Free Republic
Browse · Search
GOP Club
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Two Conservatives running in Kansas Senate Race. Who do we get behind?
Stay Red Kansas ^ | 3-15-09 | Stay Red Kansas

Posted on 03/16/2009 9:15:46 AM PDT by ksgopconservative

Differences between Moran and Tiahrt

Several readers have been wondering about how the current race for U.S. Senate will shake out. What separates these candidates? There are few policy differences between Congressmen Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt - both of whom are fiscal and social conservatives.

After listening to several GOP operatives across Kansas, this is what SRK is hearing about the differences between Moran and Tiahrt.

Tiahrt - More of a Fighter

Todd Tiahrt is labeling himself as a proven fighter against Obama, Sebelius and Pelosi. His official office has released numerous press releases highlighting his firm opposition to Democrat beliefs and proposals.

At the same time, Tiahrt has written fundraising letters claiming that he will not run or hide from a tough challenge, while strongly inferring that his opponent will. Therefore, look for Tiahrt to take shots at Jerry Moran for going back and forth on the 2006 Governor’s race.

Illegal Immigration

Several conservative activists have highlighted their displeasure with Todd Tiahrt’s stance on immigration. Tiahrt is a co-sponsor and supporter of the DREAM act, which allows states to provide amnesty and in-state tuition to children of illegal aliens. Tiahrt also has some low ratings from anti-amnesty groups.

Moran has record of voting against amnesty and benefits for illegal aliens.

As things go forward, immigration could be an area of disagreement throughout the campaign.

SCHIP

Tiahrt voted against the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), highlighting the proposal as a massive spending increase backed by Democrats. The latest SCHIP bill also has a 1-cent cigarette tax increase in it, which Tiahrt voiced displeasure over.

Moran voted for SCHIP, stating that it will help children in need by providing them with taxpayer-funded private insurance. Moran’s vote on SCHIP could draw an attack from the right, but also could provide cover from the National Democrat attacks. For example, 2008 3rd Congressional District Candidate Nick Jordan faced a week of attack ads on SCHIP by Democrat Dennis Moore.

Look for more sparring on SCHIP between Tiahrt and Moran.

Earmarks

Tiahrt sits on the appropriations committee and is a strong supporter of earmarks. His district strongly benefits from his slot on appropriations. That’s probably why Tiahrt opposed attempts by several House Republicans push for an earmark moratorium.

Moran introduced legislation with Rep. Jeff Flake that provides a moratorium on earmarks. Moran has gotten financial support from well-known earmark reformers like Sen. Tom Coburn.

Also, early in the campaign there is a dust-up between Moran and Tiahrt over contributions from a Washington-DC PAC that specialized in defense earmarks.

The Bottom Line

At this point in time, it seems like there are few major policy differences between the two candidates. However, as the campaign drags on, expect a sharp contrast on style and a handful of votes. Regardless of how the primary turns out, SRK believes both Tiahrt and Moran would be a solid, conservative Senator that will unify the party in November. Meanwhile, the Democrats continue to struggle for a candidate. Think positive Dems, perhaps Lee Jones could break the 35% barrier after all.


TOPICS: Kansas; Campaign News; U.S. Senate
KEYWORDS: kansas; moran; senate; tiahrt
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

1 posted on 03/16/2009 9:15:46 AM PDT by ksgopconservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative
Moran is NOT a friend to the Consevative movement.

Moran is allied with the RINO’s in Kansas.

I once hear Moran, with my own ears, use the term “Wingers” in reference to conservatives who had taken over the party for the first time, years ago.

2 posted on 03/16/2009 9:20:40 AM PDT by Kansas58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative
Who do we get behind?

Neither one. The republican party has been infected with rinos. It must die.

DEATH TO THE REPULICAN PARTY. THE MOTHER OF ALL JIHADS WILL COMMENCE.

3 posted on 03/16/2009 9:21:33 AM PDT by staytrue
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative

It will be an interesting primary and definitely quite a change from previous Kansas GOP primaries where it usually pitted a conservative Republican against a moderate Republican.

To me, the immigration issue is so strong that (if I were a Kansas resident) would likely vote for Moran. Of second importance is the issue of earmarks. That too, would pretty much solidy my support for Moran.


4 posted on 03/16/2009 9:23:37 AM PDT by MplsSteve
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MplsSteve

Do what I do. When it comes to voting I do extensive research on the candidates, I check into their prior voting records and their own personal history and biography and then I make my mind up according to everything I discover. If only more Americans actually voted this way...


5 posted on 03/16/2009 9:27:15 AM PDT by Ev Reeman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: MplsSteve

Do what I do. When it comes to voting I do extensive research on the candidates, I check into their prior voting records and their own personal history and biography and then I make my mind up according to everything I discover. If only more Americans actually voted this way...


6 posted on 03/16/2009 9:27:25 AM PDT by Ev Reeman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative

THe one who will win. Duh.


7 posted on 03/16/2009 9:28:01 AM PDT by PurpleMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MplsSteve

bttt


8 posted on 03/16/2009 9:28:09 AM PDT by ConservativeMan55
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: MplsSteve
The earmark fight is overblown.

“Earmark” simply means that a project will be funded out of MONEY ALREADY APPROPRIATED!

Now, if you could show that the beneficiary of the earmark did not want it or need it? Well THEN you have a story.

