Morrison’s flaw
By Patrick Kelley
Originally published 02:36 p.m., December 13, 2007
Updated 02:36 p.m., December 13, 2007
The Repercussions of the Paul Morrison scandal are likely to continue for weeks, if not months. The scandal, which was broken by the Topeka Capital-Journal on Sunday, is that Morrison was involved in an affair with an employee of his office while he was Johnson County district attorney, and perhaps afterward.
The employee has alleged that Morrison, as attorney general, tried to get her to spy on her boss — his successor in Johnson County — the former attorney general Phill Kline. Although Morrison has admitted having an affair, the allegation has not been confirmed or proven.
Whatever the official outcome of the matter — Morrison has requested an independent investigation by the state — the unofficial result of Morrison’s actions has already become clear. Many people in Kansas — ordinary voters — feel betrayed.
Morrison, who jumped from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party to challenge Kline for the state office, was more than just another candidate to many Kansans. He was the hero who would save the state from the embarrassment that was Kline. Morrison’s election was seen as the victory of bipartisan good sense over partisan manipulation of the law.
That bipartisan sense was the image Morrison offered to the voters, but when people elect a hero, they get instead a human being, with human failings.
Morrison, who was going to help lead the state toward the ever-hoped-for City on the Hill, has instead led voters on a trek down into the swamp of disillusionment.
Morrison, the Great Legal Hope, may have accomplished another thing he certainly did not want. He may have resurrected Kline’s political career.
For the sake of the state and his adopted party, it is likely that Paul Morrison will have to go.
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Since when, in our country, is someone presumed guilty based on the accusation of one person? This conversation shouldn't take place until an investigation has been completed, a trial held, and a verdict rendered by judge and jury. Morrison may be a flawed man--who isn't--but we can't convict him on an accusation made by one person. This has become a trend in our once democratic nation: one person accuses someone or objects to something, and suddenly it's true. Look what that trend has done to Christmas.
December 13, 2007 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smith_ron (anonymous) says...
This whole thing stinks of politics. Morrison is a pig, for sure. His actions are disgusting. However, Kline is no better. Morrison is a skilled prosecutor who does not use his office to further his own agenda.
As for the "other woman," shame on her for portraying herself as the victim. It takes two to tango.
December 13, 2007 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EsqEB (anonymous) says...
He may be a skilled prosecutor, but if these allegations turn out to be true, then he was using his office to further his own agenda.
December 14, 2007 at 6:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
"he was using his office to further his own agenda."
Name one politician that isn't.
December 14, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
i guess what i would want to know is what if anything does this have to do with the outcome of any prosecutions that are being taken care of by his office? if he and his staff are doing their jobs, then let them be. he had an affair and it wasn't right, but, if there was no official misconduct, then let it lay.
if we ousted every person who had an affair from their public or private office, the people at the bottom would be moving up the food chain rather quickly from the bottom...if there was a bottom left.
i guess if you enjoy throwing stones then do it, but i would trust a man who calls for an official investigaton on his own office. what does he have to hide? i guess we'll find out. until then, don't get all caught up in what one spurned lover has accused her former lover of.
December 14, 2007 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cliffy (anonymous) says...
No official misconduct? The had sex in the OFFICE! On duty! WTF is going on with the society when it's "ho hum, he had an affair". He had a committment to his WIFE. Have and hold thru sickness and all that? He had a committment to the people of the Johnson County and now to the State of Kansas to HOLD HIMSELF ABOVE. This is the chief law enforcement officer. He was doing the same thing to the people as he was doing to her. Just because Clinton did it doesn't make it right. and Kennedy and Eisenhower and et al.
Holy Cow!
December 14, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cliffy (anonymous) says...
By the way....he is resigning at 3PM today!
December 14, 2007 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
The resignation is official. The ball is in the governor's court.
December 14, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cliffy (anonymous) says...
Anybody heard of Chris Biggs?
December 14, 2007 at 6:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Give him a chance to defend himself
December 14, 2007 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
Yeah, give the thug a chance, another chance, and another chance. That certainly wasn't the first one of his employees he put the "make" on (while he was married). If anyone believes that he didn't try to get his mistress to "spy" for him, tell me again how pigs can fly. He's a thug.
December 15, 2007 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
I for one am tired of being told that the private life of public officials is not my business. If you run for office, your life will be public. I believe in the old addage, if your wife can't trust you I can't either. Not everyone cheats on their taxes or spouse, not everyone has skeletons in their closet. Adultery is still something we don't approve of. I am glad he resigned, we don't need him. I want public officials who have enough integrity to tell the truth both to me and to their spouse. Enough with this PC openess stuff. We need people with good values leading our community, state, and nation.
December 16, 2007 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
Good points alfalfa. A person's character is not only defined by their work behavior, but also by how they handle matters at a personal level. It would be hard to trust someone if they can't even be honest with their own family.
December 17, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TruthRising (anonymous) says...
What we sow, we will also reap. Yet, as an opponent of Morrison, I was proud he admitted his need to sort things out with God, his family, and himself.
December 27, 2007 at 12:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )