WASHINGTON, D.C. –Kansas politicians’ comments on Sunday’s news of President Joe Biden’s bowing out of the presidential race as predicted depended on their party.
Governor Laura Kelly, who weeks ago pledged her full support to Biden even as his approval ratings plummeted, wove her own narrative on both his years of service and his impact while in office amid record inflation, social and cultural division and two wars raging in different world theaters.
“For more than five decades, President Biden has made it his life’s work to better our country for hardworking Americans,” Kansas’ top Democrat said. “Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast leadership.”
The state’s only Democrat congressional representative was effusive in her praise as well.
“President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and his time as our President has restored decency to the highest office,” said 3rd District Congresswoman Sharice Davids. “By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first.”
Biden’s move came as a chorus of Democrats called for his ouster from the race after a June 27 debate with Donald Trump made clear his long-suspected cognitive decline, and Trump’s potential to win back the office he lost in 2020 became more defined. The announcement throws Democrats into chaos, with Biden’s endorsement of vice president Kamala Harris– and the notable withholding of the same from leading Democrat Barack Hussein Obama–suggesting she will not be the only Democrat seeking the nomination at the Democrats’ Chicago convention that begins August 19. Harris is the only candidate who can legally spend the $240 million campaign war chest now held by the campaign, but the quirky vice-president is also widely disliked by the public and seen as a pariah in her own party. Her approval rating tanks at 38 percent nationwide, although some polls show her edging Trump in a head-to-head matchup.
Republican congressional contender from the 3rd District Prasanth Reddy called out his opponent Shanice Davids for cherry picking the Biden legacy, particularly with her record of supporting Biden’s struggling social and economic agenda almost without fail.
“If President Biden is not in good enough shape to run, how can she (Davids) continue to support him as President?,” Reddy asked. “And does she still stand by the Biden/Harris policies that made us less safe and secure and caused the cost of gas, groceries, and more to skyrocket?”
First District Republican Congressman Tracey Mann said the focus of this election was still on policy.
“I am confident that the November elections will give Republicans success up and down the ballot,” Mann said. “No matter the Democratic nominee, Republicans have better ideas to unite Americans and save the country. Americans continue to voice their desire for leadership that will restore order and get our country back on track, and I am committed to doing that,” Mann said.
State GOP Chairman Mike Brown said Harris was as a big threat to the country as Biden had proven to be.
“Harris is the only Democrat candidate who polls worse than Biden, and with good reason,” Brown said. “Her abysmal failures as the Border Czar created an all-time high illegal immigration into the USA with virtually no southern border. She is a disaster.”
“The Democrat Party is where Democracy goes to die,” Brown said.
12th District State Senator Caryn Tyson, a Republican, said Biden’s evacuation brought no optimism for his party and that it was time for him to vacate the presidency.
“It is time for Biden to step down due to health problems and socialist policies, however don’t count on a change, as Biden may not be in control,” she said.
Dane Hicks is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. He is the author of novels "The Skinning Tree" and "A Whisper For Help." As publisher of the Anderson County Review in Garnett, KS., he is a recipient of the Kansas Press Association's Boyd Community Service Award as well as more than 60 awards for excellence in news, editorial and photography.
