As reported earlier today, state Representative Phyllis Kahn was caught stealing Republican campaign literature up in New Hope. A strange story to be sure. If this act was committed by any elected official it would shocking. But this isn't some anonymous backbencher. Phyllis Kahn is a House member with 32 years tenure. She's in the DFL leadership, serving as the ranking minority member of the Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.
Among the politically sober, she is a figure of some ridicule, due to her authorship of such proposals as:
... during the 1999 term... a repeal of the state's sodomy laws. Four other state representatives withdrew their names from the Kahn-authored bill legalizing prostitution, adultery, sodomy and bestiality after facing pressure from conservative groups including the Minnesota Family Council.
And ...
Kahn has also come under fire for proposing that 12-year-olds be granted suffrage. Even members in her own party conceded that the 63-year-old DFLer stood alone on that issue.
But among the Democratic faithful in this state, especially women, she is a beloved standard bearer, an absolute hero.
And now, maybe, a future convicted criminal. Unfortunately, I doubt that will happen. Powerful and connected elites like Kahn rarely have to face the same justice doled out to the common folks. The very fact that Hennepin County District Attorney Amy Kloubechar had to recuse her entire department from the prosecution, because of her close relationship with Kahn, tells you all you need to know about her friends in high places. Sadly, I think she's destined for a slap on the wrist.
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