Gov. Sebelius to give the Democratic response to dimsons STOU

[greenbriar]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, one of the Democratic Party's rising stars, has been chosen to deliver the Democratic response to President Bush's annual State of the Union Address on Jan. 28.

The nationally televised speech offers Sebelius her widest audience ever, and gives her party a chance to showcase a Democrat who has won in a traditionally Republican state.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a statement praising Sebelius as "a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented Democratic leader."

"Her record of accomplishment in Kansas is evidence of what can be achieved when leaders reach across the aisle on behalf of all Americans," they said.

In her second term, Sebelius has generated national buzz by winning back-to-back elections and drawing support from moderate Republicans. She has been mentioned in national publications as a possible vice presidential nominee or pick for a Cabinet post in a future Democratic administration.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ida2Tld-LKFMlhoL1azSVFpM2NnQD8U6JUA80