Legislative Update
23 October 2003
Number 03-05

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Why it is important to analyze Elections and Other Public Policy Events

Below are some of the comments we received on the last issue of Legislative Update. These only include those who gave us permission to publish their comments. It is a small sample among the total that has run almost 9 to 1 in support of the analysis we have provided concerning the recent special election which resulted in raiding the permanent fund.

There have been six media contacts, about half of whom fully grasp what is being said. The others are, as is normal in New Mexico, "on the trail of a story." That is to say they want to provide some kind of "controversy" as opposed to report the news. Typically, the take among them, as is the case among those who returned negative comments, is along the lines of "are you attacking such and such?" Invariably the first person they have contacted has been none other than "such and such" himself (the person varies) who dutifully whined to the reporter that the articles are all about "them."

Wrong. The articles are about what is happening in our state. The articles are about the future of New Mexico and whether or not effective opposition to Richardsonism can be mounted. The analysis is about what not just the Republicans, not just conservatives, but about what all New Mexicans who opposed Constitutional Amendment 2 could have done better----or could have done at all----to help make New Mexico a better place. Those 88% who have responded positively understand this. They realize that dissent against the Richardsonian Raids on the treasury which started in January, continue now, and are planned deep into the future, must be effective. The point of analysis is "How we can win one?" How can we best marshal our forces to try to save our state from destruction?

A very small percentage of respondents has said that there is simply no room for this kind of analysis, as is the premise of some in the media whose first interview is invariably with someone who will whine on cue (this gets some reporters very excited) and focus all the attention on themselves as opposed to the important public policy issue at stake. Well, if that is the reality we accept, then we are forced to say that the outcome (of whatever the event is or was) was simply inevitable---that there is no way the opposition could have been better handled. After all, if we insist that no analysis is allowed, then the only alternative is out-and-out endorsement of every single tactic employed and full support of every strategic component of the effort, including omissions of useful tactics and commissions of those that were harmful.

But, to critical thinkers this does not make any sense. The purpose of after action reports, hot washes (as they are called in the Army) or post mortems (the favored term of art in use today) is to examine what happened, including what went wrong, if anything. If we are to insist that nothing went wrong, and anyone who says otherwise is a bad person, then we are permanently consigning ourselves to a one-way march on the road to repeated failure.

I do not accept that. The purpose behind my analyses of events is to show conservatives all over the state, including independents, those who are conservative Democrats, even Greens sometimes (on a few issues, including the Raid, by the way) and yes, Republicans, that defeat at the hands of Richardson is not inevitable. My purpose is to speak to opinion leaders, county chairmen, and other key leaders and say, "Look, when someone is telling you 'we can't win,' instead of accepting that at face value, do your own analysis, rally your own troops, employ your own tactics, turn out your own voters. If you do so, you can be the difference in turning the tide, even if the top-down leadership on a given issue turns out to be inept or in over their heads."

Who among us has not been in that position at some point in our lives? I admit I have. I have made plenty of mistakes, I have helped lose local races or failed to employ helpful tactics at a critical moment. I accept that. I have benefited from critiques of campaigns, of tactics in the legislature, of any number of post mortems of public policy events. To me this seems obvious. The alternative, after all, is to say that we are perfect and above critique. Nonsense. Recipe for disaster.

Let's support the Republican Party of New Mexico in its efforts, under its current leadership, to support good public policy, to oppose bad public policy, to oppose the advances of Richardsonism, of socialism, of authoritarianism, of unilateralism. But let us not fool ourselves into thinking that to be a part of an organization we must accept every outcome achieved without expressing any kind of opinion. That is not the Republican way. That is authoritarianism. Failing to understand that is failing to understand what conservatism is all about. It is failure to understand what it means to be an American.

One last thing. It was never my intent to put Congressman Pearce or anyone else on the spot. Rather, the point is we have to use all our assets effectively. Personal feelings or any other considerations must be set aside completely. For his part, the congressman acknowledged that indeed he tried to get the party to use him. At the same time, he judiciously and diplomatically pointed out that it is over and that "we did a good job with funds available." Etc. etc. Of course we all need to pull together for the next challenge and that is the message he is trying to get through. It is mine as well. When someone asked me about the "precise accuracy" of the congressman's remarks, my response was, "Well, if Gary King ends up outspending him 2-1 in next year's congressional election, and ends up beating him by a few hundred votes, do you think he will say, "Well the effort was successful because we came so close to getting reelected."

Okay, I think everyone gets the point. Enough said.

