Right-Wing "Freedom's Watch" Launch Radio Ads Attacking Boyda

The right-wing radical group "Freedom's Watch," which has already run full page ads in area newspapers attacking Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, and only weeks ago launched a blitz of robocalls lamely attacking Boyda first on military pay and then on gas prices.

We're guessing they're learning the hard way people hate robocalls, because they're newest volley comes in the form of radio ads.

"Since last year, gas prices are up 75 [percent]," says a narrator at the start. "Everything -- from bread and milk, to airline tickets, even diapers -- costs more."

The ad then details a series of energy votes by the targeted Democrats that have blocked attempts to lower costs.

"But, Nancy Boyda stands in the way," says the narrator. "While we cut back on gas and groceries, family outings, and summer vacations."

(We haven't found the whole transcript of the Boyda ad yet- we'll let you know when we do).

So, really, nothing more than the partisan finger pointing we've been hearing for months- the same drivel that ignores anything and everything proactive that doesn't result in drilling in Yellowstone National Park. They willfully ignore votes taken by Boyda to increase funding for alternative fuels (which are, in the end, our only real way out of this mess), her endorsement of a federal gas tax holiday, and for more domestic exploration.

These ads aren't about informing voters, they're misleading voters with half-truths and misdirection.

Since we don't have the exact votes from the radio ad, we can't go at them one-by-one, but we can promise you from a purely non-partisan position we wholeheartedly agree with what Chris Cilliza said when he broke this story:

Gas prices are the latest political football in the positioning of the two parties in advance of the fall election. The simple truth is that neither congressional Democrats nor Republicans can do much of anything when it comes to lowering the price of gas. There is no good short term solution.

Skyrocketing gasoline prices are neither a Democratic nor a Republica problem, they weren't caused by either party, and both parties would do anythign they could to lower the price today. The only problem is- there isn't anything- nothing at all- that will lower them short-term and keep them down. Every solution discussed from alternative fuels to more domestric drilling will solve the problem in 10 years, not tomorrow.

When faced with problems like these, we need politicians who are prepared to think about what will actually fix the problem, not what will be expediant- Boyda's looking toward the future while trying to do anything she can, along with the rest of the Democratic majority, while groups like Freedom's Watch can't see passed their own noses.

Letter to the Editor: Medicare Cuts

A letter to the editor in the Sunday edition of the Topeka Capital-Journal from Congresswoman Nancy Boyda:

Medicate Vote
Sunday, June 29, 2008

If you needed a reminder of how important elections are, it comes this week. Tuesday, Medicare is going to get a lot worse for almost everyone. Last week, Congress had a chance to do something about it. In the House, where every member is up for re-election this November, the fix-it bill passed by a vote of 355 to 59 despite opposition from the president.

Unfortunately, only one-third of the Senate is up for re-election this year. When the Senate voted, the 50 Democrats (Sen. Ted Kennedy is still away fighting cancer) were joined by all of the Republicans facing tough re-election races in the fall. However, almost all the rest, including Sen. Sam Brownback, stuck with the president, and the bill fell one vote short of the 60 needed.

Doctors and other providers will see their payments cut by 10.6 percent. Those in rural areas will see their payments cut even more. The bonus payments that allow rural areas to keep their laboratories and ambulance services will expire. Patients who need rehab therapy will face tight caps on their number of sessions.

The bill we voted on blocked all of these changes. It also made some improvements, including help for pharmacies, rural clinics and low-income seniors, and it did it without increasing the debt.

The president opposes the bill because we pay for the improvements by cutting an insurance company subsidy, called Medicare Advantage, that will cost taxpayers $65 billion over the next five years.

I think Americans think it's good policy. That's why everyone who has to answer to the voters in November supported this bill.

Democracy is a team sport. This is a great example of why you need to be part of the debate.

REP. NANCY BOYDA, Topeka

Boyda Fights to Stop Medicare Reimbursement Cuts

Every single member of the Kansas delegation to Congress, all of them- save one- voted last week to prevent massive cuts from Medicare from going into effect- and to prevent very real hardship from hitting folks back at home and all over the nation.

Medical care options may be reduced after lawmakers packed up and left Washington, D.C., this week without stopping a 10.6 percent decrease in Medicare reimbursements made to physicians.

Primary care physicians with the Cotton-O'Neil Clinic will stop accepting new Medicare patients on Tuesday as a result of the cuts that go into effect that day.

"We urge citizens to communicate with your elected officials and ask for their support to repeal cuts to their Medicare benefits," said Kent Palmberg, chief medical officer for Stormont-Vail HealthCare, of which Cotton-O'Neil is a division.

