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workinclasszero

(28,270 posts)
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 07:55 PM Dec 2018

More Kansas Republicans are considering defecting to the Democrats. Is this a trend?

BY STEVE KRASKE DECEMBER 13, 2018 06:34 PM, UPDATED DECEMBER 13, 2018 07:04 PM

Kansas state Sen. Barbara Bollier’s sudden decision this week to switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party may be a one-off.

Or, it could be the beginning of a trend.

In the wake of Bollier’s announcement, Sen. Dinah Sykes, another moderate Republican from Johnson County, is contemplating doing the same thing.

“It has crossed my mind,” Sykes said.

Also considering a switch: Rep. Stephanie Clayton of Overland Park. “I am looking at options,” she said Thursday. Also Thursday, Rep. Joy Koesten, a Leawood Republican, said she was switching. Earlier this year, it was Sen. John Doll of Garden City leaving the GOP to be independent Greg Orman’s running mate.

Other Republicans are also considering their futures.

So is this the beginning of a significant political realignment in the state that could lead to the eventual extinction of moderate Republicans? Or is this a mere blip on Kansas’ always evolving political radar screen?


https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/steve-kraske/article223056210.html
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MiniMe

(21,718 posts)
2. I think they are changing to Independent rather than Democrat
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 08:01 PM
Dec 2018

Even they can't stomach tRump's lies and sleaziness

pecosbob

(7,543 posts)
6. I doubt it's a change of heart among any of these defectors...
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 08:22 PM
Dec 2018

but simply realizing that running on a Republican ticket puts them behind the eight ball from the start.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
14. We can't really stop them from becoming members of the Democratic Party.
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 10:08 PM
Dec 2018

But of course, we do not have to support their re-election either. Or give them any support of any kind.

LonePirate

(13,431 posts)
8. JoCo, KS: 600K population, 52% BS degree or higher, $90K median family income/year
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 08:26 PM
Dec 2018

This county proves even Kansas is not immune to the political trends sweeping the country. Densely populated, well educated and financially stable areas are moving leftward regardless of their political history. The county and its heavily Democratic neighboring county to the north (Wyandotte) sent Dem Sharice Davids to Congress with a 10 point win over an incumbent Republican last month.

While it is prudent to be skeptical of how often they will side with their new Dem compatriots, these changes are not exactly suprising.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
10. It may be too early to tell
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 08:37 PM
Dec 2018

But this could be the beginning of another political realignment on a par with the so-called Reagan Democrats. Evangelicals are losing their clout and their numbers are dwindling. The Moral Majority coalition of conservative Protestants and Catholics, tottering for a decade or more, is falling apart as religious people finally come to grips with the fact the Republicans will NEVER come through for them on abortion, and they're finding the rest of that political package increasingly abhorrent.

Generic Brad

(14,275 posts)
11. Yes. And now it gets dangerous for real Democrats
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 08:53 PM
Dec 2018

When being Republican becomes toxic, many will rebrand themselves as Democrats in hope of political survival. Then they will work on rotting us from within.

It will become pretty dicey here on DU if we become overrun with DINOs.

 

workinclasszero

(28,270 posts)
12. Yes we need to be on guard against ex republicans bringing any of their horrible ideology to the
Fri Dec 14, 2018, 08:57 PM
Dec 2018

dem party.

If they are making a clean break to the left, great.

If not it's gonna be trouble.

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