Kansas

Opinion: This idea could bring middle back to Kansas politics and temper extremes

Published

3 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Opinion: This idea could bring middle back to Kansas politics and temper extremes

Don Hineman
| Special to The Capital-Journal

I can’t wait until Election Day is behind us. Politics has gotten so nasty. Whichever party you support, we’ve forgotten that the people on the other side are Americans, too.

Democrats are not an “enemy” worse than our actual adversaries overseas. And Republicans are not “fascists” if they simply disagree with Democrats about the issues. This level of hostility is not the Kansas way.

I’ve been a Republican my entire life and I don’t plan on changing. But let’s face it. The reason things have gotten so polarized is because of the two-party system itself. Instead of listening to the public, both major parties have become captive, to varying degrees, to their worst extremes.

We weren’t so badly divided a generation ago. But with the rise of talk-radio and then the internet, it’s become easy to become popular and make money simply by stoking more and more political rage among society’s different silos. And in a system with only two parties, both are incentivized to keep fighting each other.

But history and experience teach us that America has only progressed when both parties have worked through their differences on hard issues, gotten to reasonable compromises and passed bipartisan legislation with broad public support. And that doesn’t happen much anymore thanks to our hyper-polarized two-party system. The center has been abandoned.

What we desperately need is a way to give people in the middle — moderates who understand that working together to solve problems is more important than bludgeoning your enemies — a bigger voice in the process.

That’s why I am so intrigued by the new United Kansas Party, which was started earlier this year by a group of moderate Republicans, Democrats and independents. Even more interesting to me is its effort to revive fusion voting. The basic idea is simple. With fusion, two or more parties can each nominate the same candidate. Each party gets its own line but in effect they “fuse” their support.

If the candidate welcomes each party’s nomination, voters can support the candidate on the ballot line of the party that best reflects their values.

If you’re a centrist Republican like me, and the United Kansas Party cross-nominates a Republican candidate, you could vote for that candidate on the United Kansas line. If that candidate gets, say, 10% of the vote on that line, you can bet they’re going to pay more attention to what United Kansas stands for: values like moderation, problem-solving, and respect for the rule of law.

It would work the same way on the opposite side. If Republicans nominate someone really extreme and the Democrats back someone more moderate, United Kansas could endorse the more moderate choice, and someone like me could vote for them on that line, rather than having to back them as a Democrat.

With fusion, people in the abandoned center could really improve things. Fusion makes it possible for smaller parties to form and maintain their identities distinct from the major parties, without forcing them to be spoilers. (In our two-party system, third-party candidates very rarely win, but do often inadvertently help to elect the least preferred candidates.) It also has the merit of strengthening our constitutional rights to free speech and free association.

Since achieving legal party status, United Kansas has nominated candidates from both major parties. Not surprisingly, there has been resistance from entities which have sought to preserve laws passed more than a century ago that took away fusion voting. The party intends to continue pursuing their right to freely associate with the candidates of their choice. As legal challenges take shape, let’s hope the Kansas courts recognize this important right.

With fusion voting, we’d probably end up with a multiparty system with the two major parties buttressed by a couple of additional fusion parties. We’d have more competition, and voters would have more choices. The major parties would become more responsive to the will of the people.

Most importantly, we’d break the spiral that the two-party system has caught us in, which is making this fall election so ugly. And that would be good for all of us.

Don Hineman served 12 years in the Kansas House, including two as majority leader, before retiring in 2020. He is the chairman of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

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Kansas

Quick recap: KU ground game too much for Colorado

Published

3 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Quick recap: KU ground game too much for Colorado

Devin Neal put Kansas on his back with four touchdowns on his Senior Day as the Jayhawks rolled past #16 Colorado 37-21 for their third straight ranked win. Kansas kept its bowl eligibility hopes alive heading into its final game of the season.

Neal rushed for 207 yards on 37 carries and added 80 yards through the air. Jalon Daniels completed 14 of his 21 passes for 189 yards, and the defense made enough plays to come out with a win.

First quarter

Kansas got on the board first, relying on Devin Neal. He got the Jayhawks going on the ground before taking a quick pass out of the backfield for 51 yards to the house. Neal got four touches on six plays as Kansas took an early 7-0 lead.

The dream start continued for the Jayhawks as the defense forced a three-and-out. Kansas bottled up two screens before Shedeur Sanders missed Travis Hunter on third down, and Colorado punted.

The Jayhawks had to settle for three points on their next drive, but they controlled the clock over a 7:46 possession. Sevion Morrison got five carries while Daniels picked up 20 yards on a scramble. The drive eventually stalled, and Tabor Allen hit a 24-yard field goal.