Legislation was needed to block cuts that otherwise occur automatically under a formula. Congress has blocked similar cuts in the past.

The bill to prevent Bush Administration supported cuts passed the House overwhelmingly- 355-59. It was the Senate that become the problem, with responsibility resting directly at the feet of Senator Sam Brownback.

But in the Senate, the legislation fell just short of mustering the 60 votes needed to pass the measure under expedited rules. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, fell out of line with other members of the state's delegation, voting against shutting down debate so senators could vote on the measure. Phone calls and an e-mail sent to Brownback's office on Friday weren't returned.

If Brownback had joined his fellow Republican from Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, the bill would have had enough votes to get passed the Republican filibuster and could have gone on to an up-or-down vote. But, instead, he voted in lockstep with the Bush Administration and prevented any action. His one vote cost thousands of Kansans, and millions of Americans, their medical coverage.

Don't like it coming from us? Take it from Pat Roberts, then:

"I urge my colleagues to put politics aside to pass this bill for seniors and our health care providers," Roberts said in a statement released by his office. "I hope the Congress and the administration can work together to adopt these reforms as soon as possible."

Congresswoman Nancy Boyda was, rightfully, "shocked" when she got the news the Senate had refused to act.

"I think this is where I'm hoping there is nothing short of outrage on this," Boyda said. "Public policy follows public opinion."

In addition to eliminating the planned reduction, Boyda said the legislation would have addressed problems that are driving small pharmacies out of business and leaving some rural counties with no pharmacies. The legislation would have continued to make bonus payments to physicians working in rural areas, kept caps off of physical therapy and increased Medicare payments to doctors by 1.1 percent in January.

Boyda said she worries about seniors losing out on medical care options.

"They don't need one more thing to worry about," she said.

It's nothing shy of sad Sam Brownback let politics get in the way of protecting the health and well-being our our senior citizens. We agree with Boyda- we hope Kansas is outraged.

Ryun vs. Jenkins -or- TV vs. Yard Signs

Particularly for the folk in the Topeka media market, it's been hard to watch broadcast TV the last two weeks without seeing Jim Ryun's "awkward as a colt" commercial. The message certainly as saturated...but, like Ric Anderson pointed out a week ago, it's a message that saturated, say, 40 years ago.

1. As part of congressional candidate Jim Ryun's bid to win the Republican primary, his campaign began airing a TV commercial focusing on his background as a record-setting runner and an Olympian. According to the Ryun campaign, the ad is aimed at telling voters more about the candidate's past. Kansas Republican voters who were unaware that Ryun was an athlete also might be surprised to learn which of the following?

A) Amelia Earhart was an aviator
B) Dwight Eisenhower was a general
C) William Allen White was a journalist
D) All of the above

Correct answer: D

Chalk it up to the Ryun campaign totally misreading the electorate, but that's not that kind of information they're looking for when they say the need more background on their former Member of Congress.

The ad's bad, of course, but what's even more surprising than the Ryun campaigns tin ear is the utter and complete silence with which the Jenkins campaign responded to it. For two weeks, Ryun's ads have been on air non-stop and unchallenged, and the very last thing a challenger who is already losing wants to do is let their opponent run the table. But that's exactly what it seems the Jenkins camapign is doing.

If not addressing Ryun head-on, what have the Jenkins people been doing? Yard signs, by the looks of neighborhoods in Topeka. We aren't talking Nancy Boyda 2006 coverage, but they've got yard signs 'round town. Yard signs are important, oh yes sir, but that don't match TV for effectiveness or reach, and they certainly don't provide the level of exposure Jenkins desperately needs. It's roundly recognized Lynn Jenkins' most significant problem is name recognition- people outside of Shawnee County just don't know who the heck she is. Rather than do the logical and throw herself up on TV, she's pushing signs into the ground.

What is all of this, distilled? While Ryun takes the first real steps to defines himself and the race, Jenkins seems to be sitting on her hands.

Social Network Battleground

Back again with our weekly update of how each of our major party candidates are doing in the world of social networking.

We're tracking Facebook and MySpace only.

Candidate	# of Friends	# of Friends	# of Friends
	6/14/08	6/21/08	6/28/08
Rep. Nancy Boyda (D)
FB Profile	493	607	874
FB Page	820	847	853
FB Group	415	431	457
MySpace	1,912	1,933	1,941
Frm. Rep. Jim Ryun (R)
FB Profile	142	152	163
FB Page	n/a	n/a	n/a
FB Group	27	90	105
MySpace	12	13	14
Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (R)
FB Profile	n/a	n/a	n/a
FB Page	92	92	99
FB Group	265	266	274
MySpace	10	10	10

Another week that sees the most movement from Boyda, though Ryun continues a slow upward trek and even Jenkins saw some new peeps on the Facebook side of things.

