@BlogKCKansas Citian Jason Kander is in the Army Reserve and currently preparing for a voluntary deployment to Afghanistan. He’s blogging about his experience at www.jasonkander.com. Some readers will also remember Jason and his wife Diana as founders of the Heartland Democrats of America. Soldiers’ blogs are a great way to get a better perspective on what’s actually happening, so please be sure check it out and send some love Jason’s way.
What’s On KC- Conservatory Connections
- Freedom Sisters with APC
- Stitches Exhibit
- UMKC Theatre and KCAT present Billy Bishop Goes to War
- 10th Annual Paul D. Bartlett Lecture
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- Stitches Exhibit
- Wind Ensemble and 11 O'Clock Jazz Band
- UMKC Theatre and KCAT present Billy Bishop Goes to War
I didn’t know the guy was a soldier but HDA was straight Democratic Party Line propaganda.
However, I still want to check out the new site if only for a bit of a more personal perspective.
Yeah and he is also running for the 44th House seat in Missouri when Rep. Jeene (sp?) Lowe (I just recently moved to her district so I may no have the spelling right) is done. He has told a lot of people he is running when I went to HDA events. I just hope the blog is not primarily a Self-Status builder so he can play it up down the road.
I am very impressed that he is willing to serve in Afghanistan and I have checked out his blog. If he is running for state rep, it appears he would be a great addition to the caitol. My only question is what does HDA do? I have been visiting the cite for 2 years now and dont know what it does but receive praise and heap praise on Jason.
Blogger, you answered your own question. HDA appears to exist primarily (or solely) to support Jason’s plans to run for office. His chances at winning are pretty slim though – that race is going to be crowded. Some of the candidates even seem to be motivated by a desire to serve the public, not just self-promotion. I live in that district too and really hope that the voters do their homework.
Just look at the web site for HDA. Nothing but Shameless Self Promotion. I have met him a few times at events in town. Never got the sense what he was doing was real. I sure hope the blog is legit and not just another Promotion tool. On another note, I have heard both Klumb and Flaherty are looking at the 44th as a possible next step. I just hope my District does the homework before we choose in 08.
Kander is self-seving and arrogant. I met him at an event earlier this year and he reminded me of a mini Jason Klumb. There will be multiple candidates for the 44th who will serve the people before their own interests. We have enough politicians full of themselves and we don’t need another.
Isn’t there a law or at least a military regulation prohibiting active service members from participating in partisan politics? This guy not only runs a Democratic organization (which, according to others’ comments, is really an organization to promote Jason) but has solicited contributions for his campaign for the 44th District. Sounds like a clear violation to me.
For someone so young (24?), he sure has managed to anger a lot of people.
Hi, I am Diana Kander, wife of the guy that you so conveniently attack on an anonymous basis. I guess I am still new enough to politics that I take this stuff personally and feel the need to set the record straight. First, Jason is not running the Heartland Democrats. While he and I founded the organization together, I am the current president. So if you have some beef about the effectiveness of HDA, please attack my leadership rather than Jason’s. Second, I disagree with your assessment of what the Heartland Democrats have been able to do. I also think that the many candidates that have attended our trainings, the attendees of the Women’s Political Caucus meetings where we conduct mini-framing sessions, the host of a KKFI radio show that has asked HDA to do an hour long segment in October, and George Lakoff, who has been such a strong supporter of our mission, would also disagree. Starting a grassroots organization is not easy; nor is it easy to change the way Democrats think and speak about values, so admittedly we have not been flawless. But I do not think that undertaking such an initiative is a selfish or arrogant endeavor. We are currently working on a set of commercials to air around the state before the 06 elections. You can see a cut of one such commercial here: http://www.heartlanddemocrats.com/multimedia.htm.
Also, I ask that some of the people that have made such hurtful remarks about Jason’s blog actually read it. You will quickly find that its purpose is to help Jason stay in touch with his friends and family and to inform people who may not personally know a service member fighting overseas about what its like. There is no political rhetoric on the blog.
I sure hope that none of you ever dedicate more than a year away from your spouse, friends and family to put your life in danger and try to make a difference in a cause that you so deeply believe in and have people that you don’t even know call you selfish or self serving.
Let me get this staight – Jason Kander devotes his time and energy to help out the Democratic cause, he signs up for the military to serve his Country and is going to Afghanistan and some nameless bloggers think it is ok to insult him?
I know and respect Jason. He is extremely intelligent, has worked hard to develop an organization (HDA) to inform the public that Democrats have strong values (D’s are picked on by the R’s for lacking values, HDA demostrates we do have values) and is doing everything he can to make the world a better place.
