Kansas Attorney General Candidates: Paul Morrison
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Friday, October 13, 2006
Paul Morrison
Age: 52
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Johnson County District Attorney since 1989
Prior Political Experience: Johnson County District Attorney
What main issues will be your focus if you are elected?
Kansas is less safe because Phill Kline has spent the time and resources of the Attorney General’s Office pursuing his own narrow agenda. Because of his wrong priorities, Kansas is less safe. Violent crime has increased 9 percent, rape is up 6 percent, aggravated assault is up 9 percent and identity theft is up 79 percent. My mission is to return focus to the right priorities and the basics of law enforcement, making Kansas communities safer. I will work to enhance the state’s ability to assist counties in dealing with violent crime, internet crime, sexual predators, domestic violence and also crime prevention.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?
In the process of preparing and arguing cases against violent murderers and serial killers, I learned a lot about myself and the dedication it takes to keep communities safe from this kind of evil. I learned to exercise good judgment and focus on the right priorities as I stood between killers and the citizens of Kansas. Also, through my efforts to crack down on domestic violence, I have actually lowered the homicide rate in my community.
How do you want to develop the Attorney General’s office and responsibilities?
Currently, there is a lack of focus on the basic priorities of law enforcement. There is also a lack of leadership for law enforcement across the state. My priority will be helping counties get the bad guys, whether they are dangerous sexual predators, violent criminals, internet predators, domestic abusers or consumer fraudsters. I will offer my 26 years of experience in prosecuting criminals to assist law enforcement in every corner of the state. My number one priority will be — as it has been for 26 years — making Kansas communities a safer place to live, work, play and raise a family.
Would you or would you not want to have access to medical records on abortion, and why?
Regardless of your position on abortion, Phill Kline’s inquisition into our most private medical records is a serious invasion of Kansans’ right to medical privacy. It is an abuse of power that threatens our rights as Americans. Mr. Kline will claim it was about punishing child rape, but in reality, the vast majority of the records he requested were those of adult women. I have prosecuted child rape and other crimes for 26 years, and know how to do it effectively.
Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent?
I have dedicated my entire adult life to enforcing the law and keeping Kansas families safe. During my career in law enforcement, I have locked up some of the most dangerous criminals Kansas has ever seen, like serial killers Richard Grissom and John Robinson. As district attorney, I have worked to protect children from sexual predators, crack down on violent crime, stop domestic violence, fight internet crime and make our neighborhoods safe.
I have spent 26 years fighting crime in district court, personally locking up dangerous criminals. I have worked hand-in-hand with the Legislature to pass the Kansas Death Penalty, Sexual Predator Civil Commitment Act, and other laws increasing sentences for violent crime and sexual predators. I know how to enforce the law and will keep our families safe.
Comments
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
Posted by Frank (anonymous) on October 13, 2006 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a citizen activist who for many years has successfully fought against fraud that has targeted public funds. When I discovered a supposedly "Christian" board of Education member had faked receipts and got reimbursement for her family vacation at taxpayers' expense, Kline refused to prosecute his ally. When I discovered Medicare and insurance fraud, and reported it, I do not believe anything was ever done. When I discovered major Internet fraud, and again offered to wear a "wire" to help make a case, I was ignored by Kline's office.
Although there are some issues on which I disagree with Morrison, I have watched him work for four years and have never seen a hint of dishonesty in his words or deeds. This election presents voters with an easy choice.
Posted by jsprague (anonymous) on October 15, 2006 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Frank about Kline's hypocrisy. Kline makes a big deal about being moral but he hires his own nephew, in spite of his criminal record. He says he is going after people's medical records to protect children from rape. If he wants to protect children from sexual predators, why doesn't he work as hard to raise the legal age of marriage so adult men can't bring 14 year old girls to our state to "marry" them? If he wants to protect children from violence, why isn't he working to protect them from access to hand guns and from child abuse?
Morrison seems like a person who has no personal agendas and has just been steadily working on doing a good job as a public servant without calling a lot of attention to himself or being obsessed with other people's sex lives. He's got my vote.
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)