Republicans accused of buying votes for their ward convention

Republicans accused of buying votes for their ward convention:

We in the Democratic Party may take our time to count votes carefully during our caucus so that the count is correct and every vote counts but at least we don’t feel the need to pay people by the hour to show up and vote for our candidates. Former republican Governor David (Dave) Cargo is calling it a “poll tax.” The questions is did Congressmen Steve Pearce or Congresswoman Heather Wilson pay people to show up and cast votes for them during the ward convention on February 17. Did candidates and members of the Republican Party final go too far with their fee system? It should be noted that buying votes is illegal in this state. Former republican Governor David Cargo said that he had counted between 50 to 59 people that may have been paid by the hour to cast their votes during the republican ward convention. During Eye on New Mexico former republican Governor Dave Cargo was accused of being too friendly with Senator Hillary Clinton. I have to give it to the Republican Party; they just can’t take credit for their own screw ups no matter who it includes. Before long they will be accusing Congressmen Steve Pearce and Congresswoman Heather Wilson of being seen talking with democrats in public during the process of doing their jobs as US House Representatives like somehow that is a crime in the Republican Party. Just how that affects any republican’s views on their own party’s corruption is still not clear. Maybe the Republican Party here in New Mexico fears that spending time with democrats somehow influences republican candidates and party members a little too much toward open honest government.

Republicans becoming democrats:

I can see why in the near future people would want to leave the Republican Party in droves and to change their registration from republican to democrat with all that has been going on in the last few years in the Republican Party. Our party will be more than happy to welcome with open arms any voter that wants to move to our party if they feel more comfortable as a democrat. We don’t charge people to vote in our ward conventions because we want everyone represented no matter what their income level. I would ask new democrats to examine carefully the values that the Democratic Party holds as core morals. We believe in caring for the poor (which does not include buying their votes) , protecting our children and their rights to a public education, supporting strong successful families (no matter what the make up is for them), being good stewards to the environment, honesty in local, state and federal government, public funding for candidates, affordable healthcare for all Americans, encouraging affordable home ownership for all Americans, civil libraries for all Americans, respect for the rule of law, civil right for all Americans and peaceful diplomatic resolution to conflicts both nationally and internationally,

When it comes to candidates that change over we are not inclined to trust them blindly as any party would agree is prudent but we are in favor of considering them on a case by case bases when they want to run for democratic seats. I know one new democratic candidate that clearly holds our core morals dear to his hart and I feel comfortable supporting him for a democratic seat. At the same time I also know one candidate that changed over two years ago and I am not comfortable with him because of the reasons he gives for making the change in his registration. I get the feeling that he dislikes the Republican Party more then he dislikes the Democratic Party. I am not sure at all after a speech he gave yesterday at the Democratic Women of Bernalillo County Forum if he likes us even a little bit. He appears to be proud that he does not conform to the views that we hold most dear in our party. While it may not be wise for a long time democratic candidate to point out that a candidate he is running against is newly changed over from the Republican Party, I feel that the candidates themselves should feel the need to express just why they wanted to be democrats in the first place and why they want to hold democratic seats that are also being sought by long-time democratic candidates. We in the party should choose our candidate because of the views they hold on our values and issues that matter to us and not which party they supported in the past. The nice thing about being a democrat is that our candidates can make mistakes in life and learn for them as long as they are willing to stand up and admit that they made a mistake in the first place. Democrats appear to have a greater capacity for being able to forgive candidates for being human beings. Democrats are more than capable of understand that every once in a while a candidate can chose the wrong words or support the wrong side of an issue.

The Democratic Women of Bernalillo Country First Congressional District Forum:

Starting yesterday at three o’clock in the UNM Law Library the Democratic Women of Bernalillo County had their congressional forum in room 2406. Once more the room was packed to overflow with every seat taken. Four of the five candidates showed up for the forum. Each candidate was given two minutes to answer questions that were submitted by the voting public. Attorney General Gary King was the moderator for the event. The issues covered were: healthcare, the war, water issues, No Child Left Behind Act, and a flash round on issues like women’s right to choose and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act bill. In my opinion Martin Heinrich was the clear winner in this forum. He had the most complete and compelling answers. He also was able to clearly state his position on all of the issues. Michelle Grisham came in second with a good showing. Rebecca Vigil-Giron and Robert L. Pidcock both showed that they still needed more work on issues that matter to the voting public.

After the forum:

Other candidates running for either reelection or election was given one minute to speak to those that stayed. The first two to speak were Judge Carl J. Butkus and Judge Clay P. Campbell on the retention elections for standing judges. Judge Butkus a judge in the criminal division of the district court was very well spoken when it came to describing the retention process and who was running for reelection. I am looking forward to receiving a statement for these judges in the near future. There are 20 of them and they are preparing a statement for this blog. Jason Mark was the last candidate to speak. He is running for reelection for the public regulation commission. I know these forums can run a little long but voters should try to stay so they can hear a little from our judges and our local candidates. They are a very well spoken and an interesting group of candidates and it is time well spent to stay and listen to them speak.