Wednesday, September 9, 2009
In an online comment to my last column, which discussed the strength of the Republican Party in Kansas, linguo_the_grammar_robot wrote, “I would say it’s the weakness[es] of the Democrats rather than the strength[s] of the Republicans in Kansas.”
Although I hinted at the validity of this argument in my previous column, the comment offers a perfect segue into a further discussion of the state of things here in Kansas by looking at the other side of the aisle.
And yes, the Kansas Democrats could be stronger. But not because, as some might think, former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is gone. That was going to happen next year because of constitutional term limits anyway.
The Democrats are weak because she left no coherent strategy to build on. By failing to anticipate the learning curve of Republicans, who discovered they needed to move back to the middle and do so fast, Sebelius ignored other methods of attracting more people to her tent beyond party switching.
All would be forgiven if Gov. Mark Parkinson had any intention of running against Sen. Sam Brownback next year, but he doesn’t.
Instead, the likely nominee will be Democratic State Party Chairman Larry Gates, should he formally enter the race. Only Democratic State Sen. Chris Steineger (D-Kansas City) has said he wants to, thus far.
However well-meaning the expected Gates candidacy will be, it lacks the kind of excitement that Brownback brings to the table for Republicans across the state.
What I would like to see is the Democrats use one of their young guns to create impassioned debate of the issues and maybe even make for a close election.
Any change will need to start from the top, the gubernatorial candidate. Two-term State Rep. Raj Goyle (D-Wichita) — running in Kansas’ 4th District — has the right idea, taking advantage of incumbent Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s ambition to run for the higher chamber in the U.S. Legislature.
But Rep. Goyle’s 34 years are even too many for me; there’s a brighter star on the Kansas horizon.
Recently appointed acting Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty, a 29-year-old, four-time elected state representative and fifth-generation farmer from Ellsworth County, is the perfect choice to lead the Kansas Democrats forward.
He understands what will lead Kansas forward, as he wrote in The Wichita Eagle.
“Our farmers depend on fertile soils to produce crops, but those same fertile soils can be instrumental in biomass production. The abundant sunshine so critical to photosynthesis also makes us central to solar expansion,” Secretary Svaty said. “Our wind — which needs no introduction and is part of a strong cultural identity for every Kansan — can help power the rest of America.”
Secretary Svaty has charisma paired with experience, a farmer’s work ethic with a law school education (he’s in his second year at Washburn University).
He’s the perfect candidate for Kansans. What his intentions are for next year’s elections are unknown, though his father, state Rep. Don Svaty (D-Ellsworth), has publicly stated his plans to retain the seat next year.
I’m inclined to think that means Secretary Svaty is thinking about a statewide run. I can only hope that he’s thinking about the top spot. If not, I’m already on board for 2014 (Or 2018. Take your pick, Josh).
— Holmes is an Overland Park sophomore in political science.
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Comments
Holmes: Svaty is best pick for Democrats’ next gubernatorial candidate
anyone who still thinks Ethanol or biomass fuels have a chance of powering anything doesn't deserve to be making decisions about agriculture. What about all of those starving people out there?
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