Wednesday, February 18, 2009
There were a lot of interesting rumors floating around last year regarding the future plans of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. As a consistently successful Democrat in the traditionally Republican-leaning Sunflower State, Sebelius has garnered attention during the past few years.
Rumors last summer about Barack Obama picking Sebelius as his running mate did not pan out, but she was given a position as a chairwoman for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. And when Obama won the election in November, Sebelius was high on the lists for a couple of Cabinet positions.
The governor herself shot down speculation about the Cabinet positions, saying her priority was to remain in Kansas. This prompted some rather absurd speculation that she was angling herself to become the next chancellor of the University, because she said she would not accept a Cabinet position around the same time Robert Hemenway announced his impending retirement.
2010 will be Sebelius’ last year as governor. In that same year, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) will finish what he has promised will be his last term in Washington. It has also been speculated for some time that Sebelius would run for Senate after her time as governor was complete. Brownback’s pledge gives her a prime opportunity to do that without having to deal with an incumbent.
All that was speculation enough, but now a new issue has come up. President Obama’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), withdrew his name from consideration because of apparent tax problems. Once again, Sebelius has been mentioned as a likely selection, and this time other potential candidates haven’t gained as much steam.
It seems it would be difficult for the governor to pass up this position. It would complete her ascension to the highest echelons of American government and would let her focus on a field where she has made her name in Kansas, as Insurance Commissioner in the 1990s and as governor.
For Kansas, though, and especially for the state’s Democratic Party, it could be disastrous. Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson is capable enough to hold the job for the remainder of the term, but he has said he is not interested in running for governor himself. Even if he did, his more moderate views and status as not only a former Republican but a former state party chair have never pleased some Kansas Democrats. He likely would not be able to energize Democrats the way Sebelius did, and Brownback could easily walk into the governor’s position.
But the Senate race is where Sebelius’ absence would be missed most. Two prominent Kansas Republicans, Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran, have expressed interest in the seat. The Kansas Democratic Party may not have anyone strong enough to challenge either for a position Republicans have held exclusively for decades. Having already proven herself capable of handling powerful state GOP candidates such as Jim Barnett and Phill Kline, Sebelius could easily defeat Moran or Tiahrt in that campaign.
Sebelius, the KDP, and Kansas as a whole face a conundrum: What should Sebelius prioritize? A place among Washington’s power elite is tempting, but she could easily attain that next year. A long-awaited Democratic victory in the U.S. Senate would also keep the slow rise of the Democratic Party in Kansas moving, something that could pay dividends for her on a larger level in 2016 if she were interested in running for an even higher position. Running for Senate would make the wait to hold an executive position in Washington longer for Sebelius, but it would be better for the KDP and could still work for her in the long run. Whether she takes that path or simply goes for what may be a guaranteed spot is her decision.
— Cohen is a Topeka junior in political science.
Editorial: Sebelius’ experience will help as Secretary ...
The governor will do more good in Washington than she could have ...
Does Sebelius really have the veep potential?
Sebelius may oversee Medicare, Medicaid
Mark Parkinson will be Kansas’ governor if Sebelius accepts position as secretary ...
Sen. Brownback addresses RNC delegates
He says Gov. Sebelius would lose Senate race for his seat, endorses ...
Students contemplate Sebelius’ future
Obama aides say Kansas governor might be next Health and Human Services ...
Sebelius avoids revealing political plans
The Kansas governor said she was happy the national spotlight had been ...
Governor’s departure poses problems
Sebelius’ acceptance of HHS secretary leaves Kansas’ future and Obama’s health care ...
Sebelius reportedly Obama's choice for health secretary
The governor's possible departure could mean a shift of power in Topeka.
Parkinson may fill governorship
Lt. Gov. Parkinson would fill governor’s vacancy if Sebelius is chosen for ...
Sebelius VP bid ends
Home state, lack of foreign policy experience keep Kansas governor from winning ...
Sebelius persuades students to support Obama
Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the University on Monday about the upcoming Democratic ...
Cohen: Democrats have plenty to laugh at, ...
From Hillary to Barack, the Dems are full of faults
Columnists: Goodbyes to the governor
Kansan columnists share their views of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Moore reiterates Obama support at DNC
The representative for Kansas’ 3rd congressional district also says Sebelius has Cabinet ...
Holmes: Svaty is best pick for Democrats’ ...
Holmes on the best man for the left.
Dole speaks at RNC event
The former senator and presidential candidate backs McCain, slams Obama
Sen. Barack Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden ...
After months of speculation, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee announces his running ...
Live Blog: Midterm Elections
Follow our coverage of local elections from reporters and wire services throughout ...
Cohen: Kansas Republicans can learn from Obama: ...
Offhand remarks by conservatives leave room for questions.
A Q&A with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
Kansas' governor discusses the issues.
Holmes: Current Kansas GOP strength: a precursor ...
Holmes discusses the Kansas republican party's potential comeback.
Democrats retain hope in wake of losses
Despite losing all major races, members of the Democratic Party said is ...
Poole: Republicans' VP pick shattered the mold
By choosing Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. John McCain proved that he is ...
Cohen: Republicans hastily casting hopes on Louisiana ...
Bobby Jindal has yet to prove himself.
Cohen: Dems’ indecision may cost them
The DNC needs to sort out the nomination, or it may regret ...
Kansan bloggers' take on the prolonged primaries
Joshua Anderson, Andy Greenhaw and Kelsey Hayes discuss the ramifications of the ...
Cohen: Sarah Palin who?
What was Sen. John McCain thinking when he chose the Alaskan governor?
Red and blue don't always mix
While U.S. politics are heating up headlines, politically mixed relationships are feeling ...
Letter: Democrats don't play transparent
Before you blame Republicans for America's problems, look at what Democrats have ...
Durbin: Sebelius made right decision
Governor’s pulled support for coal plant will prevent pollution
Compton: Looking ahead for state primaries
Chet Compton makes his predictions for Republican candidates.
Past, present, future presidents discussed
The four-part series, presented by journalists and speakers from across the country, ...
Alaskan students weigh in on Palin
Students say she is a good governor but some think the vice ...
Chancellor talks budget cuts with Kansas Senate
Hemenway spoke to legislators about his concerns of the effects of Sebelius’ ...
Brinker: Brownback needs clearer position on education
Students and voters deserve more information.
Cohen: It’s time to get ready for ...
Still more than a year out, the race for the White House ...
Compton: Republicans gain momentum with recent wins
It's not over yet.
Republican candidates win big in Kansas races
Governor-elect Sam Brownback joins a GOP-run Kansas Legislature, seeks to implement his ...
Patton: Adkins could unite GOP
Amanda Adkins, the new chairwoman of the Kansas Republican Party, has a ...
Student delegate details Democratic Convention
Clarissa Unger has spent time across the country campaigning for Barack Obama.
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Cohen: Sebelius should stay on for now to save Kansas Democratic Party
Seriously, this entire argument is based on what is best for a political party? Not the Americans she could serve as a cabinet member, or the Kansans she could serve as a senator, but a party. I just learned everything I needed to know about the worthlessness of political science.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID