Rep. Jenkins's oppo-filled week

Freshman Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) might want to forget this past week ever happened. Unfortunately for her, that's unlikely to happen.

Jenkins has fallen prey to a series of misstep over the last seven days.

First, Jenkins drew heat when video surfaced of her saying that the GOP needed a “Great White Hope.” Not a great choice of words – not only because President Obama is black, but also because the phrase harkens to the days of segregation. She apologized.

Next, a town hall video showed Jenkins in the unenviable position of explaining to a single mother why she couldn’t afford health insurance. Jenkins doesn’t do herself any favors by offering some nervous laughter during the interaction. She has since said she is working with the single mother to see if her son qualifies under SCHIP.

The latest installment came when she was asked why Republicans haven’t worked with Democrats in health care more.

"The Democrats have unfettered power in Washington,” she said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. “My opinion is not needed."

This prompted a member of the audience to push back: “You're our representative.”

To be sure, Jenkins’s statement isn’t terrible in the context, but she could have handled it better than saying that her “opinion is not needed.” It gives her opponents a ready-made quote that makes her look like she isn’t trying hard enough.

August has shown us that some are up to the task when it comes to town halls, while others aren’t. Jenkins has flown under the radar for much of her first eight months in office, but look for Democrats to start trying to draw her out.

There aren't any challengers ready to go just yet, but keep an eye on it. Even though this district leans Republican and was one of few to switch back to GOP control in 2008, it's within the realm of possibility.