In end, we understand such things are hard for Republicans....there aren't so many young people you identify with the GOP...but it's so good they're trying.

Remember, each week we'll indicate any up and down movement by putting increasing numbers in bold and falling numbers in italics.

Analysis: Ryun's Ad Filled with Deep Metaphor Missed by Most

For those who missed it, Washburn University Political Science professor Dr. Bob Beatty was on Topeka NBC affiliate KSNT yesterday with his take on Jim Ryun's first ad the of the primary season, which is called by the Ryun campaign, "Duckling."

We don't disagree with Beatty's interperation of the ad, metaphors and all, but we're also quite certain the casual TV viewing audience isn't nearly as engage or paying nearly as much attention as neccessary to even begin to fathom that level of obliqueness.

We've all heard just one thing about this ad, "We all said we didn't know enough about Jim Ryun to vote for him again, and the first thing you tell us in your ads is the ONLY THING WE ALL ALREADY KNOW!"

KC Star: 2nd District Primary is Going to be Hot

Poor Jim Ryun- and poor Lynn Jenkins, too- the only thing the media cares about is Jim's clean campaign pledge that Lynn laughed (rightly) off the table.

You know it’s a hot congressional race when even talk of running a clean campaign turns nasty.

That’s what happened when Jim Ryun asked his Republican primary opponent, Kansas Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, to make their contest a polite one. Ryun, the track star who held Kansas’ 2nd District congressional seat for 10 years, said he got no response.

“She doesn’t show any interest in running anything other than a disappointing campaign,” he said last week.

But Jenkins said it is Ryun who disappointed her after outside groups from Washington spent thousands to denounce Jenkins in a round of television ads.

“This is a guy who has already spent — or his cronies in Washington spent — $120,000 running ads in this district that have distorted my record,” she said.

Snap. We're totally on Lynn's side in this one- Jim Ryun is trying to run the same kind of campaign against her that he ran against Congresswoman Nancy Boyda twice- he's desperately trying to make the issue the fact she's not worthy of being elected, so we'll all ignore the fact he was a horrible Member of Congress. Now, Lynn isn't worthy of being elected, but certainly not because she's pointing out the fact that Jim was, in fact, a horrible Member of Congress.

Here's another little tidbit-

Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 43 percent to 29 percent. The district overwhelmingly re-elected President Bush in 2004, yet Democrats have held the congressional seat almost as often as Republicans during the past 40 years.

Also, those numbers make Boyda's 68% approval rating and her head-to-head match ups against both Ryun & Jenkins look pretty sweet- and evidence her work against illegal immigration and to bring our men and women home from Iraq with honor have resonated with the voters of her district.

KS GOP Blogs Stupid...When Talking About This Blog!

Yes, children, they even think we're funny!

First, and we'll say this again just for you, Christian, that this blog is not maintained by the Kansas Democratic Party, any member of the Kansas Democratic Party's staff, or anyone employed by Nancy Boyda, her congressional office or her campaign for re-election.

Second, Christian, perhaps you haven't noticed, but this blog has posted nearly 330 times- with only a handful of posts actively making fun of other blogs. True, we do make fun of you...we've actually made fun of The Trunkline more often than we made fun of Bounce Boyda...and that's saying something.

But, you see, Christian, it's so easy- and so necessary. The more times you post with lies, with misdirection, or with a blatant disregard for the facts, the more times we'll poke fun, the more time we'll, point-by-point, tear you post apart. It's a public service, you see, straight from us to the political general public.

Seriously, though, man- you're the Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party- do you actually have nothing better to do with the time in your day than to blog about a blog that hurt your feelings?

Oh and, uh- where can we register to post comments on The Trunkline? We'd just love to!

Jenkins Stance On Abortion Makes Her Unique

Exactly who a Republican candidate in a nasty primary in Kansas wants to be: The poster-child for pro-choice Republican women!

WISH List, a group that supports pro-choice Republican women running for office, has only one non-incumbent on its federal-level endorsement list for November: Lynn Jenkins, the current Kansas state treasurer. Jenkins is running in a GOP Congressional primary against the highly favored Jim Ryun, a hard-line anti-choicer who served five terms in the House before being booted out of office by pro-choice Republican-turned-Democrat Nancy Boyda in 2006.

Lonely, Lynn?

Ryun's Media Buy Expands into New Markets

We still aren't sure if Frm. Congressman Jim Ryun is keeping his same "introduction" ad up or if this buy is going to be something new, but he has expanded his TV ad buy into the Joplin, MO market (which covers the southern portion of the district including Pittsburg), and also onto the Topeka ABC affiliate. That puts him up on the big three in Topeka (still not on FOX). Nothin' in the St. Joseph market still.

Buy for this week totals $28,300.

Still nothing from Jenkins- if you do see an ad for Jenkins, or any kind of independent expenditure, e-mail us at boydabloc@gmail.com

KS GOP Blogs Stupid: Is This Just a Running Gag?

We've finally decided: The Kansas Trunkline isn't actually run by the Kansas Republican Party. No statewide organization with hundreds of thousands of members could ever produce something that so...so...so stupid and that never, ever contains more than a ratio of 1 fact to every 5 lies.

It just isn't possible the blog is actually produced by the Kansas Republican Party. We refuse to believe a statewide party is that amateurish, that arrogant, that....stupid.

And chicken- we should mention chicken- because they don't have the cajoles to let people post comments pointing out their stupid.

For this disaster, we'll translate "Batshit Insane Right-Wing Radical" into "Reasonable-personspeak" for your convenience:

"While I'm pleased that Boyda has finally seen the light, Kansans should not forget the absurd remarks she made on the subject only four months ago. Boyda originally voted against this bill; and at the time she had the audacity to call the Kansas GOP 'damn liars' for pointing out the flaws in her position.

1. They only call the remarks "absurd" because she hurt their feelings, publicly calling them out for lying and the like. It was an amazing speech- the best double-fisted defense against the right-wing spin machine anyone in Kansas has seen in a lifetime.

2. Boyda has only ever voted one way on this particular bill- in favor of it. The bill Boyda voted FOR in February was a much better version of this bill- which the Republicans prevented from becoming law.

3. For the love of...Boyda never once said the KS GOP were "damn liars"- 12,000 people have listened to the speech, but Christian Morgan continues to believe he can just make things up about it. No, dear Mr. Morgan, Boyda called the "Defense of Democracies" TV ad "damned lies" because, wow, IT WAS FILLED WITH LIES! We're going to get tired of linking to the Newsweek piece that refuted it, but hell, it's necessary. (BTW, just like we said the last time they pulled this stupid out, the version of the ad they linked to on their blog contains 30 seconds refuting the ad....did they take it down? Oh no...of course not. Because they're idiots). Point remains the same as it was in February- the KS GOP was then (and, obviously are still) willfully pushing "damned lies."

(We hate how long these posts get...but point-by-point refutation takes a lot of words...)

"Now that her re-election is in doubt, she flip-flopped-showing that doesn't really know where she stands on the most important issue facing Americans today.

1. Yes, sure, Christian- Boyda's re-election is in doubt. Keep on ignoring reality- it will surely go away.

2. Boyda hasn't changed positions. She voted for the last bill, she voted for this bill. What on Earth is wrong with you people?

You don't have to lie to win, and you don't have to lie to blog. You'd think the KS GOP would learn that for their own sakes.

41 Years Since Ryun Mattered; Jenkins Announcement Video

For those of you lucky enough to be on Jim Ryun's mailing list, you already know this, but for those of you not so blessed, let us just tell you that today is the 41st anniversary of Jim Ryun's world record-setting mile.

Seeing as it's the only reason he's yet to provide the public at-large for his re-election, it shouldn't surprise you he'd like you to donate to his campaign today in celebration of his greatest triumph. Please send $41 or $351 today (get it? 41 years, 3:51 race time? SO clever!).

Also, as an FYI, Ryun has extended his media buy....don't know if he'll have a new ad, or just more of "Duckling."

We missed this last week- our deepest apologies- Lynn Jenkins' announcement speech from Holton. We'd make fun of the content...if we could hear her over the wind.

The American Conservative: Boyda May be Safe

A few days ago we linked to a piece written for The American Conservative- and, like we said then, that isn't a periodical we would normally ever...ever...read. But, again, they have brought us gold that we, in turn, are bringing to you.

Kansas’ 2nd District may be turning into a safe seat for the Democrats, according to this result. Generic approval for Congress is an abysmal 12% these days, but the personal job approval ratings for new Democratic incumbents appear to be very good, and we all know that the generic Congressional ballot is overwhelmingly pro-Democratic. As far as Nancy Boyda is concerned, there does not seem to be voter’s remorse over her 2006 election, which supports my earlier guess that her seat was not as vulnerable as the race rankings suggest that it is. Pretty clearly, contrary to what I was saying earlier this month, her endorsement of Obama has had no meaningful effect on support for her in the district.

