Post Election Thoughts

While from many corners of the conservative blogosphere you will in all likelihood see anger directed in all kinds of directions this morning I plan to tact a different course.

Watching the results come in didn't shock me in fact I think many of us were already prepared like a son who has to watch a father slowly succumb to cancer knows when the end is nearing.

I have just a few initial thoughts on the Presidential race and I think they come from the Johnson County conservative perspective. Kansas went almost 60% against Obama so there are plenty of people in the state today whose man didn't win. It was an amazing historical night and it will be an interesting ride.

First, I thought John McCain's graciousness in concession was another fine example of how much this man loves his country. Starting with and including me I don't know if I can remember a person who loves his country more. Truly, we all knew it based on his sacrifices but his eloquence in the face of defeat to put his country first resonated with me to the end. The way he asked for good will and called Barack Obama HIS president was a strong statement. It made me recall the nastiness and divisiveness of past democrats after the Bush victories where they would say, "He isn't my president" and the nasty speeches of Gore and Kerry after 2000 and 2004. I hope that as conservatives who opposed Obama that we can follow his example. I thought of that wonderful example McCain demonstrated and that I felt it just wasn't words but that it was heartfelt. It made me proud.

I was very much looking forward to Obama's speech because you just know he is going to give a good speech. Truly, what is it about many African Americans that gives them the ability to deliver such incredible speeches? From MLK, to Jessie Jackson to JC Watts....but not Colin Powell.....even Bill Cosby and Maya Angelo have delivered some of the most inspiring words and speeches I can recall. I'll never forget how SNL played on that idea when they had Jessie Jackson read "Green Eggs and Ham" one night during their Weekend Update segment. It was amazing. I wish I could inspire people in that way. Anyway, the speech on points of inspiration didn't disappoint. If he has a successful presidency it will go down as one of the great American speeches. Like the Gettysburg Address and the MLK's "I have a dream speech" it will be as beautiful read as heard.

Now we'll see if he is the ideologue he has been all of his life or the pragmatist he claims to have become. I think this country elected the pragmatist. We'll see if he is the ideologue who was the fourth most liberal in the Senate by voting record and the guy who voted against Justices Alito and Roberts because they didn't share his views but have proven highly qualified or is he the pragmatist who said we need everyone to solve this country's problems? Does he mean that he wants to work with all of us only so long as we agree with him? When he said he would listen the most when we disagree will he be genuine or will he use the same old rhetoric and call us partisans? It is my sincere hope that he is not the guy he has been in the past. He has spent the past 21 months assuring us he isn't. It is my sincere hope that the ultra liberals in the house and senate who have been his friends don't keep him from moving to the center as he promised. Once the glow of last night wears off we'll see where he lands. It was a masterfully run campaign with few mistakes. He has the chance to be very special. I pray and hope he seizes it.

Now, some more interesting local races. Hayden and Toplikar is too close to call. Toplikar lost a close one to Ruth Ann Hackler years ago for State House. Hayden has a slight lead and I can't believe that the idiot, Toplikar, is even making this a race. If he survives Hayden what can the Johnson County Commission do to discipline one of their own for his behaviour? I'm guessing that early voting played a role.

I had a few things to be joyful about last night. Lynn Jenkins beat that smug ass Nancy Boyda and that made me smile. Walking out on General Petraeus was a really, really bad idea. Johnson County Question 1 failed and now Tim Golba and Phill Kline have been handed yet another defeat. Speaking of another defeat Steve Howe beat Rick Guinn as people said they wanted to move past Phill Kline. I remember several readers told me that I was a fool for not supporting Kline and the Guinn would kick Howe's ass. Tim Golba and his crew need to find a new strategy.

I want to focus on how we beat Dennis Moore. I keep saying we need a better candidate. Nick Jordan kicked Dennis Moore's ass in the only debate I saw but I don't think anyone else saw it. Jordan wasn't a bad candidate but his campaign too slow out of the gate and not well enough funded. Our best chance is in 2012 when the area gets redistricted and it becomes a more conservative voting area. So, do we find a sacrificial lamb for 2010 and focus on 2012?

I was shocked to see that James Azeltine was beaten so soundly by Dave Lindstrom. I guess I didn't get the dynamics of the race and I certainly don't understand Lindstrom's base. I expected it to be much closer and a Azeltine win. I am going to keep a closer eye on the Johnson County Commission over the next few years.

I guess from a national perspective it is a new day. For today, I'll choose to celebrate how far we've come as a country to elect the first half black....er half white....whatever.... President of the United States. I'll celebrate that democracy survives even while we may be seeing the end of capitalism as we know it.

The republican party deserved this smack down because of the way they acted and what they became over the past 6 years. We don't just need a better strategy we need to act better and once again be the champions of not just taxing less but spending less. The good news for us is that the Republicans have no clear leadership, no status quo to hold us back from reclaiming our roots. We've got work to do.

