More on Kline selection

Didn't vote for Kline

Not all of the Republican precinct chairs voted for Phill Kline to replace Paul Morrison as district attorney. Only 25 votes decided that election. My husband and I are precinct chairs, and we did not vote for him.

The No. 1 reason: He is not qualified for the job. The second reason: He does not live in Johnson County (that's a rule that needs tightening up for all parties). The third reason: He was defeated in our precinct by 2 to 1.

The underhanded way that this was orchestrated demonstrates to me that certain people will do anything to get what they want.

Something that hasn't been pointed out is that there are 50 precinct chairs who didn't even bother to show up. They could have given their proxy to another precinct chair if they couldn't be there. Their votes could have made all the difference.

We should be held accountable to our constituents. The rule needs to be changed. No more secret ballots for those who are supposed to represent the people.

Constituents should contact their precinct chairs to find out how they voted or if they voted. Look at your voter registration card to find your precinct, or go to the election commission Web site (www.jocoelection.org).

Mary C. Ralstin
Shawnee

Wrong about the man

The tide of Kansas politics has turned overwhelmingly in favor of Democrats and pro-abortion Republicans, thanks to a large political war chest amassed by the abortion industry and to the complicity of the larger media outlets.

The vitriolic battle for Kansas attorney general was first and foremost about abortion politics. For some, it was about principles. For some, it was about money and winning elections.

I have known Phill Kline and his family for more than 10 years. I know him to be an intelligent, trustworthy man. His political "crime" consisted of actions within the confines of the law to protect young girls - ages 12 to 15 - from rapists, perpetrators of incest and the industry that gives these abusers cover under the guise of "privacy."

I do not mind vigorous debates about the merits of issues and candidates, but I despise the tactic of winning elections by the baseless denigration of a decent and qualified man.

Gregg Motley
Overland Park

Blame goes to Republicans

A question to those bashing Democrats for complaining about Phill Kline's installment to district attorney over Paul Morrison's experienced second-in-command: Have you actually been reading the opinion page?

Easily more than half of the writers with deep reservations about the maneuver were self-identified as Republicans.

So we can argue about whether he's qualified or not, whether he's steadfast and courageous or a raging ideologue, but anyone who thinks Democrats or the so-called liberal media are responsible for Kline's status as political lightning rod are dead wrong.

That's the bed the Republicans have made for themselves. And based on the recent election, it seems the people of Johnson County want someone else representing them.

Matt Gowen
Prairie Village

Grandpa right, about politicians

As a registered Republican, I wanted to call all the Johnson County precinct leaders before the vote to remind them that the appointment of Phill Kline to the DA's office would have a devastating effect on our party, but then I remembered what my grandfather always told me: Don't give advice. Wise men don't need it, and fools won't take it.

Amazing what grandfathers know!

Michaela Brady
Overland Park

Comments

[Kansas Meadowlark]

Ralstin's suggestion about a recorded vote is not bad, but has practical limitations. Counting and reporting ballots of all JoCo Republican Committees already takes considerable time.

But what is Ralstin's real motivation for her letter?

Mary Ca Ralstin was a member of the Republicans for Moore Steering Committee in 2004 AND 2006.. She was also in the 2002 class of Republicans of Moore. How "Republican" is a Republican for Moore?

Open Secrets says Ralstin gave $250 to Dennis Moore in August 2006
http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=ralstin&txtState=KS&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2006=Y&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&Order=N

Apparently, Ralstin was elected a Republican precinct committee woman by the 22 write-in ballots in her Shawnee 4-5 precinct:
http://www.jocoelection.org/archives/Results/results080106Rep4-1.htm
So just weeks after her election as a Republican party official in August 2006, she sends money to a Democrat? Did Ralstin tell her Republican neighbors she was a "Republican for Moore" when she ran as a Republican precinct committeewoman and asked for their write in votes?

According to Kansas Governmental Ethics (http://www.accesskansas.org/srv-campaignfinance/processItemizedForm.do ), Mary Ca Ralstin in 2004 contributed $50 to Democrat Pete Roman for State Senate District 10 (against Republican Senator Nick Jordan), and $100 Nate Hogan to State Senate 8 (against Republican Senator Barbara Allen). What's a bit curious here is many Republicans consider Barabara Allen as being "moderate" if not "liberal", yet "Republican" Ralstin gives money to the Democrat candidate instead of a moderate Republican? Shouldn't Ralstin be a member of the Democratic Party based on her actions?

Should the Johnson County Republican Party consider censure, or removal, of "Republican" Mary Ca Ralstin as a Republican Committee person for her long history of supporting Democrats?

So is Democrat Matt Gowen confused by "Republicans" such as Mary Ca Ralstin, who seem to only support Democrats?