Sebelius remains in command of race
The Associated Press
Monday, October 30, 2006
Many voters here don’t see any reason to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, despite weeks of criticism from GOP challenger Jim Barnett.
With just more than a week before the Nov. 7 election, Barnett continues to talk optimistically about his chances — but he’s still a long shot to win.
Jennie Brown, a 46-year-old utility worker from Pittsburg, said she hasn’t heard much from — and thinks little of — the Barnett campaign.
“I think she’s done a good job. I’ll go with Sebelius,” Brown said.
Independent polling has suggested that Sebelius had a comfortable lead heading into the last two weeks of the campaign, despite being a Democrat in a traditionally GOP state. Barnett, a Republican senator from Emporia, remains hopeful he can get his message out to voters and plans at least one more television ad in the coming days.
“Over the coming two weeks, we need to continue to show the contrast between Jim Barnett and Kathleen Sebelius, including the lack of leadership she’s demonstrated over the last three and half years,” Barnett said.
In the final days, Barnett is facing huge gaps in campaign funds and name recognition.
The Barnett campaign said it topped $1 million in fundraising in early October, but that figure pales against the more than $3 million Sebelius had raised even before August. She aired her first ad in July, debuting a new ad at a rate of one about every 10 days.
Despite his frequent trips around the state, name recognition has been a problem for Barnett, prompting voters to think hard to identify him or his vision. Sebelius’ large campaign account has enabled her to be on television frequently, pushing her name and agenda before voters. That, along with strong approval ratings, has forced Barnett to concentrate his resources where he can gain the most ground.
Barnett compares politics to football, saying no one knows how the ball will bounce once it’s kicked.
“I’m working hard, but it’s a challenge. I hope people will pay attention to differences,” Barnett said.
Sebelius has enjoyed sizable leads in polling since January, said Bob Beatty, a Washburn University political scientist.
“If you are down in the polls, it is possible to go extremely negative and cut into a lead. But if you lose, that’s your legacy,” Beatty said. “So far, he hasn’t made that choice. The voters should appreciate that this isn’t just a hatchet man running for Kansas governor.”
Mark Johnson of Pittsburg is a registered Republican but sees no reason to vote for Barnett. The senator’s message has circulated so little in the region that a question about the race prompted a blank stare from Johnson.
Johnson, 45, a technology management professor at Pittsburg State University, remembers the late 1990s when, under GOP Gov. Bill Graves, the Legislature cut millions in taxes but didn’t make large enough investments in public schools, leading to a seven-year court battle to increase school spending.
Meanwhile, a downturn in the economy prompted legislators in 2002 to raise taxes $252 million a year to keep state government afloat. He expects much of the same if Barnett is elected.
The candidates have faced off in four debates, with one more, a televised appearance, scheduled for Saturday in Topeka.
For her part, Sebelius has highlighted improvements in the state economy, a solution to the seven-year court battle over school finance and strong support for the Kansas National Guard and active duty military.
Her last ad, showing Kansans preparing for the work day, is reminiscent of the “Morning in America” campaign President Reagan used to win a landslide re-election victory in 1984. The theme of her State of the State address this year was, “Hope has returned to the heartland.”
“We’ve made a lot of progress and there’s huge opportunities to take advantage of in the future,” Sebelius said. “I would like to have the chance to accelerate those opportunities.”
But Barnett argues Kansas is missing out on growth, citing the state’s tax rates and sluggish private-sector job growth. He proposes reducing income taxes and accelerating a planned elimination of the estate tax.
“The support is growing, but still needs to increase. There’s no doubt that my name recognition has increased,” Barnett said. “Of course much more is needed.”
Sebelius said she’s puzzled why someone who would be the state’s chief economic ambassador would be casting such a gloomy outlook to voters and prospective businesses.
“I think it’s a huge difference. There are very few places that have more opportunities than we do in Kansas,” she said.
Barnett’s campaign has included five trips to western Kansas, and he will be taking part in a statewide bus tour leading up to the election. The campaign has done little polling during the race, he said, instead focusing resources on spreading his message.
The two candidates also have sparred over the selection of Kansas Supreme Court justices, with Barnett favoring Senate confirmation and Sebelius opposing it. Sebelius has proposed stripping the State Board of Education of its power to set policy; Barnett has called her plan a “power grab.”
Barnett also has made immigration a big issue, calling for the repeal of a 2004 law, supported by Sebelius, that grants in-state tuition at state colleges and universities for qualified illegal immigrant students.
On the Net:
Barnett campaign: http://www.barnettforgovernor.com
Sebelius campaign: http://www.ksgovernor.com
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garfield (anonymous) says...
I agree. Why fix what isn't broken? Also, he picked a running mate who is easily recognizable as a extreme right Christian conservative. Not what Kansas needs.
October 30, 2006 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )