In the rough and tumble of Congress, a pol has to work hard to be taken seriously as a straight shooter. So, it doesn't hurt Rep. John Kline, an avid hunter, fly-fisherman and a retired Marine, to be named the "Republican Top Gun" in a trap, skeet and sporting clay ranges contest in suburban Maryland this month. This is his third shooting trophy in four years. Two years ago, he shared the honor with Rep. Collin Peterson, who was the Democrats' "Top Gun." But there was no twofer this year for Minnesota, possibly owing to Peterson's absence from the contest. A slew of other Minnesotans from the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus also were missing, including Sen. Al Franken and Reps. Jim Oberstar, Michele Bachmann, Tim Walz, and Erik Paulsen.
