It was reported this week that the Kansas Republican Party is operating on scarce funds despite being the dominant party in the state. Meanwhile, the state Democratic Party is flush with cash, holding $200,000 in reserves. Clay Barker, head of the state GOP, says the disparity comes from a lack of fundraising. He claims that the more solidly Republican a state is, the more difficult it is to raise money. Washburn University political science professor Bob Beatty (BAY-tee) says that Barker's analysis is correct.
An recent report indicates the state GOP's federal activity account had a deficit of $4,200. The party's account for state political activities was in the black, but had a balance of less than $3,000. The state Democratic Party alleges that the GOP's lack of funds is a result of the party's fiscal irresponsibility.