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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lorne who wrote (63734)	4/26/2009 9:21:05 PM
From: Hope Praytochange	2 Recommendations Respond to of 224729

GOP Seeks New Mexico Comeback Republicans Play Up Danger of One-Party Control, Hitting on National Theme By STEPHANIE SIMON Republicans in New Mexico are maneuvering for a political comeback in a campaign that previews the themes the national GOP is likely to hit hard in 2010. The mantra: checks and balances. Democrats control both houses of the New Mexico legislature, the governorship, all statewide offices and all the state's congressional seats. But the party has been roiled by scandal in recent years, with a steady drumbeat of corruption investigations, indictments and convictions. Now Republicans are pointing to the scandals to bolster their argument that it is dangerous for one party to control all the levers of power. That is the same line the national GOP is taking as it girds for midterm elections next year with the Democratic Party in control of the White House and Congress. "We're trying to sell the notion to the public that a real two-party system will reduce corruption and allow better oversight," said Harvey E. Yates, Jr., the new chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party. Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, dismissed that argument through his deputy chief of staff, Gilbert Gallegos. "New Mexicans want progress, not a new brand," Mr. Gallegos said. But veteran political analysts said the GOP could well gain traction, and signs of voter unrest already are beginning to emerge. Two and a half years ago, Mr. Richardson was re-elected with 68% of the vote, a margin unprecedented in state history. As he entered his second term, his approval rating soared above 70%. That has dropped sharply, according to recent polls by SurveyUSA and New Mexico State University. Both put his approval rating at just over 40%. A federal grand jury is investigating Mr. Richardson's administration for allegedly steering contracts to a financial-services firm in exchange for donations to the governor's political committees. One of Mr. Richardson's top aides is named in a separate, private lawsuit alleging that political considerations influenced state investments. The state has also come under scrutiny for investments made through the private-equity firm Quadrangle Group, founded by Steven Rattner, a major Democratic fund-raiser. All parties under investigation or named in lawsuits have said they did nothing wrong. Mr. Richardson's spokesman said he would have no further comment on the pay-to-play allegations. "You can't pick up a paper these days without hearing of some more Democratic corruption in the state," said Gabriel Sanchez, a political-science professor at the University of New Mexico. Allegations have included conspiracy, fraud, embezzlement, and evidence tampering. New Mexico lawmakers enacted several ethics reforms this year, including imposing the state's first-ever limits on campaign contributions. But the legislature backed away from other proposals, such as establishing an independent ethics commission with subpoena power. About half of registered voters in New Mexico are Democrats, while just a third are registered Republicans. But the Democratic share has dropped steadily over the past few decades as independents have gained strength, said Brian Sanderoff, president of a large independent polling firm in the state. Republicans have succeeded in the state before. Pete V. Domenici, a Republican, represented New Mexico in the U.S. Senate for 36 years before retiring last year. Before Mr. Richardson took over in Santa Fe, Republican Gary Johnson served two terms as governor. And New Mexico was a too-close-to-call presidential battleground in both 2000 and 2004. "If Republicans get their act together and focus on all these allegations" against Democrats, they could gain ground in "a voter backlash" against the ruling party, Mr. Sanderoff said. Some Republican lawmakers are less sure they can break Democrats' hold, even if they talk scandal day and night. "I'm not considering that a major arrow in our quiver," said state Rep. Tom Taylor, a Republican. The party's prospects may depend in part on whether actor Val Kilmer decides to run for governor. Mr. Kilmer, a longtime resident of New Mexico, is pondering a run in the Democratic primary, where he would face a well-funded and experienced opponent, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. Write to Stephanie Simon at stephanie.simon@wsj.com