Gov. Peels $100 Off Cash Roll for Club (NM Richardson)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | January 12, 2006 | Polly Summar

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE— When Brian Moore, 20, came to see Gov. Bill Richardson on Wednesday, he was ready to make a pitch for $20,000 for his college world affairs club.

What Moore wasn't prepared for was the governor peeling off a $100 bill from a fat money roll and handing it to him.

Wearing a natty vest with Zia symbols on both sides, Richardson held a kind of fireside chat for ordinary folks at his office Wednesday. But instead of fireside, the governor sat at his massive Cabinet table, so large there's barely walking space around it.

Scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Roundhouse's fourth floor, folks wanting a chance at the governor's ear began showing up for the event well before 8 a.m.

But once in the Cabinet room, there was no competition for the governor's attention.

"Just put my name as honorary," Richardson said to Moore, grinning, "and make sure I get credit for that donation."

Moore and fellow University of New Mexico students Casey Nairn-Mahan and Kieran Gallagher-Gonzales had come to ask for help in sending 12 students with the UNM World Affairs Delegation to a March conference in Beijing.

"If you go in March," said Richardson, "it won't be raining."

With that advice and the C-note tucked in his pocket, Moore and his cohorts left the meeting in good spirits, even though they still needed $19,900.

[CedarDave]

Wonder if the $100 contribution by the Governor (no doubt with NM taxpayer or fat-cat donor money) could be considered payment for a future vote from Moore? Nah, no way.

BTW, compare Richardson's showing of his fat bankroll of $100's with the non-ostentatious conduct by our current president and his father.

[CedarDave]

Looks like he has to find a bathroom, quickly...

[Mr. K]

What were these idiots thinking? You can just go in and talk to the governor and he will appropriate $20,000 of taxpayer money for your pet project?

You have to be a rich campaign donor first! (don't they teach them anything about government at that school?)

[CedarDave]

BADDDD of me not to post the caption to the above photo:

Gov. Bill Richardson jokes with cast and crew of the television series "Wildfire," which is being filmed in New Mexico. Shown are actor Micah Alberti, left, actress Nicole Tubiola, director Bradford May, actress Nana Visitor, Richardson, actor Greg Serano and actor James Read.

[Semper Paratus]

governor peeling off a $100 bill from a fat money roll

So the Gov likes to have some 'walking around money".

[Eric in the Ozarks]

"Zia symbols" ?

[CedarDave]

[AppyPappy]

He needs that fat roll to buy lunch at Burger King.

[Thebaddog]

That roll tells a lot. And add to it a mini-scandal about him being "handy" with the LtGovernor. If he runs for higher office, it could be very entertaining.

[CedarDave]

Other organizations/persons who may have been asking for money during their audience with King Bill included the New Mexico Solar Energy Association, Festejos de Primavera [a spring festival in Santa Fe for children], and a lady who wanted a job and blames the governor for not having one:

Among the waiting group members, Brenda Lyle-Gray held No. 21. Lyle-Gray, who moved here with 30 years of teaching experience in five urban areas and couldn't get a job, said she also planned to give the governor a piece of her mind about that.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

gotcha.

[CedarDave]

That's one reason why I post here and use keywords for easy searching of information on his past escapades.

[Muleteam1]

The NM Zia symbol.

[Pessimist]

I'm picturing the "Godfadah".

[BigBobber]

His new nickname could be "Evita" Richardson.

[CedarDave]

"What were these idiots thinking?"

With that advice and the C-note tucked in his pocket, Moore and his cohorts left the meeting in good spirits, even though they still needed $19,900.

Following the meeting, probably spent it on lunch and other types of "spirits" at the "Pink Adobe" (an expensive SF restaurant).

[hattend]

Any link as to what you're talking about?

Thanks!

[Thebaddog]

It was last month, I think. I'll loof for it.

[Thebaddog]

http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/417233nm12-17-05.htm

I can't remember how to insert links, but the address above will take you to an article where the woman says that she tries not to sit next to Richardson because he is so touchy-feely. What do you think that the press would do to Tom Delay in a similar circumstance? And my alarm bell went off over this article as there seems to be more than meets the eye when someone is so handy, IMHO.

[hattend]

Gov. Bill Richardson likes to touch people. He hugs, pokes, jabs and tickles. If he sees a man with a bald pate, he rubs it. Looking to start a conversation, he might lean forward and head-butt someone— male or female.

Bored on an airplane flight? He'll lick his finger and smudge an aide's glasses.

Richardson says he's just joking and teasing to ease tension and boredom.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish says she finds the practice irritating. She said she tries to avoid sitting or standing next to the governor at public events.

She said the governor's personality is "one of charisma, joking, joshing," but also used some other words to describe his hands-on approach.

"I think it's irritating and annoying," Denish said in a recent interview.

"I try not to put myself in that situation, trying not to stand or sit next to him."

Others who work with the governor say it doesn't bother them

Gov. Bill Richardson put Christian Woodard in a headlock at De Vargas Middle School in Santa Fe in 2003.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish says this photo shows her giving the governor a disapproving look because he was pestering her during a groundbreaking ceremony.

______

Thanks for the link...Richardson is as smarmy as his former boss.