Romney, Dole stump for Roberts in Kansas Senate race

Sen. Pat Roberts began his final push for re-election Monday with some nationally known help.

Former GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Bob Dole urged several hundred people at an Overland Park rally to support Roberts, who is locked in a close race with independent Greg Orman for the Kansas Senate seat.

Romney sharply criticized President Obama. “This president hasn’t done the job he said he would do,” Romney said.

The former Massachusetts governor may be considering a third campaign for the White House, and he did little to dampen that speculation. Dole referred to Romney as “the man who should have been president,” which brought cheers and applause.

Reading from prepared remarks, Roberts said Kansans would soon determine whether Republicans control the Senate. “And Kansas will deliver,” he said.

He joined in the criticism of Obama and his Democratic allies in the Senate, calling their work together “un-American.”

Polls show Roberts in a virtual tie with Orman. On Monday, the independent toured a skilled-care retirement community in Olathe.

“Pat Roberts is part of that Washington culture,” Orman told reporters when asked about the Romney appearance. “He’s got all his buddies coming in from Washington to try and save his seat.”

Monday’s rally had some lighter moments. The rally speakers sported Royals caps, jackets and jerseys and expressed confidence the team would prevail in the final games of the World Series.

This story was originally published October 27, 2014 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Romney, Dole stump for Roberts in Kansas Senate race."