Unofficial Richardson-for-VP movement begins

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One of the most active volunteers on Gov. Bill Richardson’s now-defunct presidential campaign is already trying to start a movement to make him the next vice president of the United States. Ken Camp, a Democratic activist in Washington State, has started a blog and an online petition to push the eventual Democratic presidential nominee to make Richardson his or her running mate. Camp said the effort is not affiliated with Richardson’s presidential campaign and the statements on the sites have not been authorized by the governor. He said he will take down the sites if asked by Richardson or senior staff members to do so. “I have not been asked or paid by anyone to do this. Continue Reading

Guv bows out, backs Udall but no presidential hopeful

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In ending his presidential campaign today, Gov. Bill Richardson pledged to push for health-care reform in the upcoming legislative session, continue his international missions and elect Tom Udall to the U.S. Senate, but he was mum on whether he would seek the vice presidential nomination or another D.C. job. “It is with great pride, understanding and acceptance that I am ending my campaign for president of the United States,” Richardson said during the speech in Santa Fe. “… Boy, did we work harder than anyone. We did our best and that is all we can do and that is all we can expect from each other.” Richardson, 60, was wearing blue jeans with his suit jacket and tie, and was accompanied by his wife Barbara. His speech was interrupted by several standing ovations. Continue Reading

Guv will make campaign announcement at 1 p.m.

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Gov. Bill Richardson will make an announcement related to his presidential campaign – expected to be that he’s dropping his bid for the presidency – at 1 p.m. today in the rotunda at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The head of Richardson’s government press office, Gilbert Gallegos, confirmed the planned announcement. He said an advisory from the campaign was coming shortly. He provided no further details. Stay tuned and check back for updates. Continue Reading

N.M. turns to other candidates as guv bows out

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Ed Romero, the national finance chairman for Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign, didn’t even wait for the governor to formally announce his withdrawal from the race before he began making phone calls on Wednesday for Hillary Clinton. The reaction was similar around the state after news broke on Wednesday evening that the governor had decided, following dismal showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, to end his campaign. A number of people helping Richardson’s campaign jumped ship earlier in the day. Many prominent New Mexico Democrats are beginning to organize or make phone calls for another candidate. Now that Richardson is dropping out, an election year that has already been tumultuous because of the coming retirement of U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici becomes even more unpredictable with a wide-open Democratic presidential caucus on Feb. Continue Reading

Adair declares victory after ACLU settles lawsuit

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State Sen. Rod Adair is declaring victory after the American Civil Liberties Union settled on Wednesday a lawsuit alleging he violated a citizen’s right to attend a legislative hearing and agreed to a statement that the senator “is a strong supporter of the U.S. and N.M. Constitutions.” “The lawsuit says that I violated the constitutional rights of an individual. Their settlement says that I am a strong supporter of the constitution. The settlement completely negates a frivolous lawsuit,” the Roswell Republican said. “… In my view, this is a victory that is national in its implications.” The citizen who made the allegations against Adair said he is also pleased with the outcome of the case. “I got my point across, that the ACLU thought my case was good enough to take it and file it in federal court,” Virgil Beagles said. Continue Reading

Richardson drops presidential bid, AP reports

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Gov. Bill Richardson has decided to drop his presidential bid, the Associated Press is reporting. Richardson plans to make a formal announcement on Thursday, the news service reported, but reached the decision today to immediately end his campaign after securing only 5 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Primary and 2 percent in last week’s Iowa Caucus. Richardson’s campaign was running out of money and losing supporters. Campaign volunteer Ken Camp told me earlier today he was staying on, flying to Nevada this weekend at his own expense to campaign for the governor, but that others “have jumped ship in the past 12-14 hours.” Update, 5:55 p.m. Richardson Deputy Campaign Manager Amanda Cooper told The Santa Fe New Mexican that the governor hasn’t dropped out. “No he hasn’t,” she said and, when asked whether he planned to drop out, she said, “I haven’t had a discussion about it.” I’ve been unable to reach Cooper and other Richardson campaign officials for comment. Continue Reading

