Following his divisive and foolhardy foray into the Kansas City Mayors race (see “Picking a Fight, pt. 1") Chris Steineger took sides in another contest between Democrats.
This time, he came out on the losing side of a fight made more acrimonious by his foolishly unnecessary behavior. True to form, Chris Steineger released another letter:
State Sen. Mark Gilstrap, a 12-year incumbent from Wyandotte County, is a conservative Catholic Democrat who is staunchly opposed to abortion and tax hikes. His voting record demonstrates his personal beliefs on these issues and, having been elected three times, he is clearly supported by the people he represents.
In 2006, Mark Gilstrap chose to support the re-election of former Attorney General Phill Kline, a choice that did not sit well with the Sebelius or Hensley. They have adopted the tactics of conservative Republicans by supporting Gilstrap's opponent in the Democrat primary. While I personally disagree with Mark's choice of Kline, I adamantly support his right to associate and vote for whom he wants.
The absolutism of the governor and Hensley impinges on Gilstrap's rights, is divisive within the Democrat Party, and tramples the American ideal of freedom of speech and association.
Sen. Chris Steineger,
Kansas City, Kan.
Steineger’s right, Gilstrap is free to make his own decisions. Unfortunately, his choices didn’t sit well with his largely Democratic district.
Gilstrap chose to chair “Democrats for Phill Kline”. In a Democratic district Gilstrap chose to support marriage discrimination. He chose to oppose economic development and gaming in Wyandotte County. He chose to support anti-choice and anti-privacy legislation. He chose to support Phil Kline for Attorney General, not only in 2002, but again, unapologetically, during the 2006 election. He chose to vote with the Senate Republican caucus more than his own Democratic caucus.
No-one can reasonably fault Sebelius and Hensley for not backing someone as unpopular in his own district as Mark Gilstrap. If Gilstrap is free to make his own decisions, so are Sebelius and Hensley. And if Sebelius and Hensley are wrong to take sides in a primary, so is Steineger. By penning his letter Steineger became guilty of the sin he alleges against members his own Party.
In the end, Sebelius and Hensley’s decision proved prudent, as Mark Gilstrap was rejected by the voters of his district.
In the end, Sebelius and Hensley’s decision proved prudent, as Mark Gilstrap was rejected by the voters of his district.
Having lost his primary, and thus, his only rationale for being registered as a Democrat Mark Gilstrap immediately revealed his true colors. He quickly registered as Republican and endorsed the Republican who only days before he would have been running against in the General Election.
Despite all of this, Chris Steineger stands by his attack on fellow Democrats. Ask him. He’ll still passionately defend his decision to stand by Mark Gilstrap, even when the public wouldn’t.
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