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 ...
Idiot!
Elections have consequences.
How about supporting your fellow Kansans who are slated to be aborted?
I wonder what other rotten individuals from Kansas old Yellowback can throw his support behind.
What exactly would it take for Brownback not to support a fellow Kansan?
No, he isn't. He's between a principle and a taking a stand.
And he failed.
This is great!! At the end of the day we’ll have all the true and closet RINO’s flushed out!!!
See post #14. I think he did that when he decided that the interests of illegal aliens were more important than those of American citizens.
That is a disappointment. What a moron.
Dennis Lynn Rader (alias "BTK Strangler") of Wichita. Judging by his track record, if the President nominited Mr. Rader to his cabinet, Senator Brownback would have no choice but to confirm him, right? After all, the man (or whatever he is) is from the Sunflower State.
Brownback is doing this out of nothing else, but personal advancement. He wants to be governor of Kansas, and with Kitty Kat in DC, it makes it so much easier. The nominal opponent, the now Lt. Gov. is a turn-coat who flipped from R to D. There are people on both sides that don’t like him. While he would get the vote of all 10 democrats in KS, he would not have the support that Kitty Kat has.
Between a rock and a hard place? She clearly is going to be confirmed, so why can’t he vote “no”? Just because she’s a fellow Kansan? Principles have sunk mighty low when geography is the top priority and not something small and meaningless like killing babies. (sarc)
Laura Ingraham was saying yesterday that she would never support Brownback in any election of this, and would in fact campaign against him in Republican Primaries.
Laura Ingraham was saying yesterday that she would never support Brownback in any election of this, and would in fact campaign against him in Republican Primaries.
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The Dems here in KS hate him so I thought maybe he was actually OK. He has proven by these statements that he is really not to be trusted. Time to fire off another e-mail to the senator.
Way to go, Sam - show that ol’ backbone of yours. HaHa.
“Brownback waffles”
Not the first time.
Two words -- Jean Carnahan.
Two more words -- John Ashcroft.
-PJ
Less than 20% of the population cares very much at all about the abortion issue.
I care deeply, but I am humble enough to realize that the general public does not care.
Let our Conservative politicians makes a few PR calls and judgment calls.
It is good for Kansas to get rid of Sebelius, as Governor.
It is bad for Tiller, who sends tons of money to pro abortion politicians, nationwide.
Do not ask our leaders to shoot themselves in the foot.
Learn to play smart, and play to win.
Please stop it with the circular firing squads. When Brownback runs against an Obama or a Sebelius, we need the 80% that doesn't give one whit about abortion to consider Brownback as a reasonable candidate.
Maybe Sen. Brownback needs to review what an abortion looks like:
http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/pictures_3.html
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