Democrat withdraws from Brownback challenge - Bad news

[Bombtrack]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/8266264.htm
Posted on Wed, Mar. 24, 2004

Democrat withdraws from Brownback challenge

LIBBY QUAID

Associated Press


WASHINGTON - The Democratic newcomer who hoped to oust Republican Sen. Sam Brownback withdrew Wednesday from the race.

Joan Ruff said she was at a disadvantage because of her late entry into the campaign.

"I will continue to fight for a government more responsive to Kansas families - although not as a candidate," Ruff, 56, said in a statement issued by her campaign.

Ruff's departure does little to alter the political landscape in Kansas, a heavily Republican state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the Senate for 72 years, since George McGill won election in 1932.

The Kansas race has not been a priority for the national Democratic Party, which is two seats away from control of the Senate. The party is focused on much more competitive states such as Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois and Alaska.

Brownback's war chest had approached $1.3 million before Kansas Democrats found anyone willing to take him on. Ruff, a Johnson County, Kan., attorney and business executive, declared her candidacy on Jan. 15....
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I am dissapointed about this. Brownback is Howard Stern's biggest enemy in the senate and the one who has written not 1, not 2, but 3 threatening letters to Mel Karmazin asking why he hadn't fired Stern yet. He's also pushing the "indecency act" through congress and has already gotten it passed in the house.

I sent several E-mails to Stern alerting them that Brownback was up for re-election and was somewhat vulnerable. Howard put up links on his website to Ruffs campaign as a result of that.

[bluestateguy]

1. Someday

In 2010, Brownback will be finishing out his term and Gov. Sebilius will be primed and ready to challenge him.

[LiviaOlivia]

2. I listened to Stern this morning and he skewered Brownback.

What the fuck is up with the Democrats in Kansas!! Did they not read
"Lie Down America"(How the Republican Party Sows Ruin on the Great Plains)
by Thomas Frank(Harper's Magazine--not "on-line", hardcopy only).

I need a link for this fabulous article(soon to be book titled "What's the Matter with Kansas!", Metropolitan Books June 2004).


Where's the DNC and the DLC?

Are there Kansas Democrats out there?

[MuseRider]

3. One right here

and this is sickening. We supported her, she actually had quite a bit of support from what I had heard but it must not have been enough. It just makes me want to cry. I have actually seen signs that things are changing here but this is a real set back.

[SoCalDem]

4. This is precisely why we need public financing of campaigns

The way it is now, whomever has the most money can "buy" his/her seat in congress..

There should be some way of vetting individuals,via free television appearances, and when it gets down to primary time, the two main candidates who emerge as victors, would again have equal free access to tv. Maybe set an upper limit for posters, trinkets, etc..but all active "campaigning" should be via public financing and equal..

:grr: