Waking up Washington Tour – Lenexa Barbecue - Talking Issues over Ribs

Every year, folks from all over Johnson County gather to celebrate one of Kansas’ finest traditions – barbecue. The annual Lenexa barbecue festival is typically one of the State’s most well-attended summer events – and this year was no exception.

Nick joined members of Team Jordan at the festival to talk with voters about issues affecting their daily lives. Not surprisingly, gas prices, energy and the economy were the most consistent topics discussed. Nick happily provided his ideas to solve the energy crisis, including a comprehensive and innovative energy policy to bring down the cost of gas and get our economy going.

Scott Paradise
Field Director

Waking Up Washington Tour – Talking Jobs at St. James School

More than two weeks ago, Nick and fellow members of Team Jordan kicked off the ‘Waking up Washington’ tour, designed to get out in the field and gain a complete overview of the issues concerning every level of the 3rd District. In the days since, we’ve visited tons of businesses, restaurants and coffee shops. We even brought coffee and donuts to some brave Johnson County firefighters.

Today, Nick decided to take the ‘Waking up Washington’ tour to St. James School, a brand new high school currently receiving renovations from a local construction company. Nick wanted to get a first-hand look at the 3rd District high school and talk to the workers laboring to build it.

We dropped in for a visit this morning and we’re happy to report that the school looks great. It’s a very talented work-force attending to every detail from the drywall to the lighting. It was all meticulously planned and, to this point, executed to perfection.

After meeting these workers and hearing their stories, Nick discussed the tax-hike they’ll be hit with next year thanks to the record-budget supported by Dennis Moore. The average family in the 3rd district will pay an additional $2,422 per year. Two workers specifically voiced frustration with Dennis Moore’s tax-hike, as they’ll be forced to fork over $1,000 right off the bat. Why? Because they have kids! Dennis Moore supported a proposal that will slice the per child tax-credit in half, costing families $500 per child. It’s unfortunate that talented, hard-working people are punished for trying to get ahead by the Federal Government. The more skill they develop and the harder they work, the more money Congress takes out of their back pockets.

This is the kind of attitude that needs to be changed in Congress. Our government should encourage people to be successful and provide for a better future for their families – not punish them for working hard. At a time when gas prices continue to rise and the cost of food is rising, Congress should be finding ways to return more of what people earn back to them – not take more away, as Dennis Moore has voted to do.

Scott Paradise
Field Director

Record of Accomplishment - Fighting Cancer in Kansas

With all of the budgets and bills that are passed in the Senate each year, it’s not too often that Senators have the opportunity to see the results of their work first-hand. This afternoon, I had just such an opportunity.

The Kansas BioScience Initiative, perhaps my most important accomplishment in the Kansas Senate, helped the University of Kansas develop and implement a new cancer-fighting drug, Nanotax. After years of research, this drug was finally announced. I had the pleasure of joining K.U. Chancellor Hemenway, legislative colleagues and other cancer activists at the presentation of Nanotax. While it still must undergo more testing, it’s already shown a tremendous amount of progress.

It is proposals like the BioScience Initiative, where a few motivated legislators sat down and crafted an innovative policy designed to produce tangible results that really can make a difference. Knowing that I played a part in the fight against cancer makes my belief that much stronger that with some hard work and a few good ideas, Congress actually can be changed for the better.

Nick Jordan

Waking Up Washington Tour – Talking Energy Independence at Kansas City Power and Light

With gas prices rising daily and the cost of energy reaching record levels, Nick wanted to personally visit energy facilities around the District to get a detailed understanding of the needs facing energy suppliers as well as issues that could be addressed on the Federal level to help slow the drastic price-increases we’ve seen in recent months.

Nick stopped by a Kansas City Power and Light facility in Lenexa to discuss issues with several of the workers at the site. K.C.P. & L., the area’s largest utility provider, welcomed the opportunity to discuss energy efficiency measures and cost-effective alternative energy sources that can be taken to address the energy crisis. Nick’s plan to take action on a fully comprehensive and balanced energy policy, including solar and wind power as well as bio-fuels met a very receptive audience.

Like so many people, the workers at K.C.P. & L. were just as frustrated as anyone else with the direction of Congress and the unwillingness of Congress to implement a working energy-policy. Unfortunately, it looks as though we’ll have to wait until Election Day to elect the kind of leaders who will be willing to address the critical issues at hand, especially our energy crisis.

Dustin Olson
Campaign Manager


Below: Nick Test-Drives Hybrid Vehicle

Waking up Washington Tour - Happy Father's Day Hallmark Style

What better way to get the true Fathers’ Day weekend experience than to drop in and visit a local Hallmark store?

