To say that I’m shocked at the projected outcome of the Democratic primary in Kansas is an understatement.
I lived in Kansas for a good while — working in broadcasting for several years and then three years of law school (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!).
I covered politics there as a reporter, as well, so I feel like I have a little expertise in that arena, even though it’s been a little while since I was there.
But I was shocked at tonight’s projection that Barack Obama will seriously trounce Hillary Clinton in Kansas.
Clinton carrying Oklahoma — no surprise to me. But I can’t believe that Governor Kathleen Seblelius’ endorsement of Obama a few days ago after the State of the Union address was something that swayed that many voters. They ran out of ballots in Prairie Village, a pretty good-sized Kansas suburb of Kansas City, Missouri!
Kansans are pretty darn independent and don’t like to be told what to do or who to vote for.
I’ve E-mailed a few friends who live there to get their thoughts on what’s going on in the Sunflower State — they LOVE their Republicans there and are picky about their Democrats.
I can’t wait to hear what they have to say. Anybody else have any wisdom on this??
February 5th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Obama’s mother is from Kansas. Not that it explains everything, but there is a connection.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I should say was, I know she is deceased.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Kansans are coming out of it … and I think Sebelius has much to do with it. She’s got loads of Republicans to join with her, come to her party, etc.
The thing about Kansans, is they mostly just moderate and they’re not mean. Surely, especially those identifying as Democrats, see that Obama isn’t mean, he’s willing to be nice to the other side, that kind of thing.
Oh, and Kansans love to be relevant. Obama — tenuously a native son, but native so nonetheless — makes them so.
At least that’s what my peeps in Kansas seem to say.
http://www.politicalnanny.com
February 6th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Don’t have any insight into this, but I was surprised he won Kansas hands down. Just amazing!
February 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
My daughter asked me about Kansas. I also feel the fact his mother was from Kansas played a big factor. I’m certain it was played up in the news quite often for the locals.
peace
fm
February 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I attended a Kansas caucus and it was amazing how visibly the crowd skewed toward Obama. I saw lots and lots of Republicans and Independents changing party affiliation, too.
I can’t explain why nearly 75% of us decided on Obama all of a sudden, but I thought long and hard about it before casting my vote.
February 10th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Even as an Obama supporter, I was surprised by the margin by which Obama won in Kansas. It’s one of many things continuing to convince me what a transformational candidate he is. One of the others is that my 83-year-old grandfather in Oklahoma called me on Super Tuesday to tell me he voted for Obama! I think this is the first time we’ve ever supported the same candidate for President.