Gov.'s War Chest Has Wide Appeal (NM-Richardson)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | May 10, 2006 | Jeff Jones and Trip Jennings

[CedarDave]

Gov. Bill Richardson's re-election campaign has supporters from coast to coast, and many of them have hefty checkbooks, a Journal analysis found.

Nearly half of the $3.7 million in cash contributions Richardson has raised the past year came from donors listing addresses outside of New Mexico, a breakdown of his latest disclosure for the 2006 campaign shows.

But nearly three-quarters of all donors are from New Mexico, pointed out Richardson campaign manager Amanda Cooper. She said 72 percent of the contributors, or more than 2,000 donors, on Richardson's 300-plus-page report have New Mexico addresses.

"It's a strong show of support from every corner of the state," Cooper said.

The out-of-state donations ranged from large ones— including $75,000 from a San Francisco real estate firm, $20,000 from a Colorado dental hygienist and $1,000 from a New Jersey tobacconist— to small ones: Craig Daskalakis, a city worker from Santa Ana, Calif., logged in a $5 donation.

"I'm almost bankrupt, but I'm making some small contributions where I can," Daskalakis, a conservative Republican, said in a telephone interview. He said he sent the check to the Richardson campaign because of the governor's decision to declare a state of emergency along the Mexico/New Mexico border.

On the other end of the contributors list, Jim Foster, who runs the real estate division of San Francisco-based RS Property Fund, said his firm gave Richardson a $75,000 check— one of Richardson's largest— to show its support for the governor's policies. "We're very supportive of him and his business outlook," Foster said Tuesday.

Richardson's rate of out-state money is high compared with other gubernatorial candidates around the country, according to the nonpartisan Institute on Money in State Politics. But, Cooper said, no matter where the contribution [is from...], Richardson makes his decisions based on what's best for the state.

[CedarDave]

The ABQ Journal is once again free though you have to watch a 30-second ad before gaining access to the story.

[martin_fierro]

I really don't understand this dunderhead's appeal.

[CedarDave]

"I'm almost bankrupt, but I'm making some small contributions where I can," Daskalakis, a conservative Republican, said in a telephone interview. He said he sent the check to the Richardson campaign because of the governor's decision to declare a state of emergency along the Mexico/New Mexico border.

This is what Republican's face this year. Richardson, like all Dims, is mostly talk and little action on this issue, especially when he supports giving drivers licenses and in-state tuition to illegals and prohibits state agencies (from welfare to state police) from asking about immigration status. But unlike the President who says and does little about securing the borders, Richardson has created a perception, however incorrect, about doing something about the problem. The President must get out and speak day after day on the importance of border security, but he won't do it because of his relationship with Mexico's Fox. So those scheming Rats see an opportunity and fill the void, but who can blame them when the Republicans (except for a few) refuse to take a stand on the issue.

[CedarDave]

He's portrayed as a populist who is not a big spender and believes in fiscal restraint. This carefully cultivated persona, spread by the drive by media, is totally untrue as those of us here in NM well know with ever expanding state budgets fueled by record O&G revenues.

[gundog]

Veep, Veep.

[hdstmf]

My memory may be a little fuzzy, but I think Richardson just had to have a fancy new executive jet a few years ago.
Taxpayers of NM paid for his whim.

Those of you with longer memories will remember his part in making a job for Monica at the UN.

Richardson is a slimy political hack with national ambitions.