Check out wooden Richardson on YouTube

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This video of Gov. Bill Richardson talking about his energy plan is interesting because it illustrates what an unconvincing job he often does when talking to a camera. Richardson is brilliant in one-on-one settings or crowds. He’s mediocre in debates. When he’s talking to a camera, he’s often horrible. I’m assuming that’s because Richardson takes so many cues from the facial expressions and other non-verbal communication of those around him. Continue Reading

Giuliani to hold fundraiser in Albuquerque

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Republican Rudy Giuliani is set next week to become the first 2008 presidential candidate besides Bill Richardson to hold a fundraiser in New Mexico. Giuliani will hold a fundraiser at a home in Albuquerque on June 9, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. The event will include a roundtable discussion for donors who contribute the maximum of $4,600, a VIP photo opportunity for those who give $2,300, and lunch for $500. The hosts are Eclipse Aviation President Vern Raburn and Albuquerque car dealer Ken Zangara, according to the Journal. Continue Reading

Endorsement of developer’s project raises further questions about how Aggie coach is being paid

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In light of a recent increase in his compensation, a few eyebrows went up when New Mexico State Aggies’ basketball coach Reggie Theus showed up at a Las Cruces City Council meeting last week to speak in favor of a controversial development. The university announced three weeks ago a $100,000 increase in Theus’ annual compensation, bringing it to $446,000. The raise is contributed entirely by the private sector and, because the donations are funneled through the NMSU Foundation, the university won’t release the names of the donors. The Board of Regents also approved three weeks ago a restructuring of President Michael Martin’s contract that includes deferred compensation and an optional housing allowance paid by private donors. I wrote at the time that both moves were controversial because the secrecy has the potential to hide impropriety. Continue Reading

Brunner says he isn’t running for Congress

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Terry Brunner, state director for the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., has decided he won’t run for Congress next year. Brunner had been considering running against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., but said he is happy with the other candidates considering the race. The only Democrat to officially be in the running is Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich. “I see some great people stepping up and getting in to the race, and I think the important thing is that we have a great candidate,” Brunner told me. While we’re on the topic, the Rothenberg Political Report has a new analysis of New Mexico’s First Congressional District race. Continue Reading

In wake of tragedy, Anthony considers incorporation

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The impoverished community of Anthony, fresh off two tragedies that have galvanized residents, is talking seriously about incorporation, the Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting. A month ago, a 13-year-old boy was killed in a car crash that was caused by a missing stop sign. More recently, a teen trying to clean up his life was murdered in a gang-related shooting. Many residents are bitter at the only government they can blame, Doña Ana County. In some ways, they’re justified: In the late 1990s and early part of this decade, some commissioners worked for political and other reasons to encourage businesses that looked at Anthony to instead locate in Santa Teresa, where the county has worked for years to try to build a new city. Continue Reading

City wants transparency to keep up with technology

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The City of Las Cruces, in an effort to ensure its transparency keeps up with technology, is exploring whether councilors should be allowed to use cell phones, laptop computers and other communication devices during council meetings. Coming from a council whose illegal action led several years ago to the formal definition in New Mexico of a “rolling quorum,” it’s a valiant effort to tackle an interesting and difficult issue. In 2002, then-Mayor Ruben Smith met with five of six councilors separately and convinced them to sign a letter asking the city ethics board to investigate possible violations by then-Councilor Bill Mattiace. The letter led to an eventual reprimand. The Las Cruces-Sun-News sued, arguing that the mayor and a majority of councilors, though they didn’t physically meet in one place, made a decision, as a group, outside the legal forum of a public meeting. Continue Reading

Richardson to meet with Jesse Jackson’s group

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A day after participating in CNN’s Democratic presidential candidate debate on Sunday, Gov. Bill Richardson will head to another event that should earn him some attention. He will be in Chicago on Monday morning to address the RainbowPUSH Coalition, led by Rev. Jesse Jackson. After the event, he’ll hold a news conference with Jackson, according to a news release from the Richardson campaign. Maybe he’ll secure some high-profile endorsements in the black community to make up for the fact that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, one of the most visible Hispanics in the nation, announced yesterday his endorsement of Hillary Clinton. Richardson plans to spend Monday afternoon and evening fundraising in Phoenix. Continue Reading

