After assuring Kansans that a U.S. Senate run was “off the table,” United States Secretary of State, and former KS-04 Congressman, Mike Pompeo seems to be giving newsies additional reasons to think a campaign is the next course coming.
The Wall Street Journal’s in-house Pompeo follower, Lindsay Wise, wrote yesterday that a Pompeo campaign still seemed to be a strong possibility. But her reasoning seemed to be based on other people’s wishes or speculation.
In the meantime she did get Susan Wagle, Alan Cobb and Jake LaTurner to say they’d drop out if Pompeo got in the Senate race. And she pushed Kris Kobach to say he’d likely stay IN the race:
“I would have to assess the situation. My gut instinct would be to stay in (if Pompeo runs).”
-Kris Kobach
Another nugget from Wise was that while Pompeo recently spoke with Wagle, Cobb and KS-01 Rep. Roger Marshall about the Senate race, “Pompeo didn’t make definite assurances against his running.”
Which is interesting. When Wagle made her announcement and said she spoke with Pompeo, the implication was that Pompeo told her, and others, that he wasn’t going to run.
Now we’re hearing the opposite.
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And then today, Bloomberg News dropped the bomb that various Republicans are telling top donors to hold on to their wallets until Pompeo makes a for sure-for sure decision / announcement.
Their sources go on to say that:
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Pompeo has definitely NOT made a decision on whether he’ll leave Foggy Bottom to run for the Senate.
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Pompeo has met with potential political donors in New York and California
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Pompeo recently met with former Trump aide and political firebrand Steve Bannon
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Pompeo has sounded out some allies and advisers on the advantages and disadvantages of making a presidential bid from the Senate or the private sector
The Washington Examiner then confirmed the Pompeo meeting with Bannon, with the sources saying Bannon believed Pompeo was “leaning towards a run”.
Coupled with Pompeo visiting everyman eating establishments in Overland Park (he was spotted at an IHOP with his in-laws), one certainly gets the feeling that Pompeo may be doing a little more than simply keeping a Kathleen Sebelius candidacy at bay.
(Though maybe, as the nation’s top diplomat, Pompeo visits IHOPs all over the world…)
And then there’s the little matter of, without Pompeo, a crowded Primary could mean that high-name-ID Kris Kobach wins a plurality, and actually puts a GOP win in jeopardy — even without Sebelius. (Or does Mitch McConnell simply fear political bombs being thrown about the Senate floor…)
It’s a fascinating time for the Hot-Stove League primary in Kansas!
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And of course the Hot-Stove League isn’t just in the Senate race.
Kansas First Congressional District Rep. Roger Marshall has all but announced his interest in the Senate race. But he seems to be a little more methodical in jumping-in — likely keeping his powder dry for Pompeo, but also holding off for an autumn announcement if he decides to make the move.
An interesting tidbit from the Bloomberg story was that the Club For Growth — the conservative, pro-Trump PAC that has made themselves known nationwide — said that they would spend money AGAINST a Marshall candidacy for Senate. The CFG were Tim Huelskamp supporters back in his Congressional days — before Marshall took him out.
Seems they’re still holding a grudge.
But with all of the Pompeo wait-and-see, that puts off any KS-01 candidates who are waiting for Marshall to make HIS decision.
Dominoes upon dominoes.
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