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Bringing home the bacon -- snaring federal money for the district -- is seen by many as a key part of any Congressman's job.

And when asked at a candidates' forum Thursday night what they would do to bring home "our fair share" of federal money, most of the five Republican candidates for the First District seat made it clear that that kind of thinking is part of the problem.

" 'Fair share' is an interesting concept," Sue Boldra said. "I have real problems with the idea of pork and earmarks. Those things should be part of the budget and debated, not just thrown in at the end."

Monte Shadwick also said he didn't believe in earmarks, "but that's not to say federal money shouldn't come back to Kansas."

To do it in an aboveboard fashion, however, would require educating urban members of Congress about rural interests and building support that way.

Educating other members of Congress was also part of Sen. Jim Barnett's strategy.

"We need to make sure Congress understands the issues that are important here," he said.

Suggesting a different way of looking at the question, Tracey Mann said that "instead of thinking about getting our fair share, how about keeping our fair share? Instead of exporting dollars to Washington, why don't we fund more things locally?"

Marck Cobb said he would prefer to eliminate earmarks, as well, but said that until that happens, he would "do what needs to be done."

He also said Kansas should use "the big stick" of agriculture, telling the rest of the country, "If you want to eat, you'd better be nice to Kansas."

Unexpected answers

Five of the seven Republican candidates for the 1st District U.S. House seat were at the forum, sponsored by the Saline County Republican Women. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, who is running for U.S. Senate.

The candidates fielded written questions from the audience, in some cases giving different answers than the people submitting the questions probably expected.

One question asked their thoughts on privatizing some government services, such as firefighting, education and the postal service.

"Bashing government right now is popular," Shadwick said. "But there are proper roles for government," such as police, fire protection and roads.

Shadwick also said he wouldn't support privatizing the postal service.

"If they had to run like a business, many of them would close in small towns," he said.

Boldra noted that in the early days of this country, fire protection was a private concern -- with Ben Franklin running an early fire department, but "there are some things government should do."

She agreed with Shadwick that a postal service run more like a business would mean closing post offices in many small towns.

All the candidates said they favored term limits, oppose abortion and want to rein in the EPA.

Two missing

Two of the seven Republican candidates were missing from Thursday night's event -- Sen. Tim Huelskamp and Rob Wasinger.

Both had formerly said they would appear at the forum but opted to attend a tea party rally Thursday night in Hutchinson, instead.

At the close of the forum, Saline County Republican Party Chairman Gordon Horst commented on the two absent candidates, saying "I'd like to thank these five. Seven were invited, and these five kept their word. These five also could have said they had something more important to do."

n Reporter Mike Strand can be reached at 822-1418 or by e-mail at mstrand@salina.com.

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