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2nd Biggest Loser in Raid Battle: Albuquerque Journal

Clearly the biggest losers in the fight over Constitutional Amendment 2 were the people of New Mexico. While the raid will last some ten to fifteen years in some form or another, the effects of the raid will last forever. Therefore we are all huge losers, as are our children and grandchildren. The funds lost over the next decade can never be recovered. It is over, and there is nothing we can do about it now. The lesson is that we must eternally vigilant, prepared to fight future assaults on our freedom and economic well-being in whatever form the attacks manifest themselves.

Our nominee for the second biggest loser is none other than the Albuquerque Journal, which shamelessly touted the raid----as it has shilled for Richardson with nary a red-faced hint of shame for the past 18 months. But it isn't for the kid-glove coverage of Richardson's agenda that they receive the award. How could it be? They would be getting an award every day if that were the criteria. No, it isn't for the daily coverage, but rather the Journal Poll.

What a disaster of monumental proportions! Talk about a bad sample! Total catastrophic failure.

The Albuquerque Journal poll had Constitutional Amendment 2 winning by an overwhelming 27 points. The fact was the race was always a near deadheat. Remember, the term "Raid" was worth about $250,000 in campaign value, the phrase "Rob from our children and children" another quarter million, and "destroy 100 years of savings" yet hundreds of thousands more. This was a closely contested race at every turn.

So what went wrong with the journal poll? Answer: terrible sample. In polling, getting the right sample is everything. If you start with a poorly designed, unscientifically developed sample you are bound to fail. Within three months of an election, any election, the pollster must control for "likely voters." It is meaningless to poll "adults" or "registered voters" in a situation like this. We were facing a low turnout election, 20% or fewer voters going to the polls. Identifying a sample of voters that comes from the actual pool of voters that is going to participate is vital. Failure to get an actual sample of likely voters is a sure-fire recipe for a meaningless, or completely erroneous poll result. That is what they got. The egg is all over the face of the Journal on this one.

Honorable Mention for Biggest Loser (dishonorable mention?)

The competition was tough. It must be said that the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI) battled the Albuquerque Journal hard for the honor of 2nd biggest loser in the campaign.

We'll call them tied for 3rd place.

The two organizations shamed themselves once again by going all out for the Raid on the public treasury. Both have long since given themselves over to a kind of mindless statism. Any pretense of representing actual business, especially small business disappeared some half dozen years ago---longer by some people's reckoning.

Both organizations are dominated not by actual businessmen and women, but by bureaucrats from within large corporations or industry "associations." If you think these are groups of Bill Gates-like entrepreneurs, nothing could be further from the truth. More often than not both groups represent the 1% of the population that belongs to country clubs, but that of course is completely unfair to the solid conservatives in the state who also happen to be members of country clubs. The reality is that they are dilettante-dominated, guided not by members of the creative business class but by bureaucratic drones whose whole goal in life is to be able to sidle up next to a Richardson operative at a cocktail party and chat over some kind of government/business relationship.

The Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce is famous for handing out awards to legislators who have sponsored the most leftist legislation introduced each year. ACI has revamped their ratings system so most years every legislator starts out with a grade of between 50% and 65% on a scale of 100. Typically, they will base their ratings on about 20 bills, of which 12 or 13 were passed unanimously. So if a very liberal (even Stalinist) legislator were to vote "correctly" on one or two of the remaining 7 or 8 bills they get a "passing" grade. No matter what you do in the legislature, it is highly likely that ACI will rate you at least a 75 or 80. That of course makes the rating system completely useless. Though I imagine the NEA would approve of it.

The people they do not represent are the rank and file Republicans and conservative Democrats and independents who want low taxes, restraint on government spending and a state where business is welcome and encouraged.

Right now there are probably no greater threats to the future of New Mexico business than the ACI or the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Even Bill Richardson has to keep an eye on the polls. These folks just go on and on, clueless and oblivious.

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I just want to thank you for your update. I find this very informative and I appreciate your taking the time to write this. I also want to thank you for what you do for the people of New Mexico. I told my wife and friends after Big Bill was elected, that we should start looking for a new place to live, as that we wouldn't be able to afford New Mexico for very long. Again thanks for your hard work.

D. Barrett
Albuquerque, NM
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Mr. Adair:

I think the party should take Dominici to task for his support of Amendment #2. By his ads on radio and tv put him squarely in the democrat camp. I have trouble with the republican party in this state and the party in general not knowing how to rally behind our issues. This might be on a small scale now but in 2004 this kind of bi-partisanship could lose a larger election. If any republican ever runs against Dominici I will vote for his republican opposition. I am really concerned about the loss of Amendment 2 because this opens the door for democrats to raise taxes once this fund is drained.

