The 2013 Kansas Republican Convention: Let's Get This Party Started

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Comment by Alex Poulter on January 27, 2013 at 8:39pm

How about the fiscal cliff debacle for an example?   All four of the KS congressional delegation correctly voted "nay".   Both of the US Senators from KS incorrectly voted "Yay".   None of them spoke to each other or the citizens of Kansas publicly.   All six of them stated the rationale for their decision was based upon feedback from their constituents...............

Comment by W Dale Russell on January 27, 2013 at 8:12pm

About a month ago I had the opportunity to speak with a Missouri Senator on an immigration issue. During our conversation I asked the question ,”How often do you speak with our US Senators and Representatives?” His answer was normally when there is some sort of gathering within the state, which was not on a regular basis. I then asked if he called to discuss immigration issues. The answer was no!

This last week on a news program it was said that Republicans in the House and Senate very seldom discuss issues back and forth. To me this is appalling, We have elected legislators who are so tied up in their own little worlds that they fail to discus the views and questions from their constituents.

More and more are we hearing that the system is broken! True Conservatives MUST start making their views heard. 

We MUST bury Washington and our State Houses with letters demanding real accountability.

Comment by Alex Poulter on January 27, 2013 at 5:50pm

We had the event listed here on political CHIPS for quite a while but neglected to send it to all members. There were a lot of chippers in Hutch but the overall turnout, excitement, and representation of the candidates was lackluster as compared to previous events held in Overland Park and Topeka.    People are exhausted, frustrated, and depressed at what's going on and the general magnitude of what appears to be coming down the pike.    I repeat.  The GOP is failing to inspire its base.   The rhetoric from the RNC winter meeting about prosperity vs austerity is falling on deaf ears.   The lead story in Hutch should have been that Kansas replaces 10 RINOS in the Senate with 11 conservatives.    Didn't happen.   I think they are aware of that little tidbit though.   BTW, so glad to hear from you Sally!  I hope you are doing well.    I hope to see ya at the Sunflower breakfast.   Cheers!     

Comment by Sandy Hartman on January 27, 2013 at 5:36pm

I'm trying to remember how I even heard about it....maybe JCRP newsletter or mentioned on FB....but I agree, seemed like I just "happened" to read about it...didn't feel like it got a lot of mention or publicity...

Comment by Sally on January 27, 2013 at 5:30pm

I was a frequent volunteer for candidates and for the party last fall, and am a precinct committeewoman.  Yet I didn't even know there was a convention this weekend.  I knew one happened around this time and could have looked for it, but I would have thought it would have been widely publicized.  I'm very, very disappointed in the party right now, so it wasn't high on my priority list, I guess.  If things don't change - if conservatives aren't welcome any more (as it now seems) I doubt I'll be a member much longer anyway.  SAD!

Comment by Leah Herron on January 27, 2013 at 1:56pm

We have reached the point where hard decisions are going to have to be made. Giving the government a signed blank check for four months is more dangerous than shutting down government. We don't have until 2014 to fix this problem.  We must attack it TODAY! 

Comment by Sandy Hartman on January 27, 2013 at 1:39pm

Interesting to read your perspectives, Leslie and Alex.  I haven't had time to process it all...but am glad I went, even tho it was a last minute thing.  I do like to support and encourage those trying to do so much to get our country back.....against huge odds...

Comment by Alex Poulter on January 27, 2013 at 1:01pm

Awesome blog Leslie.  I have so much to say about this weekend i could write a book!   A few quick hits:

• The Republican Party still has no clue why they lost ground in 2012.   The latest explanation is that we became the party of stupid by focusing on austerity (deficit reduction via spending cuts and entitlement reform) versus economic growth and job creation (bulls*#$).   The reason Mitt Romney lost the election is because the architecture from the bottom of the system to the top of the system is weak / broken and has been for 80 years.    Until or unless this problem is recognized and solved, the national elections will continue to produce winners based upon popularity, likability, and beauty versus message, ideas, substance, and leadership.   Mitt Romney lost for the same reason John Kerry, Bob Dole, and Al Gore did.   
• Senator Roberts, Congressman Yoder, and Congressman Pompeo spewed the same rhetoric they spewed last year and the year before.   Again, there was no sense of urgency to do something now.   Congressman Huelskamp is a conservative rock star and a state treasure.   Whether you live in the 1st district or not, we all must stand behind him and lift him up! 
• The KS Statewide Party boasted that they had raised one million dollars and spent $27,000 more than that for a small deficit.   This was fantastic news!   Perhaps they should consider subscribing to some austerity measures?   I am not sure where they spent $1,000,000 but i do know that several great conservatives relied on the resources of Political CHIPS subsequent to getting shut down by the State party.......
• I learned a new lesson this week.   We the people elect you to do a job.   If you are a Representative in the House, do your job and don't worry about what the people in the Senate may be doing.  We will hold them accountable.  Not you.   A good example of this behavior occurred 2x last week.   In DC, the House passed HR 325 in an effort to force the Senate to do their job.   That was bs.   Huelskamp confirmed!   In the KS legislature, the rules amendment introduced by Judge John Rubin went up in flames.   The public disclosure and recording of votes went down in committee.  The unbundling of bills went down on the floor.   The rationale from those aggressively arguing against it in the House was that it would be unfair if they had to disclose their votes and the Senate did not.   Wrong answer!
• On a positive note, it was encouraging that so many people did travel to Hutchinson Kansas on their own dimes to show their support.   There were several opportunities and moments where we had a chance to enjoy life and have a good time.