Posted on 09/17/2014 5:58:51 AM PDT by cotton1706
The first phrase in your question is an overstatement. Even those who point to Roberts' generally strong conservative voting record have not gone overboard about it.
There is probably no one factor which explains the primary results. Some contributing factors would include Roberts' inactivity in the primary until late, a small turnout, and media attention on the residency issue. The small turnout was frequently pointed to in explaining close calls or upsets of incumbents across the state in the more local elections. (I served as treasurer on a local campaign which unseated an incumbent moderate Republican - our entire campaign was based on GOTV since we were certain turnout would be low. We got our people to the polls, he didn't.) I'm sure that other factors could be pointed to as well.
Why is he losing, so badly, to an Independent in the polls now when the GOP in Kansas outnumbers the Democrats by 20%?
For the moment, he is losing. The election is still seven weeks away and Roberts has not yet unmasked Greg Orman for the charlatan that he is. Hopefully, he'll get that done or the uninformed portion of the electorate will allow Kansas to fall for a big bait and switch as the "independent" Orman suddenly reveals himself as a liberal Democrat.
Could it be because most people in Kansas want a Senator who is not "from" Kansas but a Senator who "lives in" Kansas and is not out of touch?
Perhaps. I'm not happy about the residency issue but it won't prevent me from supporting someone who has been a reliable conservative vote for years. Had a credible conservative alternative been present in the primaries, it is likely he or she would have had my vote but Milton Wolf was too much of an empty slate. You hit on what the Roberts campaign needs to focus on in the next seven weeks: he represents the views of Kansas more than Orman does. Roberts might have developed a sense of entitlement (which I'm not excusing) but he is far more likely to vote as a senator in a manner that is pleasing to the typical resident of Kansas than Orman is.
Name ANY US Senator who spends more time in his home State than Pat Roberts?
YOU Can’t!
Roberts spends lots of nights in Wichita and Topeka and Kansas City KS.
No, but replacing him with a younger conservative would have been an improvement.
Great analysis. Thanks.
I detest what That Cochran did.
What you do not understand is this: In Kansas, the Republican Party is ALREADY under Conservative control.
I don't believe we had that option. I was not impressed by Milton Wolf.
Once again, you missed the entire point of my Post. Give it up man, you’re getting on my freakin’ nerves.
NOBODY here should give a rats behind about your “nerves” -—
You are in league with the liberals. You are a Harry Reid promoter.
You are a liberal.
And you’re an idiot.
NOBODY close to McDaniel advocates allowing Democrats to hold the Senate. NOBODY close to McDaniel supports punishing Roberts over the Cochran scandal.
And btw, I am no “idiot” -— I am quite positive my IQ, political knowledge and professional status is MUCH higher than yours.
You reek of stupidity.
If McDaniel did not have his hands full right now, I am sure he would tell YOU to your face that YOU are an “idiot” -— you are a hate filled vindictive moron with absolutely no political talent at all.
McDaniel would NEVER support your stupid, vindictive, silly and self destructive nonsense.
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