Morrison on Kline

   Paul Morrison, on Phill Kline's election as his replacement:

"Like many people I'm really disappointed the Republican Central Committee ignored the obvious wishes of the voting public."

"It's a very demanding job the requires skill and experience, and I worry that he doesn't bring any of those qualities to the table."

"I think what we've seen with Phill Kline and Currie Myers certainly showcases the flaws in that (committee election) system."

"I think Phill Kline will find himself in real trouble if he follows a narrow political agenda instead of his other responsibilities."

"I'll do my best to make the transition smooth."

Posted by Dave Helling

Comments

[Davy BOy]

Paul, Phill Kline isn't the one following a "narrow political agenda."

"Like many people I'm really disappointed the Republican Central Committee ignored the obvious wishes of the voting public."

It should be obvious that the GOP is not in the least bit interested in the "wishes of the voting public". Kline's "election" to be DA shows that the far-right radicals are still running the GOP and are not interested in either the will of the people or even the future of their own party.

If Phill's agenda is not narrow, then pigs can fly. LOL

[shrugging]

The continued myopic focus on Phill's willingness to enforse Kansas' abortion laws is frustrating and misleading. As Kansas AG that case was only a small portion of the work accomplished for the people of KS in the past four years. If this paper had ever published any of that parhaps people would have a different perspective.

None of that matters because much as many of you will never admit it you are just as "single issue" as you accuse Phill of being.

[jenniferm]

shrugging, enlighten us. What exactly did Kline accomplish in the past 4 years as AG? I saw a lot of press conferences that seemed, oh, shall I say, all Phill. I did read a not so positive quote from Stephanie Schmidt's father about Phill (something about Phill's ability to work PR and then when it comes to working, he leaves the scene--I'm working from memory, so I don't want to quote him). I live in Missouri, so I have no horse in this race.

[shrugging]

A perfectly fair question jenniferm. One I will answer later tonight although, perhaps not in your case, I have little hope many here possess the open mind to read anything about the AG fairly.

Go to go to basketball games for the kids right now.

[Dirk]

You know what would help this paper publish all those wonderful achievements? If Phill Kline touted some of those wonderful achievements.

But he never did. He touted abortion and Jessica's law. Oh, and he argued a case before the US Supreme Court.

Even Phill Kline couldn't come up with any examples of what he accomplished in 4 years as Attorney General.

[Mike Shaw]

Phill Kline is perfectly qualified for the job. His lack of qualification was campaing speak over the last several months which was fueled by partisan media. I don't agree with placing Phill in office - not because of a lack of ability. I think a new face with future candidate potential should've been instilled.

As to Mr. Morrison's assessment of the situation - Who Cares? I certainly don't. Paul cared more about compromising his values and advancing his political career than the office of JOCO DA, so his opinion really isn't very necessary. At least he could've won the office with grace and supported Mr. Kline's candidacy. Memo to Paul: You won. Move past the Phill Bashing.

[Proud Dem]

Phill Bashing?? LOL How do you figure that? You mean when Paul dragged out that decade old sexual harassment suit against Phill? Or when Paul accused Phill of releasing a murderer from prison?

Oh yeah, those were accusations Phill made against Paul.

Now is this about politics and someone's career and/or the future of the Republican party in Jo Co? Or should it be about what is best for the people of Jo Co?? And speaking of those people, don't forget they VOTED AGAINST Phill - just a little over a month ago.

But then, why should the people matter? They are just getting in the way of Phill's political career.

[PeachPit]

This will be the last we EVER see of Kline. He will dissapear to an island where he will meet up with Matt Blunt, Frist, Santorum, DeLay, and the rest of the crew. Everyone will forget them and no one will ever care to know of them.

[PeachPit]

And good news, none of Kline's new puppies turned out gay.

[Corey Mohn]

I have found the reaction today to the Kline news very enlightening. For the most part Democrats have been quiet - it has been the moderate R's that are making noise. Heck, there was even a Republican precinct voter on 980 KMBZ this evening talking about reforming the precinct/nomination system.

Paul has to feel a pit in his stomach when he thinks about the work he put in to the DA office and what of that will be torn down quickly.

[Corey Mohn]

I have not heard anyone comment on the irony of Phill Kline winning an election in a church. Anyone want to take that one on?

[craig]

Looks like Pendergrast moved across the state line and joined the GOP.

[Proud Dem]

Was Pendergast a talibornagain?

[craig]

Proud Dem,
I don't know, just know dirty politics when I see it.

[Scott]

I have never actively campaigned against a Republican candidate, but now is the time. As a member of the Kansas bar and a lifelong Republican, this action will be long remembered and I look forward to putting my time and wallet to use to right this wrong.

