Posted on 07/04/2014 6:23:02 AM PDT by cotton1706
Sen. Pat Roberts’ primary opponent is leaping on comments the Republican incumbent made about his residency in Kansas as a “slap in the face” to hometown voters.
Asked about his residency during an interview with KCMO radio Thursday, Roberts said: “Every time I get an opponent — I mean, every time I get a chance, I’m home.”
Milton Wolf, a radiology doctor, slammed Roberts for the remarks later Thursday.
“Pat Roberts has been in Washington for 47 years and for him now to admit that he comes ‘home’ to Dodge City only when he gets an opponent is a slap in the face to Kansans,” he said in a statement.
While the incumbent is favored to win his primary against Wolf next month, the gaffe reinforces a criticism that Roberts is too close to Washington and out of touch with his state. The New York Times reported in February that the senator is a “virtual stranger” in his home state, renting out his Dodge City property and staying with two donors when he stays in Kansas.
In the interview, host Greg Knapp repeatedly pushed Roberts on the issue.
“What we’re asking is why don’t you live here now though?” Knapp asked Roberts.
“Well I own a home in Dodge City, I have a residence there in Dodge City, I pay taxes there and I vote there,” the senator responded.
“Right but you don’t — you’re not answering the question. Why don’t you live here though?” Knapp said.
Later in the interview, Knapp said that average Kansans “think the person would spend more time in their state than in the District [of Columbia].”
Wolf’s campaign often attacked Roberts on the issue, even publishing a timeline on its campaign website about his history of residency.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Roberts is for the most part a solid conservative, judging from his voting record.
The people of Kansas should use the Roberts election as practice to take down Jerry Moran, who is NOT a conservative, and as head of the NRSC, has picked and supported one moderate candidate after another.
Roberts (KS) - 08/05/14 - 87% (Average) - 90% (Heritage) - 84% (CFG) - 84% (ACU) - 91% (FreedomWorks)
Moran (KS) - 2016 - 72% (Average) - 66% (Heritage) - 75% (CFG) - 80% (ACU) - 67% (FreedomWorks)
That’s all Wolf has, that and the fact that he’s O’s cousin. I don’t like him. I like Roberts. Years ago my son dated his daughter. In Kansas.
What Politico can't understand, is that for the other 99% of the country, the fact that Sen. Roberts is a DC institution IS the problem.
“I like Roberts. Years ago my son dated his daughter. In Kansas.”
Please tell me that’s not why you would vote for him.
Roberts is older than Cochran. Time for a change.The bad thing is that ALL these lawyer types can turn on a dime. Comes from being able to represent either side in a courtroom. We don’t have the time to believe otherwise. Negative campaigning is good I guess.
It’s quite true that Roberts has not had a challenge, and this one won’t amount to much, but is a good thing, nonetheless. Kansas will see very little of Roberts after the primary, and even less after the November election.
Moran actually does live in Kansas, in Manhattan, where his kids go to school and where he spends a considerable chunk of his time. The Kansas electorate is generally pleased with him. It’s important to remember that while Kansas is safely in the Republican column, the midwest brand of Republicanism has always had streaks of blue in their ensembles. It wasn’t long ago that we elected Kathleen Sebelius as Governor.
For this cycle, the Democrats don’t have any viable candidates, so they are busy working on a scheme to get Democrats to flood the Republican primaries. Guess where they got that idea.
Well if he gets the votes of everyone who dated his daughter, then he's a shoe in.
“I like Roberts. Years ago my son dated his daughter. In Kansas.”
Oh now there’s a serious reason to vote for the old coot!
“Please tell me that’s not why you would vote for him.”
I’ll just bet you if this guy/gal stands parallel to a wall and shines a flashlight in the ear farthest away, there will be a spot of light on the wall. People like this are the reason we are where we are today. And when things finally completely collapse, they will be completely amazed at what has happened.
It’s time for Senator Ted Cruz to introduce a bill in the Senate requiring all Senate and House members to physically reside in the State that elects them to office.
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