This afternoon, we brought the “Waking up Washington” tour to Feeney’s Hallmark in Olathe, stopping in and talking to folks that were scrambling to grab a small token of appreciation for dear old Dad. Though folks were excited about the special weekend, they did not hold back in expressing their frustration with Congress and the apparent lack of concern in Washington about the direction of our country. Believe me – I know where they are coming from. That’s why I am running.

After our visit to Hallmark, I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my family. My daughter, Shelly, cooked a great meal for the family, as she always does. Relaxing with my wife Linda, daughter Shelly, son-in-law Jaren and our three beautiful grandchildren, Nicholas, Reece and Blake, really focuses me on the task at hand. I entered this race to make sure they have the same opportunities waiting for them in adulthood that I was fortunate enough to experience. It’s my belief that inaction in Congress on so many issues - for the better part of the last decade - has placed that future of hope and prosperity in doubt.

Instead of sitting on the sidelines, I am running for Congress to wake up Washington and bring about a new day for the people of Kansas and, with your support, that’s exactly what we are going to do.

Have a relaxing weekend with your friends and family and have a great Fathers Day!

Nick Jordan

Waking up Washington Tour - GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele Calls for Change in Congress

This afternoon, we were honored to have GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele, who traveled all the way from Maryland to help raise money and rally the troops. Steele was the first African-American ever elected to statewide office in Maryland state history – quite a feat for a Republican in one of the Nation’s most Democratic states. Chairman Steele jumped at the opportunity to come support the Jordan Campaign, citing a personal belief in Nick’s character and in his desire to wake up the broken system in Washington so that Congress might actually address the serious issues on their plate rather than push them to the backburner.

Early in the day, Nick and Chairman Steele visited Innovative Adhesives Company, a roofing-adhesives manufacturer in Kansas City, KS. Innovative Adhesives serves as a perfect example of the small-businesses that are responsible for roughly 80% of America’s workforce – the same businesses that are often sideswiped by Congress’ failed policies, especially on energy and oil production.

Nick had the opportunity to interact closely with the 20 or so blue-collar employees at I.A.C., fielding questions about the rising prices of food and gas as well as Dennis Moore’s support to pave the way for the single largest tax-hike in U.S. history. When families already have to worry about pinching pennies to afford milk and bread, why should they have to budget an extra $2,422 to hand over to a Federal Government that doesn’t pinch their own pennies?

Workers were shocked when they learned that Congress had already voted on a budget that is paving the way for an average tax increase of $2,422 per family in our district – the largest tax increase in U.S. history.

Chairman Steele’s appearance on the Waking up Washington tour was a great success – it provided an opportunity for Nick to meet some more everyday folks looking for change in Congress as well as a chance for members of Team Jordan to spend an afternoon with one of Nick’s most energetic advocates.

Scott Paradise, Field Director


Below: Radio Actuality from Michael Steele.

drop.io: simple private sharing

Below: Photos from Nick and Chairman Steele at I.A.C.

Waking up Washington Tour - Rotarians and Energy

Nick was invited as a special guest to Kansas City Rotary Club 13 this afternoon and was able to enjoy a nice lunch with business and community leaders who are active in Rotary. Another special guest that was in attendance was Dr. John Felmy, Chief Economist for the American Petroleum Institute. Nick had the opportunity to discuss the energy crisis with Dr. Felmy at length and enjoyed his unique explanation about the rising price of oil.

It’s interesting that for the better part of the last three decades, Congress has been faced with the possibility of rising oil prices. Each and every election cycle, representatives lament about the need to become energy independent and decrease our reliance on foreign oil – yet still, thirty years later, the issue still sits on the backburner unaddressed. Unfortunately, this is just one of many critical issues – from the economy to immigration – that Congress has failed to solve. We desperately need leaders in Congress that will work together to find common sense solutions to critical problems. Leaders like Nick Jordan who has a proven track-record of bi-partisan cooperation in the Kansas Senate that has resulted in tangible accomplishments such as the Kansas Economic Growth Act and the Kansas BioScience Initiative.

Dustin Olson, Campaign Manager

Waking Up Washington Tour Continues – Panera and First Watch

With the rising price of food, we thought it would be informative to travel to a few local restaurants and discuss the situation in Washington with folks over a cup of coffee. Nick and members of Team Jordan visited a Panera Bread and a First Watch location this morning in Nick’s hometown of Shawnee.

Nick talked with folks about the kinds of concerns they had about the state of the economy. He was surprised to learn how many people realized and were concerned about the coming tax increases that Dennis Moore recently voted to support. Folks were disappointed that it seems Washington, DC has done more to change Dennis Moore over the past 10 years than Dennis Moore has done to change Washington, DC.

