KANSANS, MEET YOUR new governor.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius became secretary of Health and Human Services late Tuesday and resigned her state office. Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson stepped forward to replace her.
People in Kansas felt that they knew Sebelius pretty well. She was in the Legislature for a while and was a high-profile commissioner of insurance for years before she ran for governor. Parkinson is a different matter.
He has had plenty of legislative and political experience, but most of his career has been in the background, not in the spotlight.
The most important fact about Parkinson to many people, Republicans and Democrats, is that until he joined Sebelius’ ticket in 2006, he was a Republican. Not only was he a Republican, but he was seen by some as a rising star in the party — at least in its moderate wing. Gov. Bill Graves considered naming Parkinson to replace Sen. Bob Dole when Dole retired. His last political job before joining the Democrats was chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.
As a moderate and apostate Republican, Parkinson comes to the governor’s office with a complete set of, if not enemies, at least critics. Some are Republicans who consider him a traitor and others are Democrats who see him as an opportunist. For the good of the state, those critics should check their suspicions and hurt feelings at the door. The economic woes of Kansas, like those of the rest of the nation, are too pressing for the government to waste time seeking political revenge.
For his part, Parkinson seems determined to keep his profile low. He has said repeatedly that he has no intention of running for governor in 2010 and he has also said that he does not intend to make any great changes in the policies and staff built by Sebelius. That should mean fewer distractions for the governor and his critics and less disruption of services to Kansans.
Parkinson has a tough job ahead of him, as does the Legislature. The best way to get the job done is for both to work together.
The governor and the legislative leadership seem willing, and that is a good start.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor
Comments
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dalelinn (anonymous) says...
oh boy!
April 30, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (anonymous) says...
Observation, ......... He can continue Sebelius' work. Keep any new undustry out, grow state grovernment, and build up more debt. She was the most popular governor we've had in awhile. Who's going to take Tiller's big contributions. Sebelius and her "thug" of an attourney general are both gone now. Tiller's money can probably get someone else elected or, just maybe, Mr. Parkinson wants in on it.
April 30, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
What would this article have looked like if he was a Democrat turned Republican?
April 30, 2009 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (anonymous) says...
Observation, ................O.J. was found "not guilty", too. I still don't consider him innocent even though the "court" found him "not guilty".
April 30, 2009 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )