Kansas was never really a strong pickup opportunity, but what little chance we had of knocking off Sen. Brownback is history, as the state's most popular Dem -- former Rep. Dan Glickman, decided against a run.

Not a surprise, really, since Glickman never showed interest in the race, but he was Plan A, B, and C for Kansas Dems, who let Sen. Pat Roberts cruise to victory in 2002 unchallenged.

Yet while things look bleak for now, there is a sort of resurgance in the Kansas Dem party at the grassroots level taking advantage of divisions between the state's GOP (as the moderates and CC wingnuts battle for supremacy).

Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, hasn't faced a Democrat since 1998. And in the 4th District, which includes Wichita, only one person -- Martin Mork, who gained 114 votes for Wichita mayor last April -- has publicly indicated any interest in the Democratic nomination for Rep. Todd Tiahrt's seat.

Pat Murray, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party, said it's too early to tell if the party will field a full slate of federal candidates next fall. But party-building for elections in 2004 and beyond is improving with Democrat Kathleen Sebelius in the governor's mansion, he said.

"People who wouldn't have considered a race before" Sebelius' election are now looking at local, state and federal races, he said.