Here’s a valid critism of our party – we kill our young. Jason is young, he wants to make a difference, he is eager to get involved. Instead of trashing a fellow D, how about being above board, sign your name, and positively encourage candidates that you support.
Apparently we have not “Had Enough?” Apparently we need to insult fellow Democrats about a 2008 race rather than help Claire McCaskill. I have had enough. Let’s work together to win in 2006 and wait until 2008 to kill a host of new, young Dems.
I too have met Jason Kander and I coulnd’t disagree more with RG, Big Bad Leroy Brown, LindaLou, and all these other Wednesday-morning pundits. Yes, he is young. Yes, he wants to be the next State Representative from the 44th District. He wants to do anything he can to help people in accordance with what our party believes. Just take a look at the facts-this guy is a successful young lawyer with a wonderful wife, a new home, and a couple of dogs. He was so moved by the attacks of 9/11 that he VOLUNTEERED to go on active duty in Afghanistan. That alone is enough for me to see that his motives are pure and he will be a great addition to the state legislature.
Go Jason!
Emily literally doesn’t even know what day it is so her post lacks some cred. This entry and related commentary went up on Thursday.
I never meant to criticize Jason, I just havent seen HDA actually do anything to help democrats.
My wife, who is a lawyer, did some research and under the Hatch Act and a DoD regulation, active military service members cannot participate in partisan politics. If Jason is such a smart lawyer, why is he so publicly breaking the law? And I wonder if others would like this information?
SG,
You may want to tell that to Jason Brown, Republican representative in Platte County. He is running for reelection even though he is on active duty in Iraq and will not even be able to represent his constituents in Jeff City if elected. So either (1) Missouri Democrats have missed the boat on the whole Jason Brown thing, or (2) your “wife’s” research skills are lacking, if she even exists at all.
For those of you wondering what Heartland Democrats do, they apparently are funding commercials in out-state Missouri: http://ky3.blogspot.com/2006/09/local-pastor-appears-in-democratic-ad.html. What are any of you doing to help Democrats win in November?
I know Jason. I can’t speak for his lawyering skills, but he is a sharp political mind and a hard worker who is making a huge sacrifice for his country. If he wants to run for the 44th, more power to him. Better him than retread Klumb or the conservative Flaherty.
Hi, I am Diana Kander, wife of the guy that many of you have chosen to attack on an anonymous basis. I guess I am still new enough to politics that I take this stuff personally and feel the need to set the record straight. First, Jason is not running the Heartland Democrats. While he and I founded the organization together, I am the current president. So if you have some beef about the effectiveness of HDA, please attack my leadership rather than Jason’s. Second, I disagree with your assessment of what the Heartland Democrats have been able to do. I also think that the many candidates that have attended our trainings, the attendees of the Women’s Political Caucus meetings where we conduct mini-framing sessions, the host of a KKFI radio show that has asked HDA to do an hour long segment in October, and George Lakoff, who has been such a strong supporter of our mission, would also disagree. Starting a grassroots organization is not easy; nor is it easy to change the way Democrats think and speak about values, so admittedly we have not been flawless. But I do not think that undertaking such an initiative is a selfish or arrogant endeavor. We are currently working on a set of commercials to air around the state before the 06 elections. You can see a cut of one such commercial by going to the website and then typing /multimedia.htm.
Also, I ask that some of the people that have made such hurtful remarks about Jason’s blog actually read it. You will quickly find that its purpose is to help Jason stay in touch with his friends and family and to inform people who may not personally know a service member fighting overseas about what its like. There is no political rhetoric on the blog.
I sure hope that none of you ever dedicate more than a year away from your spouse, friends and family to put your life in danger and try to make a difference in a cause that you so deeply believe in and have people that you don’t even know call you selfish or self serving.
I haven’t seen one comment that criticized the guy for being a solider. Everyone respects that.
However, I think few people respect political pandering. And there is no reason they should.
If the guy chooses to be involved in politics then he (and his family) should except the fact that people will be (justifiably) critical of him.
Niether military service nor good intentions exempt anyone from having to answer to their public in what is seemingly just another example of disenchantment with politicos in general. Word to historic voter turnout of (well) less than 50%.
Diana has an important and valid point. Jason should be commended for his military service. There is nothing selfish about risking your life for your country.
His military service is a personal decision that can be applauded; the use of his military service for personal gain is not.
Like I said, I met Jason at a County event within the past year and felt he held an incredibly high opinion of himself. That is my personal opinion. I am a middle aged, moderate to conservative, highly educated African-American who served a tour in Vietnam and is entitled to speak my mind.
