Man, the internet is not kind to Republican sleazy tactics. In Minnesota, conservative Republican John Kline's operatives have been posting anonymously on local blogs. His people have been busted once, and apparently here comes smackdown number two.

Congressman John Kline has resorted again to hiring people and recruiting volunteers to anonymously attack for him.

"Klinefan" a frequent (and impolite) poster to this blog has been posting his comments from the same ip address that hosts John Kline's re-election website!

Kline campaign spokesperson, Marcus Esmay, who recently sent a letter to the Star-Tribune that uses much of the same arguments in "Klinefan's" postings says he was also the only one who was in Kline's Burnsville campaign headquarters during Klinefan's most recent postings. When I called, Mr. Esmay said he had nothing to do with the postings. Coincidentally, "Klinefan" logged off the site within minutes of Mr. Esmay hanging up the phone. Draw your own conclusions.

John Kline has used anonymous bloggers to attack Coleen Rowley in the past. Michael Brodkorb made frequent anonymous attacks on Rowley as "MDE" until he was sued for libel and was forced to unmask. Brodkorb also happens to be the Republican Chair of Senate District 38, which coordinates Kline's campaign in the Eagan/Burnsville area. As we've reported before, Brodkorb is also on the payroll of a company that does work for John Kline's campaign and is also a paid consultant to the Mark Kennedy campaign.

That's some awesome integrity there. In Republican-land, this probably qualifies Marcus Esmay for a raise.