KTKA

Full text of acceptance speech

Sen. Pat Roberts made the following remarks upon winning re-election to the United States Senate for his third term:

"I am honored I am humbled by the decision made by Kansas voters giving me the privilege of representing Kansas in the United States Senate for another six years!

"There is a personal aspect of campaigns not often reported in the press the candidate offers his or her heartfelt and strongly held beliefs before the crowd and the candidate better have a thick skin especially in today's political arena.

"I want to stress spirited and yes tough campaigns are nothing new to the Roberts family. My strength and greatest support comes from my family. All too often they stand behind me when I take the bows but they also stand beside me when we hear the boos.

"I am so proud to introduce them to you although many of you know them and they know you from campaigns past. My wife and partner through 15 election victories, Franki. In this business, 1 wins and no losses is exceptional. One loss and you're out and we're not out, we are in! When I was in Washington casting important votes, Franki spoke in my behalf. It was the consensus of our campaign; they should put me on a boxcar somewhere and keep Franki in the center ring spotlight!

"My son, David, who is here with his wife Maria and their children, Sayaka and Lorana. At three months, Lorana knows the Marine Corps Hymn and Princess Sayaka has become a star soccer player. As many of you may recall, David was by my side during the 96' campaign but work and family duties did not stop him from daily advice.

"My daughter Ashleigh and her husband Lawrence were able to play an important part of our campaign; especially as debate coaches. Ashleigh teaches at George Washington University and Lawrence is in law enforcement in Washington. We are also so pleased to have Lawrence's mother Lara Lee Black with us as well.

"My youngest daughter Anne-Wesley when there are clouds, she is my sunshine girl her husband Cornell their daughter Lily, six months and she now knows the Marine Corps Hymn and Home on the Range. They live in Denver where Cornell is in real estate development and Anne-Wesley works for Denver University. Franki, David, Ashleigh, Anne-Wesley, I love you more than words can express. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and so many extended family members from all over Kansas and a special cousin from Iowa who are with us here tonight.

"My family is my anchor and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I know I cannot make up for all of the special moments I have missed as a husband and dad being a congressman and senator. They, on the other hand, have been part of and through every campaign in my behalf they have never met a stranger they have faced and endured criticism and arrows aimed at their Dad and despite it all, are great, self reliant and beautiful young people.

"And, as I look out in the crowd tonight, I am reminded once again of that great advice by my Godfather in public service Senator Frank Carlson who served our state as a congressman, governor and senator. Senator Frank said: "There are no self made men and women in public service it is your friends who make you what you are". Tonight, I see a lot of friends and family who have made this victory possible.

"To everyone who made all of those phone calls, put up yard signs, stuffed envelopes, raised money, raised money and raised money from all 105 counties to everyone who wrote letters to the editor and blogged on the internet and shined the light of truth into the darkness for some members of the media and most of all conducted the land war that got the vote out today.

"Thank you for your commitment and dedication to this day and my re-election make that our re-election. Simply put, the Roberts campaign team is the finest campaign team, anywhere in the country and we are not fading away or riding off into the sunset. I predict to you, despite the dark clouds of 2008, we have shown you can come through stormy weather and win. Let the word go out. We are getting ready for 2010 and a new Senator, a new Governor, one that will stay in the state, and a united Republican Party.

Of course, there are a few people who I must thank for their leadership in this campaign:

"My Chief of Staff, Jackie Cottrell who recognized the difficult challenge all Republicans would be facing in 2008 and started two years ago with a plan that would bring us to this victory and who leads a fabulous team of staff in Kansas and Washington who do an unequaled and exceptional job for Kansas every day. No prejudice, just the facts, I have the best staff on Capitol Hill and in Kansas. They are from Kansas, they know Washington, they "get it"and they get it done!

"My State Director Chad Tenpenny who has traveled with me to all 105 counties several times over and we have listened to Kansans about what matters most in their lives. Harold Stones my special projects director who represents me at all military functions, was with me after Greensburg and who is a dear friend. I do not know of any trail Harold and I have not covered. Between us, I think we have met and now know every Kansan in the state not to mention several neighborly folks from Colorado when we drifted a little too far west of Mount Sunflower!

"My victorious campaign team! Wow! In a year where Republicans faced a tsunami similar to Alf Landon and FDR, they had a plan, worked 24-7 and won.

"The true Machiavelli of Kansas David Kensinger, our pit bull without lipstick, whose expertise in this new and very different world of political campaigns is unrivaled. David mounted the parapets, waved the flag, fired the first and last shots and led our troops to victory. Of course, we had a secret weapon in his daughter Grace.

"My director of operations, Ashley McMillan, who put together the most aggressive and successful field operation in state history so that all Republicans on the ticket could and did benefit. To campaign staffers Molly Haase, Rebecca Mank and Mary Rowden for your dedication, persistence and unwavering enthusiasm to win this race. To all the field directors what a wonderful team of young people for getting out the vote they have been amazing. So many others: Annie Presley, Rick Berger, Leroy Towns, Debbie Kaiser, Rick Ball, Bob Parrish, Emily Wellman, Mike Seyfert, Jennifer Swenson, Jennifer Cook, Jim McCray, Jeff Walter (double take re Dodge City and the Patriot Guard), My outstanding campaign co-chairs Adele Hall and Russ Meyer.

"Tonight, the Roberts for Senate Team should celebrate celebrate a victory which has united Kansans from all 105 counties, from all walks of life, of all ages we have brought Republicans, Independents and Democrats together to forge a partnership in facing difficult times and difficult challenges. As we do this, let us remember the advice of our great and beloved Kansan, Dwight Eisenhower. Ike said: "Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America."

"I know the heart of America. Born and raised times four generations, I know Kansas is the heart of America. It was in Ike's time and it is today. I do not think Presidents Eisenhower or Reagan would agree that this great country would travel recklessly down the road to European Socialism. Yet, as we look at the issues, that is what we will face.

"As you have heard me say throughout this campaign, "I have never stopped working for Kansas."

"And, we're not stopping now. In this third term, You ain't seen nothin' yet. Thank you!"