[jeetzwillagers]

Morrison should worry about his new job, not his old job. And it seems like he's a Democrat now, so why should he EVEN be whining about who the Republicans choose for JoCo DA. Paul? --Democrat or Republican? ...better figure out what you are Pablo. I can't wait to see how Cowboy Paul weasels out of those abortion cases. Hey KC Star--be sure and do that up big.

If you live in Johnson County better carry a Bible in your car!

[KS Meadowlark]

Why is Paul Morrison saying anything about former sheriff Currie Myers?

Frank Denning is ONLY sheriff of Johnson County now because his brother BOUGHT the election for him, and the press ignored the story.

The July 26, 2004 contribution report for the Citizens for Justice PAC showed $47,000 in contributions from just two contributors: Frank Denning's brother, Jim Denning, contributed $11,000 + $20,000 + $5,000 = $36,000, and sister-in-law, Marearl Denning, contributed $11,000. So, without Frank Denning's brother and sister-in-law donating $47,000 to his campaign via the Citizens for Justice PAC, would Frank Denning be sheriff today?

The election results (from http://www.jocoelection.org/archives/results/results080304.htm ) show Denning won the August 2004 primary 40,153 to Myers 36,391. That was $47,000 to win by 3762 votes, which works out to almost $12.50 per winning vote. If Myers had a brother that could spend $47,000 on a PAC to support Myers for sheriff, would Denning be sheriff today?

For additional information ignored by the press: Denning's brother "buys" JoCo sheriff's election for him with Citizens for Justice PAC
http://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2004/08-08a.htm

Again, why is Morrison maligning Myers, or the election process? Why does the press withhold such information from the public?

[jeetzwillagers]

It is amazing to me that there are people Morrison being one) who simply lick their finger, stick up in the wind, and jump on a bandwagon that is blowing in that direction. That's why he became a Democrat.

Fortunately Kansas Law doesn't follow that method of "finger pointing." For no where in the Kansas Law will you find it favoring one party or the other. Kansas Law is simply "Law." And that law created the method by which JoCo chose Morrison's replacement.

And EVEN MORE interesting is that the person now elected to uphold the laws of the State of Kansas is complaining about a law he doesn't like. Dear Paul: Your job is to be the law"MAN," not law"MAKER." See, Morrison is already confused about his new job description. And he hasn't even taken office. It's different at the State level, Pablo. Watch and Learn.

[Patty PV]

For those interested in a recall effort, join

AARDVARK

Appalled Angry Republicans and Democrats Against Retaining Kline

[JeffL]

Get a over it. Give-up the character bashing and judge them both after a year or two on the job. Can these dogs hunt? That's all I care about. The legal systems in place have resulted in the roles these two players will occupy. Stop crying about the results you "wish" didn't occur. You've probably heard the old saying. You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. Which one do you think will fill up faster?

[Mike Shaw]

Proud Dem -

Who went negative first? Paul. Who went negative the most often? Yea, Paul too. Who had to respond in-kind to several months of his name being dragged through the mud? That would be Phill.

If you want to question Mr. Kline's ability to handle the office he was just elected for, name one mistake he made as Attorney General of the State of Kansas. And, if you bring up the abortion records, out goes all credibility.

[Kansasdog]

silly me, I thought that experience prosecuting criminal cases would be a requirement to become DA. I guess all that is required is financial and political backing from Kansans for Life.

[jenniferm]

"And, if you bring up the abortion records, out goes all credibility."

Why? Was this not an issue for most of his four years in office? I think it is a legitimate issue to bring up in criticizing Kline. You may totally agree with Kline's position on the matter, but those who disagree with it certainly have a right to bring it up when discussing Kline's future with Johnson County.

As far as who went negative first or more often, who cares? If a neg ad is run, answer it. If 10 neg ads run, answer them all. The "name being dragged through the mud" comment, well, I guess that is certainly your interpretation, I for one believe elected officials should have to answer for just about every decision they make, if their supporters feel that unfair, well, get over it.

[Kansasdog]

"And, if you bring up the abortion records, out goes all credibility."

He's had the records six weeks now and we're still waiting for something to come of it. Simply a fishing expedition that resulted in nothing.

And don't forget, he shared those records with Bill O'Reilly.

[shrugging]

And don't forget as reported in the Star the clinics had already given the NAMES of these people to political fundraisers. So much for invasion of privacy.

And the Bill O'Reilly thing is only an accusation, there has been no proof of the source or even if there was a source.

[Bill]

Amazing that Paul Morrison would parrot the attemp by Steve Rose to smear Phill Kline.

