I have been hearing from many different fields of people concerning the almost surrender of the governorship of the state of Kansas to Senator Sam Brownback. It is disconcerting how this surrender seems to have frozen politics at all levels. I am guilty of it as well. A day doesn’t go by where I am not discussing strategy for how to protect workers in a Brownback Kansas.

For the true answer as to whether or not Brownback will be Governor, I can’t tell you that. I can tell you this far out of the presidential race the front runners where Giuliani and Clinton, and I don’t have to tell you how that story ended.

Kansas Democrats have had it too good. We have held an office for so long we have forgotten what it takes to win it. Eight years is a long time. Much has changed. Activists have changed, technology has changed and the political landscape of this state is very different. Sebelius ran with little external structure. She didn’t rely on grass roots to lift her up. I would say many times she had to drag them along. I am not condemning this way of politics; it is effective. In its wake, however, things can be left a little unorganized.

We have forgotten the value of hard work. We stand around hoping somebody will decide to run for governor rather than paving the way for them to be successful. Many at all levels expect the same play book that worked for Sebelius to work again, but it won’t. All is not lost, however. I am fortunate enough to travel the state and meet people who are working to change politics, from the ground up. Not because anyone asked them to. Not because there is a paycheck attached to it. But because they want change and aren’t gonna wait for it to come.