What's The Matter With Kansas or Chads In Politics

As Columbus guy notes tangentially, a smart if underhanded move by the Democrats in Kansas.  With the Senate in the balance, the party has convinced its nominee, Chad Taylor, to drop out of the race at the last second.  Previously, it was a three-way race, with long-time Republican Senator Pat Roberts going up against Taylor and independent Greg Orman.

The latest polls had been showing Roberts with a solid if unspectacular lead, but no one over the 40% level and Orman getting around 20%.  It's possible if the Dems rally behind him (even though Taylor will still be on the ballot) that Orman can take it.  And if he does, he may caucus with the Dems. The Republicans need six net seats to win back the Senate, and this takes a likely victory and puts it in the question mark category.

Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri spoke to Taylor about dropping out. You remember her--she won reelection in 2012 against Todd Akin.  Now that was a case where the GOP could have used a little party discipline.