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Lets see two Democrat public funded candidates each giving exactly the same amount in the form of a public funded donation to the Democrat Party, makes one wonder if this isn’t a tax on candidates bye the NM Democrat Party for pushing through public funding of candidates.
Its not just a voter list they are paying for. It is a complex online program that allows you to pull out targeted voters, create walk and calling lists, and input back your information for get-out-the-vote efforts. It is a great system but costs a lot of money to maintain. $400 is actually a steal when you compare it to what it would cost in other states.
If this is all the Republican party has, it doesnt surprise me. Bringing in another incompetent Executive Director apparently hasn't helped them at all. The R's are still a pathetic rag-tag group of inexperienced, unorganized half-wits.
And also to respond to Rory, if the democratic leadership was so pro-public financing then it would have been passed in the legislature months ago. Not having public financing just helps those already in power.
And if you don't like then don’t vote for them, but you will be on the losing end of that battle as at least 65%+ of Albuquerque residents support public financing of campaigns.
Plus, it’s not like these people just walked into the clerk’s office and received a check. They had to show ACTUAL support in their communities, they had to not only get signatures but small donations from all of those signatures. The people in the candidate’s communities knew exactly what they were supporting when they signed the petitions and donated money.
Why the anger.
In this community, there are very cool republicans and very cool democrats. They engage in civil discourse to try and solve the communities problems and create opportunities to make this a better place to live, work and raise children.
That is what is going on in these political races, nothing more, nothing less
So I ask again, why the anger
paulette and starbucks? now you are really being picky...find real issues to pick on her about
Okay real issues:
She is bankrupt. She is using TaxPayer money to fund her consulting company. She is using TaxPayer money in a non-partisan election to give to a political party. She is being lead around like a lazy dog by the folks in the Chavez administration, is that what we want in our city councilor, NO. Lastly, she is using TaxPayer money to buy Starbucks, what does that have to do with her campaign?
Just look at our state land commissioner and then you'll realize why Republicans oppose taxpayers paying for the campaigns. They would rather be held accountable to their business donors.
Mario, the questions surrounding the “public service” announcement by the mayor of Albuquerque are well worth pursuing. The use of a public office for political purposes-something strictly forbidden by law-is no small matter. But, tying this issue to public financing of campaigns leaves me more than a bit puzzled.
From District 9 in the Northeast Heights to District 2 in the North Valley, from District 3 downtown to District 8 in the Four Hills area, Democrats and Republicans approved the Albuquerque public financing system at a rate of almost 70%. The new law is becoming more popular as the 2007 campaign season moves forward. What’s more, despite the insinuations in both the post and the press release, candidate spending is bound by a set of specific laws and rules/regulations.
Public financing is not the problem. It’s the solution.
The people of Albuquerque (both Democrats and Republicans) and more than half of the candidates in the 2007 Albuquerque City Council races understand that this system is good for our city. I can only wonder when the few remaining holdouts will come to the same conclusion.
I only see one problem with this wonderful system of "let's split the pie among us well qualified insiders".......IT'S NOT YOUR STINKING MONEY!!!!!! Yeah I know that I'm uninformed and just can't see the big wonderful benefits of giving $30K of hard working citizens cash to some "insider" so they get in office to find even better ways to spend sucker Bill and Jose's earned money.
mario, can you prove that paulette enjoyed that nice beverage at starbucks?
Roger Thomas on Paulette de’Despascal
You said: she is bankrupt.
RMACKAY and PFP: the bankruptcy is a personal issue...nothing to do with her abilities or inabilities to be a good city councilor. The reasons for the bankruptcy were directly correlated to her nasty divorce. She is not rich. She is like us, an everyday person struggling to make ends meet. Not only is she trying to survive, she is trying to better the lives of other people by running for a position where she will not become rich. She is doing it solely out desire to make a positive difference. Yes, she may be financially bankrupt; but she is not spiritually, morally or emotionally disabled. She is a fresh face without dirty ties and political connections. She will make the changes and make the district a better place for all. Let’s vote out the old guard and put in new people…we will not know if we do not allow the changes to take place.
You said: She is using Taxpayer money to fund her consulting company.
RMACKAY and PFP: What consulting company? She is not doing anything illegal or unethical...can you provide hardcore facts that the funds are being misappropriated? Paulette adheres to the guidelines on what she can spend the publicly funded money on. She is using the money to fund her campaign. She does not have a consulting company. Again, Paulette is using all the resources available to her and she is not violating the rules.