More amazing that Steve Rose would try to smear Phil Kline by pointing to the qualificatons of Sheriff Myers who was the head of the Kansas Bureau of Investigations Methamphetamine Task Force and who has a PhD and a Masters in Criminology.

Will someone please point out to Steve Rose that when he starts impugning the qualifications of others, it's fair to ask him whether anyone should take him seriously since his most important qualification was to inherit a newspaper from his daddy.

[Joy Bourdess]

Qualifications of Phill Kline

 Led the charge to pass “Jessica’s Law” - significantly increasing penalties for sexual predators in Kansas.
 Successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the state’s death penalty - receiving high praise from former United States Solicitor General Ted Olson and Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston and reversing the Kansas Supreme Court.
 Doubled the criminal case load in the Attorney General’s office – successfully prosecuting violent criminals.
 Received Prosecutor of the Year honors from the National Association on Mental Illness for his role in the Kaufman case investigation, prosecution and conviction.
 Kline’s criminal litigation division has prosecuted more than 60 homicide cases – more than doubling the previous case load in the office.
 Formed Operation PADLOC (Parole Absconder Detection, LOcation and Capture) - creating a partnership between the AG's office and federal, state, county and local law enforcement to actively pursue parolees who fail to comply with the terms of their parole and probation and return them to custody. To date: PADLOC has been directly responsible for the capture of more than 100 absconders from as far away as New York.
 Elected Chairman of the Republican Association of Attorneys General during his first year in office and unanimously selected as President of the Midwest Association of Attorneys General.
 Served as Co-Chairman of the National Violent Sexual Predator Apprehension Task Force and successfully worked to establish a national sexual predator registry and greater coordination in the apprehension of sex predator fugitives.
 Helped establish the Cyber Crimes Task Force – a model for the nation – and worked to put over 100 Internet Predators of Children in prison.
 Cracked down on Medicaid fraud and theft - ministration about $1.27 million was recovered. In his first three and a half years of leadership, the office collected more than $8.5 million.
 Became the first AG in the country to successfully sue a Florida distributor of flu vaccine for price gouging after the company increased prices more than 1000% when a nationwide shortage of the medicine was announced.
 Won litigation that resulted in the creation of a healthcare foundation worth more than $100 million to serve the poor in Wyandotte, Johnson and Allen counties.
 Won significant legal victories against Nebraska and Colorado in the fight to bring more water and monetary resources to Kansas.
 Created the Consumer Protection Emergency Response Team (CPERT) provides immediate assistance to citizens following devastation caused by natural disasters. They are dispatched following tornados, flooding, or any other natural disaster to help dispense consumer advice and prevent fraudulent activities by those whom would seek to take advantage of Kansans during their time of need.
 Established a partnership to bring the NetSmartz Workshop to Kansas with the Kansas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. NetSmartz is an Internet safety education that teaches children, their parents and educators how to be safer when online. Kansas is the first state in the country to have BGC trainers going into schools and communities to teach about NetSmartz. In their first six months, trainers taught more than 26,000 Kansans about Internet safety.
 Established the Vulnerable Adults Task Force (VATF) to help protect the elderly and the physically and developmentally disabled from unscrupulous businesses and scam artists through an aggressive education outreach that speaks to thousands of Kansans every year.
 In his four years as Attorney General, Kansas meth labs have dropped over 70% due to aggressive education, prosecution and Kline’s work to pass Matt Samuel’s law. Kline’s “Operation Little Apple” is successfully bringing down a national drug gang.
 89 Kansas Sheriffs, Kansas State Troopers Association, and Kansas State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police endorse Kline in his bid to secure a second term as Kansas Attorney General. The Sheriffs include a majority of both Republican and Democrat Sheriffs. Such law enforcement support is unprecedented.
 Administered and managed over 400 attorneys, investigators, forensic scientists and support staff in the Office of Attorney General and Kansas Bureau of Investigation while decreasing the overall budget in the Office of Attorney General.
 Successfully initiated expansions in the KBI crime labs in Great Bend and Topeka and reduced the average turn around time for processing drug samples from 75 days to 12 days.

[oberhaus]

I believe a recall election needs to be held to remove Phill Kline ASAP (after 120 days in office).

There was no "draft Phill" movement. He orchestrated the effort himself, having been twice rejected by the Johnson County electorate, once against Dennis Moore, and now in landslide plus ranges to Paul Morrison. His response to a screaming message of "Phill ... GO AWAY" is to twist arms among Joco repubs to get a job paying 150K.

He has demonstrated, 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that he is simply constitutionally unable to conduct himself in public office in a manner that demonstrates due honor and respect for the office itself.

