinton because they don%u2019t want to return to the nastiness of the 1990s %u2014 a sizable group, at least in the punditocracy %u2014 are deluding themselves. Any Democrat who makes it to the White House can expect the same treatment: an unending procession of wild charges and fake scandal..."

[pepperp1]

Sorry, but this bright star in the democratic party just lost her star status. To support great oratory with no substance is rather foolish!


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Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 02:36 PM : Jan 29, 2008


Yes waxing lofty poetry, I love how the inherently superior privileged elitist Liberal side of the Dem Party likes to lecture us poor misguided working folk, paying those big tax bills on what our needs should be%u2026%u2026%u2026.

[davek455]

p.s - I doubt many people outside Kansas really care what Kathleen Sebelius thinks. I never heard of her before yesterday. And I follow politics pretty closely.

[pepperp1]

Paul Krugman with The New York Times had this to say yesterday in his Op-Ed: "...those who don%u2019t want to nominate Hillary Clinton because they don%u2019t want to return to the nastiness of the 1990s %u2014 a sizable group, at least in the punditocracy %u2014 are deluding themselves. Any Democrat who makes it to the White House can expect the same treatment: an unending procession of wild charges and fake scandal..."


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Posted by davek455 at 03:39 PM : Jan 29, 2008


Well of course they would....but Hillary can survive it .......

[pepperp1]

p.s - I doubt many people outside Kansas really care what Kathleen Sebelius thinks. I never heard of her before yesterday. And I follow politics pretty closely.


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Posted by davek455 at 03:42 PM : Jan 29, 2008


Her pop was a beloved liberal Gov of Ohio...

[davek455]

I like Barack. I like Hillary. But this notion that the country will be unified if Obama is elected is just rediculous. The anti-abortion people are not leaving Washington. The gun rights people are not packing their bags and letting Obama mind the store. The health care companies and insurance lobbiests are not giving Obama a pass. They will all be there on K Street sharpening their knives for President Obama, who is even further to the left than Hillary.

[piercetheval]

Never did trust a Jayhawker. Go Hillary!

[notopennshut]

I believe that all three are equally qualified - albeit in different ways. However, the largest factor to consider is who will be the best one to lead us on to a more united country. Everyone can see that it will not and cannot be the Clintons. GW has already divided the country enough and to have it worsen for at least another four years is intolerable. I have always been a strong supporter of the Clintons, but this time I can see that they will be the worst of all possibilities for our country. Be it Obama or Edwards, we would be better off.

[eddynewhope]

Agreed. Sending Hillary Clinton to capitol hill would be the Dem equivalent of a Karl Rove maneuver and would set in motion the next chapter of the red vs. blue Divided States of America. Nothing would enrage and energize the GOP - even the moderates - like putting another Clinton if office. Imagine how Dems would react if the GOP nomited Jebb Bush or something.

[piercetheval]

Hey EddieNewHope... Do you know what the diff. between Red and Blue is? A. The "Grip".

[ksjeff-2009]

As a Kansan, I will work as hard as I can to see Barack Obama become President.

I am proud of our very capable Governor and happy to see Kansas getting some positive media attention.

Despite our obvious image as hayseeds (yes, we probably deserve it), Kansas is not as bad as people may think. If one can get past the right-wing fools that have ruined our image in the world, they would see that Kansas is a clean, healthy, low cost of living state with a high amount of educated, capable people.

I will be DELIGHTED if Kansas wakes up, sees the ruination the Republican party has brought upon the USA and support Barack Obama for President.

[davek455]

I think Barack is a decent man. A smart person. I will vote for him IF he wins the Dem nomination. But what I want people to think about is the fact that conservatives will battle Barack over Supreme court nominees. Republicans will tear Barack apart over proposed health care reform. Barack will be drug through the mud over gun control, global warming. These forces, these issues do not disappear simply because Barack Obama is president. The wars will rage on no matter if it''s Hillary or Barack.

