(CNN) – Another Senate Republican is officially skipping the party's national convention next month, the latest sign vulnerable Republicans may be wary of linking themselves to the GOP brand this election cycle.
Pat Roberts, the two-term senator from Kansas who finds himself in a closer re-election bid than initially expected, won't be on hand to see Sen. John McCain accept the Republican presidential nomination in Minneapolis, his spokesman Molly Haase confirmed to CNN.
Roberts will instead be completing a 105-county tour of the state, Haase said. Polls show Roberts holds a double digit lead over Democratic challenger Jim Slattery, though the race has narrowed over the last several weeks.
Roberts joins a handful of vulnerable Senate Republicans who have flatly said they will not attend the convention, including Susan Collins of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Ted Stevens of Alaska, and Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina.
Two other vulnerable Republicans - New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu and Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker - have yet to announce if they will attend.
Roberts' decision comes a week after Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Cole reportedly suggested some embattled Republicans should steer clear of the GOP Convention.
According to a report in The Hill, the Oklahoma congressman also urged Republican lawmakers to feel free to criticize the party -– including prospective future colleagues - citing dismal congressional approval ratings. “These ratings are worse than we had on the eve of losing the majority,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to say you are disappointed in fellow Republicans… don’t hesitate to be anti-Washington, D.C."
From CNN Politics
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If Obama choose Joe Biden or Evan Bayh he would take either democrat from senate seats. If he chooses Chuck Hagel he gets a Republican with veteran affairs experience and gets Nebraska. OK, so I think it will be Chuck Hagel.
Pat Roberts, try to hold on to that senate seat. LOL
Dems '08
The harder they come.....the harder they fall. Get rid of the Repugnants!
Who can you picture as President? Imagine John McCain, at just about two years into his term. The problems in the Middle East have grown worse, the economy is still circling the drain, the world has its lowest opinion of American history. McCain is weak, suffering the side effects of chemo-therapy and radiation treatment for skin cancer. He's lost his hair and is frequently hospitalized. Our nation is suffering, and the only thing McCain has accomplished is the continuation of policies and ideology that got our country headed down the wrong path to begin with.
Now picture Obama. Young, refreshing, diplomatic, and liked by our allies around the world. An example of progress being made in America, and a rejection of the old, failed policies that are drowning our nation.
I would run too. Run as far away from McSame as Bush as you can MY FRIEND. See you in Denver.
Obama08
Come on November! Its going to be a landslide! But until then, we cannot let up!! No rest till November 5th.
OBAMA 08
It's okay if their conscience, tell them not to attend, then they shouldn't attend. All republicans are not bad people. Senator Richard Lugar is a Republican here in the State of Indiana and Democrats here love him.
If I were a republican I would be distancing myself as well.
Seems Like No One Wants To Climb Aboard A Sinking Ship!
rats jumping a sinking and stinking ship. LMAO
Boy that make's sense, let's be anti-republican and convince the voter's to vote for a republican....:::scratch's head:::
I will help the GOP hold their convention at the local IHOP... Pancakes on me. After all there won't be more than 30 people present.
Gee I can rent my tool shed for the republican convention. Cheap. What happens when you hold a convention and no one comes. Can you spell loser.
RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dont know what kind of dream world you're living in Think About....BUT YOU NEED TO WAKE UP.
Coward!.............. whatever happened to standing for what you believe in???
Wuss.
IN AS MUCH AS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A DEMOCRAT,
IT IS BOTHERING ME A LOT, THAT, SOME OF US ARE
BEGINNING TO FEEL THAT DISTANT FROM OUR
REPUBLICAN COUNTERPARTS. WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.
BUSH-CHANEY, & MCBUSH DO NOT REPRESENT MOST
MEMBERS OF THEIR OWN PARTY. ALL AMERICANS ALIKE
HAVE BEEN HURT & BETRAYED BY THEIR POLICIES.
Who wants to go to a memorial service for McSAME?
If your are proud of your party, its platform, and leaders you would show up for the convention. What's up? You have come too far to turn back now! I do realize that the Republican Convention will be as boring as all get out; however, if you are a serious Republican, you should support your party to the wall and endure the lies and boredom of your convention.
Are they planning on skipping the Republican convention in St. Paul as well?
CNN, get your convention locations straight.
It's final, McCain, Bush, and Cheyney are officially political poison.
If you are a republican and your opponent has a pulse, avoid being in the same room with any of the above at all costs!
Rats deserting a sinking ship!
Who's divided?
His own party doesn't even stand by him. McCain will not be our next President. He's going to lose bad.
Think About The Future...beautifully said.
Like rats from a sinking ship...these are The Days of Our Lives....