Brownback out – Will Tiahrt slime in?

Brownback is bowing out of the Senate and it would seem like a good thing since he is such a lousy Senator. But actually he has opened the way for such slime balls as Rep. Todd Tiahrt.

According to The Wichita Eagle:

Dec. 19, 2008

“Brownback to bow out of U.S. Senate

Republican U.S. Reps. Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran have expressed an interest in running for the seat.

Associated Press

TOPEKA - Kansas Republican Sam Brownback formally announced Thursday that he will not seek a third full term in the U.S. Senate.

Brownback made his announcement at the Statehouse, saying he owed it to Kansans to keep his word and retire more than keeping seniority in the Senate.

"This is something that I need to do," he said. "I would lose a lot more and the people of Kansas would lose a lot more if I broke my word."

Brownback was elected to the Senate in 1996 to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Bob Dole, who resigned to be the GOP nominee for president. Brownback then won full, six-year terms in 1998 and 2004.

"I love doing this," he said. "Your word is your bond. Once you give it, you stand by it."

It is widely expected that Brownback, 52, will return to Kansas and run for governor in 2010. However, he declined to say Thursday what he would do after his term ended.

Brownback ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, dropping out early in the race and supporting eventual nominee John McCain.

Democrats hold the majority in the Senate with at least 57 seats to 41 Republicans. Two Independents also align themselves with Democrats. The Minnesota Senate race is still to be decided.

Reps. Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt, both Kansas Republicans, have expressed interest in giving up their House seats and running for Brownback's Senate seat in 2010. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has been mentioned as a possible Democratic challenger.”

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For Tiahrt this would mean a bigger trough to slop out of. He sells off his votes, takes his family to Europe on the taxpayer’s dime and votes the party line when there is no way to profit from his votes.

He grandstands for jobs in Wichita with his unsuccessful attempt at an aircraft “tanker deal” and votes against badly needed aid for birth control to pacify his religious right constituents.

The last thing we need it Tiahrt at the Senate trough.