Some Democrats think Richardson should debate

I had several conversations Wednesday with Democrats who are disappointed that Gov. Bill Richardson won’t debate Republican challenger John Dendahl.

I was surprised to hear it, but their thoughts were interesting. Many told me they think Richardson’s decision is based on his dislike of Dendahl, and that Richardson is letting that personal feeling get in the way of what’s best for his campaign. Many Democrats told me they believe a debate could only help Richardson, because it would give more people a chance to learn about Dendahl – and, several told me, the more people learn about Dendahl, the less they like him.

A couple of Las Cruces Democrats also told me they are disappointed that Richardson is putting his personal feelings above his party. Voter turnout in the 1^st Congressional District will be high because of the race between Heather Wilson and Patricia Madrid. In Southern New Mexico, however, there is little to get voters excited. In Doña Ana County, the most interesting race is for sheriff.

At the same time, there are three hotly contested House races here, and many Democrats fear there is a real chance that Rep. Andy Nuñez of Hatch could lose his seat. Richardson could hold a debate here, trample on Dendahl in front of a friendlier, pro-spaceport crowd, and stir up some excitement that would turn out more Democrats and help the party’s House candidates, the Democrats told me.

Richardson will be in Las Cruces today for the swearing in of district judges Fernando Macias and Lisa Schultz. Perhaps some of those Democrats will share these thoughts with him.

In the meantime, here is a Dendahl column on education, taken directly from his Web site. It ran in the Albuquerque Journal on Jan. 22, 2004.

Private Schools Not Just for Rich

By John Dendahl

“Some talk and some do. While many of us have spoken far and wide about giving New Mexico families alternatives to the monopoly government schools, Educate New Mexico (ENM) is quietly doing exactly that.

“Begun by forward-looking business executives, like Patrick Rooney in Indianapolis and Peter Flanigan in New York, privately-funded efforts have sprung up widely to provide what governments won’t — equal educational opportunity for children in families with limited means.

“In only four years, ENM has helped well over 600 children compile a fine record of accomplishments in a variety of private and church-operated schools. Funds to support this wonderful demonstration have come from many generous New Mexicans, with ‘lion’s share’ help from a national organization, Children First America.

“Whenever ‘vouchers’ or any other names for public-funded alternatives to government schools are mentioned, opponents jump immediately to a variety of tired arguments. ‘The government schools aren’t on a level playing field, because they can’t cherry-pick their students.’ ‘A voucher would not provide enough money for a low-income child to go to a private school.’ And so on.

“I have never bought any of that, but now ENM proves voucher opponents wrong on all counts.

“ENM scholarship recipients are chosen by lottery, not on the basis of scholastic or athletic achievements. No cherry-picking. If a family has been lucky and gets a scholarship for one child — obviously important, since ENM gets ten times the number of qualified applications for which it has funds — other children in that family are automatically qualified.

“To be eligible for an ENM scholarship, a family must meet an income test. That varies according to the number of children, but a single parent with one child cannot make more than $26,000 per year. That’s $12.50 or less per hour for full-time employment

“Does ENM provide full-ride scholarships? Not at all. They are $1,000 for grades K through 6, and $1,500 for grades 7 through 12. Typically the family must come up thousands of dollars more for private school expenses. The important thing is they do!

“Thus, the ENM experience demonstrates clearly that thousands of New Mexico families with limited money resources can and will dig deep to get educations for their children — if they get just a small amount of additional help and encourage encouragement.

“The need for this opportunity grows daily. Government school unions are now buying full-page ads in New Mexico newspapers headlined, ‘Misguided Federal Decisions Have Placed Our Public Schools in Harm’s Way!’ Sounds pretty ominous.

“The union bosses placing those ads are right for the wrong reason. What they are protesting is accountability laid on the government schools by President Bush.

“They should, but won’t, show us the poor record of government school performance ever since creation of the federal Department of Education by President Jimmy Carter over 25 years ago.

“While per-pupil expenditures have risen much faster than inflation, performance measured by standardized testing of students has fallen continuously.

“There’s something terribly wrong with this picture. Families with money can move to the remaining good school districts or send their children to non-government schools. Families without money rarely enjoy those alternatives.

“The mystery remains: How can a politician whose everyday, tearful rhetoric is for the disadvantaged look us straight in the eye and say taxes paid for children’s educations shouldn’t be used by low-income families to level their children’s education ‘playing fields?’

“Actually, there’s no mystery. It’s called union control over the politician.

“ENM and its partners in education all over the country, together with the U.S. Supreme Court, have put the lie to all the arguments.

“The government schools need competition, and families need opportunities for their children that depend on sound educations. One of these years, the inspired leadership of men and women with the foresight to create these scholarship programs — showing the way by putting their money where their mouths are — will be happily vindicated by changed public policy. Soon, one hopes.

“Footnote: A fellow with the familiar name David Domenici has also attained national recognition for creating educational opportunity and hope for low-income youngsters. He is co-founder of the highly acclaimed Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.”