Outgoing Sunland Park mayor is silent on his future

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Sunland Park Mayor Jesus “Ruben” Segura shocked many on Tuesday when he didn’t file to seek a fourth term in office. He will create quite a void when he leaves the job in March. In an interview, Segura gave little reason for his departure and no clues on his future plans. It was a typical response from a politician who has held his own over the years by keeping his cards close to his chest. “I need to move forward to other challenges and other opportunities, and I think in due time they will be revealed,” Segura said in refusing to share his plans. Continue Reading

Grant County clerk will replace Altamirano in Senate

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Gov. Bill Richardson announced today the appointment of Howie Morales to fill the state Senate seat formerly held by Ben Altamirano, who died in late December. The appointment to the District 28 Senate seat is effective immediately. Morales has been Grant County clerk since 2005 and also teaches at Western New Mexico University. “Howie Morales has worked closely with Senator Altamirano,” Richardson said in a news release. “I am confident that he will follow in Benny’s footsteps and serve the constituents of Grant, Catron and Socorro counties with the same compassion and commitment.” Before taking his current jobs, Morales worked in special education for the Cobre Consolidated Schools and at Silver City High School. Continue Reading

Obama inspires America’s youth, but can he deliver?

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In his song Waiting on the World to Change, John Mayer says America’s young people do care about politics, but they don’t participate because they don’t believe their voices can make a difference in a system that’s rigged to ensure those who have power keep it. Barack Obama challenges such people to dare to hope, to reject cynicism and join together behind him to challenge that system. If his early success is any indication, Obama may be accomplishing something rarely seen in American politics. During an Iowa Caucus with record turnout, it was young people and independents who gave him the win. The same didn’t happen Tuesday in New Hampshire, so it’s too early to know whether the Obama movement is real. Continue Reading

Rove to attend fundraiser for state GOP

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Former White House political director Karl Rove will be in Artesia on Jan. 23 to attend a fundraiser for the Republican Party of New Mexico. The fundraiser will be at The Wellhead Restaurant and Brewpub in the evening, but the time and other details have not been finalized, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Rove was caught up in the U.S. attorney scandal and other controversies last year and left the White House. His involvement in that scandal included passing along complaints from the state GOP chair about former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias to the Justice Department. Continue Reading

Richardson considers whether to stay in the race

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Gov. Bill Richardson said in a speech following tonight’s New Hampshire primary that he’s continuing in the presidential race, but the reality, sources confirm, is less certain than what he says. “We head out West, and the fight goes on, and we will continue,” Richardson said. “We will continue to raise the question of getting all our troops out of Iraq and America becoming a clean-energy nation and getting rid of No Child Left Behind.” Richardson, his wife and some campaign staffers are headed back to New Mexico tonight. While here, Richardson does have some official business to take care of – making an appointment to the state Senate and preparing for the legislative session – but sources confirm that he’s also going to reassess whether he should stay in the race. After finishing at 2 percent in Iowa and 5 percent in New Hampshire, there are signs that Richardson’s campaign may not continue. Continue Reading

Clinton comes back to win New Hampshire

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It has the pundits – and even members of her own campaign staff – scratching their heads, but Hillary Clinton has been declared by the networks to be the winner of the New Hampshire Democratic Primary. Barack Obama has conceded to her. With 75 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton has 82,068 votes – or 39 percent – to Obama’s 75,495 votes – or 36 percent. That’s despite 15 polls conducted in the last three days that had Obama ahead. Even members of Clinton’s staff, according to reports, expected her to lose. Continue Reading

Richardson heading back to New Mexico

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CNN’s Wolf Blitzer is reporting that Gov. Bill Richardson is headed back to New Mexico to reassess his campaign after a disappointing showing in New Hampshire. Richardson campaign spokeswoman Katie Roberts said the governor is heading back to New Mexico, but the reasons are “to take care of some official business” and prepare for the legislative session that begins a week from today. A good source told me Richardson will take care of official business but will also assess his campaign while he’s in New Mexico. Richardson has a scheduled meeting on Wednesday with a candidate for the state Senate seat that’s vacant because of the death of Ben Altamirano. Continue Reading