Campaign promises: Who delivered, who did not
A look back
5:30 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2008
We're already hearing various campaign promises from candidates running in 2008, and they sound like the same promises we've heard over and over again.
In 2006, candidates for Congress made claims about what they wanted to accomplish in their next term, or what they would do in their first term.
Here’s how those we sent to Washington did:
Sam Brownback, busy with his short-lived run for the presidency, didn't make it to many votes: Only 69 percent, according to the US Congress "Votes Database."
Kansas' other congressional leaders had better attendance ratings.
Sen. Pat Roberts made 97 percent of Senate votes.
Representatives Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt also made 97 percent of their votes.
Representative Nancy Boyda was a percentage point higher with 98 percent
And Representative Dennis Moore had the best record of any Kansan in Congress with a 99 percent attendance record.
On a more local note: the state board of education:
Local representative Bill Wagnon pledged to reverse some decisions made in the past.
"We'll be able to undo a lot of the damage that has been done by these so-called conservatives," Wagnon told us in August of 2006.
He was referring to, among other things, votes on revised science standards dealing with evolution.
It’s a promise he was able to keep.
The biggest broken campaign promise may be that of out-going Attorney General Paul Morrison.
He pledged to rid the office of scandal.
“A week doesn't go by where you don't read about some abuse of power or some new scandal or some impropriety that's alleged in Mr. Kline's office, Morrison stated in September of 2006.
“Hopefully we'll be able to bring that experience and judgement and hard work ethic to the attorney general's office to benefit everybody in the state,” Morrison said two months later, in November, 2006.
Morrison, brought down by a sex scandal, failed to keep his campaign pledges.
"In order to preserve the public's confidence in this office, today I am announcing my resignation as Attorney General,” he said on December 14, 2007.
Here at 49 news we'll keep track of the promises the candidates are making right now, and how well those who are elected keep their word.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, to give the weather on TV.
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