James Azeltine responds to Lindstrom attack on LIFE IN SOJOCO

I'm glad James Azeltine took me up on my offer to post a rebuttal to Dave Lindstrom's shameful mailer. I'm posting the unedited James Azeltine comment in response to my previous post about Lindstrom's nasty tactics.

I'll be so disappointed if either Lindstrom or Toplikar win. I've already voted and Azeltine got my vote. I hope he gets yours as well. Go vote people. And by the way John McCain deserves your vote as well.

Now....here is Mr. Azeltine's response:

This is an email that I sent to my supporters last week when these killer post cards started to arrive.

Thanks for the endorsement,

James Azeltine

Dear Neighbor,

Some of you may have received an ugly mailer being distributed this week that questions my integrity and ethics. It’s clear that our opponents have become so desperate in the last few days of the campaign that they’ll stoop to gutter politics.These people are resorting to scare tactics and have impugned my good name without a shred of justification. This is what happens when the status quo feels threatened. And it happens when good citizens challenge office holders who have done nothing of substance, have no agenda and have offered no solutions to pressing challenges. My opponents would prefer to throw slime rather than deal with the issues of the worst economic crisis since 1929.I’m offended by these unwarranted tactics. Let me be clear. There is no truth to the suggestion that I improperly handled investments of one individual during the 21 years I’ve worked professionally as a broker and financial planner. I was incidentally involved in a complex issue that my then-employer had with this individual 13 years ago. I assure you I did then, and continue today, to serve in the highest ethical manner.We’ve run an aggressive campaign that takes issues head on. We’ve delivered a positive message that we can solve the challenges to our growth and vitality in Johnson County. And we do have challenges … some at-risk babies lack adequate medical care … we have inadequate bus services to handle the demand of our citizens and our workforce … we lack a coordinated effort to protect the environment and recycle our solid wastes … we need a more sensible tax policy that rejects “forever” sales taxes … and we need more accessible parkland. Leaders delay and defer while things get worse.We have been true to our word. Our campaign strives to reach higher and take charge. Our opponents have shown they only know how to slip lower and act irresponsibly once the voting process has already begun. Your vote can help reject this cynical, destructive style of campaigning.Tell your friends and neighbors by forwarding this email to them. And contact me directly if you’d like to discuss our campaign in more detail. Let’s show that we’re willing to fight for good government.

James Azeltine

Candidate for Johnson County Commission

District 3

Is it a Lindstrom October Surprise?

Apparently, I might have been wrong. I said weeks ago that Dave Lindstrom didn't seem interested in keeping his seat on the Johnson County Commission. Today, as I was reviewing the mail I came upon a very interesting campaign flyer that might indicate otherwise. First we've had one commissioner, John Toplikar, caught on tape stealing his opponents signs and now Lindstrom's October surprise. These guys are very interested in keeping their sweet little gig that pays them $50,000 a year for a one day a week commitment.

The Kansas Club for Growth, a PAC with a Wichita address, sent out a very nasty campaign piece against James Azeltine alleging he was involved in professional misconduct in his day job as a financial advisor back in 1995. This plays on a nice little hot button issue right now with the stock market problems, the financial crisis and people's 401K woes. Now, it might be possible that the Kansas Club for Growth took it upon themselves to take this shot at Azeltine. However, with Lindstrom's statewide connections I'm guessing while he might be personally above this type of attack he wouldn't be above having someone else do it for him. Why else would they be interested in this sleepy little race for the Johnson County Commission? I did a quick bit of research and I failed to make a firm connection between Lindstrom and the PAC. I'll keep working on it.

It is such a beautiful piece of work orchestrated by these folks too as there really isn't any time for Azeltine to respond in any real substantive way with the election in just two days. I guess the only thing wrong with the strategy is that record numbers of people like me have already voted. I've scanned it for you below.

I guess I've completely underestimated the Burger King of Johnson County. This is nasty. This is playing dirty pool. Would you really expect out of all the races in this cycle that Dave Lindstrom would be the one to try something of this nature? I didn't see this one coming. I also noticed a bunch more Lindstrom signs out tonight so he seems to be putting on a push. By the way, it isn't that I don't think that issue is out of bounds I just take issue with the timing. Azeltine doesn't have time to respond and explain. Just for the record, if he wants to post an official rebuttal to this charge LIFE IN SOJOCO will be happy to post his response.

I've seen James Azeltine at work on the Leawood City Council and while we don't know each other I have confidence he'll bring the energy, experience, creativity and leadership we need to the Johnson County Commission and I would like to see him win.

Below, we uncovered pictures of Dave Lindstrom with a strange woman that isn't his wife on the beach. People who live in glass houses don't throw stones Mr. Lindstrom......just keep that in mind.

I'm ready to call the election.

No, not the presidential election but something equally as contentious in Johnson County (sarcasm noted).......James Azeltine versus Dave Lindstrom for 3rd District County Commission.


