by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Itís becoming a habit.

Rep. John Kline, of Lakeville, has won a second term as a Republican congressman, defeating Burnsville City Council Member Teresa Daly in the 2nd District race.

Unofficially, Kline won with about 57 percent of the vote.

In a brief speech, Kline thanked his family and mentioned a son serving in the military, which brough a chant of ìUSA, USA,î from Republicans gathered at an election night party in Minnetonka.

Two years ago, Kline defeated former congressman Bill Luther by 11 points ó 11 points despite the fact a stalking horse candidate garnered a margin of support.

His win over Daly is even larger.

Kline, whose campaign ads played up his former Marine Corps duty of carrying the countryís nuclear attack codes in a satchel for presidents, defeated Daly after a lively campaign.

Kline and Daly met in debates almost 10 times ó nearly double the number than record in the hotly contested Kennedy-Wetterling race in the 6th District.

Although attacks and counterattacks marked the campaign ó Daly charging that Kline did not represent district values, Kline lampooning Dalyís attendance record as a council member ó the campaignís tone was less biting than the race in the 6th.

Kline, a retired Marine Corps colonel, serves on the House Armed Services Committee, among other committees.

A staunch defender of the Iraq War, Kline argues itís better to fight terrorists in the streets of Baghdad than in Washington, D.C., or at the Mall of America.

ìActions to move the focus of the war elsewhere do make us safer,î said Kline earlier this fall.

Kline believes it is vital the country accomplish its mission in Iraq. He believes the Vietnam War was not militarily lost, but politically.

ìPoliticians lost that war for us,î he said at a recent debate in Apple Valley.

ìWe canít let that happen again. Weíre not letting that happen again,î he said.

Kline wants to build the active Army by 30,000 troops, the Marine Corps by 9,000.

One military-related issue that plainly galled Kline during the campaign was the question of renewing the military draft.

There is no support in Congress for a draft whatsoever, Kline said during the campaign.

He ascribed rumors that there might be one to political intrigue.

The issue of leadership was an issue that surfaced at Kline-Daly debates.

It surfaced in Apple Valley.

ìIím perfectly happy to compare my leadership qualities to herís (Dalyís), or frankly, anyone elseís,î Kline told a group gathered at the VFW.

Daly responded by saying sheíd never questioned Klineís military service to his country.

ìItís your judgment I question,î Daly said.

Daly said she was ìso gratifiedî by what her campaign accomplished.

ìWe have much more to celebrate than to regret,î she said. ìI am very proud of our staff and volunteers and the energy and effort they showed,î she pointed out.

Daly said she will take ìa little time offî and then will continue to serve two years remaining on her term on the Burnsville City Council.

ìAll options are open,î she said.

T.W. Budig is at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com.

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