By CHRIS GREEN

Harris News Service

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama could choose a running mate with Kansas connections even if he doesn't select Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Another government chief executive with ties to the Sunflower State, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, emerged this past week as a chief contender.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Kaine is telling associates that he has had "very serious" conversations with Obama about joining his ticket, adding to speculation he might be Obama's final choice.

As running mates, Kaine and Obama would share a link to Kansas. Like Obama's mother, Kaine's mother grew up in El Dorado. In addition, Kaine grew up in Overland Park, where his parents still live.

Kaine, who was elected governor of Virginia in 2005, also shared a stage with Sebelius in Topeka earlier this year. That occurred when he gave the keynote address at the state Democratic Party's Washington Days.

Obama gave the featured speech at that same event in 2006.

Praising Pickens

What a difference four years has made for Texas billionaire oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens in the eyes of Democrats.

During the 2004 presidential election, Republican Pickens helped bankroll the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which attacked the military record of Democratic presidential contender Sen. John Kerry.

But Pickens found himself the recipient of effusive praise from Kansas Democrats, including Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, during a town hall meeting Wednesday in Topeka. Pickens discussed his plan for weaning the nation off its foreign oil dependence.

Several said they appreciated Pickens' idea, which would shift the nation's vehicles to run on natural gas and use wind power to produce about 20 percent of the nation's electricity.

But Sebelius joked about rumors that Pickens, an Oklahoma State University alumnus, wanted to steal away the national-championship winning men's basketball coach from the University of Kansas.

"I am so delighted to have an opportunity to welcome T. Boone to Kansas," Sebelius said. "He assured me he's not here after Bill Self."

Carbon tax positions

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., became the first federal-level candidate from Kansas to sign a new "No Climate Tax Pledge" this past week.

Roberts is committing to "oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in federal revenue," according to Americans for Prosperity, the group sponsoring the pledge.

At least 33 state legislative candidates also have signed the pledge.

Roberts' spokeswoman Molly Haase said the senator has concerns that carbon taxes will increase the cost of fuel, electricity and fertilizer. That would harm the state's economy even as developing countries continue to pollute, she said.

"This would do more harm than good."

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Dem Voting For McCain says....
VOTE John McCain for President
8/4/2008

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