TOPEKA, Kan. - Since 2006, Republicans have been coming out of the closet and professing their new faith in the Kansas Democratic Party. Call them turncoats, re-born democrats or opportunists -- they all made a decision to join the minority party in Kansas. They are welcome in the KDP and part of an unusual transition in power.
Maybe even more unusual is that a nightly prayer ends like this, "Dear God, please convince Mark Parkinson to run for Governor."
Think about why that is unusual. The former Kansas Republican Party Chairman is now in the clean up spot for the Kansas democrats, and arguably, the ideal candidate on the democratic gubernatorial ticket.
Remember the press when Parkinson became Governor? Not a very high percentage of the general public knew who Mark Parkinson was. What is the solution for the Kansas Democratic Party?
Deepen the bench with young democratic rock stars and take them on a tour around Kansas.
Let's face it, most people don't know all of their neighbors. With Sebelius swept away in the madness of the beltway, statewide name recognition of a democrat -- well ..... its not in Kansas anymore.
But I have to add a caveat. There are many democrats that hold key government positions in Topeka. They deserve more credit because they work hard for the people of Kansas.....but name recognition with the everyday citizen?
For fun, I quizzed two friends. I blurted a name and then asked them to identify the person and/or their position in government. Both friends are college educated, business savvy and generally pay attention to Kansas politics. One lives in West-Central Kansas and the other in Eastern Kansas. One is a Republican and one is a Democrat.
Who is Dennis McKinney?
Friend 1: State Treasurer
Friend 2: Former Lt. Governor
Who is Paul Davis?
Friend 1: I don't know, but I thought I saw his van around Lawrence for heating and plumbing.
Friend 2: Democratic Leader in the House
Who is Anthony Hensley
Friend 1: Senate Democratic Leader
Friend 2: Yeah that guy
While not scientific, you get point.
The real point is that the KDP needs to start profiling the future of the party. A "Democratic Idol" tour around Kansas with a group of young democrats sounds ridiculous, but it is not.
Despite the interconnected world we live in through various forms of media, most people have trouble identifying their local representatives -- let alone someone making waves in state politics from a different part of Kansas. One can only get so many Facebook group invitations before the first button pushed when logging on is "Ignore All Invites."
Start with a KDP issued magazine and use magnets that look like baseball cards. Profile 30 young democrats, split them up into two groups, and send them around the State of Kansas. Use precinct committeeman to organize events and provide individuals across the State of Kansas a unified and persuasive message. These shouldn't be closed door meetings or stale networking events -- they should be parties -- where real people, of all political stripes, can enjoy themselves with their family and meet the democratic lineup.
It is time to start to deepen the bench and profile promising young democrats. Milack Talia, Raj Goyle, Mike Slattery, and Josh Svaty to name a few.
I look forward to writing letters to Congressman Goyle. I hope to vote for Governor Talia. I think it is a matter of time before Senator Svaty breaks the streak, and don't forget about Secretary Slattery.
Whether you think I have written this column after a bottle of Jack Daniels, or you flat out think I am crazy -- it is time for the Kansas Democratic Party to step outside the batters box of the same lineup and start looking to deepen the bench.
Trivia Question, what college did Josh Svaty attend along with what (oooh double question) Kansas Free Press Writer?