Feb 22, 2006

BIASED Press in Kansas:
Kansas City Star hides Kline's announcement 
of support by 89 sheriffs since it was a political story, 
but serves as cheerleader for Democratic candidate, Paul Morrison?

Kline Touts Endorsements From 89 Sheriffs in Re-Election Bid
WIBW TV, Topeka, Nov 21, 2005

Eighty-nine sheriffs endorse Kline
Lawrence Journal-World, Nov 21, 2005

Kline touts endorsements by Kansas sheriffs
Wichita Eagle, Nov 21, 2005

Kline touts support of sheriffs in AG race
Newton Kansan, Nov 21, 2005 (online)

Kline touts support of state sheriffs
Salina Journal, Nov 22, 2005 (p. A4)

Reno Co. sheriff Randy Henderson said he doesn't endorse candidates ...
Kline pointed out that eight county sheriffs who are Democrats endorsed him.
Hutchinson News, Nov 24, 2005

Quotes:  "It's really humbling for me."  - Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, on last week's endorsement of his re-election by 89 of the state's 104 county sheriffs, Wichita Eagle, Nov. 27, 2005, p. 13A

Where was the Kansas City Star’s reporting about this story? The story did appear briefly online with the Star's AP stories, but the Kansas City Star NEVER printed this story, even though they sent a reporter to  the press conference.  Apparently, the Star thinks the press release and announcement was only political and not newsworthy.  

BUT, finally on Dec. 4, near  the bottom of Steve Kraske’s weekly commentary in the Star, Kraske says this:

Apparently, Kraske just couldn't cite the quotation of former Attorney General Bob Stephan that was in the press release:

“The degree of support Atty. Gen. Kline has from law enforcement is remarkable,” Stephan said.

One blog commented about the Star's bias in November about this issue.

Did even one Kansas newspaper point out the inconsistency in Paul Morrison’s statement in his Lawrence Journal-World’s online chat (Nov 10) and the sheriffs’ endorsement?

But what about this endorsement statement from Sheriff Chinn of Pratt County?

“Attorney General Kline is widely regarded in law enforcement circles as an effective leader with proven experience and a sincere dedication to protecting all Kansans,” Sheriff Chinn said. “Those of us in law enforcement have long appreciated his unwavering support for us and, in return, we are proud to stand in support of him.”

Last week the Paul Morrison for Attorney General campaign announced a one-day statewide tour and rally.  Here is part of that announcement:  

Join Johnson County District Attorney Paul Morrison this Tuesday, February 21 in his tour across Kansas to announce his campaign co-chairs.

Paul will be making stops in Topeka, Pittsburg, Wichita, Dodge City, Hays and Overland Park to announce the co-chairs of his campaign to chart a new direction as Kansas' attorney general.

Please join Paul and his campaign at one of the following stops.  ...
Topeka Shawnee County Courthouse, 9 a.m. 
Pittsburg airport, 10:45 a.m. 
Wichita Raytheon hangar at Mid-Continent Airport, 12:30 p.m. 
Dodge City airport, 2:15 p.m. 
Hays airport, 3:30 p.m. 
Johnson County Rally: 7-8:30 p.m.

Since this is a political event and not a "news" story, the Kansas City Star will treat this like Kline's event in November?  Not exactly.  Instead of being over a week late in reporting Kline's announcement of support by most sheriffs in Kansas, the Star's Steve Kraske serves as a Paul Morrison cheerleader by pre-announcing the statewide tour (note future tense):

Paul Morrison, a Democratic candidate for Kansas attorney general, will announce today in a statewide tour that prominent Republican Mark Parkinson of Olathe will serve as his campaign co-chairman.

Jill Docking of Wichita, the Democrats’ 1996 nominee for U.S. Senate, will lead the campaign with Parkinson

Why is such blatant bias by the Kansas City Star tolerated in the Kansas press?  Is it too much to ask to see "fair and balanced" reporting in Kansas?  Why did the Star publish a Code of Ethics to give the appearance they are fair?

Because of the statewide tour, and following the Star's lead, the Morrison campaign generated several favorable stories in the Dodge City, Hutchinson, Pittsburg and Topeka press.  

Was there any note by the Kansas press of this inconsistency by Mark Parkinson and the irony from this AP story from Feb. 11, 2000?

3rd District GOP hopefuls pledge unity
The Associated Press,  Topeka Capitol Journal, Friday, February 11, 2000

Republicans hoping not to repeat the mistakes of the 1998 election season are laying the groundwork for party unity ...  State Rep. Phill Kline, ...  joined state GOP chairman Mark Parkinson in assuring Republicans of a united effort starting Aug. 2.

"There is no doubt that the 3rd District in Kansas is a Republican district," Parkinson said. "It takes an odd set of circumstances to come together all at the same time to not have a Republican (represent) this district."

...

Parkinson said he wanted the candidates to sign the pledge to end any notion that the party would be divided. Parkinson, who is a moderate Republican, also said that he would readily support a conservative candidate.

"There has been speculation that because my roots are in the moderate wing of the Republican Party that we will only help a moderate winner. That is untrue," Parkinson said. "Whichever of the three win this race, the party will unconditionally support them."

Parkinson said there would be no provisions of allegiance to particular issues or elected officials attached to party support.

When Mr. Parkinson became the GOP State Party Chair, this announcement appeared on the Party's web site on Jan 30, 1999:

30 Jan:  Results form State Party Reorganization Meeting
Topeka Capital Journal     Wichita Eagle
Congratulations to the newly elected officers:
Mark Parkinson, Olathe, Chair
Margie Canfield, Topeka, Vice Chair
Wanda Morrison, Hutchinson, Secretary
Steve Martens, Wichita, Treasurer

The webmaster then approached Mr. Parkinson for instructions about what to do with the Party's web site. The webmaster was told in a fax to delete the web site and all files and not bother attending a previously scheduled transition meeting.  For Mr. Parkinson it was easier to delete everything and start over from scratch, than coordinate any transition with a conservative.   While conservatives are sometimes accused of being intolerant on social issues, Country Club Republicans, like Parkinson, need to learn some manners, especially about how to treat volunteers.  [This reporter was that webmaster.]

In the Star's article yesterday, Parkinson complained about Kline's "secret program to spy on the personal medical records of Kansans." But, Kline is only concerned about sexual predators, who molest children, and who may be protected when a sexual predator forces a child to have an abortion to hide the evidence of a crime.   Did Parkinson mention anything about the judge who signed a court order before any medical records can be reviewed? Did Parkinson complain about the medical records of the BTK killer being using to put a serial-murder behind bars?  Did Parkinson criticize Dr. Tiller and his ProKanDo PAC for using medical records for political fundraising?  Why doesn't Parkinson want children protected from predators?

Parkinson's co-chair for Morrison is Jill Docking, who is a Democratic party candidate and activist.  In 2003 Docking was appointed to be co-chair of the Kansas Children's Campaign, with moderate Republican  and former State Senator Dick Bond.  While she is supportive of children's issues, oddly she is a ProKanDo PAC contributor helping protect Dr. George Tiller, who is known for performing late third-trimester abortions -- Dr. Tiller can abort a child just days before a normal delivery.  Jill Docking and husband Tom contributed $1,000 to ProKanDo just  last year (see p. 24 of 44)  to support Dr. Tiller's ProKanDo PAC.  Is this what we want Kansas known for? 

While abortion is legal in Kansas, child rape and molestation are not.  With Kline's hard line on criminals, and support from sheriffs across the state, why is Kline being criticized for trying to help children?

Here's the list of Kansas sheriff's endorsing Attorney General Phill Kline.
Did you see this list printed in your newspaper?

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