Morrison's Electoral Defeat Of Kansas AG Kline Was 'Victory For Moderation,' Editorial Says

Johnson County, Kan., District Attorney Paul Morrison's (D) "resounding defeat" in the election for state attorney general of incumbent Phill Kline (R) -- who in 2004 subpoenaed the records of 90 women and girls who in 2003 underwent late-term abortions at two Kansas clinics -- was a "victory for moderation and the rule of law," a New York Times editorial says (New York Times, 11/15). Kline said he subpoenaed the records from Comprehensive Health, which is operated by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri in Overland Park, Kan., and Women's Health Care Services in Wichita, Kan., because there is probable cause that each record contains evidence of a felony. The original subpoena asked that the records include each patient's name, medical history, birth control practices, psychological profile and sexual history, and it asked for the records of all women and girls who sought abortions at or after 22 weeks' gestation. Shawnee County, Kan., District Court Judge Richard Anderson turned over the records to Kline's office on Oct. 24 after removing information that would identify individuals (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 11/8). Kline "misus[ed] his office to further his ideology," the editorial says, adding his "gross assault on privacy and legal rights was a major issue in the campaign." Kansas has lately been considered to be "the reddest of red states" but "emerged from the election as a bastion of moderation" after the state elected many moderate Republicans and Democrats, the editorial says, adding that Morrison's 58% to 42% "landslide" victory over Kline was "one of the most satisfying results" (New York Times, 11/15).

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