The state republican party needs to get some backbone, learn how to win and stand behind their party something the democrats do very well even when losing.

Lynn L.
Roswell
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How long did it take to write this?

Paz,
Dolores Herrera
Albuquerque

(Answer: between 30 and 35 minutes)
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Rod,

Could we publish the following as a guest column? I found the following section of your legislative update to be quite incisive and informative. And I believe our readers are still interested in the issue ...

Editor, Mountain Mail

Socorro

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Great update. You went verrrrry easy on all involved, but thanks for sticking up for Patrick Lyons, he is a good person. What made Domenici go against party concerns?

D. W.
Ruidoso
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"great issue. I always enjoy your stuff. I'm a former ED of the New Mexico GOP...back in 92-93 cycle."


Tim Wigley
Oregon
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Mr. Adair:

With the party in shambles in New Mexico what is going to happen to the vote in 2004 if all of our watch dogs have been run off?

This is scary stuff and it is only getting worse. Thank God I live in conservative Roswell.

Karen W.
Roswell

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Senator Adair,

Thank you for your thoughts and comments. I wholeheartedly agree with your analysis regarding the "Raid" and your concern about Ramsey Gorham not doing the job she was elected to perform for the State Republican party.

J. R. D., MD
Santa Fe
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Your are on point......keep up the good work....

S. Spencer
Carrizozo

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Senator Adair:

Nice piece.

Janice E. Arnold-Jones
Albuquerque
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good morning, rod...i could not agree with your comments more if i had made them myself..thanks goodness you have the words to make it clear to everyone how we got shafted by our own party...i would love to know what was promised to mr. dominici and mr. carruthers to make them get behind amendment #2..and i can only wonder what john dendahl could have/would have done if he had been retained as our chairman..i thought then and i still do, ramsay gorham is out for herself.. john stepped on too many toes with his truthfulness and was shot down for it..oh well, all we can do is hope that king richardson will continue to grab as much of the limelight as he can whenever he can until both parties recognize him for the inept buffoon he is...hopefully that will be soon...
regards to you and your nice wife,

Shirley S.
deming
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Hi Rod!!

Glad for your input on the vote. I was disappointed and thoroughly disgusted with Domenici's position and felt he was a traitor of the party and more so as he supposedly is presently the leading Republican in the state. I will no longer support him in any way!!!

Steve Pearce on the other hand is someone I greatly admire and am quite certain that his input would have had a positive effect on the vote and cannot imagine him being overlooked particularly after he offered to help He was in Santa Fe recently for a fundraiser and I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to visit with him. What a wonderful representative of our state!!!! I did notice that none of the state party people were in attendance which I thought was rather strange.

Keep up the good work as we need someone like you to keep us updated on what is happening.

M. Jones
Santa Fe
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Great report.

James D.
Portales

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I'm sure you probably know, but Smith (Dem) in Deming spoke against Amend 2. I understand that the former Superintendent from Hobbs, Stan Rounds, is the front-runner for the Sec of Public Education. I truly think that we as Republicans blew this election. I called the Senator's office and expressed my opinion, saying that I have supported him since he and Joe ran for Governor and Lt. Governor. I am extremely disappointed that he sided with "King" Richardson on this Amendment 2. I think it is probably time for him to hang it up.

G. M. Graham
Albuquerque
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YOU KNOW WHAT I AM AFRAID OF IS THE DEMOS IN SANTA FE WILL WANT A TAX OF COUPLE YEARS FROM NOW TO REPLACE MONEY USED FROM THE PERM. FUND. THAT IS WHY I VOTE NO.

G. Zacniewski
Roswell
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Rod:

As usual a really great bunch of observations. Congratulations. From my way of thinking they deserve the widest possible distribution.

Gregg B.
Santa Fe
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You are a pretty sharp fellow, I hope you consider running for Gov or something statewide.you do make a lot of sense.

A. Montoya
Albuquerque
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Rod,

Just love getting your updates!! I have a new email address, please update your records so I can continue getting your emails. Thanks a bunch!!

Lori C.
Ruidoso
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Rod...

How are you? I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your insight and viewpoints on the issues. I find that most of the time you are "right on". Thank you for taking time to reduce your thoughts to paper.

