Phill Kline, who just might be the most divisive political figure in Kansas City, is going on sympathetic media outlets trying to explain his position after KCTV-5's investigation questioned how he operates as Johnson County's District Attorney. It comes as no surprise that Kline (who refused to talk with KCTV5) was quick to jump on the "Morning Show with Chris Stigall" to explain his side of the story (11/27). Stigall is active in Republican politics, is a former staffer of Congressman Sam Graves, and his station has a relationship with KCTV's chief competitor KMBC-TV9. Stigall has also featured a woman (only called Jesse) who reportedly was stalked by KCTV5 during the story, and Kelsey Smith's father, whose daughter was murdered, and Kline's office is handling the case. Kline also went on Topeka station WIBW and with Republican hosts Shanin and Parks on KMBZ-980 (11/27). On the other hand, KCTV5 did an entire special during its normal 10 p.m. news slot to discuss the fallout from the story and the feedback it has received. It should be noted that this is a sweeps period in local TV and many felt the special was designed to not count as part of the Nielsen ratings.
Summary: KCTV-5's major investigation of controversial Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline was another blockbuster as the CBS affiliate handily won its 10 p.m. ratings time slot (11/26). Not only did the eight-minute piece generate a story in the Kansas City Star (below), but Kline then went on KCMO-710'S morning show to explain his side of the story, while KCTV's investigative team of Producer Sam Zeff and reporter Ash-Har Quaishi went on KMBZ-980AM's morning show to discuss the investigation. 11-27-2007
Nov. 27, 2007 TV report questions amount of time Kline spends in Johnson County office By DIANE CARROLL Questions about how much time District Attorney Phill Kline spends in his Johnson County Courthouse office have been raised again with the release of key-card records to a television station. After a months-long fight with Johnson County, Meredith Corp. and its KCTV-5 affiliate recently received the records showing when Kline comes and goes from his office. The station broadcast a report Monday on Kline that included information on the records. Since Kline took over as district attorney in early January, critics have questioned how much time he spends in his Johnson County office. Some have contended that the former Kansas attorney general was not in the office enough and was devoting too much time to efforts to stop abortion. Last spring, when interviewed by The Kansas City Star, Kline defended himself, saying he was doing his job. In September, when the topic came up again, Kline acknowledged to The Star that he spends some time on abortion matters but still performs all of his duties as district attorney. The September article noted that Kline, one of the country�s most popular anti-abortion speakers, has made several appearances across the country while district attorney. Kline would not say how much of his average day was taken up by abortion-related investigations, but his spokesman, Brian Burgess, said it varied. �We find a half-hour here, 45 minutes there,� Burgess said at the time. On Monday, Burgess said that the key-card records that KCTV-5 obtained have little relevance to the kind of job Kline is doing. �When a security gate opens and closes has nothing to do with when Phill Kline is working,� Burgess said. �They are making a bad assumption when they use that information to try to base when he is working and when is he not.� Kline starts his work day very early in the morning and leaves later than most people, Burgess said. And he�s on call 24 hours a day. The KCTV-5 report also raised questions about where Kline lives. Burgess said Monday that Kline still has a home in Topeka and is renting an apartment in Stilwell. Kline has said that he does not plan to seek election as district attorney when the position becomes open next year.