[cbs4me3]

New York Times did superb job in capturing Obama''s arrogance when he snubbed Hillary. Teddy Kennedy was gracious and extended his greetings to Hillary. I suggest this photo be blown up and distributed to democrats around the country, especially Super Tuesday. This arrogance is not suitable for the party. Obama can shop his mouth around with another party.

[wheeljc]

A MUST READ before making a decision on the Clintons.
Find this pretty shocking for a former president -- especially with his dealings with foreign powers. The real question is: WHAT IS THE INTENT OF THE XXII Amendment??

http://www.newsweek.com/id/105650

[sjbj2322]

Last night Governor Sebelius repeatedly used the words "work" - even the term roll up our sleeves straight from the Clinton campaign. Not once did I hear her use the term "hope." I respect her as a hardworking woman who I anticipate has had to overcome many obstacles to get where she is; however, I do have to question her judgment in not recognizing that Obama hasn''t a clue of what true adversity is or the ability to bring diverse groups together. Look at his ridiculously childish behavior last night. How I wish that picture could be blown up all over the web so people could truly see all he''s not made of. Surely neither she nor Kennedy could be proud of that very undignified public display. Again, if he becomes the Democratic nominee, I and many others will abandon the party forsaking what we all know could have been simply to avert what will be if this joker wins the nomination. His claim that he did drugs as a means of trying to avoid inner conflict of his being bi-racial. Go look at the pictures of him from childhood....he was arrogant, smug and uppidity - not insecure. His claim that he had to rise above adversity to get where he''s gotten is little more than a slap in the face to a family that devoted their all to make opportunities available to him.

[sjbj2322]

Lastly, Obama''s claim that he doesn''t play status-quo politics. What! A politically motivated record of present votes, alliances with hoods from which he personally profited (purchase of his home), endorsements by clearly archaic status-quo politicians, admission that his supporters initiated the issue of race in the campaign. Smoke and mirrors - all of it. It''s not a fantasy - it''s a farsical nightmare.

[davek455]

I think Obama has gotten a free side so far. He complains too much and it appears he can''t take much criticism. Just wait til the republicans get a hold of him. He will collapse rather quickly if he can''t handle the Clintons.

[samthetvcat]

"Last night Governor Sebelius repeatedly used the words "work" - even the term roll up our sleeves straight from the Clinton campaign. Not once did I hear her use the term "hope." I respect her as a hardworking woman who I anticipate has had to overcome many obstacles to get where she is;"
Posted by sjbj2322

I don''t agree with the rest of your post, but I noticed Gov. Sebelius'' language sounding much like Hillary too. I assumed somebody high up in the party who crafted the message did it on purpose to make it seem like Hillary was the anti-Bush, but because Gov. Sebelius read it I kind of assumed she was probably a Hillary supporter.

This is the first time I''ve ever heard of Gov. Sebelius, and wasn''t crazy about the actual speech, but was impressed by her demeanor. My first impressions were that she was smart, competent, accomplished and cool under pressure. It''s too bad she''s not running instead of Hillary . . .

[samthetvcat]

PS I wonder if Barack''s got family in Kansas that we''re going to see . . . that might get some of the older set to see him in a different light (?)

[kansas1946]

His claim that he did drugs as a means of trying to avoid inner conflict of his being bi-racial. Go look at the pictures of him from childhood....he was arrogant, smug and uppidity - not insecure. His claim that he had to rise above adversity to get where he''''s gotten is little more than a slap in the face to a family that devoted their all to make opportunities available to him.
*************************************

Those are the most ridiculous statments I have ever heard about Obama. "Go look at pictures of him when he was young???"" He looks uppity?????? If this is the best that Hillary supporters and/or Republicans can throw at him, then his is in really good shape.

