Bill McCamley presented the most articulate, intelligent and passionate plea for support of any of the Democratic candidates running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce at a forum in Anthony on Monday.
McCamley effectively answered criticisms of his tenure as a
He also made two attempts at speaking Spanish during the forum, which impressed several I spoke with afterward.
As I’ve disclosed many times, I’m friends with McCamley (read about that by clicking here), which is why I solicited the opinions of several others before I wrote this article. The handful I spoke with agreed that McCamley shone at the forum.
That’s not to say he’s the frontrunner. Harry Teague, who has more campaign cash than McCamley, isn’t as articulate but is personable and, like McCamley, a hard worker. Either could win the Democratic primary.
McCamley’s best moment on Monday came when he was grilled about his decision to not recuse himself last year from the commission’s consideration of three tax increment development districts in Santa Teresa for the El Paso-based Verde Group. McCamley has taken thousands of dollars for his congressional campaign from people tied to Verde.
He acknowledged the contributions but said what’s important is that he can demonstrate that contributions don’t affect his decisions. He pointed out that his disagreement with Verde is what caused the TIDD proposal to fall apart.
McCamley asked Verde to promise that 15 percent of its housing would meet federal affordable-housing guidelines. When Verde refused, McCamley said he could not support the deal, and it fell apart. The county and Verde are now exploring other options for funding the project.
“My record speaks for itself,” McCamley said. “… I went against my campaign contributors in favor of what’s in the best interest of the people.”
Back-and-forth between the candidates
Teague, who owns an oil company, was also forced to defend himself. When asked how he could assure voters he won’t support legislation that favors the oil industry, he said he would be no more than “just fair” to the industry.
Teague was asked, in light of ExxonMobil’s record $40-billion profit last year, whether he would support an excess-profits tax on oil companies. He said he would not.
“I think that those profits are very high, but they’re at about 10 percent, and some restaurants make lots more than that,” Teague said.
That answer might be acceptable on the east side of the district, but defending a $40-billion profit to people paying $3 per gallon for gas won’t resonate in Anthony, one of the poorest communities in the district. Teague gets some credit for saying what he really thinks in front of a crowd he had to know wouldn’t like it, but the answer still cost him.
McCamley seized the moment, pointing out that Teague has made millions as an oilman.
“We need to make sure that our fiscal policy is fair to all Americans, and I’m not someone who’s making lots of money off of these things,” he said. “I’m someone who’s going to be working only for you.”
The third candidate to take part in the forum, Frank McKinnon, is running primarily on his opposition to the spread of the nuclear industry in
Teague, responding to the criticism from both, said he has received campaign contributions from people with ties to the oil and nuclear industries, but also from farmers, teachers and state policemen.
“A lot of these people are my friends, and so I took their money,” Teague said of oil-industry contributors. “… But I’m going to represent everyone in
McCamley defended taking money from people tied to the nuclear industry by saying he won’t take nuclear energy off the table as long as safety checks are in place because it could help stop global warming.
Asked why his campaign should be taken seriously when he’s up against better-funded candidates, McKinnon said some environmental groups have promised him money if he can make it through the March 15 preprimary nominating convention and secure a spot on the ballot.
Observations
McCamley demonstrated on Monday that he understands national issues and has clear ideas on how to address them, and can also speak effectively about local issues like economic growth and constituent services. He convincingly argued that the economy and health care are family-values issues because economic stresses are the highest cause of divorce.
Teague attempted several times on Monday to talk about issues in the context of how they affect families. It’s a similar message to that of McCamley, but one Teague needs to hone to make it more effective.
McKinnon is clearly passionate about nuclear issues. He tried Monday to talk about other issues, including the
Teague wins some points because he’s a millionaire who earned his money through hard work. He clearly isn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty. He cites examples of backing up his words with action, answering a question about health care on Monday in part by pointing out that he provides good health care for his 250 employees. He makes a credible argument that his business experience helps him understand issues
McCamley, on the other hand, makes connections with people and appears genuinely passionate when he talks about having to work three jobs to make ends meet, struggling to pay medical bills and growing up in a home with a father who suffered from the emotional effects of war. He also cites examples of backing up his words with action – like his rejection of Verde’s TIDD proposal – and makes a credible argument that his experience on the commission and as director of a non-profit that works on rural economic development gives him a strong understanding of issues.
McCamley or Teague could win primary
McCamley and Teague both have the experience to be credible candidates, and they’re both working hard. At this point, Teague has more money but McCamley has a greater ability to articulate the reasons why he’s the better candidate. McCamley has also raised a respectable amount of money.
The point? It’s impossible to declare a frontrunner in this race.
Monday’s forum was sponsored by a number of south-county activist groups and attended by about 50 people from
The fourth Democratic candidate, Al Kissling, did not attend the forum.
You can read additional coverage of Monday’s forum from the Las Cruces Sun-News by clicking here.
Update, 7:50 p.m.
I often post video from these forums. I have learned that closing statements are usually better for short videos than opening statements, so at this forum I waited to take video of closing statements, only to learn at the end of the forum that there would not be any closing statements. Hence, no video. Sorry.