AG Update - Dems Want Morrison Out, List Replacement Possibilities
According to several sources close to the situation, Monday morning, Attorney General Paul Morrison called a closed-door meeting with the entirety of his Topeka staff. In the meeting, Morrison apologized profusely for his disgustingly immoral behavior, seeking forgiveness.
There was mixed reaction from his staffers. Some voiced support while others questioned Morrison's ability to stay the course. All voiced extreme disappointment at the A.G.'s poor decision-making.
While publicly, few prominent Democrats have encouraged Morrison to step aside, behind the scenes, a much different story emerged.
Leading Democrats have already begun to operate under the assumption that Morrison will be gone by the month's end. It is in the best interest of everyone affected by the scandal - including the Kansas Democratic Party, the Sebelius Administration and even Morrison's family - that Paul step down. He will never again be able to credibly approach the Bench and that much is conceded by even his closest of former supporters.
In order to prepare for the inevitable, Kansas Democrats have already reportedly formed a short list of successors. The leading candidates to replace the disgraced Morrison are expected to include Chris Biggs, Dan Lykins and Mark Parkinson.
We'll keep you apprised of any additional developments, but at this point, it seems that Morrison's support base, which has largely remained uncommitted in the public realm, is abandoning him in droves behind the scenes. Stay tuned, folks - the only thing that's certain at this point is that there are quite a few surprises left in Paul Morrison's sex scandal.
There was mixed reaction from his staffers. Some voiced support while others questioned Morrison's ability to stay the course. All voiced extreme disappointment at the A.G.'s poor decision-making.
While publicly, few prominent Democrats have encouraged Morrison to step aside, behind the scenes, a much different story emerged.
Leading Democrats have already begun to operate under the assumption that Morrison will be gone by the month's end. It is in the best interest of everyone affected by the scandal - including the Kansas Democratic Party, the Sebelius Administration and even Morrison's family - that Paul step down. He will never again be able to credibly approach the Bench and that much is conceded by even his closest of former supporters.
In order to prepare for the inevitable, Kansas Democrats have already reportedly formed a short list of successors. The leading candidates to replace the disgraced Morrison are expected to include Chris Biggs, Dan Lykins and Mark Parkinson.
- Biggs, currently Kathleen Sebelius' Securities Commissioner, unsuccessfully ran for Attorney General in 2002, losing to Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline. At this point, Biggs seems the most likely replacement for Morrison.
- Lykins, a Topeka attorney, is considered a personal favorite for Governor Kathleen Sebelius. She appointed Lykins in 2005 to the Kansas Board of Regents. We consider Lykins a dark-horse for the job, though he may be more formidable in a general election than Biggs.
- Parkinson seems to be the big wildcard for the job - if he wants it, in all likelihood, the job is his. We sincerely doubt, though, that Parkinson will leave the comfortable confines of the Governor's office for a job in which he will most certainly face a tough general election challenge. Parkinson's had his eye on Sebelius' seat since he jumped ship in 2006 - we're confident he'll sit tight.
We'll keep you apprised of any additional developments, but at this point, it seems that Morrison's support base, which has largely remained uncommitted in the public realm, is abandoning him in droves behind the scenes. Stay tuned, folks - the only thing that's certain at this point is that there are quite a few surprises left in Paul Morrison's sex scandal.
I thought Republicans didn't do drugs. You sure won't know it by reading this post, though.
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Biggs, Lykins, and Parkinson.
Did you simply name the first three Democrats that came to mind? You're proving that either your sources are lousy or they don't exist.
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wrong....the appointment lasts until 2010,
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Morrison will resign before the legislature convenes and Biggs will be appointed. Take it to the bank. Gives Republicans a real shot at AG in 2010 (not 2008) but they'll have to make a key decision. Win the office or ideological purity. Someone like Kinzer would love to run but he's too far right and statewide voters continually reject far right candidates. Moderate Republican wins.
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there's a different take on the replacements here: http://siegementality.blogspot.com/2007/12/if-morrison-goes-whos-next.html
i think sebelius may surprise you. and i sincerely doubt that the stay red kansas blog has inside information on a democrat administration.
