Betts vs. Tiahrt

I interviewed state Senator Donald Betts and wrote a story about his campaign for Congress a couple weeks ago. He's taking on incumbent U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt. Betts, I think, is a long shot for several reasons. His state profile isn't that large and he will likely not raise as much money as Tiahrt has or will have. He's also probably too liberal for this heavily Repubican district.

It's a curious juxtiposition, these two men. Betts represents an inner city section of Wichita, is black and young. Tiahrt is a suburban conservative who blends that odd, but successful, mix of social and fiscal conservativism.

Betts, I think, made an interesting point in my interview ... He thinks the district is changing. People are tired of the divisions fed by social issues -- evolution, abortion, gay rights, and are ready for government to help solve problems -health care, energy.

But can Betts harness that sentiment into votes at the polls? Hmmm. Can he get votes beyond his Senate district and somehow convince suburbanites and/or small towns to vote for him?

Tiahrt is a Republican in a bad political year for Republicans, and he can be closely tied to the unpopular president. But he benefits from incumbency and building up good will by funding projects in the district (he's on the appropriations committee) He also seems to have softened a bit, from the fired-up prolifer and Gingrich/Delay soldier (he wanted to abolish the dept, of energy)

In Ark City, he got heavy kudos for helping bring federal funds for the levy project. It is this kind of retail goverance that Betts, or anybody, would have a hard time overcoming. Tiahrt also hasn't been touched by scandal.

If I were Betts, I would hammer home three things that show a clear contrast to Tiarht that voters might like. Expanded health care for children, ending the war (or not having supported it) and the general desire for change. (This can tie to Tiahrt's contradiction of supporting term limits but running for a seventh term.

I'm sure Tiahrt will run on his experience, his conservative credentials in a conservative district, and probably the Republican advantage on fighting terrorism....

Should be interesting ....