USA Today Examines Rifts Among Social Conservatives, Moderates In Kansas GOP

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Article Date: 21 Oct 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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USA Today on Monday examined a division among some Republicans in Kansas, as well as how the Republican Party's nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska) for vice president has affected this division. According to USA Today, Republicans in Kansas "come in two shades of red that often clash." At "one end of the spectrum are social conservatives who protest at abortion clinics and push to teach creationism in school," USA Today repots. At the other end are "pro-business moderates who have crossed over to vote for centrist Democrats such as Gov. Kathleen Sebelius," according to USA Today.

Until Palin was announced as Sen. John McCain's (Ariz.) running mate, the division among Republican voters in the state "briefly raised the possibility" that Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) "could become the first Democrat to carry Kansas" since 1964, USA Today reports. Thomas Frank -- author of "What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America" -- said that McCain has "really bridged that divide," adding that the "country club set really like McCain, and values voters really like Palin."

However, some moderate Republican voters are "put off" by Palin. Ryan Wright of the Kansas Traditional Republican Majority said there is a "strong but silent majority who still have reservations" about Palin, adding, "One thing the last eight years has taught us is we don't want another inexperienced person in the White House." Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris (R) said that he has heard "a few people grumble" about Palin's nomination and position on social issues but added that "even if they don't agree with all her social ideas, they think it makes the ticket more exciting" (Stone, USA Today, 10/20).

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