Police tried to pull over governor’s speeding SUV (NM Governor Richardson)

kobtv.com ^ | 6/21/05 | Associated Press

[NRA2BFree]

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Famous for zipping around New Mexico’s open roadways at high speeds, Governor Richardson was at it again this month.

Albuquerque police spokesman John Walsh says an officer spotted a sport utility vehicle speeding southbound on Interstate 25 the morning of June 2nd. In an audio tape, the officer is heard describing the vehicle and trying to signal it to pull over.

The vehicle exited the interstate and stopped at a traffic light. That’s when the officer approached it and determined it was the governor.

The state Department of Public Safety says it was a simple misunderstanding.

The police cruiser was unmarked and the officer was in plain clothes, meaning the state police officer who was driving the governor didn’t know whether the cruiser was a real police unit.

State police now have a direct line to communicate with Albuquerque dispatchers.

[NRA2BFree]

This is the man who would be President. Even though there was supposedly a State Police officer driving, Richardson has been known to speed around. He is above the law, doncha know!!

Does it sound like I don't like him? LOL!

[martin_fierro]

Deja Vu.

[handy old one]

If he acts this was just being the Governor how bad would he act as President?? Could we survive this man?

[DoughtyOne]

That officer should be sent back to the jail detail, and the governor given a new one, with the proviseo that the next tick will be the governor's. He is in charge. He must abide by the law and his employees or subordinate/aides must as well.

[Dog Gone]

The state Department of Public Safety says it was a simple misunderstanding.

In other words, the governor IS above the law, or at least his vehicle is.

[nhoward14]

"America's Most Wanted" must be having a tough time in the ratings.

"Albuquerque police spokesman John Walsh"

[Zacs Mom]

"The police cruiser was unmarked and the officer was in plain clothes, meaning the state police officer who was driving the governor didn’t know whether the cruiser was a real police unit."

So? That may excuse the evasion/failure to stop aspect of this event, but it doesn't change the fact that he was speeding.

Did he get a ticket for speeding or not?

(/sarcasm)

[thoughtomator]

If the governor routinely ignores the speed limit, why should any of the rest of us obey it?

[DesertDreamer]

Gov. Richardson doesn't mind being late in the least. I attend at least one function a month that starts late because we're waiting on Big Bill.

There was no need for this incident to ever occur. A little communication between the State Police and local law enforcement would have gone a long way here.

The followup cover stories about the APD unmarked car prompting the State Police officer to revert to evasive manuevers is just more evidence of Richardson's grossly inflated ego. His freelance diplomatic activities with North Korea make it more likely for him to be tailed by the CIA or FBI than attacked by terrorists.

[Baynative]

If US Senators can murder people...

[AzaleaCity5691]

In many states, members of the legislature are granted misdemeanor immunity while the legislature is in session.

[kublia khan]

This is SOP in every state that I am aware of. In Vermont a Rutland police officer was called on the carpet for blue lighting the governors limo which was traveling at 80 plus miles per hour thru the city on route 7. I know we have a low opinion of Richardson but this is a dead issue.

[Dog Gone]

That's a throwback to the time when it was fun to arrest lawmakers on their way to the legislature in order to affect votes.

I think we've moved beyond those days.

[narby]

Democrats don't have to obey the law.

[kublia khan]

The govenor at the time was Kunin it occured in 1985.

[Moose Dung]

“They had flashing lights and a siren , but that doesn’t cut it,” Olson told The New Mexican.

Next time an unmarked police car tries to pull me over, I can just ignore him and quote the Governor's office in my defense!

dung.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Something which has never been fully explored, at least not to my satisfaction, was Richardson's role in offering a position to Monica Lewinski when he was UN Ambassador. There was an attempt by Bill Clinton to shuffle her off to NYC, outside the 100 mile subpoena range of a DC grand jury, but Monica balked at the paltry $90,000/year salary. Richardson held a staff position open for her and went to Lewinski's mother's apartment at the Watergate complex to meet Monica and interview her for the job (on a Saturday). When Richardson was undergoing conformation for Secretary of Energy -  then Sen. Frank Murkowski made some noise about wanting to ask Richardson under oath about the Lewinski matter - but in the end I recall no questions on that topic. Very disappointing - but I'm sure whatever it was - it made Alaska happy.

[NRA2BFree]

If he acts this was just being the Governor how bad would he act as President?? Could we survive this man?

