Can a Democrat Win in Kansas?

[TheDemSocialist]

It seems unlikely that, in Kansas of all places, Democrats could pull off an upset victory in 2014. But the state's traditional GOP lean masks what party operatives regard as one of their better, if unexpected, targets as the midterm elections approach: the Kansas governor's race.Thanks to a budget crisis and the open rebellion of the some of the party's moderate factions, its conservative governor, Sam Brownback, is unexpectedly vulnerable in his bid for a second term. Most public polling shows Democratic nominee Paul Davis slightly ahead in the early going.
And while Davis remains a clear underdog, his campaign is confident that it can defy a national political environment that's hostile to Democrats by keeping the race focused on state issues.


As of January both candidates reported over $1 million raised and the next round of reports, due in late July, will shed additional light on where things stand. One particularly eye-catching poll, a recent automated survey from SurveyUSA, even had Brownback down 7 points to Davis, though even Democrats doubt that's really the case.
"It's a dead heat," said Kansas Democratic Party executive director Jason Perkey. "We've got national polling showing the Democratic candidate ahead, but we think it's a dead heat right now."


The roots of Brownback's troubles are varied. Recent news has homed in on the historic 2012 tax cuts that are now being blamed for significant revenue shortfalls of an estimated $338 million for the current fiscal year. By some reports, the cuts have contributed to a stall in job growth that runs contrary to Brownback's pledge they would do the opposite. Moody's also downgraded the state bond rating in May, citing the disparity between spending and revenue and the state's generally sluggish economic recovery.
Coupled with a long-standing dispute over state education funding and reports that a handful of former Brownback staffers are under investigation by the FBI for lobbying and fundraising activity, Democrats perceive a real opening for Davis to make inroads among disaffected independents and moderate Republicans needed to cobble together a winning coalition statewide.

Read more @: Can a Democrat Win in Kansas? - NationalJournal.com

One of the most watched elections is at out of all places my red state of Kansas! I wouldnt of thought this was even possible after the sweeping victory of Brownback in the 2010 election! But hey it happens! Anyways many Kansans here are pissed about the far right policies that have put Kansas on the spotlight recently. Be it the ridiculous LGBT discrimination bill, the cutting of education to drastic levels, getting rid of due process for teachers, to the tax cuts that has put KS in a hole, to the slow slow job recovery, and the downgrading of our credit rating. This will for sure be a race to watch!

 

[AJiveMan]

Read more @: Can a Democrat Win in Kansas? - NationalJournal.com

One of the most watched elections is at out of all places my red state of Kansas! I wouldnt of thought this was even possible after the sweeping victory of Brownback in the 2010 election! But hey it happens! Anyways many Kansans here are pissed about the far right policies that have put Kansas on the spotlight recently. Be it the ridiculous LGBT discrimination bill, the cutting of education to drastic levels, getting rid of due process for teachers, to the tax cuts that has put KS in a hole, to the slow slow job recovery, and the downgrading of our credit rating. This will for sure be a race to watch! [/FONT][/COLOR]

No. Too many Neanderthals living is KS.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

Yes of course they can. Just look at Sebelius. When you have an absolute nut job running against a moderate, its certainly possible for the moderate to win in Kansas. Its a very red state, but its not Alabama.

Although I will say that at least here in JoCo, there is still plenty of education money.