Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach launched his campaign for Kansas governor on Thursday, decrying a culture of corruption in Topeka and vowing to crack down on illegal immigration in a speech with echoes of President Donald Trump.
“Voters are tired of the politician who talks like everything he says is carefully polished and has gone through three focus groups. It’s important for your elected officials to tell you what they really believe. Kansas needs leadership. Tuesday’s tax hike should never have happened. Today, I launched my campaign for governor. My goal is for Kansas to lead the nation in every way possible. Let’s make it happen. Let’s lead again.”
Kobach, the architect of controversial election and immigration laws, advised Trump on immigration policy throughout the 2016 election. He emphasized his connections to the president and promised to center his campaign on fighting “corruption, taxation and illegal immigration” during a speech at the Thompson Barn in Lenexa.
During an appearance on the Kansas City Star’s Facebook live show “Beer Hour” later that day, Kobach said that he had turned down positions at the White House and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to remain in Kansas.
Kobach, who is a figure of national controversy for his hardline stance on illegal immigration, calls Kansas the “sanctuary state of the Midwest” and says that the state spends hundreds of millions on public services for illegal immigrants. He lambasted Kansas lawmakers for raising taxes “on hard-working Kansans” by repealing Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts Tuesday to fill the state’s budget hole and contended that the state could have saved dollars by restricting immigration.
“Why don’t they tackle the problem of illegal immigration in the state of Kansas and see if we could save some money there?” he said at his kickoff event.
Kobach cited figures from the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group considered an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, in support of this claim. He also pointed to a 2004 law that allows people who entered the country illegally to pay in-state tuition at Kansas universities if they’ve lived in the state for at least three years and have graduated from a Kansas high school.
“We are also the only state in the five-state area that rewards illegal immigration by giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens when our own students are barely able to afford college. I don’t know what I’m going to do when these five get old enough to go to college,” Kobach said, gesturing to his five daughters.
“I mean, think about it. The price of college is going up and up and up,” Kobach said. “The Board of Regents and the universities tell us, oh, they have to keep on increasing tuition, they have to keep on taking more from the taxpayer in legislative spending. But they give away hundreds of millions of dollars to maintain what is a subsidy to illegal aliens. … It’s unfair. It’s unreasonable, and it will stop when I’m governor.”
Almost 700 illegal immigrants took advantage of the in-state tuition program in 2016, mostly for community college, according to data from the Kansas Board of Regents.
Kobach touted his role in crafting immigration laws around the country, including a 2010 Arizona law that critics say encouraged racial profiling by requiring law enforcement officers to determine a suspect’s immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion he or she is in the country illegally. Kobach has repeatedly rejected accusations of racial bias.
His candidacy was condemned by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement, a national group that advocates for immigrant rights. That’s GREAT endorsement!
“Kobach is an Architect of Hate and he’s relied on hate and fear to financially profit as he advanced and defended policies aimed at severely restricting immigration in the United States. He is simply not fit to be governor of Kansas — or hold any public office,” the group said in a statement. Typical left-wing panic, they see the end coming when Kris is elected.
Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat who has been a vocal critic of Kobach, accused him of running “on a platform of hate.” Liberal snowflakes, what can I say?
Kobach, who appears regularly on cable news shows and previously hosted a weekly talk radio show, has developed an intensely loyal following both in Kansas and among conservatives nationally for his focus on immigration. Several attendees at Kobach’s campaign kickoff cited his focus on the issue as a major reason for their support.
“My daughter 10 years ago was killed by an illegal alien in a car crash near Basehor, Kansas. She paid the price for somebody being here illegally,” said Dennis Bixby, a Tonganoxie resident. “… He and Donald Trump are the only people talking about it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t even be on the radar.”
Tim Barnett, a Kansas City, Kan. resident, said he regularly goes hunting and fishing with Kobach. Barnett said that Kobach brings the same level of intensity to his leisure activity that he does to his politics.
“He’s intense,” he said. “Anything he does, he’s on task and just marches. It’s all in. 100 percent all the time. He’s very charismatic and that’s what draws you to him. He’s all in. It’s pretty intoxicating.”
Kobach’s announcement comes less than a month after he was tapped by Trump to serve as vice chairman of a special commission to study voter fraud.
During his six-year tenure as secretary of state, Kobach became the only secretary of state in the nation with prosecutorial power in 2015 and has so far secured nine convictions for election crimes.
He crafted a law that requires Kansas voters to provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, to vote.
Kobach has repeatedly said the law ensures the integrity of Kansas elections, but opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, say that the law makes it harder for rightful voters to participate in elections. Dale Ho of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project referred to Kobach as the “king of voter suppression” last month when his appointment to the commission was announced. The endorsements just keep on coming!
The law blocked thousands of illegal voters from participating in the state’s last gubernatorial election, but it could not be fully enforced in 2016 under orders of obstructionist judges at both the state and federal level. The rulings are still being fought.
Kobach, a former chairman of the Kansas Republican Party, called for term limits and restrictions on how quickly a former lawmaker can become a lobbyist as he spoke to a crowd that included several current and former lawmakers, including former Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, who left the Legislature to become a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. Couture-Lovelady declined to comment and emphasized that the NRA has not yet endorsed a candidate for governor.
“Travis has done great work for the NRA…The NRA lobbies in every state. Now Travis could lobby in Missouri or some other state,” Kobach said. “But the point is you don’t want to have legislators profiting from the relationships they have with the other legislators.”
On the 2nd Amendment subject, Kobach has a 93% NRA rating, one of the highest in the nation for political candidates.
As Secretary of State Kris Kobach takes more than academic interest in the U.S. District Court trial of two men who placed faith in Kansas lawmakers depicting a 2013 law as a shield from federal prosecution for anyone owning firearms made, sold and kept within Kansas.
Kobach, a former law professor who co-authored the Second Amendment Protection Act, said the case built by U.S. Department of Justice attorneys against Shane Cox and Jeremy Kettler was on shaky ground.
“This is a perfect example of a prosecution that should never occur,” Kobach said. “These are individuals who are law-abiding gun owners. Why would the Justice Department be going after somebody like this?”
The statute was developed by Kobach and was embraced by 80 percent of the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback
Kobach is the third Republican candidate to enter the 2018 race. Wichita oil magnate Wink Hartman, a Republican mega-donor, and former state Rep. Ed O’Malley, a moderate who now runs the Kansas Leadership Center, launched campaigns earlier in the year.
In its 4-4 ruling barring President Obama’s executive order on immigration from going into effect, the Supreme Court proved that Obama was right the first time: He lacked the power to change the law on his own.
As recently as December 2014, the president lectured supporters that the Constitution didn’t allow it: “The notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order, that’s just not the case.”
Then, a few months later, after Congress again refused to pass the law he wanted, he decided to see if he could get away with it anyway — issuing an order that not only suspended deportation for millions, but also gave them the right to work legally.
Thing is, he was only one high-court vote away from succeeding, because the liberal justices were willing to ignore the Constitution — as Obama himself understood it just two years before — to support liberal policy.
Should Hillary Clinton win in November, she’ll get to fill the Antonin Scalia seat on the court, and likely two more seats soon thereafter. The Supreme Court will no longer stand in the way of the Democratic agenda, even when Democrats lack the votes in Congress.
And she’s already promised to out-do Obama on executive actions. On immigration, Clinton said she’d “go as far as I can, even beyond President Obama.”
It won’t stop with immigration. Clinton & Co. want executive action on gun control, labor-union power, “environmental protection” and pretty much their whole wish list.
“If the FBI is watching you for suspected terrorist links,” Hillary Clinton said today in her supposedly apolitical speech, “you shouldn’t be able to just go buy a gun.”
If we’re going to do this, let’s be consistent.
If the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation of your suspected illegal use of a home email server to transmit classified intelligence, you shouldn’t be allowed to just go and run for president. Obviously. The idea that we would allow a person who can’t be trusted with our most vital secrets to hold the most powerful office in the nation is absurd. It’s just not safe.
We all know that Hillary Clinton was treasonously careless with our national security, and yet she won’t even receive a slap on the wrist. Not even a misdemeanor. What Hillary Clinton has gotten from abusing her position is rich. Filthy rich.
She has lied since the very first question arose. Everything she has said in her own defense has been a lie. The AP fact checked them, if you’d like your information from a mainstream source. They found all of the following to be lies, simply by using public records.
“I did not email any classified material to anyone on my email. There is no classified material.”
Lie.
“I never received nor sent any material that was marked classified.”
Lie.
“I responded right away and provided all my emails that could possibly be work related.”
Lie.
“I thought it would be easier to carry just one device for my work and for personal emails instead of two.”
Lie.
Comey himself admitted that several of these statements were lies. And yet, somehow, the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that Clinton doesn’t deserve any kind of punishment – oh and that she’s still an awesome candidate for the highest office in the land.
And it’s not a two-way street: Conservative jurists aim to observe the letter of the law, not their ideology. That’s why GOP-appointed justices have slapped down Republican presidents from George W. Bush back to Nixon and Eisenhower, and why Chief Justice John Roberts saved ObamaCare.