Which, of course, we said at the time.

KS-02 ought to be one of the GOP’s best chances to retake a seat lost in the midterms, and that possibility seems more remote by the day. Things may change once the Republicans settle on a nominee, but there is no reason right now to think that a Boyda-Ryun rematch would yield a different result.

We're as buoyed by these polling results as this poor conservative is dejected by them, but, as realists, we know perfectly well these numbers will move a great deal after the Republicans start pummeling Congresswoman Boyda with negative TV. But, at this point, this is just another "Republican seat" slipping out of the grasp of the Republican Party. We can't forget they'll fight dirty to prevent that from happening.

67, 66, 65, 64...

We're just moments away from out 20,000th hit- making us arguably the best-read political blog in Kansas (and certainly the most-read Democratic blog in Kansas), and still the only place to stop for all your 2nd Congressional District Primary & General election news.

Thank you all for making this blog such a success!

-The Boyda Bloc Team

Social Network Battleground

Back again with our weekly update of how each of our major party candidates are doing in the world of social networking.

We're tracking Facebook and MySpace only.

Candidate	# of Friends	# of Friends
	6/14/08	6/21/08
Rep. Nancy Boyda
FB Profile	493	607
FB Page	820	847
FB Group	415	431
MySpace	1,912	1,933
Frm. Rep. Jim Ryun
FB Profile	142	152
FB Page	n/a	n/a
FB Group	27	90
MySpace	12	13
Treasurer Lynn Jenkins
FB Profile	n/a	n/a
FB Page	92	92
FB Group	265	266
MySpace	10	10

Boyda, in our first week, is our clear winner, though Frm. Congressman Ryun did more than triple the number of people in his "Jim Ryun for Congress" Facebook group- up from 27 to 90.

Hmm...for the only candidate in the race with an avatar on Second Life, he's not so good at the social media.

Each week we'll indicate any up and down movement by putting increased numbers in bold and falling numbers in italics.

Friday Photo Caption Contest: Ryun in the Countyside Edition

After the week we've had- from polling data to major legislation- we're well on our way to our highest high count ever for a single week- thank you all so much for reading us!

But, now, we need something a little more relaxing- so, photo caption contest it is!

Boyda: New FISA Law Provides Checks & Balances

From the Office of Congresswoman Nancy Boyda:

BOYDA SAYS NEW BI-PARTISAN FISA BILL PROVIDES CHECKS AND BALANCES IN FIGHT ON TERRORISM

CONGRESS APPROVES BI-PARTISAN FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) announced that, after months of debate, the United States House of Representatives has today voted in favor of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act 2008 by a vote of 293-129.

Boyda said "Since I took office in January, 2007, my highest priority has been to protect our country. It's the reason I ran for Congress – to protect my family and the families of Kansas. This is a responsibility I take very seriously. Congress has reached a bi-partisan agreement on a bill that provides protection for America – without violating the rights of Americans."

The FISA bill requires court approval prior to the start of surveillance in a non-emergency. In an emergency, it allows the "wiretap first, get permission later" policy that Boyda has been advocating.

Boyda said, "I have been adamant that any Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act require checks and balances. This bill reaffirms what I have said repeatedly. The Protect America Act and the Senate version did not reflect the values of America. This bill strikes a good balance."

"I heard from some constituents about immunity for telecommunications companies. This limited immunity should not in any way close the books on investigations into any illegal wiretapping which may have taken place. The American public deserves to know the truth."

Vote on FISA TODAY

In these last 48 hours leading up to today's vote on the new FISA bill, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's speech chastizing conservative groups for playing with America's security to win political points, has been viewed almost 5,200 times.

It was an impressive speech, and we'd like to post it here again today:

Boeing, Emmergency Supplemental & More on the Poll

Three things: Boyda's congressional office sent out two press releases over the last few days, but in all the excitement with the Boyda & the Jenkins poll, we didn't get them posted.

First, Boyda's response to the GAO decision to sustain an appeal made by Boeing regarding the awarding of a contract for new tankers.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today announced its decision to sustain an appeal by Boeing over a tanker contract awarded earlier this year to EADS, the European Aerospace conglomerate and Northrop Grumman. Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) called the GAO's decision "the right thing to do – for national security and for America's economy."

[...]

Boyda said "I am extremely pleased the GAO has called for the Air Force to reopen contract discussions, re-evaluate the revised proposals and make a new source selection decision. After all, it just makes no sense for America to outsource our ability to defend our nation. In World War II, our nation's manufacturers turned on a dime to produce the planes and trucks we need to keep America safe. With every contract we send overseas, we lose our capacity to build for our own military."

"Please know," added Boyda, "I will continue the fight to help protect our nation's security and jobs in Kansas when it comes to awarding military contracts."

Boyda also issued a statement regarding her reasons behind supporting the new emergency supplemental bill containing funds for the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, along with new monies for domestic programs.

Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives, in a bipartisan show of support, voted for an Emergency Supplemental Funding Bill.

Boyda said "Kansans should be pleased that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle came together in voting for this bill. It addresses many important issues for the Second District of Kansas, including funding for a much needed new hospital at Fort Riley, assistance for disaster stricken areas, and an extension of unemployment benefits for the jobless."

The Supplemental contains $161.8 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the summer of 2009, as well as $2.65 billion in disaster relief funds for areas of the Midwest hit by tornadoes and flooding. It extends unemployment compensation by 13 weeks for Kansas workers unable to find jobs because of the ailing economy. It expands the GI Bill to provide improved education benefits for veterans and allows veterans to transfer education benefits to their families.

And, finally, another new analysis piece about the new poll showing Congresswoman Nancy Boyda polling substaintially ahead of her Republican challengers & with approval ratings higher than any other elected official in Kansas.

RealClearPolitics: "Boyda Up Big"

More about the new 2008 General poll from RealClearPolitics:

Though she is widely believed to be one of the most vulnerable first-term Democrats in the country, Kansas Rep. Nancy Boyda may be in better shape than initially thought, a new survey conducted for national Democrats shows.

But in exactly the same place people on the ground in Kansas thought she was.

Despite some missteps in her first term, Boyda is hugely popular, if the poll is to be believed. 68% of respondents in her district said she was doing an excellent or good job, while just 21% had a negative impression of her job performance. 54% said they would definitely or probably vote to re-elect Boyda, while just 35% said they would give someone else a shot.

More popular than any other elected official in the state of Kansas, in fact.

In short, Boyda should be in serious jeopardy in her eastern Kansas district, which includes Topeka and Manhattan. The district gave President Bush a twenty-point win in 2004, the same year Ryun beat Boyda by a fifteen-point margin. And she's not on the DCCC's Frontline list of endangered members, after making clear she would not participate in the project to appear more independent to her district. But if the latest poll is accurate, Boyda may have struck a cord that would keep her safe in her first bid for re-election.

Hell yes she has- but having this kind of information out is only going to make the Republican Party and the NRCC fight even harder, even meaner, to knock her down. She needs your donation today.

Finally, just a little more about the Republican primary:

The late primary, just three months before Election Day, will force Ryun and Jenkins to spend much of their money on each other rather than on Boyda, who already has a financial advantage. Through the end of March, Boyda had $814,000 in the bank, while Jenkins held $486,000 in reserve and Ryun kept $459,000 around. Ryun had outraised both his opponents by wide margins, but much of that money went to paying off debt from last cycle.

Not quite right...Jim's been spending his money on postage stamps, but, the message is OK. Hey, maybe that's why Jenkins isn't doing anything to improve her name recognition- she's keeping her money in the bank for the general! Careful, honey, or you're not going to make it there to spend it.

More New Polling! Jenkins...trails Ryun?

In what strikes us as a case of "Me, too!" Lynn Jenkins' campaign shot out an email this morning about a new poll commissioned by them that contained some amazing, stunning, shocking news about the Republican primary in the 2nd District of Kansas!

She's still losing.

No, wait, that's not exactly what she said-

According to the findings, Lynn Jenkins leads Jim Ryun by 13 points among people who know both candidates! This is great news, but let me be clear - this indicates that once voters get introduced to Lynn, they support her.

Important: She leads among voters who know who they both are. Question: Exactly how many people is that, Lynn?

She'd rather not say.

This poll confirms that our greatest challenge is to get Lynn's name out there to the people.

Then why aren't you on TV? The radio? Anything?

Money troubles?

But, do you get the point? If people just knew who Lynn Jenkins was, they'd support her. In fact, according to this e-mail, the people of the district already just love her!

In fact, nearly one third of likely primary voters have a negative impression of Ryun as opposed to only 4% who view Lynn unfavorably.

Golly gee! That's amazing! But...wait...didn't you say no one in the district knew who you were? Isn't it awfully hard to have an opinion of any kind about something (or someone) of which you've never heard? Hmmm...Ms. Jenkins is trying to pull the wool over her supporter's eyes with that last one.

Regardless- the e-mail is important for what it leaves out. We don't have any idea how many people have any idea who Lynn Jenkins is, and we don't have any idea what her actual head-to-head with Jim Ryun is. Also, notice, she didn't tell you how she fairs against Nancy Boyda, either...that's because, as we saw yesterday, she's getting her hat handed to her.

Poor Lynn. Another bad week.

More on the Poll

Last night's breaking news about the astounding poll results coming out of the KS-02 drew considerable attention around the tubes.

Swing State Project, DailyKos, and Everyday Citizen all had the numbers on their front page. We'd encourage all of you visit each on, they all provide different interesting analysis of the numbers. (In a separate treat, Boyda's speech on FISA is currently also on the front page of kos...gosh, these poll numbers must really suck for all the people who spent so much time and money saying Boyda's position on FISA was wrong and out-of-step with the district...).

While this poll is good new for Boyda (obviously, seeing as she's more popular than any of the 2nd District-wide elected officials, including Gov. Kathleen Sebelius & both U.S. Senators), it particularly bad news for both Jenkins & Ryun. Their head-to-head match ups aren't even close- 37% and 27% respectively. That's got to hurt Ryun especially.

And while this poll shows the Republican primary much closer than previous polls (49-35-16 R-J-U), Jenkins still has an awfully long way to go to close the gap and pass for the former Congressman.

One thing though- she probably needs to stop saying she's the more difficult challenger for Boyda...because, by these numbers, she's quite obviously not.

BREAKING: Boyda Polling in the Lead

Just as the Republican Primary campaign bursts on to the stage, all of us watching the race in the Kansas 2nd Congressional District got a very, very unexpected surprised today that throws the conventional wisdom about this race right out the window.

Results of a poll conducted in the Kansas 2nd District in May by Anzalone Liszt Research, Inc. shows truly shocking numbers- and proves Congresswoman Nancy Boyda isn't quite as weak as previously thought.

Here they are as they were sent to us:



How would you rate the job that Nancy Boyda is doing as U.S. Congresswoman?

Total Positive- 68% (!!)
Total Negative- 21%
Don't Know- 10%

68% approval for a Democrat in eastern Kansas! That's currently better than either United States Senator or Governor Kathleen Sebelius!

Will you re-elect Nancy Boyda, or support someone new?

Re-elect- 54%
Someone new- 35%
Don't Know- 11%

That's what a year of hard work gives you- 54% want to re-elect Boyda in this R+7 district.

Nancy Boyda vs. Jim Ryun

Nancy Boyda- 54%
Jim Ryun- 37%
Undecided- 9%

After 10 years, the KS-2 has had enough of Jim Ryun!

Nancy Boyda vs. Lynn Jenkins

Nancy Boyda- 57%
Lynn Jenkins- 27%
Undecided- 15%

So much for the logic Lynn Jenkins is the stronger candidate against Boyda.

Lynn Jenkins vs. Jim Ryun

Lynn Jenkins- 35%
Jim Ryun- 49%
Undecided- 16%

(Link to the polling report as it was emailed to us)

Instant reactions: All the Republican posturing about how poor a fit Boyda is for her district is patently false- it's obvious the people of the Kansas 2nd Congressional district think Boyda is doing an exceptional job if 68% of people are giving her good or excellent marks.

Also, so far at least, the people of the district have no interest in trading out Boyda for the messages being peddled by either Ryun or Jenkins- and it looks like Jenkins still has a long way to go if she has any hope in the world of beating Ryun in the primary.

The only other thing- while this poll is good news for Nancy Boyda right now, all this new information means is, in the end, the fight is going to be even harder. Why? Because Ryun & Jenkins both know Boyda's winning, too, and they'll redouble their efforts to knock her out of her seat. Even though this polling shows Boyda's as strong as we had all hoped, this means the Republicans will pull out ever stop in an attempt to beat her.

She needs your help. Sign up to volunteer and, please, make a contribution of $10, $25, or $50- she's going to need it to stay in the lead.

KS GOP Blogs Stupid- Bad Statistics & Bad Research

Literally nothing makes us happier than calling out Republicans for lying, screwing up, or just plan forgetting their brains at the door when they try to attack Congresswoman Nancy Boyda. Today's new post on The Trunkline from the Kansas Republican Party provides us with a truly beautiful opportunity to do just that.

Two things:

• Their missive cites two different roll call votes, #370 & 380, that supposedly are instances that prove Boyda "is actually voting against debating any amendment aimed at reducing the cost of gas."

• It then smacks Boyda for not knowing how much the price of gasoline has increased for the average Kansan ("Boyda is so out of touch with what we, as every day Kansans, are paying at the pump, she thinks that gas prices have risen only 30 percent!"). The GOP says the number is actually 80%.
  

Damning, eh?