One gentleman we spoke to said, “Denny Moore sure ain’t the same guy I voted for all those years ago.”

Over the next few weeks, Nick will be visiting the businesses, restaurants and doorsteps of the voters he hopes to represent to find out the issues that are most important to them. We’ll have all the updates right here on www.wakingupwashington.com, so please come back and visit often!

Scott Paradise, Field Director

Waking up Washington Tour - Behind the Scenes at Sheraton

This morning, Nick had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park. Though, this was the first time Nick had the opportunity to see this hotel’s daily operations – it definitely wasn’t his first time being personally involved with the hotel business.
At the age of 15, Nick began his professional career working as a busboy at the old Glenwood Manor hotel. Through hard work, over the years Nick built a successful career in the travel and tourism business – eventually becoming the founding president of the Overland Park Convention and Visitors Bureau, an organization still thriving today.

The Sheraton’s staff and employees were very receptive to Nick’s message of waking up Washington this morning, and were equally impressed by his knowledge of the concerns and issues currently facing workers in this economy. It’s this knowledge of the economy and what it takes to create jobs that has made support among entrepreneurs and small businesses in Kansas so strong. We’ve included some photographs of Nick’s stop at the Sheraton. It is amazing how much people agree that it is time to wake up Washington and how much they like the fact Nick is doing the “Waking up Washington” tour.

Dustin Olson, Campaign Manager

Below: Photos of Nick's tour and visit with employees.

Waking Up Washington Tour Begins – Donuts and Coffee at the Firehouse

What better way to kick off our ‘Waking up Washington’ tour than with donuts and coffee – right? I had the opportunity to meet some of the most courageous and hardest-working Kansans in all of the State this morning when we visited the Overland Park Firehouse.

We showed up bright and early (with armloads of donuts) to greet the honorable men and women of O.P. Fire Station 3. We got a quick look at the station and a description of the day-to-day life of a firefighter. Shortly after, questions began coming in about the Congressional race, my time in the Senate and the Congress’s failure to lead.

One of the most interesting insights I received after the visit was the reduction in training and support the Fire Departments have been receiving from Washington. While pork-barrel projects and wasteful spending runs rampant in Washington, the folks who protect our communities are forced to scrap necessary training exercises due to budget constraints. It’s incredibly unfortunate. Whether it was the quality of our message or the donuts and coffee we left at the firehouse, we found a very receptive audience this morning. I really appreciated the opportunity to personally thank the folks who work hard every day to make sure our cities and our citizens are safe.

Nick Jordan

108 Days and Counting - America Waits for Congress to Act on National Security

AT&T unveiled their new 2008 yellow pages this morning, featuring the beautiful Nerman Museum of Art on the Campus of Johnson County Community College. As a member of the board of directors for the Johnson County Community College Foundation, Nick was asked to be the keynote speaker at the event due to his strong and unwavering support of the education community.

The event highlighted the great educational opportunities that Johnson County Community College has to offer but as Nick spoke about the need for innovation in education, Nick felt he needed to address a looming issue key to our nation’s security that involves telecommunication companies like AT&T, Sprint, and other local employers.

For the last 108 days, our intelligence agencies have been stripped of their ability to monitor newly identified foreign terrorists overseas due to Congress’ failure to renew legislation providing that authority called FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. In that time, Dennis Moore, our current Congressman, has enjoyed not one but MULTIPLE vacation breaks with no action on this necessary legislation. Unfortunately, Dennis Moore has fallen in line with Nancy Pelosi and his party leadership – and out of line with the interests of Kansas.

All over the Country, non-partisan experts realize what’s at stake – simply put, if our intelligence agencies can’t monitor terror suspects, our national security is at risk. In fact, here in the State of Kansas, even our Democrat Attorney General, Stephen Six, signed a letter urging Congress to pass this important legislation. Sadly, Dennis Moore and his party leadership in Congress continue to block this legislation and guess why… money.

If this legislation passes, Dennis Moore and the congressional Democrats number one source for campaign funds – trial lawyers – will not be able to pursue nearly $40 Billion in lawsuits suing America’s telecommunications companies for helping monitor foreign terrorists after September 11, 2001. The fact that we have gone 108 days without the ability to monitor newly identified terrorists overseas is just on more reason why the American people are ready for some fresh faces and new ideas in Washington, D.C.

Hopefully next year when AT&T introduces their new yellow pages, we’ll have a new crop of representatives in Congress, people like Nick Jordan, who are interested in tackling the tough issues and finding solutions to the challenges facing our country.

Dustin Olson, Campaign Manager

Below: Nick Participates in Unveiling of AT&T Yellowpages