There is an argument to be made that the Federal Bureaucracy is so hard to fight, sometimes Congress needs to FORCE an issue or an item through, with the use of EARMARKS.

It seems odd to me that the Conservative movement, which was so disappointed at McCain getting the nomination, is fighting the ONLY issue that McCain seemed to think was important! (How did the “earmark” issue work for McCain?)

Again, at the Dole Convention in San Diego, I HEARD Moran use the “Wingers” insult against the conservatives who had just taken control of the State Party.

9 posted on 03/16/2009 9:29:23 AM PDT by Kansas58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative
Meanwhile, the Democrats continue to struggle for a candidate.

Only because Sebelius hasn't announced yet.

10 posted on 03/16/2009 9:29:44 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MplsSteve
Ditto! They are both compromisers, wanting to be moderate in their stances.

Immigration is a huge difference. Earmarks are an increasing “right’ of those in office. Another compromising point. There needs to be a moratorium for 3-5 years on earmarks. Seriously.

We must remake the Republican from within to really change the internal dealings they make to gain office.

11 posted on 03/16/2009 9:33:45 AM PDT by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative
Wow... Tweedle Dum or Tweedle Dee...

Moran signed on to Heller, but Tiahrt's Amendment helped limit NICs and is a thorn for gun-grabbers. Both get A- ratings from the GOA.

At least both of them get that much right...

12 posted on 03/16/2009 9:36:20 AM PDT by Dead Corpse (Te odeo, interfice te cochleare)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Non-Sequitur
It would be insane for Sebelius to run for Senate, while also serving as HHS Secretary.
13 posted on 03/16/2009 9:40:05 AM PDT by Kansas58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Kansas58
It would be insane for Sebelius to run for Senate, while also serving as HHS Secretary.

She's never going to get a better chance.

14 posted on 03/16/2009 9:41:07 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: geologist

Human nature will not change.

The public opinions really will not change much.

If you want someone who thinks like you to win?

RUN YOURSELF!

Otherwise, politics is and always will be the art of compromise.


15 posted on 03/16/2009 9:41:42 AM PDT by Kansas58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: ksgopconservative
I support the “Dream Act”

Providing citizenship to someone who wants to EARN citizenship, through the military or hard work, seems perfectly OK to me, and most of the population as well, I would guess:

DREAM Act
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (also called “The DREAM Act”) was a piece of proposed federal legislation in the United States that would provide certain immigrant students who graduate from an American High School, are of good moral character, arrived in the US as children, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment, the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. The students will obtain temporary residency for a lapse of six years. Within the six year period, a qualified student must attend college, and earn a two year degree, or serve in the military for two years in order to earn citizenship after the six years period. If student does not comply with either his/her college requirement or military service requirement, temporary residency will be taken away and student will be subjected to deportation.

Members of Congress have introduced several forms of this bill in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members in the House have not brought the bill to a floor vote as a stand-alone bill; Senators debated a version of the DREAM Act S.2205 on October 24, 2007. The bill required 60 votes to gain cloture by a 52-44 vote, 8 votes short of overcoming a filibuster by senators opposed to the bill.[1]

16 posted on 03/16/2009 9:44:57 AM PDT by Kansas58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Non-Sequitur
I can not stand Sebelius.
However, I do not underestimate her.

She took the HHS job BECAUSE she knows that mid-term elections, for a Democrat in Kansas, when a Democrat is in the White House -—

Don't go very well for Democrats!

(Especially a Dem who can NOT distance herself from OBAMA)

17 posted on 03/16/2009 9:49:33 AM PDT by Kansas58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Kansas58

Moran’s comment about the “wingers” was not incorrect. There are people in both the Kansas GOP and the Minnesota GOP who are extraordinarily far out in right field.

They, like the Socialists using the Democrat party to gain power and influence, are using the GOP to gain power and influence. They are of the black helicopters and tinfoil hats crowd.

Even Rush Limbaugh (years ago in his TV show) elaborated on the differences between conservatives and “wingers” - and he was not particularly kind towards the latter.

John Mccain’s candidacy was not doomed because he was opposed to earmarks. It had suffered so much self-inflicted damage (from other policy stances) that earmarks were the least of his worries.

Also, we need to consider this....

Just because the money has been appropriated doesn’t mean we have to spend it!

Bills coming from Congress are so incredibly loaded with junk earmarks that are completely extraneous to the bill that they’re attached to. That kind of hooey needs to stop!


18 posted on 03/16/2009 9:53:13 AM PDT by MplsSteve
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Kansas58
She took the HHS job BECAUSE she knows that mid-term elections, for a Democrat in Kansas, when a Democrat is in the White House -—

She took the HHS job because she doesn't want to be in Topeka for the next two state budgets. She'll run for the Senate in 2012. Mark my words.

19 posted on 03/16/2009 9:56:55 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Kansas58
Do we agree the level of compromise is our of control and now we have a mess?If Obama can win on change ... we better taut our change (a real one) AS WELL.

I AM TOO OLD to be a viable candidate; just to mention one major objection.

How about you? Want to run for office?

I digress ... People have changed, in how they think, and how they behave, choices they make. It can go the other way.

Compromising all standards ... where we are today ... does not have to be the way it is.

Only ... WHY NOT? as long as they (politicians) get away with it.

Corruption is UGLY! Marxism/Communism is worse.

20 posted on 03/16/2009 9:59:50 AM PDT by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
GOP Club
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson