Another in our series of standing features that catch you up on a busy news day when we’re chasing other unique stories that we hope will keep you informed on Kansas politics. So here’s what you may have missed from Friday but need to know.
KU Flag controversy continues
Maybe I’m just getting old, but this issue is starting to resemble the 1988 presidential campaign when George Bush used images of the American flag to drive home the point about Michael Dukakis vetoing a bill requiring teachers to lead their classes in the Pledge of Allegiance. The issue then was all about patriotism.
It’s not exactly parallel, but the controversy over the KU art exhibit with the paint-spattered American flag is becoming sort of a litmus test for patriotism in the Republican primary for governor and now the 2nd Congressional District race.
On Friday, Republican congressional candidate, state Sen. Caryn Tyson, called on Democrat Paul Davis to condemn the art exhibit at KU, which was moved to a museum after flying outside Spooner Hall.
“KU has no right – no right – to display a desecrated American flag. Paul Davis’ silence on this issue is offensive and disappointing. I will not be silent.
“We need a leader who will stand with Kansans, our troops and our flag, not the forces of political correctness and the liberal ACLU,” said Tyson, who is running in a crowded Republican primary field for the 2nd District nomination.
“Paul Davis and the ACLU are out of touch with Kansans, our Constitution and reality. KU’s display is not art. It is political hackery. Using taxpayer dollars to grant a license to extremists sets a very dangerous precedent.”
Paul Davis issued a statement to the Lawrence Journal-World on Friday in which he said the university used “incredibly poor judgment.” The former Kansas House minority leader went on to say he opposed “desecration” of the American flag.
And it doesn’t stop there.
KU officials came out on Friday, saying they had no intent of removing the exhibit from campus despite demands from Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who are in a heated primary campaign. Here’s coverage from the Topeka Capital-Journal and LJW.
More bad news for Watkins
The headlines for Republican 2nd District Congressional candidate Steve Watkins continue to pile up and not in a good way.
We’ve already had the news about his dad financing a political action committee for his son.
Now, questions abound about whether he’s sincerely a Republican after meeting with Democrats to talk about running for office. Lots of coverage from Friday, first from the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Bernie’s coming to town
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is coming to Kansas next week to help Democratic congressional candidates Brent Welder and James Thompson.
Sanders will be in Wichita at 1 p.m. next Friday, July 20, where he will campaign for Thompson in the 4th District and then later in the day will be in Kansas City, Kan. to lend a helping hand for Welder in the 3rd District.
The Vermont senator will be joined by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the political novice who made a splash a couple weeks ago when she upset the fourth-highest ranking Democrat in a primary in New York City.
Thompson, who faces Laura Lombard in the Democratic primary, made a vigorous but unsuccessful bid to defeat Ron Estes in a special election last year.
Welder is in a hot Democratic primary for the right to face Republican Congressman Kevin Yoder, who’s believed to be vulnerable.
Estes used Friday’s announcement to characterize Thompson as an extremist.
“Time and time again, Democrats like Laura Lombard, James Thompson, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continue moving left toward socialism while advocating for higher taxes, abolishing ICE and abortion on demand,” Estes said in a statement.
“Rep. Ron Estes knows these extremist views are out of touch with Kansans, which is why he works tirelessly to find common-sense solutions that will benefit all Americans,” Estes said.
Here’s some other local coverage on Sanders’ visit from the Wichita Eagle, KMBC, and KMUW.
