Senator Blasts Governor's 'Bullying'(NM, Bill Richardson)

The Santa Fe New Mexican ^ | February 6, 2004 | STEVE TERRELL AND BEN NEARY

[CedarDave]

In an emotional speech on the Senate floor Thursday, a Democratic lawmaker accused Gov. Bill Richardson of abusive behavior and bullying tactics at a profanity-laced meeting where the senator's wife was present.

"I am going to tell you that if this governor were in a family situation, he would be arrested for domestic violence," said Sen. Tim Jennings of Roswell.

"I am going to tell you that if this body and this Legislature doesn't stand up on its feet and defend this institution, this governor is going to take us straight to hell," the seven-term senator said.

While some legislators have made vague statements about alleged "strong-arm" tactics and "bullying" on Richardson's part, Jennings is the first to call attention publicly to a specific instance.

Jennings' speech marks the second day in the session in which a prominent Democratic legislator has criticized the Democratic governor. On Wednesday, House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, accused Richardson of taking "cheap shots" at lawmakers.

Jennings was referring to meetings the governor held in his office Thursday. One was with lobbyists from pharmaceutical companies and the other involved representatives of nursing-home companies. Jennings said Richardson allegedly threatened those attending that he would retaliate against them on the Medicaid bill if they didn't support him on a drug bill he wants.

Patty Jennings, the senator's wife, who is the executive director of the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool, was at the pharmaceutical meeting. She said Richardson came into the room and, without any pleasantries or handshaking, "he sat us down and said, 'So you guys are trying to screw me.'"

Ironically, both Patty Jennings and Richardson support Senate Bill 536, which raises licensing fees for wholesale-drug distributors from $300 to $5,000. That would raise $7 million, which would be used to set up a drug program for senior citizens, she said.

"I don't care if I'm on his side," she said. "People deserve respect. Nobody deserves to be treated that way." "I knew (the pharmaceutical industry) was not going to give their support," she said. "I can deal with that."

"He was basically blackmailing my colleagues," Patty Jennings said. Richardson, she said, told the group, "If you screw me, I will screw (the pharmaceutical industry) and yank drugs from Medicaid."

Patty Jennings said the governor sprinkled the "F-word" liberally at the meeting. "I've been here since Toney Anaya was governor, and I've never seen anything like this," she said.

By voicing his concerns, [Jennings] said, he realized he had probably "kissed off" every bit of capital-outlay money for his district. Nonetheless, he said, his honor and duty as a senator required him to speak. Patty Jennings said she wouldn't be surprised if she were removed from her position at the Insurance Pool for speaking out.

In an interview after his floor speech, Tim Jennings said people must be free to speak their minds in the Legislature. He said he refuses to stand by while Richardson threatens people for speaking their minds and pursuing what they believe is right.

Sen. Rod Adair, R-Roswell, spoke in support of Tim Jennings. "I would just like to take a moment to say how much I appreciate the courage shown by my colleague from Chaves County," Adair said. Adair said he wants people to reflect on the Senate's role as an institution. Too often in recent issues, he said, the votes have broken down strictly along party lines.

[CedarDave]

This was a rather long article and I have excerpted it. A reader forum follows the article and some of those persons understand how much of a Napoleonic dictator this man is. I encourage folks to read the forum to see what both Anglos and Hispanics think of his behavior. God help us if he runs for President -- he has a temper like Hillary when he is crossed.

[CedarDave]

From the SF New Mexican forum:

Posted: Friday, February 06, 2004 by: P Sanchez

Richardson is not biased against anglos, he's biased against anyone who isn't working to promote his own self worth. He's not working for NM, he's working to make himself look and feel important. Do we need a Govenor who spends more time on CNN than he does working for the people of NM?

Posted: Friday, February 06, 2004 by: Elena Forbusher

The attempt by individuals who blindly support the gov to try to put a positive spin on this is shocking and transparent. The senator's wife raised the issue despite the fact that she was in agreement with BR on the bill. She hardly represents these "special interests". Senator and Mrs. Jennings should be commended for taking a stand at the risk of certain political retaliation.

[VadeRetro]

There may be a former Clintonista or two with integrity, somewhere. But it can't be a shock when you find one with none.

[cmsgop]

Sounds like Bill has a little "Tony Montana" in him,Say Hello To My Little Friend"

[Russ]

He probably won't run for president but he sure could get a look from Kerry to be his running mate.

[LenS]

Richardson needs to tread carefully. He's one of the few Democratic governors who are potential Presidential candidates in 2008. Which means that he's a threat to Senator Hillary. Both he and Ed Rendell will need to improve their personal behavior or they'll find the DNC ratting them out to the mainstream media. Just ask Howard Dean how that works.

[JohnnyZ]

Perfect timing! Just when Richardson is under consideration for the VP nod. I love it!

[RAY]

A dark side of Richardson seems to have appeared.

[NRA2BFree]

He is a pathetic waste of human flesh.

[CedarDave]

Thought this was important enough to alert FR readers in other areas of the country so put it on the Front Page for all to see.

[Pubbie]

Is there any GOPer in NM that could defeat this guy in 2006?

I don't think there is - NM is becoming a solidly Democratic state.

[kabar]

No way Richardson is Presidential material. He wants to be VP and could be the choice of Kerry, who may wish to appeal to the hispanic vote in the Southwest. Kerry would like to take Arizona, which is trending more and more Democrat.

[CommandoFrank]

What do you expect... He's a Clintonista.

[breakem]

some people in Santa Fe have some growing up to do. Ooooh, the governor bullyied us.

[kittymyrib]

Never forget that he was in charge of getting that Revlon job for Monica to keep her mouth shut (pun intended:).

[Pubbie]

"No way Richardson is Presidential material."

Your damn right.

First of all, Hillary won't let him run in 2008.

Secondly, Richardson has Sex skeletons in his closet.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Great post.....subject to wide dissemination in NM.

[Viking2002]

I'd risk the jail time to rearrange that fat, ugly, blubbering bully's face in front of my wife. His 'temper' would be tempered by the pile of people parts I left in his lap.

[Sunshine Sister]

Thank you for the heads up!

[Chu Gary]

"Kerry would like to take Arizona, which is trending more and more Democrat."

AZ's move toward the Dim's is predictable. The Dim's raise taxes and the general cost of living in Kali sky high, then leave because they don't like what they created. Then they move to Oregon, Washington, NM, AZ and Colorado and do the same damn thing!