Morrison confirms he'll run as Democrat for Kansas attorney general

[scratchtasia]

Johnson County's DA is switching parties to run against that Nazi Phill Kline.

Morrison confirms he'll run as Democrat for Kansas attorney general

By JIM SULLINGER
The Kansas City Star

Johnson County district attorney Paul Morrison made it official this morning: He will challenge incumbent Phill Kline for Kansas attorney general next year.

And he'll do it as a Democrat.

. . .

Asked about his switch from a Republican to a Democrat, Morrison said there wasn't a Democratic or Republican way to prosecute a case and said he would take a bipartisan approach to running the office.

. . .

Morrison said he believed the focus of the Democratic Party in Kansas was better on the issue of public safety "and I feel most comfortable with it."

Full article

[I Have A Dream]

1. It's good to see switches from Republican to Democrat! n/t

[pattycake]

2. The KS rightwingers (and boy are they scarry)

are already taking him apart on the radio. So the hardnosed DA is now just a wimpy guy. The dumb sheep just follow their nut leaders.

[scarlett1]

3. I think the Prosecutors in Kansas

will be happy with Paul Morrison's decision to run. Phill Kline is not their favorite AG.

[scarlett1]

4. From Paul Morrison's announcement today posted on KSDP

Snip from Kansas Democratic Party site:

But, as someone who’s spent nearly his entire adult life in law enforcement – I do admire their instinct to protect and serve the people of Kansas.

It’s an instinct that was in me twenty-five years ago, when I first became a prosecutor. An instinct that’s stayed in me ever since.

And it’s why I asked you here today.

To tell you that – in the name of protecting and serving the people of Kansas – I am running to be our state’s next Attorney General.

The reasons I’m running are simple enough…

Because Kansas deserves to have a stronger, more experienced lawman – with a no-nonsense attitude – as our Attorney General.

Because the people of Kansas are ready to return prosecutorial know-how, genuine law enforcement experience, and a law-and-order focus to their Attorney General’s office.

As Attorney General, I’ll insist on getting back to the basics of the office: Safety. Security. And the kind of independent approach Kansans ought to expect from the state’s chief law enforcement official.

That means a renewed commitment to the fundamentals:

Prosecuting criminals.

Protecting victims of crime.

Safeguarding consumers.

And representing the state with integrity and impartiality as its top lawyer.

I didn’t pursue a career in the law to become a politician. I didn’t do it to make money, or make myself famous.

No.

For twenty-five years, I’ve been a prosecutor – trying more than a-hundred-and-twenty jury cases, including dozens of murder trials. Some have been the most difficult and complex cases in the history of our state.

It’s a record I’m proud to place before the people of Kansas – and ask if a stronger, more effective Attorney General can better serve them than the one we have today.

As I’ve done during four terms as Johnson County District Attorney, I will professionalize the Office of Attorney General – bringing on the best and the brightest to protect and serve the people of Kansas. Because I believe we’re all in this together.

I will devote my energies to the things an Attorney General ought to do – which includes trying some cases myself, just like I have as District Attorney. Because I believe in leading by example.

I will serve the best interests of each and every Kansan – regardless of political party or persuasion. Because I believe in leading with independence.

I will uphold and strengthen the laws of the state – rather than pursuing any narrow agenda that only serves the interests of a few. Because I believe that’s the solemn obligation of anyone called to enforce the law.

For two decades, I’ve worked with the state legislature to strengthen the laws that keep Kansans safe. Helping author our state’s death penalty statute. Helping write the laws that punish sexual predators. Helping make Kansas a safer place to live.

For all of my adult life, it has been a privilege to be a public servant and serve as a professional prosecutor. And that’s how I have always seen myself. Why I have remained steadfastly non-partisan in my work.

Because there is no Republican or Democratic way to prosecute a case. That should be true whether you are District Attorney or Attorney General.

However, I am deeply concerned about direction the Attorney General’s office is headed: Too often deviating from its core mission. Too often dividing the people of Kansas.

And so, I have chosen to change my voter registration – and run as a Democrat for Attorney General. I do so because I am most comfortable running as a Democrat. Because I sense their strong commitment to safety, security, and the rule of law.

But whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, or a proud Independent, you have my assurances: You’re a Kansan in my eyes. You have my assurances: I will be your Attorney General.

Because keeping Kansas safe isn’t a partisan interest.

Keeping Kansas safe is every Kansan’s interest.

It is our heritage as a state.

And it will be our future as a people…

I should my fellow Kansans allow me the honor and opportunity to serve as their next Attorney General.

Thank you.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Don't get too excited people

Morrison is an ass.

Remember the Deborah Green case? She was the lady who burned her house down in Prairie Village and killed two of her kids. When Morrison arrested her, he chose to do it very publicly and in front of the media while Green dropped her daughter off at rehearsal for The Nutcracker. It was live on the 6:00 news.

One of my friends had a daughter who danced in The Nutcracker that year and my friend was on the board for the ballet company. Following Green's arrest, the ballet company, (a non-profit), received death threats. They had to hire private security.

I called Morrison's office and complained that he had caused a lot of problems for the ballet company by staging Green's arrest at their rehearsal. I asked why the police couldn't have waited until Green drove even a few blocks away or followed her home to arrest her there. The asst da's response was "Well Deborah Green really made Mr. Morrison mad. He lost his temper and decided to make her arrest as public as he possibly could."

Well excuse me for expecting an elected official to hold his temper while doing his job. I know the consequences for me to lose my temper on the job could very well be the loss of that job. I am paid to be patient with kids. I had zero sympathy for Mr. Morrison.

I also don't think a county prosecutor with a history of temper tantrums is the best candidate for the state AG job. Is he a better candidate than double L phill? Probably. But I believe we can do even better.

[hfojvt]

6. seemingly with his announcement the media have annointed him

as the likely candidate. Is anyone planning to run against him, as a Democrat, that is?

I have my qualms about backing him. As an earlier poster said, it is nice to see people switch to our party. However, only if he can bring some voters with him. I hate to see our electoral choice be between a Republican and an ex-Republican who switched only prior to campaigning (and yes, that does sound like Boyda, but supposedly she was at the Lawrence anti-war march in Feb of 2003)

Also, I do not like the way he endorses the Democratic party. He said something like he was running as a Democrat because of the Democrat's commitment to being tough on crime. Which sounds like a Rep-lite trying to out-Republican the Republicans. The debate will be about who is tougher on crime. Uh, Democrats, or at least some of the grass roots are more about things like decriminalizing marijuana and reforming the prison industrial system - you know, jobs and schools instead of prisons. Not about giving the longest mandatory sentences, except in the case of Fitz, who clearly should follow the Bush example and go for the death penalty. (just kidding, uh, sorta)

[Neecy]

7. well....

If he can take down Kline, I can overlook his flaws. Kline is a scary nut who only cares about abortion and getting his mug on television - a real disgrace.

And anyway, it's kind of fun watching Republicans deserting the sinking ship like rats.