Political Blow To GOP In Kansas

From Politico–Been busy today with a multitude of things on the agenda and have not been able to blog about a number of items but this news is something that will make for much consternation for not only Senator Roberts but Republicans around the country.

The Kansas Supreme Court on Thursday sided with Democrats attempting to remove their candidate from the ballot in Kansas’ razor-tight Senate, a blow to incumbent Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts’ reelection prospects.

The withdrawal of the Democratic nominee in the race, Chad Taylor, clears a path for independent Greg Orman to challenge Roberts one-on-one. Polls show Orman leading in the contest in a head-to-head matchup.

Although Taylor announced earlier this month that he was ending his campaign, Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach had ruled that Taylor’s name must remain on the ballot because his withdrawal failed to meet the precise requirements of Kansas’ election law. But the court dismissed Kobach’s argument, agreeing that Taylor satisfied the law when he announced his decision to drop out. The court refused to address Kobach’s additional claim that Kansas Democrats are required to name a new candidate to replace Taylor.

 

Grand Ole Opry Star George Hamilton IV Dies At Age 77

Veteran Grand Ole Opry star George Hamilton IV died Wednesday at a Nashville hospital at age 77.  Hamilton, who last played the Opry on Sept. 6, suffered a heart attack on Saturday.

Hamilton had an unerring song sense, tapping into the catalogs of such stellar tunesmiths as Harlan Howard, Bill Anderson, Cindy Walker, Ernest Tubb, Maybelle Carter, Lee Clayton and James Taylor.  A 50-year veteran of the Grand Ole Opry, Hamilton was the first Opry star to perform behind the Iron Curtain, when he played in Russia and in Prague, Czechoslovakia.