Bill Richard is the titular head of New Mexico’s Democratic Party. Until 2 weeks ago, he expected to benefit from the early caucus in New Mexico which he pushed for four years ago. Now, a day late, he appears to say there will be six more weeks of winter. No, wait, to say someone else is responsible for the problem — not him. That’s leadership. By comparison, Colón — who did screw up by failing to realize how fired up and ready to go we all are — has been a grown-up and shouldered the blame. No doubt, Richardson will set fire to a bag of poop on Colón’s doorstep.
I was lucky. We went early and made it through a system that looked fraught with weaknesses. No, I didn’t volunteer to fix them nor am I now. I’m also not throwing turds at those who did volunteer and did the best they could under the circumstances.
Republicans — who let the state pick up the tab for their meaningless June primary, god bless them — felt as cheated as Democrats did prior to 2004. Why not make an official New Mexico State Primary for both parties set for a date agreed to by both parties? A primary managed by paid professionals, including someone paid to prepare for rising storms.
Governor, do you want to take the lead on this or just blame others? mjh
Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics: Party seeks accurate tally; Madrid doesn’t trust vote
Criticism has been harsh and widespread, and has come from people and organizations including The Albuquerque Tribune, Gov. Bill Richardson and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez. Colón has taken responsibility.
But
which was first implemented in 2004, share the blame. She was one of
the leading opponents of the caucus at the time, arguing that, as the
state’s attorney general, she would have no jurisdiction to investigate
problems because state election law doesn’t apply to a party-run
caucus. In addition, a party-run caucus puts a critical vote in the
hands of volunteers instead of paid, trained election workers.
“It doesn’t have all the checks and balances and the years of experience of a proper election,”
on Wednesday pointed the finger at the party officials and Democrats
who didn’t help fund and volunteer with Tuesday’s caucus. He secured
the funding for the caucus in 2004, but said he was too busy running
for president and focusing on the Legislature to do it this time.
“It
seems to me it’s the responsibility of the governor and the other
officials who got this through to properly fund it and make sure it’s
well-run,” she said. “I’m very concerned that the election was not
conducted properly and fairly.”