Make no mistake about how important it is for Democrats to win statehouses. Many Progressive Kansans, used to cutting our losses, were just happy to have a Dem in the Governor's mansion and do not have high expectations. Recently, however, Gov Sebelius has been showing how patience for progressives pays off (note the alliteration).
Sebelius vetoed two very important measures yesterday:
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Tuesday set up showdowns with the Legislature by vetoing two measures -- one that would allow Kansans to carry concealed weapons, and another aimed at reducing payments to workers injured on the job.
Sebelius said her vetoes were part of her vow to keep Kansans safe. SB 418, which would have allowed concealed carry of guns, would have endangered the public and law enforcement, she said.
"While every law-abiding Kansan has a right to keep and bear arms, hidden weapons make it harder for law enforcement to do its job, and they make Kansas' workplaces less safe," Sebelius said.
Kudos to Sebelius and the lesson for progressives, in extended...
We in Kansas don't have high hopes. Gov. Sebelius, while known to be more liberal personally than she appeared when running, has shrewdly not only positioned herself for re-election in the reddest of states, but has made it possible for her to use her power as Governor to focus on a few key issues, bringing out the big guns (no pun intended) on the big issues like conceal carry.
In 2002 Republicans attempted to portray Sebelius as a "Lawrence Liberal" who is "out of touch" with mainstream Kansans. She picked a moderate Republican businessman as her running-mate, and sent all sorts of signals that she was as moderate as they come. Smart.
Every year the Kansas legislature's wingnuts overreach. In her first years it was education funding, where she outflanked them on every turn. She has also triangulated by using a Christian Right/Democrat alliance to back measures to protect and provide funding for people with disabilities.
She has now positioned herself as a reasonable center and now has the power and authority to assert herself on bills like this one. She also vetoed this anti-worker Republican bill:
Sebelius said the workers' comp bill, SB 461, was onerous because it would have reduced payments to injured Kansas workers who already have among the lowest benefits in the nation. And, she said, it was too broad.
"The Legislature's proposal would also allow a worker to be terminated simply because of an injury on the job," Sebelius said. "That's a slap in the face to the men and women who work hard every day to do their jobs in a safe and efficient manner, and it's simply wrong.
So how has Sebelius done it? Its a similar pattern to that of Mark Warner and Brian Schweitzer. And appears to be the recipe for Dems to succeed:
- Exude competence. Sebelius took over from a do-nothing Republican (Bill Graves) who, while not a wingnut, didn't accomplish much of anything and didn't stand up to the rightwing of his party enough. Sebelius has reorganized state government, made significant changes in things like how Medicaid is managed, and demonstrated the adults are back in charge.
- Fiscal Responsibility. Yeah, she has wanted to spend more on things like education, but she has made sure she only pushes that when Republicans over-reach and want to spend way too little and popular support demands more money. All the while she has refused to raise taxes by supporting things such as expanded gaming.
- Picking her battles. There numerous things progressive Kansans have been upset about that she has signed. But she saves herself for the big, winnable fights. Like Conceal Carry and Workman's Comp.
Kudos to Gov Kathleen Sebalius, who will likely win an easy re-election in a red state AND stands up for progressive values.