Democrats off to quick start in online fundraising

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At least two Democrats trying to unseat New Mexico’s Republican representatives in Washington, D.C. are off to a quick start in raising money online. Bill McCamley, who is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., has received 17 contributions totaling $5,395 through ActBlue, an online contribution Web site for Democratic candidates. Martin Heinrich, who wants the seat held by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., has received 31 contributions totaling $4,450. The site is an example of how Democrats have effectively used the Internet to organize in ways the GOP has missed. Pearce has a campaign Web site up, but people can’t contribute to through it. Continue Reading

Swickard’s interviews now available online

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The Morning Show with Michael Swickard has been podcasting portions of shows for a couple of months. Earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce was on the show, and today, one of his Democratic challengers in 2008, Bill McCamley, was on. Swickard frequently tackles political issues. Check out the podcasts when you get a chance by clicking here. Continue Reading

New polls confirm Richardson’s support in Iowa and New Hampshire, lack of support in South Carolina

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Gov. Bill Richardson is holding steady in Iowa and New Hampshire in two new polls, but his support in South Carolina is dismal. The newest polls by American Research Group have Richardson at 9 percent in New Hampshire and 8 percent in Iowa, which puts him in fourth place in both states. His support in South Carolina, however, is only 1 percent. He’s tied for last place in that state and is well below the margin of error. April polls done by the group had Richardson at 5 percent in Iowa and 3 percent in New Hampshire. Continue Reading

Former magistrate wants to collect unemployment

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Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza, who was removed by the Supreme Court last year after testing positive for cocaine, is trying to draw unemployment from the state. The Administrative Office of the Courts is fighting Garza’s attempt. The high court removed Garza from the bench in November after the Judicial Standards Commission found that he had used cocaine and abused his position to benefit a woman with whom he had a personal relationship. Unemployment applications aren’t public record, so most details of Garza’s attempt to collect unemployment from the state aren’t known, but Arthur Pepin, director of the AOC, confirmed that his office is “resisting his attempt to collect unemployment, and we expect the situation to be resolved in the next two to three weeks.” Garza refused to comment. In addition to removing him from his elected position, the high court ordered Garza to pay $16,760 to the commission for reimbursement of the costs of its investigation and barred him from ever again seeking or holding judicial office in New Mexico. Continue Reading

Richardson holds his own during TV grilling

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Gov. Bill Richardson took a beating on Sunday from the host of NBC’s Meet The Press, but he managed to stay calm and composed and held his own during a tough round of questioning. All things considered, I don’t think he’ll gain in the polls as a result of the hour-long interview, but I also don’t think he’s going to lose support. Tim Russert asked a series of questions on just about every controversy or flip flop in Richardson’s past. None appeared to catch Richardson off guard. Though many of his answers weren’t completely satisfying, under the circumstances, his performance was about as good as could be expected. Continue Reading

Guv can redeem debate performance this week

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Gov. Bill Richardson has a busy schedule this week that includes an opportunity to redeem himself after a poor performance in the first democratic presidential candidate debate several weeks ago. Richardson will spend much of today in Boca Raton, Fla., attending fundraisers, according to a news release from his campaign. On Wednesday, he’ll make stops in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to attend fundraisers. He’ll spend Thursday in New Mexico and will attend a fundraiser in Santa Fe in the evening. On Friday, he’ll attend fundraisers in Gallup and Albuquerque. Continue Reading

Richardson needs to take LFC audit seriously

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When a new report finds nepotism and other problems with a state agency, I’d expect an ethical governor, or one who wants to be viewed as a reformer, to express concern and vow to implement change. Instead, Gov. Bill Richardson on Friday accused the Legislative Finance Committee, which conducted the audit of the state Personnel Office, of “nitpicking.” His response gives lawmakers another excuse to ignore his calls for ethics reform. The LFC on Thursday released an audit that said the Personnel Office deviated from hiring practices for several months in 2005 and 2006, practiced nepotism and violated the state procurement code and travel rules, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Serious findings. I’ve written recently about the weight a procurement code violation can carry. Continue Reading