Posted on 11/21/2006 7:16:35 PM PST by LdSentinal
The tattered and a bit muddy "Madrid for Congress" sign hung on the wall of Democratic Party headquarters as Patricia Madrid this morning conceded the 1st Congressional District race to U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson.
But that plastic banner could soon say "Madrid For Something Else."
During her concession speech, Madrid hinted she might run for governor or the U.S. Senate after leaving the Attorney General's Office she has run for eight years. Her term ends in December.
"Whatever I do, if I look at it, will very likely be a statewide race," she said.
"Certainly, I don't ever want to run for attorney general again, because I don't believe in going backwards in your life," Madrid said. "But there are only two statewide races that I think would be higher and that's, of course, governor and Senate."
Asked whether voters can expect to see her on a ticket in 2010 with Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Madrid replied: "I won't say in what order."
Madrid, whose supporters moaned when she conceded, also said she expects to be involved in the presidential race. She ran John Edwards' campaign in New Mexico and said she'd participate in 2008, should he run.
Madrid waited almost two weeks after Election Day to comment in public - and finally concede the race.
Results from Bernalillo County were finalized Monday, giving Wilson an 875 vote victory - or a margin of less than one-half of 1 percent.
Madrid said it sank in an hour before the news conference that she didn't have the money for a recount.
Her campaign estimated it would cost at least $300,000 for a recount.
Madrid also attributed her loss, in part, to being outspent.
"That buys a daily barrage of negative advertising to your mailbox, daily on the television. Go back and look at how much more television she had than I did, how much more mail-outs she did, how much more field operation is funded. It simply comes back to money."
Wilson through Oct. 18 spent $3.7 million to Madrid's $2.5 million on the race, according to campaign finance reports filed shortly before the election.
Through Oct. 18, political action committees gave Wilson $1.6 million and $540,000 to Madrid.
What could Madrid have done better?
"Started earlier, raised more money, not been so timid on my last debate," she said. "I think I did well in my first debate, but I don't think that was the defining moment."
Madrid has bemoaned the level of negative spending and the sour tone the campaign took.
While a recount is out, Democratic Party Chairman John Wertheim said the party may request a hand tally of 2 percent of the precincts in Bernalillo County to test the accuracy of the paper ballot system used for the first time this year.
He estimated that cost at between $30,000 and $50,000.
Madrid said she's looking forward to some time off and relaxing with her family.
"I think this has been the toughest race in the history of this state," she said. "I don't think there's any political person, not the governor, not (Sen. Pete) Domenici that have been through what I've been through."
At the news conference, she thanked the supporters who labored for her campaign - the closest a Democrat has come to unseating Wilson, who was elected in 1998.
"The hardest thing in politics is being able to thank so many people, the love, the people walking, calling, giving, I can't send that many Christmas cards."
OMG. It's all about her.
The big question is, will she seek a rematch? On one hand, her name I.D. helped make it very close, but at the same time, her lame-brained debate performance has given Wilson another election cycle of television ads.
To coin a phrase, the democratic female dog,lost.
Shrug.
If only Hillary had spent a little less money on her own campaign, a couple of million less, she could have helped this one win.
The Commies in the DemocRATic Party REALLY ganged up on Wilson. I'm glad to see that she was able to withstand the barrage. It was definitely ugly. Every leftwing kook group with a budget over fifty bucks took out radio and TV ads trashing Wilson. The 'RATS wanted this seat bad.
Of course, Ms. Wilson as a winner is no bargain.
She is of the RINO class that largely got turned out this last election cycle.
I decided a long time ago that I did not particularly care about the outcome of this race.
Pete's staffer told me she was surprised when he ran in 2002 (surprised, but pleased).
Will he run in 2008? If not, would the race not be a rematch of Heather Wilson vs. Patricia Madrid?
And would Madrid sweep the 3rd District with Santa Fe, Espanola and Taos?
To Patricia Madrid: No, it was not a question of spending nor of negative campaigning. It was the simple fact that your cheating was not adequate to offset your obvious combination of ignorance and arrogance.
"That buys a daily barrage of negative advertising to your mailbox, daily on the television. Go back and look at how much more television she had than I did, how much more mail-outs she did, how much more field operation is funded. It simply comes back to money."
Dims!?
Always crying poor mouth and decrying negative advertising.
But who is usually the first to grab a handful of mud?
I was working in Moriarty today and the powers that be, were whining about Madrid admitting defeat, they did however say that Wilson had been very good to them in the Estancia valley.........
Good post Phil!
Madrid has never been a card-carrying Friend-of-Bill, so I guess he locked up the vote machine and she had to concede that she lost the race that she actually lost. Nothing was stolen from her.
I expect she's stupid enough to either take on Denish in a gubernatorial primary fight in 2010 or take on Pete (or perhaps Wilson or Pearce) in the 2008 Senate race. Who knows? She's dumb enough to try both. Patsy seems determined to make herself a target for Republicans for several years.
NC-8: Hayes (R) vs. Kissell (D)
WA-8: Reichert (R) vs. Burner (D)
WY-AL: Cubin (R) vs. Trauner (D)
And, of course, there is also the TX-23 race, in which the Republican, Bonilla, garnered a large plurality of the vote--48 percent--but still must face a December runoff, as he failed to receive a majority.
Does anyone know who won the North Carolina, Washington, and Wyoming races, shown above? I would appreciate any update on these.
"Madrid also attributed her loss, in part, to being outspent.
"That buys a daily barrage of negative advertising to your mailbox, daily on the television. Go back and look at how much more television she had than I did, how much more mail-outs she did, how much more field operation is funded. It simply comes back to money."
Wilson through Oct. 18 spent $3.7 million to Madrid's $2.5 million on the race"
Well, at least I got something.
WA-8: Reichert (R) vs. Burner (D)-Reichert was declared the winner.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.