Phill Kline won’t seek election in 2008

[EV_Ares]

By DAVID KLEPPER and LAURA BAUER of The Kansas City Star

After nine months as Johnson County district attorney, Phill Kline announced this morning he won’t run for the office next year. Or any other office. In a statement, Kline said he will not seek “public office in 2008.”

“One of the significant honors life affords is the opportunity to join with good people to accomplish good things,” Kline’s statement read. “This has been my honor in public service over the past 15 years and I thank those who have afforded me that opportunity. Elected office is not the only manner in which one can engage with passion the significant issues of the day …”

Kline took over as Johnson County district attorney in January after his predecessor Paul Morrison beat him in the race for Kansas attorney general. Throughout his tenure, Kline has faced criticism that he was focusing too much on abortion politics and investigations of abortion clinics that he began as Attorney General. He is a regular speaker at conservative conventions and gatherings, one of which took him out of the office for two days last week. The announcement comes two days after The Star interviewed Kline about his recent speeches that he gave at anti-abortion fundraisers and meetings across the country.

This weekend, Kline plans to address a group in St. Louis and speak at an anti-abortion fundraiser in Colorado. Since taking office as DA, he’s traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend anti-abortion rallies; met with ministers in Wichita to discuss the case against abortion provider George Tiller; delivered the keynote address at the National Right to Life convention in Kansas City, and spoken at a ribbon cutting of a post-abortion counseling center in Topeka. He also speaks on other issues, such as an upcoming meeting on human trafficking.

Kline wouldn’t say whether he receives compensation for the appearances. His office returned a freedom of information request about the trips filed by The Star this week, saying it had no information on any compensation Kline has received. Kline said his trips are paid for by himself or the sponsors of the conventions or fundraisers. He insisted that his travels — or his attention to the investigation of Tiller — have no effect on his ability to perform his duties as DA. “My oath is to enforce the law and that’s what I do,” he said. “I believe it’s important that people understand what’s happening in this state.” During the interview on Tuesday, Kline refused to speculate on his future, or on whether he would seek another term as DA.

He said whatever his role, he hoped it would be one that would allow him to write, speak and teach others.

[Big Unit]

1. "I'll Be Back" in 2010

It was noteworthy that Kline did not say that he was retiring from politics. My guess is that he'll take a year off from public life, and then will have had a conversation with God, will declare that he's had a revelation, that God has given him a new path, and that he is running for governor or Congress. Most important, he will realize that he misses being paid by the taxpayers.

[beyurslf]

2. Does this mean he is going into private practice? Does he realize he will be required to

maintain his law license if he does this?

[Big Unit]

3. Wouldn't make much Money as a Lawyer

I think he can make a lot more money on the speaking circuit, so I doubt he will bother to try to practice law. Who do you know that would hire this guy?

[skath999]

4. yikes

No one would hire him I hope.