Posted on 07/12/2004 11:59:36 AM PDT by rwfromkansas
Moore Defies Numbers in Toss-Up Kansas District
Monday, July 12, 2004
By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
WASHINGTON — It may look like a classic case of re-election vulnerability: a Democratic incumbent in a heartland district that appears to be growing more Republican every year.
But Rep. Dennis Moore (search) says he’s outwitted the opposition in three prior elections and this year will be no exception.
"I’ve had to put together coalitions of Republicans and Democrats and independents to win and I’ve been able to do that three times," the Kansas native told FOXNews.com. "People in my district may be registered one way, but they are pretty independent, too."
Nonetheless, political handicappers consider Moore’s 3rd Congressional District race one of the most hotly contested in the House this year. The Rothenberg Political Report (search) has it in the "toss up/tilting Democrat" category, while the Cook Political Report has it in its 13 top toss-up contests. Meanwhile, Campaigns and Elections Political Oddsmaker (search) gives Moore a 52 percent chance of winning this year.
"It’s always going to be a close race," concedes Mark Simpson, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party, "but he’s strong in that district … people have had the choice before, and they have chosen Dennis Moore and he’s done a good job, and I don’t know why they wouldn’t choose him again."
Rep. Jim Matheson (search), D-Utah, a fellow moderate from a district that is also heavily Republican, said this is proof of Moore’s good standing. "People like to throw around labels and what-not," Matheson told FOXNews.com. "But at the end of the day, Dennis Moore has represented this district for three terms and the people know what they’ve got. The proof is in that."
Currently, the Third District takes in the largely working-class and Democratic Wyandotte County in south Kansas City; the more populated suburban Johnson County, which is mostly Republican; and some of Douglas County. The district is located just over the Missouri border and is home to many commuters to neighboring Kansas City, Mo.
Moore, a member of the moderate Democrat Blue Dog Coalition (search) since he was first elected in 1998, says he has balanced conservative fiscal positions with common-sense approaches to social issues, like health care and Social Security (search).
He voted for President Bush’s first series of tax cuts in 2001, but did not vote for them in 2003 because of the growing federal deficits (search).
Moore, a former district attorney for Johnson County, balks at the idea he is a party player whose loyalties might get in the way of his district.
"I really don’t feel like I have any party responsibility, I do have responsibility to the people in my district and to myself," he said.
But all of Moore’s moderate credentials may not be worth a blue dog as campaign season reaches a fever pitch. National Republicans, who feel they could have won his seat in 2002 if they had put some muscle behind upstart Adam Taff (search), say they are paying attention this year.
"My support from Washington is like night and day," said Taff, who lost to Moore 50 percent to 47 percent and is running again in the August primary. "We believe the national support and heavy hitters will be there for us this time."
Taff, a former Navy pilot, says he’s boosted his name recognition, solidified his grassroots effort and organization and has a message that plays to the Republican majority there.
"The demographics for [Moore] are becoming more difficult for him everyday," said Taff. "A lot of the technical dynamics are more advantageous to us this time. That’s why we think we can do better."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The Lupine Bandit lives in KS?!
Ooops, the Lupin Bandit. Hee hee :)
Moore is from southeast KS...white trash Dem land..and also includes a lot of Dems from southern KC.
He is the only Dem rep or Senator from KS and needs to go.
Graves is gone, but replaced by Sebelius....ughh.
I can't stand Kerr.
Moore is a totally leftist who always looks like he is running for the office of school principal. Taff is leftist-lite. He is better than Moore a tad. Now Kobach is the real Republican conservative. I so want him to win.!!!!!
I will add two to your list. I want to get rid of Vratil and Oleen too.
I just hope she doesn't take votes from Kobach. He is so totally awesome!!!!! He's a very impressive and persuasive speaker. He would be just wonderful.
Who are you calling a slimeball?
| ACU Ratings for Representative Moore: | |
| Year 2003 | 28 |
| Year 2002 | 20 |
| Lifetime | 22 |
That's what I thought. Though it is possible he meant Taff, who ran against Moore last time. Kline is NOT a slimeball.
What's wrong with Kline? That guy stands firm on abortion etc.
bump
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