National Republican strategist John Weaver said that Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) is basically furniture in the Senate and Kansans know it. That aside, Robetts has two fundamental problems in his reelection battle with independent Greg Orman. First, he has been in the Senate for 18 years and few people in Kansas could name anything important he has ever done. Second, in his primary battle with a tea party candidate, Roberts managed to infuriate conservatives and many of them have not yet forgiven him. They could stay home on election day or vote for the Libertarian Party candidate, Randy Batson. So far, his fence-mending efforts have not borne any fruit. Former Kansas senator Bob Dole has been campaigning for Roberts, but it is more out of party loyalty than any true affection for Roberts. In 2012, Dole came onto the Senate floor in his wheelchair to plead with Roberts to vote to ratify a U.N. treaty banning discrimination against the disabled. Roberts could have done what Dole asked since his vote wasnt essential, but he chose to side with the tea party and voted against it. Dole isnt the only big GOP name who has been trucked in on Roberts behalf. The Republican leadership bit its tongue and invited even Sarah Palin to help out. It is doubtful whether all these endorsements matter though. Too many Kansans see Roberts as a grumpy old man whose time has come and gone and are willing to give the new kid on the block (Orman) a chance.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 07:22:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015