GREAT BEND, Kan. - State Senator Tom Holland's (D-Baldwin City) probable entry into the Kansas Governor's race is a major development, because Holland has a track record of knocking off Republican incumbents. He defeated incumbent Republican House member Ralph Tanner in a heated 2002 race in the 10th House District, and in 2008 he defeated Republican State Senator Roger Pine in the 3rd Senate District.
Although U.S. Senator Sam Brownback is not an incumbent Governor, he symbolizes everything people think of when they think of "the status quo." Brownback is a career politician whom people associate with Washington, D.C. His 49% approval rating is remarkably low for a longtime Republican incumbent in Kansas.
The worst possible news for Brownback's candidacy was this week, when Massachusetts voters filled the "John F. Kennedy / Edward M. Kennedy" seat with a Republican. Brownback would have been so much better off if Coakley had won without incident. Obama had been on the wrong track, and Kansas voters knew it - Obama's approval rating in Kansas was 36% - even lower than Brownback's.
But Scott Brown's stunning victory in Massachusetts has already jarred Obama back in the right direction. Just today, the President rejected the advice of Geithner and Summers, and blasted the "too big to fail" banks.
The loss of the "Kennedy seat" in Massachusetts to an obscure State Senator is going to change Obama's behavior. Instead of continuing to take bad advice from Wall Street, Obama is going to be his own man. It's about time. Obama will likely be viewed much more favorably by Kansans by November.
The truth is, Obama fell trap to the one-party plutocracy that has ruled Washington, D.C. for years. And the powerful interests that misled Obama into favoring Wall Street over Main Street have a particularly strong hold on Republican Senators and Congressmen like Brownback.
So Brownback may be viewed as a part of the one-party plutocracy that has created "the mess we're in." People are mad at Democrats right now, but two years ago they were just as mad at Republicans. The truth is, people seem to be searching a "third way," an independent way.
And that's where another "obscure State Senator" - this time from Kansas, might become a symbol of the independent, "We the People" direction things are going. Tom Holland is a common sense guy who got where he is by listening, listening careful to people. Holland is likable, and he meets voters where they are.
His 28-year marriage, four scrub-faced kids, and his involvement in Plymouth Congregational Church will create a challenge for the pious Brownback. Tom Holland doesn't wear his religion on his sleeve like Brownback, but as a person of faith, he will have the 'bona fides' to discuss how faith influences his politics from a much different perspective than the fundamentalist Brownback approach.
This is going to be a good race. Brownback is the heavy favorite, but so far, everyone who has bet against Tom Holland has lost. Just ask Ralph Tanner and Roger Pine, former Republican legislators.
Marty, this is a great article, containing wonderful news! Tom Holland would be a fantastic candidate and a great governor. He is bright, courageous, and articulate. I hope we all get behind this idea and encourage him to get into the race---and the sooner the better. Tom was my seat-mate during his freshman year in the House. Thus I know that he has a delightful sense of humor which helps him keep his perspective. He is diligent in his work ethic and is a fast learner. This is the best news I have heard in a long time. Thanks, Marty!
WOO HOO! I hadn't heard this yet. Fantastic! Tom is a good guy!