Governor's Race

So now that 3,000 of 13,000 or so eligible Riley County Republicans mustered enough courage to vote on those new-fangled computerized machines and helped select Sen. Jim Barnett to run for governor, how do you suppose he'll go about winning the race? After all look at how the Associated Press quickly dismissed his primary victory.

"TOPEKA - State Sen. Jim Barnett's solid victory in the Republican gubernatorial race pushed him into a contest against Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that many Kansans doubt he can win. Even some Republicans are doubters. 'It's going to be hard because Kathleen Sebelius is so popular and has been good for Kansas,'' said Audrey Schwegler, a GOP voter.'"

I count but 18 words in that opening summary favoring the good doctor's win, and 41 flattering the sitting governor. Is that reporting the news or editorial comment? Then I read that she has amassed over $3 million dollars for the upcoming campaign, while the senator is left with a paltry $200,000 in the chest. Such is the power of incumbency.

And you can bet the governor will be placing band-aids of every color and shape over her perceived wounds, like immigration policy that gives in-state tuition to illegal alien children while denying the same to out-of-state soldiers at Ft. Riley. Look for images of her standing defiantly with the National Guard, and perhaps a new piece of legislation addressing the thorny military tuition matter.

But what of Jim Barnett? Let's hope the nominee speaks to that which he favors more than what he opposes. Voters want to hear about solutions not problems. Increasing the tax base, lowering property taxes, reducing the size of government, tort reform, medical insurance, and of course education are all issues that could use his diagnosis and healing prescription.

I truly believe the governor's race will tighten and go right down to the wire. People trust doctors. If Dr. Barnett uses this single advantage to the utmost - in comparison to Ms. Sebelius' training with the trial lawyers for example - and if he focuses his message on common sense remedies, then he has a legitimate shot at defeating the Democrat here in Republican Kansas.

First published in the Manhattan Free Press, August 9, 2006.