Colorado got its offense going on its second drive. Sanders completed three passes as the Buffaloes drove into Kansas territory.

Second quarter

The Buffaloes drive quickly came to an end after Tommy Dunn stopped Dallan Hayden in the backfield for a loss on third down. The Jayhawks stopped the run again on fourth down, taking over at their 41 yard line.

Kansas took complete control, going down the field with ease. Daniels converted a third down with his legs, and found Trevor Kardell for a 23-yard pickup to put the Jayhawks into the red zone. Neal got into the end zone from nine yards out to give Kansas a 17-0 lead with 9:02 to play in the first half.

Colorado broke into the scoring column in quick fashion. Sanders picked up 17 yards on a scramble, then hit Hunter on a screen, who took it 51 yards for a touchdown.

Morrison picked up a 15-yard run before Neal gained 47 yards on a wildcat carry to get the ball into the red zone. However, Kansas wasn’t able to get into the endzone, with Allen hitting a 23-yarder to extend the Jayhawks’ lead to 20-7.

The Buffaloes inched closer as Sanders looked impressive. After a low, late hit, Sanders completed passes of 16, 25, and 19 yards. Drelon Miller made a pair of tough catches, including the 19-yard touchdown to cut Kansas’ lead to 20-14.

Kansas saw a positive two-minute drill, but once again had to settle for a field goal. Daniels picked up 31 yards on a QB draw and Neal got the Jayhawks into the red zone. However, Daniels threw incompletions on second and third and goal from the two. Allen made a 25-yard field goal to give Kansas a 23-14 lead heading into the half.

Third quarter

Colorado got a 43-yard kickoff return to open a touchdown drive to put the Buffaloes right back in it. Sanders connected with Hunter for another touchdown, this time he was left open for a 26-yard touchdown to make the score 23-21.

Kansas went on a 10-play drive, getting whatever it wanted on the ground. Neal continued to run with his head on fire, picking up multiple 10-plus yard carries. He scored his third touchdown of the day, eventually getting into the end zone after three carries from inside the five to give the Jayhawks some breathing room, 30-21.

The Jayhawks defense got a stop for the first time in a while to help Kansas continue to build momentum. Dean Miller made a pair of big plays, stuffing a jet touch pass and getting pressure to Sanders as Kansas sacked him for the first time. Colorado punted, giving the Jayhawks the ball at their own 30.

Kansas’ offense continued to get whatever it wanted. The Jayhawks dialed up a couple of nifty plays to their tight ends. Daniels made a play with his legs again, picking up 12 yards before hitting Neal out of the backfield for 15 as Kansas drove into the red zone at the end of the quarter.

Fourth quarter

Neal put the team on his back, rushing five straight times to get in the end zone for his fourth touchdown. He picked up a fourth-down conversion before getting into the end zone from two yards out to give Kansas a 37-21 lead with 11:47 to play.

Colorado drove into Kansas territory, but the Jayhawks defense bore down and forced a turnover on downs. The drive took 5:25 off the clock as Kansas looked to close in on another ranked win.

Kansas ran out the remaining 6:22, relying on Neal to close out the game.

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Kansas

Colorado vs. Kansas prediction, odds, best bets for NCAAF Week 13

Published

12 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Colorado vs. Kansas prediction, odds, best bets for NCAAF Week 13

No. 16 Colorado will face off against Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium today at 3:30 p.m. EST. Despite the Buff’s star power on both sides of the ball, our data model likes the Jayhawks’ chances to pull off the upset — our best for today is Kansas +2.5 (+102).

Ahead of this Big 12 matchup, the data analysts at Dimers.com have simulated the game 10,000 times, and then compared these results to current NCAAF betting odds to inform the data-driven betting preview provided to you below.

This preview includes Dimers’ best bets and predicted scoreline for Colorado vs. Kansas. To unlock Dimers’ full suite of data-driven betting insights, which includes daily props, trends, and parlays, sign up for Dimers Pro with promo code SYRACUSE10, which will save you 10% off your first subscription payment.

Bet365 is fully legal in Colorado, making this the perfect time for Buffs fans to claim huge betting bonuses with our brand new exclusive bet365 bonus code “SYRACUSE”, while sports fans in New York State can take full advantage of our NBA League Pass FanDuel promo code. Additionally, bettors are encouraged to check out this exclusive promo offer from DraftKings and the latest deal from BetMGM.

Colorado vs. Kansas betting preview

Utilize the interactive widget below to discover the current spread, total, and moneyline odds and probabilities for the Colorado-Kansas matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

This prediction and best bet for Saturday’s college football matchup between Colorado and Kansas is from Dimers.com, a trusted source for sports betting predictions.

