Did Kinder Consult With Florida's AG Before His Press Conference?

This tweet from Peter Kinder's Chief of Staff, posted late yesterday afternoon, raises the question of whether he actually contacted the Florida Attorney General's before announcing his desire to join their suit.  It would be noteworthy, but not shocking, if there was no contact between Kinder's office and the other plaintiffs before Tuesday's hastily-arranged press conference.

I emailed Rich AuBuchon and spokesperson Gary McElyea yesterday seeking clarification, but they have not responded.

It's still an open question as to how and if Kinder will be a plaintiff in the lawsuit spearheaded by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. All of the other plaintiffs in the suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, are state governments represented by attorneys general.

Another tweet posted this morning from AuBuchon criticizes Attorney General Chris Koster for telling a KWOS radio audience that he "won't invest $500,000 to fight" the federal health care reform bill.  This expression of frustration may indicate that Kinder needs the Attorney General to be a plaintiff in McCollum's suit as he desires. I also asked AuBuchon and McElyea about the status of their request to be a plaintiff, with no response. 

AuBuchon declared on Tuesday that he could "certainly represent the state of Missouri," even though state statutes indicate that "all civil suits" filed "in the name and on the behalf of the state" must come from the AG.

To represent state in other cases.

27.060. The attorney general shall institute, in the name and on the behalf of the state, all civil suits and other proceedings at law or in equity requisite or necessary to protect the rights and interests of the state, and enforce any and all rights, interests or claims against any and all persons, firms or corporations in whatever court or jurisdiction such action may be necessary; and he may also appear and interplead, answer or defend, in any proceeding or tribunal in which the state's interests are involved.

This morning's message also indicates that Kinder is perfectly willing to spend serious state money on this political pursuit in the middle of a budget crisis.  Tuesday, Kinder dismissed concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers, claiming it would just cost "a few thousand dollars."  A $500,000 legal bill would be quite a bit more than "a few thousand dollars." Every dollar counts, you know.