If corrupt Hillary is elected, say goodbye to everything that America stands for. It will all be eliminated in pursuit of Globalism.
Hillary Clinton slammed the Supreme Court as “wrong on the Second Amendment” and called for reinstating the assault weapons ban during a small private fundraiser in New York. The Clinton fundraiser was hosted at the Greenwich Village home of John Zaccaro, a convicted felon.
“I’m going to speak out, I’m going to do everything I can to rally people against this pernicious, corrupting influence of the NRA and we’re going to do whatever we can,” she said.
Clinton argued that the NRA has “so intimidated elected members of Congress and other legislative bodies that these people are passing the most absurd laws.”
“The idea that you can have an open carry permit with an AK-47 over your shoulder walking up and down the aisles of a supermarket is just despicable,” she said.
The comments earned applause at the closed-door fundraiser, and demonstrate Clinton’s efforts to appeal to progressive donors as she faces a growing challenge from the far-left candidate Bernie Sanders, who has been criticized by some liberal observers for his broad support of gun rights.
The Clinton campaign did not respond to questions about the specific areas where Clinton disagrees with the Supreme Court. However, the Heller ruling is considered the most sweeping and controversial second amendment decision made by the highest court in recent years.
The Supreme Court affirmed that the Second Amendment granted gun rights to individuals whether or not they were members of an organized government militia in 2008. That ruling overturned the District of Columbia’s total ban on ownership of handguns and other strict forms of gun control. It also created the legal precedent that continues to influence all federal court rulings related to Second Amendment cases.
I dedicate this op-ed to everyone out there that thinks that Donald J Trump is too vague on details, that he flip-flops on Issues.
I get so tired of people whining that “Trump doesn’t give details of his plans” or “he has flip-flopped” on this or that.
People grow, dammit! I used to be a flaming liberal in my college years and up, before I saw the light! There, now that’s out of the closet! 🙂
Point being, I can understand your near-sightedness and not being able to grasp the big picture. Been there, done that!
Details? They’re irrelevant!
Why, you ask?
Trump is the leader, with the visions, objectives and goals. A true leader that surrounds himself with the finest team possible, to get the job done. Period.
He will appoint the very best people on his cabinet, put them to work on the solutions and get together with them all to hash out the ideas. Just like a big corporation, which is how America should be run, not like a damn charity!
If you don’t understand this approach, then you must want the same old politicians playing games with each other, hopping in and out of bed with the next one, making deals to benefit the establishment, keep their power structure intact.
Business as usual…
Why do you think the RNC and DNC both hate him? Because they are in this together!
TRUMP IS HERE TO SMASH THAT CLIQUE!
His very detailed objectives are outlined in these pages, so take time to read and maybe see the light,
LET’S MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
U.S.-CHINA TRADE REFORM
The most important component of our China policy is leadership and strength at the negotiating table. We have been too afraid to protect and advance American interests and to challenge China to live up to its obligations. We need smart negotiators who will serve the interests of American workers – not Wall Street insiders that want to move U.S. manufacturing and investment offshore.
The current state of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is absolutely unacceptable. Over 300,000 veterans died waiting for care. Corruption and incompetence were excused. Politicians in Washington have done too little too slowly to fix it. This situation can never happen again, and when Donald J. Trump is president, it will be fixed – fast.
Too few Americans are working, too many jobs have been shipped overseas, and too many middle class families cannot make ends meet. This tax plan directly meets these challenges with four simple goals.
Real immigration reform puts the needs of working people first – not wealthy globetrotting donors. We are the only country in the world whose immigration system puts the needs of other nations ahead of our own. That must change.
Since March of 2010, the American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act—Obamacare. This legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate and signed into law by the most divisive and partisan President in American history, has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and fewer choices. Obamacare has raised the economic uncertainty of every single person residing in this country. As it appears Obamacare is certain to collapse of its own weight, the damage done by the Democrats and President Obama, and abetted by the Supreme Court, will be difficult to repair unless the next President and a Republican congress lead the effort to bring much-needed free market reforms to the healthcare industry.
But none of these positive reforms can be accomplished without Obamacare repeal. On day one of the Trump Administration, we will ask Congress to immediately deliver a full repeal of Obamacare.
Since March of 2010, the American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act—Obamacare. This legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate and signed into law by the most divisive and partisan President in American history, has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and fewer choices. Obamacare has raised the economic uncertainty of every single person residing in this country. As it appears Obamacare is certain to collapse of its own weight, the damage done by the Democrats and President Obama, and abetted by the Supreme Court, will be difficult to repair unless the next President and a Republican congress lead the effort to bring much-needed free market reforms to the healthcare industry.
