On his national radio show, Fox News radio and TV host Sean Hannity endorsed Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach for Kansas Governor.
Kobach was a guest on Tuesday’s show. In discussing Kobach’s decision to run for governor, Hannity regretted that Kobach would not be coming to Washington, given what he called the Republicans'”drastic need for a spine transplant.”
On reconsideration, however, Hannity observed, “Kansas deserves a good governor. Kansas is a great state.” He described Kobach as “one of the rising conservative stars in the country” and offered his endorsement, “I am supporting your effort.”
Only half-kidding, Hannity questioned whether Kobach would want his support. “Are you kidding,” said Kobach, “I welcome your endorsement any day of the week.” With 13.5 million weekly listeners, Hannity’s is the second most popular radio talk show in the country. In October, Hannity’s TV program was the most popular cable news program.
The Hannity endorsement can only help Kobach in a crowded Republican primary. In the running already are Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, former state Senator Jim Barnett, Wichita businessman Wink Hartman, Leawood businessman Patrick Kucera, and former legislator Ed O’Malley.
Barring the unforeseen, Colyer will replace Sam Brownback as governor in the final year of his term. If the race devolves down to Colyer v. Kobach, it will be difficult for Colyer to differentiate himself from a charismatic candidate like Kobach with whom he is in agreement on most key issues.
Kobach’s real challenge going forward will be the media. In recovery from BDS, Brownback Derangement Syndrome, the media have caught an equally severe case of KDS, Kobach Derangement Syndrome. The media KDS case is complicated by their stage-four TDS, Trump Derangement Syndrome.
In the throes of these complementary pathologies, the media have already lost their critical faculties. As a Trump advisor, Kobach will suffer almost all of the blows emanating from the madness. The Hannity endorsement and his recognition that Kobach is a “rising conservative star” will only aggravate the media’s KDS.
