There are times in a political party where the calculations that are made go far beyond dollars and cents, beyond party loyalty, and straight to the fact that the people who are involved in a race are also human beings. Whether or not we win or lose, no matter how we feel about a race - we also have to understand that sometimes the process is messy. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes things happen that we wish wouldn't happen.
On Tuesday here in Kansas - a lot of good news came out. Sam Brownback trailing badly! ( http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/... ) But the news for other democrats was a mixed bag. And as the week progressed, many Democrats in Kansas found themselves with tough choices.
The race that caught everyone's attention was our US Senate race. After a divided primary that left Milton Wolf on the outside and Republicans splintered, the field was divided in three - Pat Roberts, a staunch conservative Republican, Chad Taylor, the Democrat, and Greg Orman, the Independent.
Many Democrats early on made the political calculation that the Independent candidate would strip votes away from the Democrat, dividing the field and electing Roberts. In a three way race, that is somewhat true. However, what we found in the PPP was that in a two way race, Chad Taylor, the Democrat couldn't come within 10 points of Roberts, while Orman would win by about that same margin.. almost a 20 point swing.
For lifelong Democrats, a real struggle began. An internal struggle. A struggle that isn't just about party identity, it is about what we really want for the future of our country. Sometimes those issues are rough - really rough.
There will be a lot of cynical people who will tell you that individuals like Jim Sherow, a Democrat, decided to make his endorsement of Orman in some sort of plan for money or resources, or for attention. Or that he did it out of some sort of malicious interference.
I'm going to tell you as someone who has known Jim for a long time, there are issues bigger then party. Stopping Pat Roberts from returning to senate is one of the most critical issues to many Kansans, left and right this year. But more importantly, as we began to learn Tuesday, as more and more of the outside action committees and groups on both sides gathered, we knew that it was more important then ever to remind people that Democrats are not just party people, they are citizens too.. and outside of being campaigners, they are people who care a lot about their state.
August 21, 2014 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jerred McKee, Campaign Manager
Sherow for Kansas
785-530-5727
jerred@supportsherow.com
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JIM SHEROW ENDORSES INDEPENDENT GREG ORMAN FOR U.S. SENATE FROM KANSAS
Sherow celebrates bi-partisan effort to focus on issues important to Kansans.
Manhattan, Kans — Jim Sherow, Democratic Candidate in the “Big First” congressional race, has endorsed independent candidate Greg Orman for the U.S. Senate. Sherow is challenging embattled incumbent Tim Huelskamp of Fowler.
"Kansans have a long tradition of voting for the person over the party,” said Jim Sherow, Democratic nominee for the US House of Representatives, Kansas First District. “Our state has a history of supporting moderates and independent movements, and I believe Greg Orman is the best choice to be our next United States Senator," he said.
Orman, an Olathe, Kans. businessman, has filed to run as an independent candidate for the United States Senate. He will face incumbent Republican Pat Roberts, Democratic nominee Chad Taylor, and Libertarian Randall Batson in the November general election.
“I believe that Greg Orman presents the best chance at providing Kansas new energy in the US Senate - and that energy is needed to help promote the growth of the Kansas economy,” Sherow said.
Sherow, a fourth generation Kansan, is a Kansas historian, and former city commissioner and mayor of Manhattan. During his time in office, he helped launch major projects to help build Manhattan into a community ranked as one of the best in the nation.
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Please Note:
I act in an advisory role in relation to this campaign. Therefore, some information I cannot share, I will share my perspectives on this issue but they represent only my personal viewpoint.