I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Ending corruption in New Mexico is one of Susana Martinez’s common themes in her run for governor.
The GOP’s nominee has made the most of the recent scandals in New Mexico, which have almost exclusively involved high-profile Democrats.
“Corruption” and “fraud” pop up routinely in her TV and radio ads. And occasionally her campaign juxtaposes one or both terms with the phrase “Richardson-Denish administration,” an artful conflation that potentially leaves voters with the impression that Martinez’s opponent, Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, has been involved, or at least helped create an atmosphere leading to abuse and corruption.
For example, this sentence — “The failed policies of the Richardson/Denish Administration have moved our state backward with waste, fraud and abuse running rampant in state government” — from a July 14 Martinez campaign news release.
But is linking Denish to the scandals that have rocked New Mexico Democrats, and Gov. Bill Richardson‘s administration, a fair reflection of the facts?
Two political science professors say no. But planting seeds of doubt about an opponent is a longstanding tradition of political gamesmanship during elections, when campaigns fight over who controls the election-year narrative.
And this year’s contest might as well be corruption vs. job creation, they said.
Denish wants to claim leadership–but distance herself from Richardson
Denish’s seven-and-a-half years as lieutenant governor are a tradeoff, said Gabriel Sanchez, a University of New Mexico political science professor.
“Denish is benefiting from being able to say that she helped run the state when he (Richardson) ran for president; she’s got that state-level experience,” Sanchez told The Independent. “The downside is when Richardson’s approval ratings drop she’s linked to him.”
And voters, already upset about the economy, are asking tough questions.
“If you’re Susana Martinez, a law and order candidate, it makes perfect sense” to say you’re going to end corruption at the same time you try to link Denish to the scandals, said Lonna Atkeson, another UNM political science professor. “It’s … a good choice to take.”
But it doesn’t necessarily reflect the facts, Atkeson added.
“If you threw away the position, the lieutenant governor position, you’d see no change in state government,” Atkeson said. “The lieutenant governor doesn’t play a prominent role.”
Denish, for her part, already has spent a couple of years trying to distance herself from Richardson and his administration on the corruption issue, Sanchez said, adding that Martinez’s critiques “aren’t fair in that context.”
Sanchez acknowledged, however, that the Martinez campaign’s decision to hammer away on the corruption issue has been effective.
“You’re already seeing it shape the campaign a bit,” Sanchez said. “And it’s going to be ramped up as we get closer to the general election.”
Economy trumps general allegations of corruption in voters’ minds
Atkeson wondered how much traction the issue would gain with voters as the election moves into the fall. Voters typically respond to specific allegations of corruption more than general pronouncements, she said.
“The economy is so much more important than unsubstantiated claims of corruption. I think you need something more specific,” Atkeson said.
Neither Richardson nor anyone in his inner circle has been indicted, Atkeson said.
One federal criminal investigation into Richardson’s administration wrapped up last year – but not before costing Richardson a place in President Obama’s cabinet and a letter from the then-U.S. attorney telling those under investigation that no criminal charges should not be interpreted as an exoneration for anyone involved. Another federal criminal probe into the Richardson administration’s state investment practices is ongoing.
“Investigations go on all the time,” Atkeson said. “That being said, obviously we have problems in this state.”
Indeed. Two former state treasurers, a former state senate president and a deputy state insurance superintendent all have gone to federal prison for corruption.
Meanwhile, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King’s office has indicted several current and former Democratic state officials, including current Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr., former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil Giron, and Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos.
Stronger anti-corruption laws needed
“The problem with New Mexico … we have really weak corruption laws,” Atkeson said. “If we want to change the debate we need to change the laws.”
But in the governor’s race, Martinez’s constant drumbeat of corruption, combined with talking about Denish’s time in Santa Fe raises doubt, Atkeson said. “If you can raise doubt, that’s a good thing” for a political campaign, she said.
Denish’s campaign, meanwhile, probably “wants to change the agenda. They want to talk about jobs, the economy, more than the corruption,” she said.
“If I were them I’d have a bigger campaign on better laws — greater ethics, better laws about campaign finance” to appeal to voters’ discontent and frustration with all the scandals, Atkeson said.
