TheChat: Team of key advisers is key to Gov. Sam Brownback

Good morning.

▪ “One can only do it through the work of a dedicated team. He leads that team by example and by setting high goals — constantly seeking improvement in his team and in himself. We’re lucky to have him.” — David Kensinger, a political adviser to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, on the governor’s reliance on a squad of key advisers.

The Topeka Capital-Journal’s conclusion about the effectiveness of that team: It both helps and hurts the governor, boosting the governor’s political savvy at tmes while shielding him too much from the Topeka scene.

▪ “Not so fast, my friend.” — Brownback writing on Twitter in a message to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott who prematurely tweeted Tuesday that the Houston Astros had won the series with the Royals after building a big lead going into the eighth inning.

Abbott took down the tweet a short time later, but not before half the Royals nation had seen it.

▪ “He hates politics.” — Dave “Mudcat” Saunders, a longtime friend and adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Jim Webb, on the candidate’s mindset.

At Tuesday’s Democratic debate, some believe Webb could emerge as the wild-card candidate. He falls both to the left and right of Hillary Clinton on major issues.

▪ “What we have not been able to do so far, and I’m the first to acknowledge this, is to change the dynamic inside of Syria.” — President Barack Obama talking about his strategy for the Middle Eastern nation.

Obama made it clear in a “60 Minutes” interview that his approach will not change. The plan: Continued support of moderate opposition that will result in the Russians and Iranians placing increased pressure on Syrian leadership. The goal: a change in that leadership.

▪ “He is a powerful voice reminding voters of exactly how bad things were when the last Republican administration left office.” — Democratic National Committee communications director Luis Miranda on Obama.

As the president nears the end of his administration, he finds himself (surprisingly) in demand on the campaign trail. He plans to be more active than he was in the midterm elections.

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 11:37 PM.