Seven Candidates for Governor

Six of seven Republican candidates for governor led a long list of politicians speaking before the Pottawatomie County Republicans' annual "steak night" gathering Sunday. Actually, it was barbeque not steak, but yummy food and entertaining politics nonetheless.

I'm always taken with these kinds of events. Perhaps it's the down-on-the-farm atmosphere. Maybe it's being with acquaintances who share common values. Or perhaps it's just that that chills-to-the-bone pride that comes with a hundred or so fellow Kansans standing and reverently reciting "The Pledge of Allegiance." Whatever the reason, these gatherings are a classic reflection of what Thomas Jefferson envisioned for our representative democracy. In small-town rural America candidates from across the State made their arguments for party support.

Sen. Jim Barnett, a physician from Emporia; Dr. Ken Canfield, a K-State alum and founder of the "National Center for Fathering"; and Robin Jennison, the former Speaker of the House from Healy seem to have separated themselves from the other gubernatorial candidates. And once the dust settles, I expect whoever wins the primary will give the governor all she wants in this fall's race for the statehouse, as all three brought a solid case before Sunday's party that will surely play well with this State's voters come November.

Unfortunately, a couple lower-level wannabees spent their time violating Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican." I was frankly embarrassed for our hosts, as the political coarseness reflected poorly on an otherwise splendid event. Perhaps that's how some politicians win their spurs, accusing the other fellow and such. But that kind of drivel contributes nothing meaningful, and any momentary victory is quickly discounted then dismissed as mean-spirited backwash.

Politicians would do well to understand that it is more important for citizens to hear and understand what we are for rather than what we oppose. Otherwise the voter has no good reason to cast a vote in our favor. Fortunately, all but two of Sunday's speakers understood and acted in ways that favored the Republic. Jefferson would have been pleased with them.

First published in the Manhattan Free Press, June 28, 2006.