Gov. of KS, Dem., woman, was on with Garrison Keillor - what's she like?

I know I should know all about her, but I don't. Kathleen Sibelius sounded great! And the sketch she participated in required a bit of courage (it poked some fun at evangelicals). Kansas DUers, and others who know, is this Governor someone we should be looking at for national office? I mean, if she can win in Kansas....

John Gilligan? I can't think of her name right now-can anyone help me out?

when she was Insurance Commissioner. I was an officer in the Dem party in Sedgwick County (Wichita). Kathleen was one of the NE KS Dem crowd, but I'd see her often at district and state party functions and caucuses.

She is highly intelligent and industrious. She's has tons of charisma and is a very good public speaker. She has a reputation of being very honest and ethical. She's a very good listener. She also has a reputation of being tough when required. Politically, I think she's closer to the middle of the road, which is more or less a requisite for a Dem to be elected governor in KS.

I would have absolutely no qualms about supporting her for any national office. I'd love to see Kathleen nominated for VEEP, or even President. Either way, she'd make a splendid candidate.

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of Kathleen Sibelius even though I wouldn't categorize her as a liberal.

on edit: Indeed, Sibelius is the daughter of John Gilligan. Sibelius is her married name.

is amazing. I live in Kansas, and I've met her a couple of times, in part because of political activism, including running for the Kansas State House last year. (I lost, but you already knew that, didn't you?)

She's up for re-election in 2006, and even though at this point not Republican of any kind of prominence or state-wide credibility has stepped forward to run, we can't underestimate how much they hate her. She's a voice of reason and has done what she can to keep the right-wingers in the legislature under control. She would make a fine president, but it's hard to imagine her achieving the kind of national prominence necessary for a credible run.

Besides, so long as the Republicans control the voting machines, they'll be winning office.

I would love to see her on a national level. I'd personally like to see her as Veep and then President.

Any one who didn't get a chance to hear her on Prairie Home Companion Saturday check your NPR station it should repeat sunday a.m. I know the Lawrence station and the Kansas City Station repeat at 10:00 a.m. CDST

please do!