Posted on 03/04/2009 11:55:34 AM PST by presidio9
After a day of uncertainty, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas said Tuesday he would vote to confirm Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for secretary of health and human services.
“The president won the election and has nominated a Kansan to the Cabinet,” Brownback said in a statement. “Despite our profound policy differences, I will support my fellow Kansan.”
Brownback joined Sen. Pat Roberts, who also made his intentions known Tuesday.
Earlier Tuesday, Brownback had deferred. “He doesn’t plan to say anything either way at this point,” said a spokesman.
Some questioned how Brownback would decide, considering how abortion opponents — who have long seen Sebelius as unacceptable — are a major part of his base.
Brownback’s position had been a concern to the White House. Two sources have told The Kansas City Star that President Barack Obama himself called Brownback last week to gauge his reaction. The president wanted to be sure that Brownback wouldn’t work to derail the nomination, a top Democrat said.
Unlike Roberts, Brownback was not at the White House ceremony Monday and seemed to be wavering.
“He’s between a rock and a hard place,” Kansas State University political scientist Joe Aistrup said before Brownback issued his Tuesday statement.
Ron Thornburgh, the four-term secretary of state running against Brownback next year for the GOP nomination for governor, had ripped Brownback for “backpedaling” from a joint statement issued Saturday with Roberts that said:
“We are hopeful Governor Sebelius will be a voice for Kansas and rural America at the department. We look forward to working with her on issues important to the state…”
Thornburgh called the weekend statement tantamount to an endorsement: “I’m stunned that Sam would endorse her because she’s an individual who goes against everything he has said he believes in
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
http://brownback.senate.gov/public/contact/emailsam.cfm
Phone Numbers for his offices:
Washington - (202) 224-6521 Topeka - (785) 233-2503
What a retard. I think he can kiss any aspirations for higher office goodbye.
Republicans! Is there anything they stand firm on?
I’m an American but that doesn’t mean I support every American.
I’m glad the devil incarnatae is not a citizen of Kansas, else he would get Brownback’s vote.
Gary Heidnik is a fellow Pennsylvanian, but that doesn't mean I would support him for a cabinet position. What a dolt.
To be fair Obama is going to be nominating a serious pro choice person any way. This way she won’t end up in the Senate. I welcome the appointment.
For higher office he should vote “present”.
Unbelievable.
This woman is DOWNRIGHT EVIL. She is pro-infanticide. She might as well set up an altar to Molech in her office and sacrifice children to an idol.
And, we’re going to get “go home and die” medical care out of her as well.
Baby Brains is People, MS KS CRUEL GOV.
That's just stupid.
Kansan First, Catholic Second. Not very smart, Sam.
This is disgusting. Senator Brownback has presented himself a principled, anti-abortion conservative.
Sebelius isn’t just a wishy-washy, pro-choice woman. She is an abortion extremist activist. And for Sen. Brownback to support her is a betrayal.
Brownback is one the biggest frauds....he always painted himself as some Christian Conservative....yet he is one of the most Open Borders pro-illegal/anti-American out there...and now is backing one of the most extreme abortionist Democrats for a Cabinet position
Hmmmm, when Dollar Bill Jefferson, with whom I have profound differences, ran for office, I decided to support my principles first which required me to vote against him.
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Something Jean Carnahan couldn't do for her fellow Missourian, John Ashcroft.
This statement is a display of the weakness that is the GOP today. How many times did we see/hear statements like this from the Dems supporting Bush nominees despite “policy” differences???
queue the crickets!!!!
Sam still thinks he's presidential material. That's why he's leaving the Senate and running for Kansas governor.
Brownback, you are a coward. Guys like you are what’s wrong with the GOP.
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