Silent John Kline is Mum on Iraq

It long ago became clear to me that, as one who supports John Kline's opponent, Coleen Rowley, Kline's office considers me persona non grata. They have not answered my questions via email, snail mail, or telephone. Personally, I think this is a foolish choice on their part, because it makes them look like they have something to hide. If John Kline has the courage of his convictions, he shouldn't hesitate to subject them to the scrutiny of his opponents.

But hey, I'm just one blogger, and no one much pays any attention to what I think, anyway. But in the last couple of days, I've noticed that Kline is giving the silent treatment to the mainstream media as well.

A few days ago, I noted that MPR asked every member of Minnesota's congressional delegation about the war in Iraq. Everyone but Kline, Gil Gutknecht and Collin Peterson responded.

Yesterday, the Strib asked Rowley and Kline about the war and the election:

Coleen Rowley, a Democrat and former FBI agent whose questioning of the war pre-dated the 2003 invasion, and who is challenging U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican, in the Second District, said once she secures party endorsement May 6 she will begin pitching a broader message focusing on how the middle class has been hurt by the war and the nation's debt.

(snip)

Kline declined to comment. His spokesman Troy Young said: "We're not going to continuously air our political election views through the press. That's not the way we operate. That's not the way any incumbent operates."

Kline had an opportunity to talk about Iraq --- two, actually --- and refused them? This is puzzling behavior, considering that Kline has long been one of the war's most ardent supporters.