Obama Hopes Kansas Roots Will Yield Votes

Red state's blue governor greets hopeful with endorsement

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2008 12:04 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama has been hitting the pavement in staunchly Republican Kansas, the Los Angeles Times reports, returning to the town where his maternal grandparents lived during the Great Depression. The Democratic presidential candidate also picked up an endorsement yesterday from Democratic governor Kathleen Sebelius—something that might help the Illinois senator more than his local roots.

"Barack Obama has Midwestern values," Sibelius said. "He understands how to bring people together across party lines." And she knows a little about crossing party lines, twice winning the GOP-majority state by appealing to moderate Republicans and independents. At least one Republican has actually switched parties to vote for Obama in next Tuesday's caucus: his grandmother's first cousin, Margaret McCurry Wolf.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., campaigns during a rally in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Associated Press)

Flanked by Missouri State Senator Claire McCaskill, left, and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, right, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks to supporters at a campaign stop... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who endorsed Obama, greet supporters Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Dick Whipple) (Associated Press)

Supporters of Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., watch during a rally in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Associated Press)

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Obama Hopes Kansas Roots Will Yield Votes

Red state's blue governor greets hopeful with endorsement

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Obama Hopes Kansas Roots Will Yield Votes

Red state's blue governor greets hopeful with endorsement

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Democrats on the trail

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MOST POPULAR STORIES

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Edwards' New Plan: Outlast 'Celebrity Candidates'

Hopeful lays out new strategy and boasts of January funding increase

Dems Do Their Math on Feb. 5 Primary States

Candidates pay heed to delegates, not just overall state wins

Hillary Sticks With Iowa Strategy

Candidate overrules senior aide's advice to snub Hawkeye caucus

Like Health Reform? Thank John Edwards

Remember, that was his deal in '08 campaign

Obama Courts Risk With Sunday's 'Full Ginsburg'

President may risk overexposure by appearing in 5 talk shows

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Newser By Users

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