Check out all the important details on today’s game, as well as the best odds sourced from the top sportsbooks in the country.

Game details

Key information on the Colorado vs. Kansas matchup, including where the game is and what time it kicks off.

Teams: Colorado vs. Kansas
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. EST
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
NCAAF rankings: Updated AP Top 25
College football news: Check the latest updates from the official NCAA football news site

Odds

The latest and best odds for the college football showdown between the Colorado and Kansas.

Spread: Colorado -2.5 (-105), Kansas +2.5 (+102)
Moneyline: Colorado -135, Kansas +126
Total: Over/Under 59.5 (-108/-110)

The odds and lines presented in this article are the best available from selected sports betting site at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Expert prediction: Colorado vs. Kansas

Using state-of-the-art data analysis and machine learning, the experts at Dimers have executed 10,000 simulations of Saturday’s Colorado vs. Kansas game.

According to Dimers’ independent predictive analytics model, Colorado is more likely to defeat Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This prediction is based on the model giving Colorado a 56% chance of winning the game.

Elsewhere on the betting board, Dimers predicts that the bookmakers have got it right and Colorado and Kansas each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the 59.5-point over/under is also considered an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.

These predictions and probabilities are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

Colorado vs. Kansas best bet

Our top pick for the Colorado vs. Kansas game on Saturday is to bet on Kansas +2.5 (+102).

This expert betting advice is based on cutting-edge modeling and valuable wagering intelligence, designed to assist you in making more informed investments.

Score prediction for Colorado vs. Kansas

Dimers’ projected final score for the Colorado vs. Kansas game on Saturday has Colorado winning 30-28.

This expert prediction is based on each team’s average score following 10,000 game simulations, offering a glimpse into the potential outcome.

College football Week 13: Colorado vs. Kansas

Get ready for Saturday’s college football action between Colorado and Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EST. We emphasize that all of the college football predictions and college football best bets on this page are derived from 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Colorado vs. Kansas matchup, and they are correct at the time of publication to help you make better decisions when placing bets at online sportsbooks.

Please note that when engaging in online betting, it is important to exercise responsible gambling practices and seek reliable sources for the latest and most accurate information.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mac Douglass | Special Correspondent

Mac Douglass is the Senior Sports Betting Editor at Cipher Sports Technology Group. In addition to covering the sports betting industry for several news sites across the US, Mac provides Formula 1 analysis and betting tips for Dimers, and tennis commentary for Stats Insider.

Ryan Leaver | Special Correspondent

Ryan Leaver is a highly experienced sports betting digital content producer for Cipher Sports Technology Group. He boasts an impressive writing portfolio, contributing to prominent platforms like Dimers, Fox Sports, Stats Insider, and Triple M.

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Kansas

Travis Hunter responds to Kansas’ Cobee Bryant after trash talk episodes

Published

19 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Travis Hunter responds to Kansas’ Cobee Bryant after trash talk episodes

Kansas Jayhawks defensive back Cobee Bryant has made it clear he’s been anticipating this weekend’s matchup against the No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes. In an interview earlier this week, Bryant openly expressed his excitement to face Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter. “I’m not going to lie, I have been waiting,” Bryant said. “I already marked this on my notes… I’ve been waiting on this game all season. This is gonna be the game.” His eagerness spilled over onto social media, where he posted, “Now I’m piss hurry tf up Saturday I meant that omm bet,” highlighting his impatience for the showdown.

Despite Bryant’s bold trash talk, Hunter has kept a calm and confident demeanor. During a livestream, he responded to questions about Bryant, saying, “We let people talk, bro. Would that make him feel better? It’s going to make him feel better, let that boy talk. They know they are going to have to double team.” Hunter’s composed reply suggests he’s more focused on his game than engaging in verbal sparring.

Deion Sanders meets up with coaching legend before Kansas matchup

Bryant’s trash talk hasn’t been limited to Hunter. The Kansas defensive back also took aim at Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, reportedly texting him and drawing a response from the Buffs’ leader. Sanders, unshaken, has hinted at exploiting Kansas’ coverage, adding fuel to the growing tension. This back-and-forth has only energized the Buffaloes, who are vying to strengthen their College Football Playoff resume.

For Kansas, this game represents a golden opportunity to make a statement by taking down a CFP-ranked opponent. A win would allow the unranked Jayhawks to end their season on a high note and potentially climb the rankings themselves. Colorado, meanwhile, has its sights set on maintaining momentum. A win over Kansas, followed by another against Oklahoma State, would propel the Buffaloes into the the Big 12 title game and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The stakes are high and the stage is set at Arrowhead Stadium. The clash between Kansas and Colorado promises to be intense, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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