Former Congressional Representative Jim Slattery announced today that he might be ready to take on stodgy slacker Pat Roberts in a head-to-head dual for the U.S. Senate in Kansas.

Says Slattery: "Our country is in some very, very difficult times. I think Kansans are alarmed that the country is headed in the wrong direction. I think they’re looking for new leadership."

Kansas hasn't elected a Democratic senator in 75 years, but don't be disheartened.  Join me on the flip to see why.

Eight years ago, it seemed like the right thing to do. Congress passed a law which requires three (3) percent of all federal procurement dollars to be awarded to service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. After all, the Department of Defense (DoD) is the federal government's biggest buyer of goods and services. What better way to reflect the nation's recognition of their service and sacrifices than boosting contracting opportunities for disabled vets?

It seems like a no-brainer. The Defense Department benefits by tapping into the expertise of veterans with hands-on experience with the latest military equipment and systems and an understanding of the military's needs. In addition, many veterans already possess the security clearances required to bid on most military contracts.

But is the government obeying the law? More on the flip...

On a conference call with supporters this morning, Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards announced a major Memorial Day Initiative.  A Marine Corporal named Alex first summarized the current conditions in Iraq, then introduced the Senator. The Corporal advised that the situation in Iraq was so dangerous, our troops could do little more than make attempts to protect themselves. He said virutally nothing was currently being done operationally to protect the Iraqi people. He also said he was speaking out against the war as an act of patriotism.

Senator Edwards then joined the conference call, and stated the voice of the America people is the most powerful force to bring the war in Iraq to an end. He said he wanted to provide an opportunity this Memorial Day weekend for everyone to be an American, a citizen and a patriot. What does he recommend? More on the flip....

Sparks flew tonight as several thousand religious, political and business leaders, academics, students and members of the general public gathered at Boston College to hear U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) debate the challenges of balancing their loyalty to the Church and to the American people.

Moderated by NBC "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert, the event addressed a range of hot-button contemporary issues -- from stem cell research, abortion and euthanasia to gay marriage, war, morality, social justice and family values -- all cast in light of the relationship between political decision-making and Church teaching.

Did they agree on ANYTHING? More on the flip.....
   

When I first read this headline in Solidpolitics, I laughed out loud. They've got to be kidding! But no, folks. They're totally serious! Unbelievable! And what's more incredible is their reasoning. It seems as though progressive blog webmasters aren't allowed to be plain ol', run of the mill business executives who support their business endeavors with products that generate revenue. Why.... that would be "capitalist!"

Is it really true Hillary Clinton is shelling out great wads of cash to influence liberal bloggers and Kos has sold out?

Read the words of their "indictment" on the flip....

Former President Bill Clinton made a two-stop visit to Kansas yesterday, and got rousing standing ovations and cheers at both locations in the heartland.  The first stop was the Landon Lecture Series, where Clinton spoke for 45 minutes to a crowd of about 9,000 in Bramlage Coliseum at Kansas State University. He then addressed the party faithful at the Kansas Democratic Party's annual Washington Days event. As reported by the Topeka Capital Journal:

More than 1,500 people paying $125 each for quality time with Clinton were rewarded with self-deprecating reflections on his up-and-down career; a predictably bleak critique of Bush administration policy; and commentary on energy, health care and economic issues.

In keeping with party tradition, Clinton auctioned off his necktie as a fundraiser. Inquiring minds might want to know: What was the winning bid? And how did it compare with to what Barack Obama's tie got last year?

More below the fold....

OK, folks, we knew this was coming.....

Fidelis and other groups are preparing to launch a nationwide campaign against Edwards and his bloggers in the coming days. Surprised?

On the evening of Tuesday, February 13 at 7:30 PM, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas will host a panel on "Blog to the Chief: The Impact of Political Blogs on the 2008 Election" as part of its Annual Presidential Lecture series.

http://www.doleinstituteblog.org/

Who's gonna be there? Check it out under the fold....