When Kathleen was using the word "work" she was talking about congress, the senate, and the president, not the people. I like our governor a lot, but as far as overcoming adversity, I think Obmama has her aced on that. Any American should be proud of his accomplishments and particularly Democrats. He is a wonderful candidate for them. Edwards is a wonderful candidate. Hillary would be also if she didn''t weren''t so polarizing, even if a lot of that is not her fault.

[kansas1946]

New York Times did superb job in capturing Obama''''s arrogance when he snubbed Hillary. Teddy Kennedy was gracious and extended his greetings to Hillary. I suggest this photo be blown up and distributed to democrats around the country, especially Super Tuesday. This arrogance is not suitable for the party. Obama can shop his mouth around with another party.


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Posted by CBS4me3 at 04:45 PM : Jan 29, 2008
******************************************

I suggest this photo be scrutinized very carefully if it came from the times. I want to see the video of Obama (supposedly) snubbing Hillary. Not just a snapshot that could or mean something or not.

[kansas1946]

This is the first time I''''ve ever heard of Gov. Sebelius, and wasn''''t crazy about the actual speech, but was impressed by her demeanor. My first impressions were that she was smart, competent, accomplished and cool under pressure. It''''s too bad she''''s not running instead of Hillary . . .


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Posted by SamTheTVCat at 05:43 PM : Jan 29, 2008
*******************************

You may see her tapped for VP by whoever gets the nomination, or I barring that, a cabinet position. She was our insurance commisioner here in Kansas before being elected governor and did a great job. She has been a great governor in this red state!

[ryaple]

Uhhggg....I am so sick of the Clintons. 4 years of Herbert, 8 years of Bubba, 8 years of Dubya. It''s hard to imagine 4 more years of this if the Shrill gets elected. For god''s sake, move on already.

I''m pretty sure we are realizing why the constitution only allows a President to be in office for 2 terms. The whole country starts to go to sh*t after.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turn the page.

Sebelius will be Obamas VP and that will take away the only reason millions of women in America would support Hillary as a leader over Obama. Sebelius not only takes away the "I''m voting for a women" argument from Hillary, but she is also a rising Superstar in the Democratic Party and has proven that she can bring a successful bi-partisan approach to politics. Plus she doesn''t carry the years of personal baggage that Hillary drags around. I think when this gets announced (hopefully before Super Tuesday) people will quickly realize that Sebelius represents what America wants Hillary to be.

There is no way Hillary can bring the same unifying and inspirational message to the White House that Obama / Sebelius ticket can. Nor can she demonstrate that she has the same judgement when it comes to the biggest issues facing this country.

America...let''s not blow this one.

[robertagnes]

Your photography of Barack Obama is unfortunate. It looks like he is portrayed as some "angry black dude." The juxtaposition of the calm governor, facing to the right toward Obama, is unfortunate also. I guess there''s the old Chinese proverb: "A picture is worth a thousand words."

I would think your editors would have more sensitivity to the impact and possible implications. The photograph, sadly, is a poor choice.

Obama does not need to be treated with kid gloves and he needs to be held seriously accountable for his actions, comments and campaign. It makes me wonder, however, if the choice of his photograph was intended to make him look "scary and unacceptable." I suspect it was....
Brack Obama is the first breath of fresh air we have had on the American political scene in nearly four decades. I am appalled the Clintons compared him to Jesse Jackson, with all of his hype and self-interest.
I am appalled at some of the comments by ignorant bigots I have read in many, many posts on various sites.
Lest we forget, every single American is an immigrant! Even the "natives" migrated to North, Central and South America from Asia via the Bering Strait during the last Ice Age. Those of you who think you are the chosen, you are the entitled, look inward, you uneducated aliens.
You are infringing on my rights. You are infringing on the greatness of our country. You continue to lack information and knowledge and spit venomous opinion. Go read a book, preferably history.

