Bill Maher's 'Flip a District' challenge targets Rep. Kline

HBO late-night host Bill Maher is hatching a plan to kick U.S. Rep. John Kline out of Congress.

Campaigning for Kline's Democratic opponent isn't part of it.

The liberal comedian tapped Kline as the Republican lawmaker he wants to run out of office for his "Flip a District" challenge during a live broadcast of his late-night HBO talk show.

Plans are in the works for the political satirist to make an appearance in Kline's district, which stretches across the Twin Cities' southern suburbs and exurbs.

Yet Mike Obermueller, a former DFL state representative, isn't on Maher's radar.

"We don't care who people vote for," said Scott Carter, executive producer for "Real Time with Bill Maher." "We care that you not return Kline to Congress."

While Maher's staff has all but disavowed Obermueller's existence, Kline aides are doing their best to link Obermueller to some of the comedian's most volatile comments, going so far as to say that he has "practically named [Maher] his campaign manager."

Obermueller pushed back against claims that he hitched his campaign to Maher's wagon. Under federal election law, outside groups are allowed to spend unlimited money to benefit candidates, but with the restriction that they are not allowed to coordinate spending.

"It's not really Bill Maher that matters here, it's congressman Kline's record," Obermueller said. "With the spotlight on him, he seems to be squirming a little bit."

The brushoff from Maher could be the latest blow to Obermueller's campaign, which has struggled to recapture the spirit of his 2012 congressional bid.

Kline won in a closer-than-expected race two years ago, but Obermueller faces a much less favorable environment this time around.

President Obama's strong showing in Minnesota during his 2012 re-election bid helped Democrats up and down the ticket.

Obermueller's campaign said that Maher's announcement sparked a 700 percent spike in campaign contribution over the previous weekend. He declined to reveal totals.

Angling to seize on the announcement, Kline's campaign wrote in an e-mail to supporters that Maher has trained his "liberal guns" on the congressman.

The message asked for help raising $100,000 for television ads to counterattack Maher. Aides declined to reveal if the campaign has met the goal.

When announcing his "Flip a District" pick, Maher called Kline, chairman of the House Education Committee, a "silent threat" along the lines of Ebola and the Islamic State. Maher also criticized Kline for voting more than 50 times to defund or repeal the Affordable Care Act, his stance against gay marriage and for being the "champion of for-profit colleges."

Maher's executive producer, Carter, objected to Kline's e-mails and campaign statements, which he said stooped to the level of personal attacks.