TOPEKA, Kan. — Atty. Gen. Phill Kline wants to preach.
The GOP politician has told his staff to get him in front of as many congregations as possible this election season -- with an eye toward raising money and securing votes by sharing his faith with the faithful.
He'll speak at several churches in a single Sunday if he can, Kline wrote in a strategy memo leaked to Kansas newspapers. He won't pause for lunch: "Feed me Slimfast." After he testifies about the saving grace of Jesus, he wants volunteers to hand out campaign literature.
A political reception should follow nearby; the pastor should invite five " 'money people' " -- and make sure all five show up.
Kline's memo offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a candidate's efforts to leverage churches for political gain in a campaign season that has featured electioneering by religious groups on the right and the left.
"Getting down to the wire and we must maximize," wrote Kline, who is running neck and neck with his Democratic challenger.
He continued: "Goal is to walk away with contact information, money and volunteers and a committee in each church."
Two experts in IRS law -- one a top lawyer for conservative Christian causes -- said Kline's strategy could put churches at risk of losing tax-exempt status. Candidates may appear at churches during election season, but only if no political activity takes place in connection with the visit.
"The attorney general knows the IRS rules very well," said Kline's spokeswoman, Sherriene Jones. "There is nothing illegal or unethical in that memo."
Jones said Kline had preached at eight churches in the last two months, with political fundraisers after six of those appearances. But she said she did not believe campaign literature had ever been distributed on church grounds.
Kline has been a divisive attorney general, known for subpoenaing the medical records of abortion patients and insisting that healthcare workers inform the state if a child younger than 16 requests birth control or otherwise gives evidence of sexual activity.
The leaked memo gave his liberal critics a chance to pounce.
"A stink unto heaven," said the Rev. Vern Barnet of Kansas City.
He and 18 other religious leaders wrote a letter accusing Kline of exploiting his faith by "dressing a political campaign in the wool of Christian witness."
