Too little, too late Sam.

After a 25 year career in Washington, Sam Brownback has suddenly become aware of the staggering size of the U.S. debt -- and not a moment too soon, as he's ambitiously seeking the Governor's mansion in Kansas this cycle. The Kansas City Star explains:

...Sam Brownback of Kansas [snip] along with 23 colleagues from both sides of the aisle, believe that the imbalance between spending and revenue is too worrisome to ignore.

But as usual with Brownback it's just another move of political expediciency. Just as Brownback is leaving the Senate he's suddenly rediscovered his inner "fiscal responsibility" just in time for election.

During his time in Congress, a staggering $7 trillion has been added to the U.S. debt -- with hardly a peep in opposition from Kansas' junior Senator. In fact, as I'll detail below, Sam Brownback has been a leading contributor to the problem over the last two decades.

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Kansas Democrats are on their way to presenting the strongest slate of candidates in years with respected businessman Tom Wiggans' announcement that he will run for Governor. Wiggans, a native Kansan, will run against career politician, and well known right-wing Republican, Sam Brownback. Check out this video...

From his bio:

Tom is committed to applying his vast business experience to Kansas state government as our next Governor. By utilizing his common sense business practices to bring people together and solve problems, Tom will work with both Democrats and Republicans to pull our state out of the economic recession, ensure we have a stable state budget, and create 21st century jobs for our future.

More about Tom and his campaign below the fold.

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Last week, SurveyUSA released the results of their monthly approval rating poll in Kansas showing a staggering six percent drop in approval for Senator Sam Brownback. Brownback, who is running for Governor of Kansas, now finds himself under the so-called "safe" 50% threshold for election.

Brownback's 48% approval is nearing his all time low achieved when he left Kansas to pursue his ambition of becoming President. Worst yet for him, he's bleeding moderates.  One in ten abandoned Brownback in September. Many have said this race is already over, but this is clear evidence it is only the beginning.

Kansas Democrats have an incredible opportunity to both retain the Governor's office and provide a clear, stable alternative to Senator Brownback's brand of extremism. But we can't get our message out or build the infrastructure necessary to take on Brownback next fall without your continued support.

The Netroots have been very good to Kansas Democrats recently because you recognize the opportunity in front of us. Kansas Republicans are getting ready to nominate the most conservative slate of candidates in a generation -- we can't let them win. That's why we're extending our efforts on all major fronts, both online and offline. But we need your support and donations to make it happen.

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While the United States is amid wars on multiple fronts, Kansas' two Republican Senators have irresponsibly placed a hold on President Obama's nominee for Secretary of the Army, Republican Congressman John McHugh.

Concerned that their state could become the home for some Guantánamo Bay detainees, Kansas' two Republican senators have placed a hold on the nomination of Rep. John M. McHugh as Army secretary. That means a litte more time as candidates in waiting for the people gearing up to run for McHugh's seat in an upstate New York district.

Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback are seeking answers from the Obama administration about the possible moves of some detainees to the prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

But that's not all:

Roberts and Brownback have also blocked Senate consideration of the Deputy Secretary of the Army, for the same reason. In both cases, the senators concede the nominees deserve consideration, but will have to wait until they're satisfied with an unrelated question. (Reminder: there are already terrorists being detained in Kansas, whether Roberts and Brownback realize it or not.)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is reportedly "furious" with the far-right Republican senators who've blocked progress on the nomination. He's apparently under the impression that the Army needs leaders in their offices in the midst of two wars. Imagine that.

I wonder if anyone in the Kansas or D.C. media will ask Kansas' two Republican Senate candidates, Reps. Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran, whether or not they support the hold, preventing Army leadership from being in place during this time of war.  Oh, and if this is President Obama's thanks for appointing Republicans to leadership roles, those cries from Republicans seeking bipartisanship will continue to ring hollow.

For daily news and updates on the U.S. Senate races around the country, regularly read Senate Guru.

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by Lindsay Beyerstein, TMC MediaWire Blogger

Yesterday, Senate Republicans prioritized human life over anti-abortion grandstanding and confirmed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. When the world totters on the brink of a pandemic, slow-walking the future health secretary begins to look unseemly.

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