Phil R.
Alamogordo

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I think you were right on in your comments. I am a 13th generation New Mexican and am very concerned about the future of our State. My 25 yr. old son lives in Phoenix, AZ because he cannot make a reasonable living for his family here in Albuquerque.

The Republican party is once again "falling" all over themselves. They were very instrumental in electing Gov. Richardson. I say let us unite to make New Mexico a much better place for all of our children to live.

I also think that Albuquerque Public Schools and this system in very terribly broke. Pouring more money into a broken system is not the only answer. Why do you think the home-schoolers have become so popular here? APS needs lots of help not just money.

I am only a small minority of Republicans in my large Democratic family and am very proud that I am a native New Mexican (with Hispanic roots). I am however, often embarrassed by what some of the Rep party leaders do.....geez!!!

Thanks for the real news........ God Blessing You! God Bless you for telling the truth.

B. Holman
Albuquerque

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Great column! I too wondered where Pearce was. Love your guts, Rod

Allen H.
Hobbs

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Rod,

Interesting and informative newsletter - thanks. Also most depressing. What the hell is going on with the Republicans? We are becoming just a bunch of losers! I always felt that Ramsey was the wrong person for the job! Interesting you should mention a "conflict of interest" - exactly Jack's words, at the time of the election back then.

Best regards,
Z. M.
Deming

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Senator,

I think there were other factors. I also offered to help with a mailing but was not recontacted. If we had mailed the Green position to party members we could have turned the issue around. I also think the strategy to support one amendment and not the other was confusing to many and when voters are confused they are not likely to vote.

I also predicted BR would find as many votes as he needed to win.

More later,

T. K.
Santa Fe

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Dear Rod,

Thank you for the info on Amendment 1 & 2. I was an election judge in Eddy County. We had more NOs in our precinct than yes's. I was very disappointed that we lost. As a Republican, I am willing to help in this area to get the word out when needed. As a businessman, I was very disappointed in lack of help last year from Governor Johnson and our Lt. Governor. It does seem like the Republicans allow the political storms to eat their own.

May God Bless.

Sincerely,
R. McK.
Carlsbad
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I wrote Pete about the cost of living we got on Social Security and told him the 1.4% is not enough to cover the increase of gasoline cost much the increase in everything else like heating fuel and medicine. He had the nerve to write back and state the he only got 3.75% cost of living raise.

That kind of raised my hackles and The wife and I have decided to never vote for him again. Since he only cares for himself and not the citizens who voted for him. He does not need to be back in the US. Senate.

Another thing is his backing Governor Bill Richardson on raiding our permanent fund, and we will never get it back with the Oil and gas running out.

It seems that Pete sells out to the highest bidder.

Joel C.
Las Cruces
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Great article, Rod! I strongly believed and we could have won if we had had almost anyone but Ramsay! And with John Dendahl we could have won handily. I was embarrassed by the glossy low-ball brochures (I received one a week after the election) and the mealy-mushy messages by Ramsay. We could have done so much better.

I attended the Karl Rowe dinner Friday night (free tickets) and she was the queen honcho and utilized all her time at the mike to constantly thank "her people" for the wonderful win they had just had! NO, IT WAS A HORRENDOUS LOSS! Her minions were certainly in a celebratory mood--they acted as if it was a celebration! Of what? I don't know!


Keep me on your mailing lists!

[name withheld by request]
Albuquerque
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Rod

Once again thank you for the insightful analysis of the election. I agree with everything you have said and the opinions offered. I was very upset to put it mildly at Sen. Domenici that he would come out in support of the amendment. He obviously is not running in 2008 and is setting it up for some moderate or higher up in the party to push to take his seat. Enough with his ideas about what is best for New Mexico. He has been gone much too long from our state and is enamored with the belt way mentality to understand fiscal responsibility and accountability in the executive and legislative branches. His support of CA 2 makes the case for term limits in congress! Would young Pete Domenici have voted for this twenty or even ten years ago? We dont and wont know. All I know is that by this move he has hurt our state, and he continues to raise the political stock of Billy Richardson who aspires to be our nations president, vice president or US Senator. Shame on him.

Keep fighting the fight.

Eric C.
Roswell
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Hello Mr. Adair

I'm so disappointed the Amendment #2 opposition failed. Please keep up the good work you are doing. Mr. Richardson's honeymoon will eventually be over, just a matter of time. Please keep us informed about the special session. I am very interested in this.

Thanks,

Cecilia C.
Chaves County citizen.
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How bad is the state party? I was going to run in District 2 in albuquerque, the vote was going to split amongst 5 democrats leaving the door open for a republican.