NO! Absolutely not. I have seen this man in action. I can tell you who he reminds me of. Venezuela's Dictator, Hugo Chavez.

[politicalwit]

"Democrats don't have to obey the law."

I think that applies to all politicians and LEOs.

[Doe Eyes]

In other words, the governor IS above the law, or at least his vehicle is.

Can you imagine the uproar from the Libs if the President's Limo were speeding back to the White House?

I mean, it doesn't matter who you are, obey the law!

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

"why should any of the rest of us obey it?"

I don't

[NRA2BFree]

If the governor routinely ignores the speed limit, why should any of the rest of us obey it?

I agree; however, he recently had speed limits doubled in some areas of the state.

[LPM1888]

This is the man who would be President. Even though there was supposedly a State Police officer driving, Richardson has been known to speed around. He is above the law, doncha know!!

In my 50+ years of experience, New Mexico's Governors have all been speeders. Almost every term there is an article about the Governor speeding. In New Mexico speed, out on the open highways, is a way of life. It always has been and always will be.

To a New Mexican this story is humorous because the Governor was stopped for speeding.

[chainsaw]

If he acts this way just being the Governor, how bad would he act as President??

He would probably7 hold up air traffic at the airport while he got his hair cut.

[Ramonan]

The state Department of Public Safety says it was a simple misunderstanding. NOPE. Just a Liberal in character, exhibiting the two Liberal Hallmarks: Hypocrisy and living in fantasy.

[henderson field]

Anyone who drives an unmarked police cruiser is a communist.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Our sheriff got all busted up in a head on collision last night. It seems he was driving with an unbuckled seat belt.
I am still waiting for the ultimate spin on this one.
Do as I say, don't sweat what I do! Yeah, sure!
I wish him well, and all that, but all of a sudden he is back to putting on his britches one leg at a time, just like the average Redneck.
Some folks just seem to be more equal than others, what can I say?

[Pardon Me]

This is the same pattern that former Rep.Bill Janklow used to follow until he killed a man on a motorcycle when he sped through a stop sign. When he was Gov.of SD he was infamous for his speeding. I'm sure he learned his lesson though, during the FEW weeks he spent in jail. Now the taxpayers of SD get to pick up the tab for his legal expenses because he claimed he was on state business at the time of the accident.

[chief_bigfoot]

hell Richardson ain't got nuthin' on PA Gov 'Fast Eddie' Rendell...

"The Pennsylvania State Police have concluded their internal investigation into Gov. Rendell's speeding limousine, but no action will be taken against anyone, sources have told the Daily News.

The investigation confirmed that troopers had clocked his limo, which is driven by state troopers, traveling in excess of 100 mph numerous times between November 2003 and March of this year, sources said.

Because no one was listed as a subject of the probe, no one was or will be disciplined, sources said."

Excerpted from >http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/special_packages/phillycom_front_dn/9488145.htm

[dk/coro]

This fat slob is one of the most dis-organized public officials on the planet. Never on time, and abusive of the law -- across the board!

New Mexico -- and the Democrat Party -- deserve him!

[DesertDreamer]

He would probably7 hold up air traffic at the airport while he got his hair cut.

We could only hope. If anyone ever needed a new 'do' it's Richardson. Local talk radio was referring to his Fred Flintstone coif just today.

[Itzlzha]

The police cruiser was unmarked and the officer was in plain clothes, meaning the state police officer who was driving the governor didn’t know whether the cruiser was a real police unit.

"BZZZT! WRONG! Try again DUMBA$$!"

Since this excuse does NOT work for any AVERAGE citizen (a.k.a. SERF!) it doesn't work HERE!

If he had a Statie driving, the Statie could have PICKED UP HIS RADIO and confirmed the cruiser!

But of course, anyone tuning in to police band would have HEARD the verbal "wave off"...and THAT couldn't be hushed!

Sorry, ticket that Statie for reckless endangerment, Failure to Yield, Speeding, Driving to Endanger, and CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE, since as a Cop...he KNOWS the Law!

I want Gov. Richardson's Insurance to take a lovely hit too...just like and ordinary Serf...er citizen!

[Waco]

It was a forking democRAT,,moveon,,,,,fergit it,,,,fo de chillins,,,,,STFU

[RoseofTexas]

An SUV you say?!! Well, well and breaking the law to boot! Where are the environmental wackos when you need them....sarcasm! I hear this is the second time he has been ticketed!

[blackie]

Typical dumb democrat move; defying the law!

Hang 'em High!