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The DA's in the big counties are natural choices to replace the AG. While Folston would be the best choice, hasn't she had health issues which kept her form running for AG in the first place?
Bob Hecht? Topekans run hot and cold on him.
The WYCO DA? You want to clean the slate by choosing someone from WYCO? Probably not a good idea.
I would bet on Biggs. Surely the guy who came within a few votes of beating Kline would get first crack.
But this is all pure conjecture.
The D's can huff and puff all they want to about how disappointed they are. But in reality a "sex" scandle is no big deal to them. Morrison stays.
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Actually, it would be 2010. According to the Kansas Constitution, the governor would pick the replacement to fill the entire term.
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Thanks, SRK, for once again proving you don't shit about shit.
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Were you just really anxious to use big-boy words or did you just soil yourself at the thought of a Republican having inside Demo info?
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Kansas Constitution, Article 1, Section 11:
Vacancies in executive offices: When the office of governor is vacant, the lieutenant governor shall become governor...When the office of secretary of state or attorney general is vacant, the governor shall fill the vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term. If the secretary of state or attorney general is disabled,
the governor shall name a person to assume the powers and duties of
the office until the disability is removed. The procedure for determining disability and the removal thereof shall be provided by law.
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Appointment is up in 2008.
Remember when Bob Dole was re-elected in 1992 and resigned 1996.
Shelia Frahm, she was appointed in 1996 and then immediately up for a special election 1996. Brownback won and then ran for re-elect in 1998
Same deal. Morrison resigns in 2007, special election in 2008 and then the 2010 election is still on.
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Dole's seat was up in 1998 (six years), that is why Brownback had to run that year. Morrison's term is up in 2010 so the appointment will last until then.
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The Sec of State can call a special election during any other regular election, like they did in 96. Do you really think Ron will let an appointment sit until 2010?
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Are you guys stupid? Read the Kansas Constitution. It is not possible to do a mid-term election for AG or SOS.
There is NO special, mid-term election. Call the Secretary of State and ask for yourself.
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Republicans trash The Constitution all the time. If they don't like some law, they just don't follow it. Look how non resident Phillll Kline became DA.
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It is absolutely not possible for the Secretary of State to call a special election in this case. The reason is simple - it's spelled out in our state constitution. According to the above referenced section, all state constitutional officers are subject to a replacement (by Gov) for the complete remainder of the term.
The reason it would not mirror the Brownback/Frahm situation is because Congressional seats are dictated by the Federal Constitution.
Trust me on this guys, Kitty Seb will have her pick...and they will serve until 2010.
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I love the fact that some posters continue to argue the 2008 or special election point in the face of the clear words of the state constitution. Given how often conservatives want to amend the constitution you'd think they would actually read it sometime. Also, typical SRK fact check. Remember these guys have been running some of our campaigns. Explains a lot.
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Lykins is a nut.
Kinzer could win statewide.
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Just out of curiosity, why do you say that Lykins is a nut?
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Any "insider's" list of possible replacement would be alot longer and neither Parkinson not Lykins would be on the list.
You're looking past at least half a dozen obvious possibilities.
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Kinzer? AG? WIN?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
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This isn't a real list of replacement candidates. Lykins and Parkinson aren't even being considered. Biggs wants the job, but the Democrats aren't too excited. Nola Foulston is the top of everybody's list. Her health is an issue. The next top candidate is Randy Rathbun. The D's know that whoever they appoint has to be a strong enough candidate to face Kobach in 2010.
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Morrison stays to take the blame for everything else that goes wrong. Like trying to explain why Sibilius is desperately offering to cut a deal with the Republicans to build at least one new coal plant.
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Randy Rathbun? Just to prove that it wasn't the sex scandal with Morrison, it was the charges of meddling with the JoCo DA? Good call!
Which closest supporters, exactly, think Morrison can no longer appear in court? What a ridiculous assertion. Fun reading, tho. Have you boys considered cartoons?
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While i don't think Morrison will resign- i think Biggs or Foulston would be amazing replacements. Either of them could beat any of the Republicans so far mentioned (particularly Lance Kinzer- are you people high?). Biggs is a particularly strong candidate.
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All state constitutional officers are subject to a replacement for the complete remainder of the term.
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