Abortion doctor behind anti-Kline mailing

Kline spokesperson calls mailing 'backdoor assault'

? Critical campaign mailings calling Atty. Gen. Phill Kline “Snoop Dog” are from a group linked to Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita physician whose clinic specializes in late-term abortions.

The group is called Kansans for Consumer Privacy Protection

“This is evidence that George Tiller is beginning his backdoor assault on the attorney general,” Kline spokeswoman Sherriene Jones said.

Kansans for Consumer Privacy Protection has the same office address as ProKanDo, a political action committee started and financed by Tiller.

Kline, a conservative Republican, faces Democrat Paul Morrison, the Johnson County district attorney, in a fierce election campaign.

Shortly after taking office in 2003, Kline, an ardent opponent of abortion, launched a secret inquisition into two abortion clinics, including one run by Tiller.

Kline sought the medical records of 90 women and girls, saying he was investigating allegations of child rape and illegal late-term abortions.

The clinics challenged subpoenas for the medical records, saying Kline was on a fishing expedition. Morrison has said the inquisition was part of Kline’s political agenda and an “abuse of authority.”

In recent days, Kansans for Consumer Privacy Protection have mailed campaign pieces critical of Kline, saying that while “Snoop Dog Kline” was prying into medical records, crime was on the rise in Kansas.

The group has not registered with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. It doesn’t have to because it is not specifically advocating voting for or against a candidate.

The address on the group’s mailout is 6505 E. Central No. 106 in Wichita.

But the group filed as a corporation with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office on Aug. 28 with the address of 555 N. Woodlawn St., Suite 215, Wichita, Kan. That is the same address as on ProKanDo’s registration as a political action committee, according to state officials.

Morrison’s campaign said it had no dealings with Kansans for Consumer Privacy Protection.

“I’m not familiar with the group,” Morrison spokesman Mark Simpson said. “But a lot of people have problems with Phill Kline’s serious invasion of privacy.”

Tiller’s PAC, ProKanDo, was founded in 2002 to help elect pro-choice candidates.

Julie Burkhart, the chair of ProKanDo, did not immediately return a phone call for comment. On ProKanDo’s Web site, Burkhart says “Kansas is now on the frontlines in the national battle for women’s rights. Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline is on a crusade to glorify his personal political agenda by trampling on the rights of women.”