Diana, I have never met you, I have no problem with you building a grass roots organization, in fact I grew up near 31st and Indiana, I know all about the difficulty in community organization and activism. Here’s the point. If your husband decides to run for public office, something admirable I personally would never wish to do, he is asking the public to examine his life, to evaluate his fitness to make decisions on our behalf. I follow these blogs because too many people in my own community don’t take the time to examine their candidates. We are told how to vote by certain political groups, groups who I’m sure started with a purpose not much unlike the HDA and end up corrupted by their appetite for influence and stature. That is why our neighborhood still looks like a ghetto and our schools are failing. While ambition is a necessary component of leadership, it must not be the overriding ingredient.
Mr. Bough, would you not agree that the purpose of these conversations are to express our experiential interpretations working toward understanding? Is this not a blog about Kander? Why would we talk about Claire McCaskill? I do not live in the 44th, but the intent of his running did make its way into my circles, that is why I chose to comment.
Quick story and then I will end this diatribe and write no more to the issue, I do agree that 08′ is two years away which is exactly why I am suspicious of Kander’s ambition.
When I was overseas in the early 70′s my cousin was a member of the Black Panther party. I can remember a day near Swope Park when I was back in KC on leave and I met with him and a few of his click. In a matter of an hour they had convinced me that I was being sent over to die in a white man’s war for the white man’s economy. They asked me to join their party (every bit a valid political party as the Democrats are today) to attend meetings and maybe give a speech about my experience with the war, they told me people would listen and I could become a very powerful man (never mind that I too was in my early twenties at the time). It all sounded so compelling and I deeply believed that what they told me was true. But you know what, I didn’t join, even though I really wanted to, do you know why? Because I was a soldier, for better or worse I had made a pledge to serve my country and not a political party. The Military does not allow political activity while you are on active duty, period. Had I gone to their meeting, I would have violated my oath.
That is all the further I will comment on this issue. Perhaps, Diana, if you have provided so much training and information for other candidates, you might pass on the lesson of humility to your husband. He is still young enough make the changes necessary to get behind the people and push, instead of always standing out front trying to pull.
You know what I think? Leroy Brown is really Jeff Roe and all the other anti-Kander posts are his little blogging henchmen. They can’t beat us on the issues, so they slander our character in hopes the people remain blind to their tactics.
Jeff, instead of waisting your time attacking people in blogs, why don’t you spend your time helping to create good policy? Maybe your party wouldn’t have to resort to such vile tactics.
I know both Jason and Diana personally, and while their ambition may be a little counterproductive to the intent, at least they are doing something, which is a sorry sight more than people who armchair quarterback their faults.
Debbie,
Maybe if you took more than a second to think about it, you would realize that the term ‘wednesday morning pundits’ refers to people (mostly bloggers) that think they’re Charlie Cook because they can spit out some tired or untimely analysis. The term has nothing to do when this entry was posted. Wednesday follows Tuesday (Election Day). See Monday Morning Quarterback if you’re still confused.
Diana, Steve and the rest of the crew,
I applaud him very much for his service, which is not the question here. What the others are concerned about, and for good reason, is that this blog and HDA are nothing more than ways to raise his profile for a race where he has obviously made his intentions very apparent. If during visits home or after this tour he is trying to garner support for his run, then these fears are well founded. Let us just see if http://www.jasonkander.com ends up a campaign website or pointing to one for it’s creator in 2 years.
That said, I applaud him for the service and wish him a safe tour and return.
Thanks Diana for answering my question.
Dogood………Even Jeff Roe bases most of his posts on one point of truth. Granted he usually wraps lies and lies around the nugget, but there still are times a nugget does exist. And while the service to our country is admirable, this guy is see-through in this. If he were out and out politicizing on the site I am sure it would be shut down. Jeff Moore is right, lets see if the site and HDA end up as just shells waiting to be filled by Kander 08 propaganda.
HDA is exactly what it purports to be: an organization dedicated to convincing candidates to focus on core Democratic values, and to helping those candidates convey to voters how those values relate to policy decisions. By emphasizing values as the lens through which to examine candidates and policy choices, it operates at a different level than most grassroots organizations. This is perhaps a more conceptual goal than some other political organizations, but don’t confuse that difference for inactivity or lack of a genuine mission.
It’s simply wrong to assume that every action by someone with political aspirations is automatically political and self-serving. Jason and Diana have brought an immense amount of energy and intelligence to bear in support of their organization (which, mind you, is barely a year old) and the values that it promotes. If you care about those things, then you should applaud their efforts.