Brownback was placed into a very tight spot, which would have required him to have gonads the size of cannonballs (and made of steel to boot) to navigate with a “NO” vote.
Imagine the great groundswell of “Kansas Pride” that their governor would be selected to be DHHS secretary.
Nevertheless, a true Statesman would have voted his conscience anyway, regardless of the political consequences of his decision.
I guess I just think the DHHS spot is a silly post and I wouldn’t care if my state’s governor got. (I do see your point, though.)