The Man In the Arena

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

-Teddy Roosevelt

Time to Narrow the Field

"Do you think anyone will soon drop out of the race?" 

That is most commonly asked question I hear when discussing the politics of the 2010 Congressional races in Kansas. If you ask any of the candidates - they are in it for the duration. Really? Because I think that is ridiculous and careless. It is obvious that many of the candidates in the 1st and 4th are wasting their time, energy and resources. Yes their message is wonderful and I'm glad that they are trying. At least they will always be able to known as "Former Congressional Candidate (Insert Name Here)."

I don't live in the 4th District so I am not very familiar with any of the candidates. I have never met Wink Hartman but I have heard nothing but good things about him. He obviously has the money needed to run a successful campaign and beat the Democratic Liberal Elitist Obama machine aka Raj Goyle. He also has impressive name recognition. I hear his name every time I listen to the radio when I'm in the area.

Jim Anderson is a great guy and I think he would be a great Ron Paul type member of the United States House of Representative. The Kansas Republican Party, Wichita and Shawnee County need him. Even when candidates like Jim Anderson can't get the financial support and name recognition like the others, we need to not write them off from being a key figure in local and statewide politics. If there is one thing I can say about American Majority - it is that they taught me that national change begins on the local level. So if Congress isn't the best fit - perhaps local politics would be the most practical place for someone like Jim Anderson.

I have met Dick Kelsey a few times and am always impressed with his voting record. I would love to see Senator Kelsey stay in Kansas and fight hard for our values in Topeka. We can't forget that Jean Schodorf is in the race. After all, she did come in tied for 3rd place in the most recent poll. The only thing I hear about Senator Schodorf is that she a "Republican In Name Only." Then there is Mike Pompeo - our wonderful National Committeeman for the Kansas Republican Party and local businessman. I have enjoyed visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Pompeo and GOP events. I think that Mike can catch up to Wink Hartman in the poll numbers and be a powerful candidate against the Democratic challenger.

In the Big First, Jim Barnett is leading in the polls, largely due to his leftover name recognition from his '06 race against Kathleen Sebelius. Senator Barnett would be a great force against government controlled healthcare in the U.S. House and I know he would be devoted to protecting our common Kansas values and using commonsense. Senator Huelskamp who recently ended up in 2nd place in the poll will be Barnett's primary challenger and I foresee the two going back and forth in the polls. However, I am confident that the voters in the 1st will select someone more moderate like Congressman Jerry Moran and less radically conservative.

As for the other candidates in the race to replace Jerry Moran -- Boldra is someone that I would consider voting for but I don't think she will be able to catch Barnett and Huelskamp. Shadwick and Cobb are not well known across the entire geography of the district and will not be a formidable challenge. Mann and Wasinger may gain a little traction but are not going to be well received by voters in the district who look for that "hometown hero" to represent them in Washington.

That's my take on the current affairs of two major races in Kansas. We are at rick of losing a Republican seat in the 4th if we don't elect a strong Republican candidate who will be able to beat Raj Goyle in spending, fundraising and grassroots. In the Big First - Jerry Moran's Republican seat will remain Republican. Thankfully we are able to count on a new GOP pick up in the 3rd, a continued red seat in the 2nd with Lynn Jenkins. With the Republican momentum in Kansas being lead by Senator Brownback, we will be able to win in astonishing numbers.

Wink Wins 4th District Poll

In the latest polling from Kansas' 4th Congressional District, Republicans say they'd vote for Wink Hartman - more so than any other candidate by a large margin. The local businessman captured 35% in the SurveyUSA poll which was released by KWCH-TV Wichita.

Where the Other Candidates Stand:

Dick Kelsey (State Senator) - 11%
Jean Schodorf (State Senator) - 10%
Mike Pompeo (Businessman) - 10%
Jim Anderson (Businessman) - 6%
Steve Brunk (Representative) - 5%