One also can fairly wonder just why it is "child rape" is such a compelling theme for Phill? How many times have you heard Jay Nixon speak of "child rape"? What about Carla Stovall? Of course, Phill will tell us, he just cares more about protecting children that his peers or those of us in this community who find his official behavior reprehensible.

I can only imagine the circus we will see should some particularly heinous crime happen in our community. Nancy Grace, Bill O'Reilly, et al, will be taking up residence here.

But most importantly, how many capable and hard working career prosecutors will find themselves lacking the appropriate support to fulfill their hugely important jobs. The damage that can be done to an office we all respect is huge.

Get the petitions rolling ... or better yet, Phill, get with the program and "GO AWAY".

[somewhere in the middle]

How many cases has he "actually" tried before a judge????

Or did he just stay at a holiday inn???

[MAINstream Coalition]

The MAINstream Coalition is disappointed in and shocked by the vote of the Johnson County Republican Party precinct committee leaders to elect Phill Kline as the new County District Attorney. This decision ignored the will of the moderate voters of Johnson County, who sent an overwhelming message to Kline on November 7th. It is just one more example of the radical right’s willingness to ignore the perspectives of anyone who disagrees with them, even if they are members of their own party. As we have seen on a national level, this kind of “stay the course” thinking is both short-sighted and disrespectful.

Mr. Kline was also never officially announced as a candidate prior to this election. While there were rumors of his candidacy, the lack of a formal announcement is yet another reflection of an obvious lack of regard for the electoral process. One of the reasons the MAINstream Coalition was founded was to oppose “stealth candidates” who attempt to fool the electorate. In this case, Mr. Kline apparently wanted to fool his own party members.

The MAINstream Coalition welcomes voters—and potential voters—of any political party or affiliation to join us in our nonpartisan, moderate approach to stand against the “blinders on” approach used so often by the Far Right. We continue to work to protect and defend religious liberty and public education—fighting for democracy and freedom.

While this vote may have been legal, it does nothing to promote democracy or honor voters. In fact, it insults both.

[jeetswillagers]

Mainstream Coalition said about the vote that made Phill Kline the Johnson County DA,

"While this vote may have been legal, it does nothing to promote democracy or honor voters. In fact, it insults both."

I say this:

1. There would have been no vote if Paul Morrison had remained in office. And think about this--had Morrison switched parties before the last JoCo DA election and then left office as an ELECTED democrat to run for AG--the Republican central committee would have nothing to do with his replacement. The democrats would get to chooose. And of course that too would be insulting?

2. There would have been no vote if Paul Morrison had not switched parties. (No way in h--- were Republicans going to elect a moderate so he could jump ship again) So blame Paul?

3. If you didn't like the vote then I can assume you are either a Democrat who didn't get to vote in the Republican primary (that's where central committee voters are chosen) or you're a lazy moderate Republican who didn't show up for your own primary. Maybe the real insult are those people who know very little about the election processes of this State and only show up when the wind is blowing at their back?

[milwolf]

Paul Morrison's true colors have come to light... Kline is being persecuted for his conservative
Christain principles by hatemongers ,like Steve Rose, Steve Kraske and The Star, who pose as supposedly " Enlightended , fair -minded, Tolerant , Liberals " . This is typical propoganda of such people who accuse conservative Christains of the bigotries of which they are guilty ..They remind me of the intolerant Pharisees of the Bible..

As Oberhaus pointed out, Kline received the endorsement of DEMOCRATIC and Republican LAW ENFORCEMENT . Morrison received the endorsement of fat cats like Steve Rose,TRIAL ATTORNEYS, and
Abortion Clinics. Let's see if Morrison represents the People of Kansas or his endorsers..

[Jeetzwillagers]

It would be interesting, after reviewing the abortion records, that Paul Morrison DID find criminal activity associated with Tiller's abortion clinic. Oh my goodness, a new catch-phrase will unfold. It is "WWPD." Like an anti-thesis written for WWJD.

What will Paul do? Really, what will Paul do?? ...I think bracelets should be made to honor Paul's impending decision.

[Kansasdog]

"It would be interesting, after reviewing the abortion records, that Paul Morrison DID find criminal activity associated with Tiller's abortion clinic."

it's been almost seven weeks now... why hasn't Phill filed charges or dropped the case?

Phill has just been elected to the highest law enforcement position in JoCo. Why hasn't he made any statement to the folks who are paying his salary? The puppies have been born, where is Phill?

Why did Phill have to run a 'stealth' campaign using robocalls funded by Kansans for Life, but only announcing publicly that he was running fifteen minutes before the vote?

Why isn't Phill interested in keeping the job more than two years?