Friday, Jun. 20, 2008

Howe, Kline face off in forum

Steve Howe said the people of Johnson County had lost faith in the district attorney’s office. Phill Kline repeatedly urged voters to ignore the “noisemakers” campaigning against him.

Howe and Kline took part in an hourlong forum presented by the Olathe Republicans on Thursday night. The event was a forum as opposed to a debate, which both candidates refused.

Howe gave a brief opening statement and fielded questions presented from the audience via flash cards for 30 minutes. Kline did the same before each gave a brief concluding statement. Each candidate drew applause at various times from the group of about 150.

Howe and Kline will face off in the Aug. 5 GOP primary. The winner will see Democrat Rick Guinn in the general election Nov. 4.

Howe said that of his three primary issues — public safety, public image and public trust — the safety of the county’s residents was most important.

“I want to let (criminals) know there’s a ‘No Vacancy’ sign here,” he said.

The questions on both sides ranged from the broad — Howe was asked how he decides right from wrong, and Kline was asked how he would take on Guinn — to the specific. Most notably, both received questions on Planned Parenthood.

Howe was asked if his stance on public safety applied to unborn human beings. He reiterated that he was anti-abortion, but he said he would approach the Planned Parenthood case by looking at the law.

Kline answered a question about the Planned Parenthood lawsuit by saying it wasn’t his sole focus.

“It is a media focus,” Kline said. “That’s where this focus comes from.”

Kline also was asked about his decision to enter the race at the last moment. He said it was an “excruciating” decision that was helped by his wife’s improving health and the lack of anyone else stepping in to run.

Howe was asked if he had been aware of former attorney general Paul Morrison’s affair while in office.

“I was as shocked as everyone else,” Howe said.

He told the audience he had even complained to Morrison and Guinn about the woman because he was afraid she was divisive.

“That’s not the best thing to do — to complain to your boss about his girlfriend,” he said, drawing a chuckle.

Kline at one point made light of his public image and the way he’s been portrayed in the media. He said he didn’t have horns, fangs or a tail.

“I want voters to move past the silly idea that I’m a single-issue zealot who couldn’t prosecute a case,” Kiline said. “We will take the tough cases. You know this about me: I’m not afraid of a fight.”

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