Why Kaw & Border Supports Kevin Yoder

Kaw & Border, over the course of the past year, made no secret about where we stood on the Congressional race in Kansas -- the author of this blog strongly supported Patricia Lightner for Congress. Her strong showing in the August 3 primary proved to us the incredible candidate she was and to this day, she would have been the better general election candidate -- not only to go up against Stephene Moore, but to represent us in Congress. She is, without a doubt, a fighter and we need fighters in Congress.

However, for a host of reasons -- multiple candidates splitting the vote, money, and establishment politics still deciding a lot here in Kansas -- Patricia Lightner didn't win on August 3 -- Kevin Yoder did.

Many conservatives don't know exactly what to think about Kevin Yoder. After all, he made a journey from a Democrat to a moderate Republican to a somewhat conservative Republican in the span of about 8 years. That's not necessairly a criticism of Mr. Yoder -- it's just a natural question of what he really believes and the kind of Congressman he would make, should he prevail in November. It's an open, legitimate question, and one that will not be answered completely until he starts casting votes and speaking out on issues.

Unfortunately for Kevin, in the meantime, his campaign suffers from a "passion gap". There are a lot of voters who will vote for him but will not necessairly work for him. Again, that's not necessairly because they are against him, they just don't know him yet. They don't have that trust level built up enough. And they likely won't until he again, starts casting votes.

The good news is for Mr. Yoder is that in 2010, there IS a passion against Democrats like Stephene Moore, and that will likely be enough to carry Mr. Yoder to a victory this fall. As it should.

However, it is our opinion here at Kaw & Border that Kevin Yoder is indeed worthy of your vote. Yes, we would have preferred someone else. Yes, Patricia Lightner would have been a kick ass Congresswoman in the mold of Michele Bachmann or Marsha Blackburn. But, that did'nt happen, and Kevin Yoder has the potential to make a very good Congressman, certainly a heck of a lot better than Stephene Moore and the band of socialists that support her candidacy.

Kevin Yoder, by all accounts, has made signifcant strides to the right, particularly on fiscal issues. He's a budget cutter. He believes in limited government and fought within the House for budget cuts, even if they did not pass. He is on the right side of national security issues and is pro-2nd Amendment.

It remains an open question -- and this is a key concern on our part -- how pro-life Kevin Yoder is and how pro-marriage he is, two key issues at the federal level given the federal courts intervening in the California marriage issue as well as the issue of federal funding of stem cell research. And, if and when Kevin Yoder votes wrong on those issues, we will -- and expect others -- to hold him accountable.

But there is no question, for the time being, in this important 2010 election, that he is well to the right of Stephene Moore. Stephene Moore is as left wing as it gets, on every issue, no questions asked. Kevin Yoder will vote with conservatives on the majority of issues before the Congress.

Make no mistake -- there are battles to be fought within the Republican Party -- battles between the tea party and the establishment; battles between social conservatives and "libertarian-light" types; etc. These fights need to continue to be waged and we will take part in waging them.

However, at the end of the day, there is an important election at stake in which there are two clear sides -- the side of those who believe in a new kind of soft socialism where your freedoms and liberties are taken away and where America doesn't lead in the world anymore; and another one which embraces the individual, respects life, and will keep America strong.

In this fight, Kevin Yoder is on our side. He will get our vote in November.