[cbs4me3]

First Teddy Kennedy and now the Governor. Teddy endorses BO the day BO''s friend is arrested by the FBI and goes to jail. Now the Governor endorses after BO shows his arrogance and snubs Hillary on the House floor. Teddy is so gracious by leaning over and greeting Hillary. These two must be wondering now why they have endorsed this guy. That New York Times photo of the snub will accompany BO on the campaign trail around the country.

[robertagnes]

Another ignoramus with limited information....Barack Obama was tapped on the shoulder and had turned around to speak with another senator at the same moment Hillary extended her hand to shake Kennedy''s. The Kennedy endorsement is not smoke and mirrors, not old-time politics. It is an incredible statement of support, rallying the forces and undeniable commraderie in the quest to assure a Barack Obama presidency. Caroline Kennedy is not active in Democratic politics. Her endorsement of Obama was not light-hearted decision, and was reasoned, deliberate and courageous. I don''t recall any presidential candidate that she has lent her name to. Anyone who denies Obama''s strength and ability to uplift and inspire is merely heartless and out of touch. Perhaps you should move to Russia--get a lesson in Putin''s cold calculations to restore his nation.

[notopennshut]

What is the big deal about the delegates from Michigan and Florida? They knew that if they broke the rules of the party, they would be subjected to penalties and not have their delegates seated. Yet, they went ahead and broke the rules. Where is the logic? The governor of MI has been a disaster, and should be recalled. Went ahead and knowingly broke the rules under the pretext of wanting "Michigan''s voice to be heard". Okay, they have been heard, She spent millions the state did not have on breaking the rules in the hope that she would get a position in HRC''s cabinet. Should we now reward her and the state? If Michiganders and Floridans wanted their voice to be heard, they should first of all be upright citizens by following the rules. Too late now and under no circumstance should these delegates be seated. We cannot reward them for knowingly doing the wrong thing.

[eddynewhope]

Comical. I love the faux indignation over a still photo of a handshake. "Heretic! Blasphamy!" Where was all that indignation when Clinton''s campaign manager dropped the "drug-dealer" smear? Where was the sanctimony about using the Clintons using race and gender to divide the party just like they did the country in the 90s? Only when it suits the Clintons I suppose. That hypocrisy mirrors the Clinton''s and the Bush/Rove approach to politics.

[eddynewhope]

Bwaaaah - in an uncontested state with no delegates. But I guess it''s about spin. Good luck with that.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by EddyNewHope at 08:46 PM : Jan 29, 2008

The video clearly showed him turning away, but that''s not new...he has been a condescending smart/a the whole campaign so nobody was surprised at his lack of class.

Strange isn''t it, that he can hark at Hillary and her record for months with untruths, and now that she''s willing to play politics his way, he cries foul, and pulls out Daddy Al and Daddy Jessie. That was no surprise either...it had to come somewhere down the road when he couldn''t get the black vote from Hillary.

Keep up the good fight, Hillary! And congrats on the Florida win! Shame about the delegates, but the people of Florida have definitely spoken!!!

[johnfrost-2009]

Sen. Obama is running on a platform of "Change" (100% Fairy Tale)

Senator, what are you running on?
a.- On a platform of %u201CChange%u201D
Change from what to what?
a.-We have to change it to %u201CHope%u201D
Hope from what?
a.- We need %u201CChange%u201D
Change from what?
a.- We need Hope
Hope from what?
a.- We need Change
Change from what?
a.- A policy of Hope
How do you do that?
a.- With Change
Change from what?
a.- A change to Hope.
Moving on senator, did you smoke and sold crack cocaine to others?
a.- Next question
Did you answered 139 times Present to Yes or No questions in the senate floor?
a.- Next question
Did you smoked crack in the senate floor?
a.- Next question.
Are you a Muslim senator?
A.- Next question
Did you ever went to rehab for crack cocaine addiction?
A.- Next question.
Are you still addicted to Crack Cocaine Senator Obama?
A.- You got me!
And Chameleon Obama walks away smiling having fooled the infidel forever.
http://www.muslimsforobama.com