Oh, quite the opposite, dearies.

First- the roll call votes. Perhaps less vodka would make the KS GOP's researcher a little more effective, because, honestly, you'd have to just be trashed to try to pair either of their cited roll call votes with evidence Boyda has voted against lowering gas prices.

Why? Since Boyda has been in Congress, there have been two votes with each of those numbers (one for each in 2007 and in 2008) and Nancy Boyda voted "Aye" on three of them. The one she voted against? It was #380 in 2007 and it was an amendment but it had literally nothing to do with gasoline prices- it made ridiculous changes to the affordable housing fund. See for yourself.

As evidenced here, Congresswoman Boyda was right when she chastised the leadership of the KS GOP peddlers of "damned lies."

Next- the price of gas. The gist of this one is that Boyda doesn't even know how much the price of gas as increased because, on her web site, she says it has gone up 30% over the last year while the KS GOP says it's really be 80%. Basically, they're calling her out-of-touch and a liar.

First, kiddies, Boyda's web site says "in the last year," so lets make sure we're all talking the same timeframe. Second, we'll have to quibble with the prices cited by the GOP in their email. A quick drive around Topeka shows the average price is about $3.86 (same average show here), and, also, the price of gas one year ago today was $2.88 (on average) in Kansas. Damn, another problem with facts....pity.

So, do the math. The price of gas as increased 34% in the last year- a number almost identical to the 30% Boyda cites on her web site.

Again, less alcohol in the office would stop mistakes like these.

The price of gas is skyrocketing...just like it was doing before the Democrats took control of Congress. The situation hasn't been fixed, that's obvious- the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan are consuming huge amounts of gasoline, and demand at home as continued to grow. Somethings got to give.

Boyda's voted (with the Republicans) for more domestic exploration, she's voted to increase research into alternatives, which, in the end, is the only real way out of this mess, and she's done something else that's exactly right on track- she's voted to stop giving our tax money to the Big Oil companies who are killing us at the pump.

This is a conversation that needs to be had...but the Kansas Republican Party needs to not lie when they have it.

Also...Boyda didn't take office in January 2006, it was 2007. We'll guess that's not a lie, just a typo.

So Much for not Mentioning Jenkins, Huh, Jim?

We already talked about the horrible stupid that got spewed by both Jim Ryun & Lynn Jenkins at the Farm Bureau candidate forum in Iola, but we just had some new information passed to us that makes it pretty clear Ryun has already forgotten his own pledge to run a "clean campaign" or, at least, one that doesn't include either he or Jenkins mentioning each other by name but only in vague and/or subconscious ways.

Anyway, before Jenkins took to the stage, Ryun said:

"You’ll hear in a few minutes from my opponent. She’ll talk about new, Republican leadership. Actually, where was that when she served in the state house and senate?”

So much for the 11th Commandment. But, Jim, you silly, don't you see? Raising taxes is the new brand of Republican leadership she's talking about!

Oh, one more thing- Jenkins wee child of a campaign spokesman Josh Hersh had this to say about Jim's new TV commercials:

"While a TV ad can tell a story, Lynn Jenkins' lifelong record of cutting waste and balancing budgets demonstrates the kind of discipline we need in Washington."

He wouldn't say when Lynn planned to go up on TV...for her sake, hopefully soon.

You Be the Pundit: What are the Numbers?

A friend of ours says blogging isn't just about exposure- shoving a story out for people to see- but it's really about a conversation between the person blogging and the people reading and writing comments.

So, to fill what seems to a slow news day, we'd like to hear your gut instincts about where the Republican primary really is at this point. We've seen these poll numbers:

Mid-April 08 (from the Jenkins Campaign)
Ryun..........50
Jenkins.......34

Mid-May 08 (from the Ryun Campiagn)
Ryun..........65
Jenkins.......21

So...which one is closer? Has Jenkins closed the gap? Has Ryun pulled ahead? We've had a couple of people comment here about a rumored Jenkins poll that was in the field a few weeks ago...what did it show?

And what about Congresswoman Nancy Boyda? What's does her district think of her? We know there hasn't been any public polling on that point...but we're interested in your gut reaction

Have fun!

NFIB: Boyda Pledges Support for "Solutions Start Here"

The healthcare crisis in the United States doesn't just effect the millions of Americans without health insurance, it also has a direct impact on the millions of small businesses that try to do the right thing and provide their employees with health insurance. As prices skyrocket, it becomes more and more difficult for those businesses to still be able to do the right thing and stay in business.

In a pledge to work with small businesses & the next president, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda has joined with the National Federation of Independent Businesses buy signing their