Democrats question Kinder’s use of office for health care video
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Democratic Party is questioning whether Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder inappropriately used state resources for a video Kinder posted on his campaign website.
In the video, posted on the Political Fix yesterday, Kinder criticizes Gov. Jay Nixon for not taking a position on the national health care debate. Kinder alleges that the plan being considered by Congress would push costs on states and that Missouri can’t afford higher costs for Medicaid. It’s an argument that have been made by several governors, Democrats and Republicans, weighing in on the national health care debate.
The video was shot in Kinder’s Capitol office, and posted on his Team Kinder campaign site, and also sent to a campaign e-mail list at the expense of the Friends of Peter Kinder campaign account.
“It looks like Lieutenant Governor Kinder got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It’s obvious that he improperly used state resources to make a political infomercial for his campaign website,” said Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Ryan Hobart.
Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea said the lieutenant governor didn’t do anything wrong. He said the video is official state business, and there’s nothing improper about sending the video to campaign supporters.
“Peter is a statewide-elected official. This message was an editorial message from him regarding Missouri’s healthcare system,” McElyea said. “We absolutely view that as an official function of his role as lieutenant governor.”
McElyea said Kinder often sends official state material out on his campaign e-mail list, but that he doesn’t do the reverse, sending campaign material using state resources.
Using state resources for a political purpose would violate state law, though the line is often blurred with statewide officials, many of whom use their official staff on campaigns as well.
In 2007, for instance, state Auditor Susan Montee determined that Kinder had used his state car for campaign events. Kinder reimbursed the state and started using his personal car. Later that year, Nixon defended himself for doing the same thing — suggesting the attorney general’s office was different — but he later relented and also reimbursed the state for more than three years worth of using his state car for campaign purposes.
Kinder, a Republican, is widely expected to challenge Nixon, a Democrat, for governor in 2012.
*rolls eyes*
More obstructionism from the party of “NO!” These people love insurance companies like Glenn Beck loves to cry…and lie. I would love to see them lose their cushy health benefits and have to fight with the dirty bastards at United Healthcare and Anthem like the rest of us do! As for the sheeple who are opposing their own best interests, they better stock up on those frickin teabags…cuz they may be the only thing they “eat” after health costs go up again.
they all do it. If an audit was made of the capital video crew, you would find this from just about every member of congress and other politico’s as well.
*rolls eyes faster and larger*
More hypocrisy from the party of… well, hypocrisy. Ya think any government money has been spent on brackobama.com/Organizing for America? I didn’t think so either
Way to go Peter, they are on the run!!!
Nice handle hater!
There’s a video on “The President’s plan for health insurance reform” on whitehouse.gov. How is that any different?
Ms. “rolls eyes”…..
Talk to me about the 100’s of millions of tax money going to ACORN first and then maybe I will listen to a few seconds of your nonsense rants.
The main difference I see is that this is the President’s plan and he is informing the people of his vision and framework. Something a President sohuld do at the onset of a major change of course. Lt. Gov. Kinder is making references to financing that will fall on the states before that has even been decided by the Senate. The finance package, which does not push unfinanced costs down to the states, has only passed committee not the full Senate.
While what Lt. Gov. Kinder may not have violated any rules, what he did was spread another false rumor, much as a former Governor in Alaska did with death panels. Irresponsible? Yes, as a former State Senator that follows the same legislative protocol, Lt. Gov. Kinder should know the difference! Ethical or criminal? Not really, other than lying. This is a man that is bent on continuing the failed policies of the Republican party and misinform the unintelligent who believe their rhetoric.
Talk to me about the 100’s of millions of tax money going to ACORN first and then maybe I will listen to a few seconds of your nonsense rants.
“hundreds of millions…?” Really? I don’t think so-why don’t you provide a credible source-and news flash-glenn beck pulling stuff out of his *&^ doesn’t count.
Instead why don’t we discuss the $50 million a month that went (still going?) to that unjust and arguably illegal Iraq War…what’s that? Oh you don’t want to discuss that one cuz it doesn’t fit your agenda, huh?
Get over yourself.
The democrats don’t need a single republican vote to pass healthcare reform.
Way to go Peter, they are on the run!!!
Nice handle hater!
LMAO-we are on the run, huh? Is that why all recent polls indicate strong support for reform and even a slight majority want the public option. Oh yeah–the poll wasn’t done by Fox Noise so I guess it can’t be considered legitimate, right?
As for my handle, I am quite confident that Mrs. Palin is a grave disappointment to anyone who has a soul-not just God.
Yet another well reasoned, cogent post by “God hates”.
As far as the death panel myth, Google Liverpool Care Pathway that the UK’s NHS is using. Creepy huh?
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzVjMTU3ZGE2MDVkM2ZjMTg1YTY3NDIwYjdmOWZmYTE=