I went to the state party to get a "walking/mailing list of republican" never got it although i was promised twice.

I figured if they cannot get you a list there will be no support.

so in district 2 city council race we now have 4 choices, Liberal Democrat, Enviormentalist Liberal democrat, Hispanic "la Raza" Power/ Democrat, oh well, the elections for the house and senate will be interesting.

Carlton
Albuquerque
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Rod,

The October Legislative Update is terrific! It, along with John Dendahl's Journal op-ed, are the only thoughtful things I've heard about that election. Thank God someone is saying these things.

David
Albuquerque
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Rod,

Well, I have to say that was a nicely handled job of telling it like it is. I'm pretty disappointed with the way things have NOT progressed in the party organization. Have a good day.

C. Spencer
Tularosa
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Rod

I totally agree, I was at the state convention and knew we were in trouble when Senator Gorem threw that fit about having ' her' hand picked secretary. I appreciate your efforts and know that a lot of us in San Juan County do appreciate your hard work.

J. Jones
Farmington

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Re: "I'm still popular" Richardson...ha

Thanks for the update on the raid on the permanent fund. I just wanted you to know, my husband and I were at the Lobo/Aggie game week before last. At halftime King Richardson went on the field for some award or another (or just to show off) and I was SHOCKED. He got booed. Not just a few boos, but very little applause and a solid hum of boos all over the stadium. I thought it was very interesting and I had to chuckle. I'm sure he's been chewing on his index finger for days now.

G. Jones
Rio Rancho
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Rod

Great job with this write-up! I think what bothered me most about this election wasn't the fact that we failed to stop the raid, but the fact that we failed because of internal party maneuvering. Personally, I think if we're more concerned about who's getting ahead within the party than we are about pushing the issues that are best for New Mexico, we'll very quickly run into bigger problems that will only get worse as time goes on.

J. Foster
Roswell
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Thanks for the update, Rod. Didn't realize that Steve offered to do an ad against Amend. Two. What a waste!! By the way, what happened to Mike Turk? And who was the first ED . . . was that Mike Laurence?

You are right about knowledgeable/experienced people not being called on to help on this election issue and/or the vote count follow up. I know of at least a couple of people who went to Ramsay on the evening of Sept. 23 and offered their services for the canvassing. They were turned down, and told that Ramsay had it "under control." NOT!!! I also was told that throughout that evening, Ramsay ran around her house yelling that she needed a lawyer. Which begs the question: Why wasn't that arranged ahead of time???

Here's another important question. Isn't there a credible candidate who might be willing to run for Ramsay's senate seat, if/when she steps down? And I mean someone who is a REAL Republican, not a RINO.

[name withheld by request]
Corrales
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Rod,

Thanks for the info. I am still fuming. I sent the Republican party 5 e-mails and $50.00 to help run some "No" ads on TV or "somewhere", then I heard Senator Dominici on the radio and TV and almost fell off my chair! What the heck is going on? What are they thinking? I was glad Steve Pearce was in there giving it a push and wish they had taken him up on his offer. I'm writing back to the Party and telling them they really fell down on the job and "I want my money back'!!!!

You are also right "Pat Lyons is a Champion for New Mexico"! He should be Governor!!!!

J. McInerny
Roswell
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Rod,

This was indeed an enlightening read. I think your thoughts were brilliant, and brilliantly expressed. You gave me new insights on all theissues you discussed. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

Jeanie
Roswell

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Sir,

I live in Albuquerque's north valley (the lone conservative in a bastion of liberals). It makes for great conversation with the neighbors. I mention conversations because, it was a conversation I had with one of my neighbors that noted he had yet to see or hear any advertising against A2, paper or press. I agreed. At that time, two days before the election I had heard little from the effort to defeat A2 and received even less in the mail (nothing comes to mind). The kicker was we agreed A2 was bad for New Mexico.

I did receive a single mailing the day prior to the election. As opposed to the one, I received one daily from the pro A2 crowd.

Disgusted,
James M.
Albuquerque

P. S. Keep up the great work you do. I always appreciate the effort and the truth. Unfortunately, it is becoming a lost art in politics.

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Well said.

Brian S.
Roswell

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Rod,

Keep up the great work you're doing, Rod. I have more respect for you than any other legislator that I know. You're the only one that holds true to Republican ideals.
Matt K.
Albuquerque

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The Negative Responses: Missing the Point

Delete. By the way, I don't see any facts here. Just opinions. But I am curious why you were against money for schools

C. Nilsson
Albuquerque

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I just got your stupid e-mail at my other e-mail account. What a vile bitter person you have become. You didn't support Gorham for Chairman and you beat Judy Vanderstar Russell in the primary so you just can't resist any opportunity to attack your enemies. You're a loser and you just stand anyone else being successful.

