Kansas Democrats faced great adversity this week, but may have found a unifying moment that helped knit many wounds. A few days ago, Kansas Democratic Party Chair Larry Meeker gave an interview to the alternative paper The Pitch in which he intimated a desire to rebrand the party; which led to several other articles, including an analysis piece
published here.
Within minutes of arriving in Wichita, it was quickly confirmed that he had resigned his position as state party chair. The message conveyed along with it: The Kansas Democratic Party, staff and members, were not necessarily onboard with the message provided in an interview with The Pitch.
"We are definitely unified about one thing - we are Democrats." This message was heard loud and clear in almost all corners of the yearly meeting.
Reporters who circled the event on Friday and Saturday had expected to find some chaos and infighting; instead, what many found was an event that attracted new and different voices to the table and was overwhelmingly upbeat.
For many, the loss of Chairman Larry Meeker was seen as a real loss; despite a lack of media savvy, Larry Meeker himself reflected a progressive candidate who had captured the role of Party Chair. He was seen as someone who had run on issues that were in line with the party platform. But as a Party Chair, Meeker was seen as the driving force behind a tone of moderation, telling audiences "If we were in California, we'd be Moderate Republicans" which ruffled the feathers of many.
This is the issue that received much debate. Despite his the Chair's personal alliance with the core values of the party, for several weeks party leadership had disputed and worked to stop or tone down a message that they didn't think should see light of day:
http://www.kansascity.com/...
Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, called Meeker’s resignation necessary. “There had been talk for weeks that he was going to advocate renaming, rebranding the party and there were a number of us who were very disappointed to hear that,” he said.
The behind the scenes discussion, which has gone on for weeks was thought to be well contained and not reflective of the positions of the elected officials or staff. While it was clear the interviews with the Pitch and the Wichita Eagle had kicked up a stir, Democrats found themselves discussing the messages that resonate with broader Kansas.
Republican Kelly Arnold released a press statement referring to the Kansas Democratic Party as the Red State Democrat party, before jumping into the construct that Kansas Democrats are morally bankrupt. This despite growing Kansas scandals revolving around the Department of Children & Family Services, where Brownback's budget cuts and policies may have attributed to untrained and overworked child abuse investigators, being pilloried for their role in the beating deaths of Kansas Children.
Attending Democratic addressed polling data released this week that showed general unhappiness with Governor Brownback's regressive tax strategy as well as how the party will put together an active and continuous attack on Sam Brownback.
While Kansas Republicans argued that the Democratic Party was under the control of the "liberal wing" of the party; the "liberal wing" of the Democratic Party responded. In a messaging and data forum, an attendee stood to make the point simple: "These Republicans talk about cuts, cuts, cuts.. A man was murdered due to those cuts. How does Brownback sell that?"
She was referring to the beating death of Jerry Martinez at the hands of Brian Brown, a state mental health care patient who was on a quick release schedule in part due to overcrowding and funding issues in the Osawatomie Kansas Mental Health Facility.
Jean Schodorf, Secretary of the Kansas Democratic Party let several know on Friday: "I think Kansans see what is happening to their state and they are not happy about it."
Over the two days there were two speeches which riled the crowd. On Saturday Morning, Thomas Witt, leader of Equality Kansas, led the progressive caucus in a rally cry: "I am a Democrat. I am a Democrat in Kansas. I am a Democrat in Missouri. I'm a Democrat in DC, I'm Democrat anywhere I go. And we stand committed to that." A message which brought a room of more than a hundred into a standing applause.
Anthony Hensley, Democratic Senate Leader, stood before the closing banquet to carry on that call: "I'm proud to be a Democrat. I will always be a Democrat.", a moment which drew a rousing applause from a well attended crowd.
Lee Kinch, a prominent and well-respected party stalwart is expected to become the next Kansas Party Chair in a meeting to be held on October 3 in Salina.