It’s presumptuous of me, a lifelong Republican, to offer advice to the Democrats, but I’m also a bit of a non-partisan politician junkie and enjoy good analysis regardless of affiliation. So this is my good analysis.
They may not want to admit it, but the Democrats in New Mexico have some problems. Republicans not only smell blood; they can taste it. All they have to say is ethics, and voters pay attention. Everyone knows which party is rife with ethical problems (for now).
And let’s be honest, the unindicted albatross in the Democratic party is the governor, Bill Richardson. We all know that the Republicans are going to run against Richardson-Denish just as the Democrats ran against Bush-McCain.
Wasn’t fair to McCain; isn’t fair to Denish.
But all’s fair in politics (sadly), and so I’m going to offer my advice to the Democrats, advice that might let them keep the governor’s office for another four years. James Carville would charge you a million dollars for this. I’m giving it to Democrats for free.
Bill Richardson must resign immediately.
That would make Lieutenant Governor Denish the governor. She would be completely divorced from Richardson; she would be her own woman. No more albatross. With Richardson gone, she could make policies that would clearly be hers and would clearly separate her from Richardson.
Richardson has nothing to gain by completing his term. He’s the George Bush of New Mexico and I don’t see what he can do to reverse that in the little time remaining.
But in the little time remaining, Denish could lay down her own markers and mute—or at least mitigate—Republican campaign rhetoric about her ethics.
Let the games begin.
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4 years ago
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I'm not buying it.
ReplyDeleteDiane Denish lived in the geographic center of the culture of corruption for eight years.
Either she "knew nothing" or she "did nothing".
Neither is acceptable. Complicit or complacence, what is the difference? In positions of public trust, there isn't a wit of difference between corruption and guilty knowledge of corruption.
What I'm buying is that Denish is being weak in her positions and statements, and talk is cheap with no skin in the game. Denish STILL can't seem to bump up against Richardson and not fall down! Richardson SHOULD resign - DENISH should take the reins ... and THEN we'll the opportunity to see the color of her stripes as she veers left - she knows no other course.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican party in New Mexico has marginalized itself. It is too far to the right, way too far to the right to win a statewide office. The tea baggers just moved them farther to the right. Their base in New Mexico is in the SE corner of the state and a few precincts in and around Albuquerque. The quasi racist rantings by their leadership (Rush, Hannity, etc) has not helped either.
ReplyDeleteI think it might help but it may be too late.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Bill would say? The classic: "I wanted to spend more time with my family?"
I think it is more a case of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. I believe Denish is the most qualified in the Race and can lead us out of the mess we are in. Denish also is independently wealthy and doesn't need to fleece the the public. She has no further ambitions like running for Congress or President and in this respect can dedicate herself to New Mexico.