As many of you know, Kansas has been leading a fairly progressive movement to take back our state from the extremist right wing faction of the Republican party. They have embarrassed good Kansans with their agenda of "Intelligent Design" and their fanatical approach to ending choice for women in this state and elsewhere. One of the most visible fundies is Phil Kline, current Attorney General in Kansas. His opponent in the upcoming election is one of the much ballyhooed converts to the Democratic Party, Paul Morrison. Now, Paul has been a lifelong Republican from the wealthiest county in Kansas, but the extremism in his old party became too much and with the help of Kathleen Sebelius, he crossed over to battle the religious fundamentalist, Phil Kline. You see, Phil has been trying to dig through all the abortion records in Kansas looking for (wink, wink) cases of incest and pedophilia. Follow me below.....
The battle between Paul Morrison and Phil Kline is crucial here in Kansas. It's crunch time as we approach November and Phil is pulling out all the stops. It seems he's going on a sort of "barn-storming" tour, except that there are no barns, only churches. You see, someone got a hold of a recent memo from Phil and sent it to the media. Don't we have laws preventing campaigning in church? Some interesting portions of the memo from the
Lawrence Journal World:
Topeka -- Atty. Gen. Phill Kline often talks about his Christian faith.
But a leaked memo shows how Kline has mixed religion and money as part of an aggressive strategy to raise campaign funds and win re-election.
"Get the pastor to invite 5 `money people,' whom he knows can help," Kline told his campaign staff in a detailed, four-page memo titled "church efforts."
But, wait, there's more:
Outlined strategies
In the memo, Kline also provides detailed instructions to his staff on how to maximize his schedule and efforts to get more campaign funds.
"Goal is to walk away with contact information, money and volunteers and a committee in each church," Kline wrote.
After he has spoken at an event: "Get me out. Do not schedule me for social lunches. Only working lunches were (sic) we can obtain either media, money or crucial support," he wrote. "Work with Bob to try not to leave gaps in the schedule. If there is a gap, get me to a quite (sic) place so I can make phone calls or write; feed me slimfast. Do not need a sit down meal. Takes too much time."
And what would a fundie battle be without Dobson?
Must rework Joe Wright and Terry Fox," Kline wrote, referring to two Wichita ministers who led the charge to pass a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
"Must get in their pulpits and have them personally host a reception to match Tiller's blood money," Kline writes, referring to Dr. George Tiller, who owns a Wichita clinic that provides late-term abortions.
"Perhaps we can get Dobson by phone. Joe, Terry and Pat must commit to get 5-10 people there who can drop $1,000 to $2,000. This will take a lot of work, contact, work, and contact. This should be early to mid-September. Get me in their pulpits," Kline wrote.
Kossack's, Phil Kline represents the worst of the worst. He is as far right wing as they come and as evidenced above, he is working hard to shore up that evangelical base. Paul Morrison needs our help. I encourage you to stop by Paul Morrison's website and donate whatever you can for the cause. We can and will make change, even here in Kansas.
One race at a time. Come on Kossack's - Kansas needs you.