But none of these positive reforms can be accomplished without Obamacare repeal. On day one of the Trump Administration, we will ask Congress to immediately deliver a full repeal of Obamacare.
I’m “fine” with affirmative action, for now: Strongly Favors topic 2
I’m no misogynist; I put women in charge of construction: Favors topic 2
Political correctness is country’s problem, not my problem: Strongly Opposes topic 2
Obama’s presidency has done nothing for African Americans: Opposes topic 2
Bad students (like Obama) shouldn’t go to Harvard: Opposes topic 2
I’ll give up my Social Security; leave it to each person: Favors topic 6
Cannot change Medicare or Soc.Sec. and still win elections: Opposes topic 6
Social Security isn’t an “entitlement”; it’s honoring a deal: Opposes topic 6
Pay off debt; put $3T interest savings into Trust Fund: Opposes topic 6
Let people invest their own retirement funds: Strongly Favors topic 6
No government investment of retirement funds: Strongly Favors topic 6
The police are the most mistreated people in America: Favors topic 9
Black lives matter, but we need strong police presence: Favors topic 9
Capital punishment isn’t uncivilized; murderers living is: Strongly Favors topic 9
Death penalty deters like violent TV leads kids astray: Favors topic 9
Hold judges accountable; don’t reduce sentences: Favors topic 9
For tough anti-crime policies; not criminals’ rights: Favors topic 9
Study legalization, but don’t legalize now: Favors topic 19
Yes to medical marijuana; otherwise, decide state by state: Opposes topic 19
1990: Drug enforcement is a joke; 2015: only medical pot: Opposes topic 19
Legalize drugs and use tax revenue to fund drug education: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Never drinks, smokes, nor does drugs: Favors topic 19
Fired Miss USA crown winner due to drug over-indulgence: Favors topic 19
As I trudge joyfully through building, blowing, beautiful snowdrifts back to my little Michigan log cabin, my sense of giving thanks could not be more clear or powerful. My pure, natural hands-on participation in God’s miraculous creation as a hunter/gatherer of His precious gifts of life-giving, renewable resources forces me to admit once again that Thanksgiving is indeed the proper celebration of the annual, natural harvest.
The magnificent whitetail deer I drag behind me may very well represent the most perfect example of this important holiday.
As an American, I have so much to be thankful for: freedom, liberty, choice, guaranteed individual rights, private property ownership, the American Dream of being compensated based on work ethic, sacrifice, persistence, cleverness, talent and simply being the very best that we can be.
I will never take for granted those things that provide me glowing quality of life, and I thank God every day for my health, my family and friends, my fellow Americans, my thermostat, hot and cold running water, plumbing, my roof, warm clothes, cool trucks, the hardworking farmers and ranchers that grow and deliver an endless flow of good food, the hardworking entrepreneurs that provide every service one could ever want or need and, of course, for the abundant renewable wildlife resources that feed my family and hundreds of millions of people around the world.
On many millions of Thanksgiving dinner tables across America, families and friends sit down to delicious, healthy, organic meals of big and small game we have bagged and processed this hunting season.
We join hands and give thanks as we dine on haunch of venison, wild turkey, ducks, geese, pheasant, quail, grouse, dove, woodcock, snipe, squirrel, rabbit, pronghorn, elk, moose, bear, cougar, wild hogs, gator and fish of every description, knowing that our feasts are the best available anywhere.
We salute and thank those great American farming and ranching families that produce the food that feeds the whole world, but those of us who hunt and fish and trap feel a deep and personal connection to the critters and the good mother earth that sustain us.
There is no question that the serious effort we put into killing our own food makes us appreciate it that much more, and without a doubt makes it all taste much better!
The first official Thanksgiving Day was celebrated on June 29, 1676, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from Boston.
More than a century later, on Oct. 23, 1789, George Washington would proclaim a “day of thanksgiving” to be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 27 of that year.
Then in 1864, Abraham Lincoln made it official once and for all when he proclaimed;
“Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may then be, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the Great Disposer of Events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.”
Like I said, the list of things we are genuinely thankful for is endless, but more important than anything else, we must be thankful for this sacred experiment in self-government that is the United States of America and thankful to the hero warriors of the U.S. military and their families for the never-ending sacrifices they endure on behalf of freedom and we the people.
Freedom is not free – and we must never forget to say thank you to them in every way we can and as often as possible.
Happy Thanksgiving every day America, and God bless!
What Ted thinks about Donald Trump…
Media wishing to interview Ted Nugent, please contact media@wnd.com.
HALLS OF KARMA 
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