Azeltine came out swinging for the 1 day a week, $50,000 a year gig, saying Lindstrom lacked leadership and vision. I haven't heard much since then from either candidate but I've seen the yard signs going up.


I know it is bold of me to make a prediction with 30 some days until the election but I'm ready to make the call.





James Azeltine wins by

10 points over

Dave Lindstrom.



I met Lindstrom recently and had a chance to chat with him for a few minutes. He seems uncomfortable with campaigning and seems at this point to not really care if he wins or not. If you go to his website check out the October schedule.....not much going on there in fact only one thing on the calendar for the whole month. Maybe he has had enough.....he has been there for awhile now. He does however have a pretty nice looking daughter who I met as well and that did make me reconsider for a few moments....we all know that looks count in life. If he wants to keep the job he really needs to step it up in the next 30 days because it just looks like he doesn't really care. He also looks really thin so I wonder what's up with his health. The day I saw him his pants were about to fall off his body. I think the former Chief, old #71, is nearing the end of another career.It seems like he is playing out the 4th quarter of game at the end of a season where the Chiefs are already eliminated from the playoffs.... I seem to see more of his signs in the rural part of the county so maybe the anti-annexation crowd is supporting him. You can check out his website here.

Azeltine will certainly earn the support of Leawood which he already represents on the City Council and I've seen quite a few more of his signs around town including a couple neighbors who don't seem normally interested in such things. His campaign is robust and the website is a huge contrast to Lindstrom's.

James Azeltine earns the endorsement of jocoeveryman as is a good bet to bring reasonable and responsible leadership to the Johnson County Commission and it seems he wants the job......We'll just ask that he keep it straight in the meetings......Madam Mayor....er, uh, Madam Chairman....chairwoman.....what meeting am I at anyway? Just remember Thursdays are County days.

I know there is a little debate going on tonight about a different election so let's all clear our heads, have a few friends over, drink some Pinot Noir and eat some high carb snacks and enjoy. This one, however, is over. Stick a fork in Lindstrom.

On a separate note........Joco SOB cracks me up again today with a dead on list of Fall in JOCO. Trick or Treaters and the shake down over school fundraisers is very funny. How does he always write what I'm thinking but more clearly and definitely more humor? I know the PITCH just came out with their Best of List and I know they wouldn't look down their nose enough to pick a best blogger from JOCO but in God's name I don't know how they overlooked the SOB. Don't worry SOB, just wait until 435 West comes out with their Best of List......those are our peeps anyway......

John Toplikar is still an idiot

I've written before about the incredible lack of skills of John Toplikar and thus the saga continues. I was skimming the newspapers that piled up while I was on vacation last week and I came across something that caught my eye. John Toplikar is showing he is still an idiot and after all these years still doesn't understand the basic processes of government. I'm a conservative too but why do the hard core conservatives in his district love him so much? I'm probably one of the few conservatives in this county who don't think this guy is fit for office.


Chuck Kurtz, former editor of the Olathe Daily News and now staff writer for The Sun, wrote in the August 27th edition of The Sun about Toplikar's latest antics at a meeting of the Johnson County Commission on August 14. These are the things that make the "deadwood" media still relevant in my mind. Who else would cover this stuff? Thanks to Chuck for reporting it. You've come a long way since covering Olathe high school sports.



As reported, Toplikar baffled his fellow commissioners by offering a laundry list of last minute cuts to the budget that was ready for final approval after months and months of work. I guess Toplikar doesn't know how the budget process works OR he knows but likes to waste his colleagues time by offering them for purely political reasons. The article says his timing of late changes is something of a tradition for Toplikar. County Manager Mike Press and Dave Linstrom both indicated that commissioners do get active in the budgeting process but suggestions should be made early enough in the process so the entire commission can consider them thoughtfully. Apparently, Lindstrom knows how to do it and worked with Press to lower the mill for 2009. After all these years in public service is this guy still too stupid to know the process? His colleagues showed up to pass a final budget and he wants to move 1% from the arts to human services and cut magazine subscription costs in half. What an idiot. The article said he left fellow commissioners scratching their heads.



Am I being a little petty on our resident idiot servant John Toplikar? I don't think so. I think a guy who has served as long as he has should know when during the process to submit budget ideas. Some of the ideas looked interesting which is even more of a crime because his job is to make sure our money works the best for us and he blew it because he doesn't get it.



This article reminded me of when Toplikar was on the Olathe City Council and he would gratuitously remove seemingly simple items from the consent agenda and make staff and his fellow council members roll their eyes. This is just more of the same.



Toplikar isn't a smart man. He might be a decent guy, a man of good character and a guy who shows up and votes. We shouldn't put a medal on his chest for doing the minimum that mankind asks of one another. With this election cycle we are missing yet another chance to get this guy out.

Where did the month go? I forgot to put up Ms. August from the girls of KU. Here is Trinity and she is one of our own from Shawnee, Kansas. Go Jayhawks.