Kline draws a formidable challenger

Longtime Johnson County District Attorney Paul Morrison has a strong track record and a high profile, having successfully prosecuted such killers as Richard Grissom and John Robinson. On his resume alone, he should be a competitive candidate for Kansas attorney general. But what about that party switch? It’s hard enough for Democrats who transform themselves into Republicans to win in this red state. But a Republican who restyles himself as a Democrat for a statewide run? In any case, Morrison’s Tuesday announcement promises a lively debate on the substance of Attorney General Phill Kline’s controversial first term. This should be interesting.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

6 Comments

  1. KS Meadowlark
    Posted October 26, 2005 at 1:03 am | Permalink

    Jerry Agar on KMBZ today (http://www.kmbz.com/showdj.asp?DJID=25933) talked to JoCo Republiclan Party Chair, Doug Patterson, former JoCo Sheriff, Currie Meyers, and State Rep Lance Kinzer from Olathe about how Paul Morrison had been soft on crime. Doug Paterson talke about battles in the State Legislature over sentencing guidelines where Kline and Morrision clashed years ago.

    Sheriff Meyers indicated Morrison was fairly weak on white-collar crime in JoCo and gave several examples.

    And what about this item from a JoCo Sun article from 9/18/2003: “There have been instances where the district attorney’s office has not opposed parole for murderers.”

    Kline comments on KAKE (http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/1921352.html) indicated he has challened Morrison’s stance on sentencing guidelines. Morrison seems to want to let criminals out as the best way to manage beds.

    State Rep Lance Kinzer asked even if Morrison was as tough on crime as Kline, what does he bring to the table? Kinzer indicated Morrision was just being critical of Kline’s stance on social issues even though Morrison was claiming he wasn’t being political.

    And just why does the Kansas press not cover the full money story as to why the 2002 AG race was so close? Kline was outspent by Biggs and a “silent” opponent from Wichita. Oddly, the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital Journal refuse to even talk about this story. The Eagle, and the Salina Journal, are among the few papers in the State that are not hiding campaign money stories from 2002 from the public.

  2. Joe Blow
    Posted October 26, 2005 at 6:18 am | Permalink

    Well, because you can’t write a bad story about George Tiller is why there was no story. Imagine, if you will, if, say, Pastor Joe Wright pumped $200,000 into state races under the radar in the final days of the campaign. Banner headlines, editorial after editorial, hand wringing, gnashing of teeth, protests….But Tiller the Killer? Nah, move alone, nothing to see here. The press in this state is a joke.

  3. JUSTA GUY
    Posted October 26, 2005 at 6:26 am | Permalink

    I will vote for anyone who runs against Kline. He should be on the current BOE and not attorney general.

  4. Joe Williams
    Posted October 26, 2005 at 7:19 am | Permalink

    Convicting killers is considered a successful track record for the Attorney General position? I guess that means Nola Foulston is the most qualified.

    Morrison switched parties because he knows he cannot defeat Kline in the Primaries.

    But my take on it; Kline will beat him pretty easily.

  5. Galahad
    Posted October 26, 2005 at 8:50 am | Permalink

    This is the first stage of a party melt-down. Mainstream Republicans are getting fed up with the wack-jobs that have taken over their party.

    That’s why they lost to Sebelius. A lot of thinking Republicans would rather vote Democratic than vote for the radical theocrat Shallenburger that emerged victorious from the Repub primary.

    You make a deal with the radical right, and then you have to pay them.

    Enjoy.

  6. About time
    Posted October 26, 2005 at 9:39 am | Permalink

    Meltdown is exactly correct.

    The divide in the GOP will only get wider with Kline and SHallenburger at the top.

    I’m surprised something like this hasn’t happened before.

    If I were Morrison and the thousands of other moderate republicans, i would have bolted long ago.

    morrison needs to explain that he does’nt want anything to do with the political bickering and infighting in the republican party. at least he’s now with a party that can get along with each other- even when they disagree.

    also, any radio announcer that so heavilly promotes the conservative agenda by only having conservatives to discuss the issue lacks credibility and sincerity. why didnt he have moderates and liberals on his show? (that is, assuming he didn’t based on the comments above this message.)