You're nothing but a an insane egomaniac. The emphasis is on maniac. If you can't be positive about fellow Republicans just SHUT UP!

J. Russell
Rio Rancho
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No wonder you've picked up the name "Chemical Adair". Good God, Senator, let's concentrate on getting Bush reelected and stop "gassing our own."

[Editor's Note: This is a peculiarly ironic comment considering there is probably no Republican in the state who has launched more attacks, or attempted to recruit/support more opponents, against fellow Republicans, in the legislature as well as those who are not elected officials, than Mr. Godbey. Mr. Godbey has voted with the Trial Lawyers against tort reform, voted for the Raid on the Permanent Fund, and has supported a series of liberal, anti-Republican bills. Yet, Ihave never criticized him in print before. As for his name for me, I have never heard any reference to my being called by this nickname, although it is known that a state representative from Albuquerque uses it to describe himself.]

Godbey
East Mountain

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The tone of your email along the very important missing facts tell the true story of the circumstances of the Republican party in New Mexico. The vote was about EDUCATION NOT POLITICS! You lost that completely.

The absolute necessity of the two amendments is so apparent in your message. Education needs to be removed from the political football field.

Pete Dominici had the honest foresight to recognize that we need drastic help in education and not more political jousting about it. It is blatantly obvious you care only about the political posturing not about the welfare of the state or its children.

W. Hill
Albuquerque
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Rod,

Why is it that if Pearce was so staunch an opponent of CA-2, didn't he just do something rather than sit on the sidelines? Could he have swayed 122 people? Maybe? His choice to not strike out on his own would be a day late and dollar short lament. But that seems to be your only alternative. Point your poison pen in the Congressman's direction as well. A propencity to action would be appreciated here. Inaction is a decision. (Editor: I have no poison pen to point. Second, the firm chosen by the RNC to do the mail campaign sought and got Congressman Pearce's participation. But they did not expect him to pay for the postage. It is remarkably naive, and a mark of great unfamiliarity with politics to suggest that a member of Congress who has to raise nearly $2 million for his campaign to fund a referendum campaign. No one, not a single member of Congress does this. These are campaigns coordinated by parties.)

Further, I find it very disconcerting that your roll appears to have shifted to the "Party out of Power" roll. Oddly enough, you offer some constructive criticism, but little in the way of constructive. I am stunned by your statement that "no one stepped forward" to challenge the count. Melanie and I were there to perserve the record in Sandoval County should there be an opportunity. Mark Jarmie certainly offered assistance. Bill Davis spent time drilling the books. The fact that the canvassing board in Sandoval preserved 12 provisional ballots, independently sealed and numbered, means that such an opportunity could make a difference. (Editor: The ballot security effort is comprehensive. It includes poll watchers and challengers, appointed weeks ahead of time, as well as those who monitor ballot boxes and counting after the polls close. That there were some, who had not done this ever before, who graciously showed up and "drilled the books," whatever that may mean, is not denied. The fact is there was no one there to the legal work that is actually required in the event ballots need to be impounded or challenges need to be made. The difference is having people who have been through the process and know what to do. That did not happen. And there was no poll watching program at all, for the first time in many, many years.)

T. Hathorne
Rio Rancho

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Senator Adair appointed to Election Reform Commission
(reprinted from Republican Party of New Mexico Announcement)

Senator Asks All New Mexicans for their Input

Senator Rod Adair (R-Chaves & Eddy-33) has been appointed to serve on the task force that will recommend ways to improve New Mexicos elections process. Senator Adair is one of 22 people appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to serve on the task force to study election reform and present alternatives for the legislature to consider. The election task force will review election laws and procedures, and recommend changes that can be considered during the next legislative session in January. Governor Richardson stated at the news conference that he is asking the task force to focus on two areas: Ensuring accurate results in a timely manner and providing more efficient reporting of campaign finance information and improving public access to that information.

Senator Adair encourages every New Mexican to contact members of the task force with their voting experiences, both positive and negative. Senator Adair can be contacted at: radair@dfn.com.

Senator Adair agreed to serve on the commission after making it clear he would not sign an undated letter of resignation as a condition of appointment. The governor did not demand such a letter from Senator Adair.