You said: She is using Taxpayer money in a non-partisan election to give to a political party.
RMACKAY and PFP: she did not give or donate to a political party. Read the various blogs on why she paid money to a political party. It is commonplace to acquire the voter’s registration list. She was charged $400 for the list…she did not donate any monies to a political party.
Roger Thomas on Paulette de’Despascal
You said: She is being lead around like a lazy dog by the folks in the Chavez administration, is that what we want in our city councilor,
RMACKAY and PFP: if she was being lead around like a lazy dog, there would not have been that nasty email from First Mate Richardson demanding that Paulette acquiesce the control and reins of the campaign to Captain Payne. It appears that First Mate Richardson made attempts to control Paulette and to run the campaign or shall I say 'consult' Paulette; but, to no avail. Apparently, and gleaning from the Richardson’s email, Paulette rejected her advice and help; hence, the nasty email from the First Mate (and we doubt she was ever in control). Paulette does not have a Chavez supporter as a puppet master and she is not a puppet.
BTW, we all have our shortcomings, but Paulette is not a lazy dog. She is a dedicated hard worker and is persevering against the odds. She may be the underdog with limited funds but we believe she will make the difference as she is very sincere and honest. She is in the running for truly pure reasons… not for the city councilor’s meager salary of $9,700/year.
Finally, the Starbucks question: Per Mario’s suggestion: And in De'Pascal's case, taxpayer funded campaign dollars have also been wisely used at Starbucks. After all, there is no better way to ensure campaign success then to enjoy a publicly funded iced venti white chocolate mocha with whipped cream and a double shot of expresso. It provides that competitive advantage every candidate needs.
This did not happen. There is only a hint of truth in this distorted statement. Paulette, like any good leader, wanted to show appreciation to a few volunteers that helped her with the door-to-door campaign, so she paid for their beverages at Starbucks. It’s a lot cheaper than paying a campaign staff.
Now, let’s commence with discussions on how a fresh-faced candidate can make positive changes that will benefit District 4 constituents. Shall we?
Very truly yours,
RMacKay and PFP
hmmmnnn...I was one of two volunteers helping paulette on a day that was close to 100 degrees. we were exhausted, thirsty and starbucks was the closest place to quench our thirst. puhplease give us a break, we did not order anything exorbitant. i am not a politically connected person and if i thought paulette was being 'handled' by a crook or mr. payne, i would quit.
please, please stop nit picking and give her a chance.
i was the second volunteer and i ordered water. this is for real. as the election draws near, you will get to meet the faces behind paulette. we are regular folks trying to make ends meet. we support paulette because she is a real person with real darn problems and you guys are making her out to be a criminal or a low life. if you give her a chance and listen to her message, you will find out she is for real.
You don't buy computers for a campaign. You buy advertising, mailers and profession advice with your campaign funds; not computers....
Albuquerque does not need an individual that is bankrupt making decisions that impact our pocketbooks. Bad choices in her personal life are showing up in her campaign decisions. I will be voting for Brad Winter.
there have been plenty of leaders in history and our time that have been poor or bankrupt.
the computer purchases are not unethical or illegal and is allowed. everyone helping with the campaign has access to the equipment. i asked about this when i met team paulette when they were out knocking on doors.
okay, so what kind of candidate should we have representing us? is there a perfect candidate out there? i have to choose a candidate based on the qualities that are important to me...honesty, good communicator, not politically connected, not rich, someone that has experienced life's struggles. so if depascal is poor and went through a nasty divorce, so what? she knows what the average person suffers through. what does brad winter, the rich guy making lots of money know about people like me, an everyday avverage joe? i don't think he can relate to my life's problems and struggles the way depascal can.
bottom line, i want someone representing me that is not tied to big bucks and special interests groups. i don't want someone who does not understand the plight of the poor or the stuggles of the middle class. it's that simple. give us someone that can connect with the everyday man or woman.
can someone explain to me why there is such a controversy over depascal's computer purchase? it's equipment that is used to help with the campaign. it's a tool and like any other campaign resource. if she did not have one, she would need computers and printers to run a proper campaign...ie...emails, blogging, website maintenance, internet advertising and marketing (which i heard is pending a few issues). seriously, what is the problem with buying equipment to help get the campaign message out there?
p.s. depascal did not write that note above...i have never left a comment on here and i meant for the 'despascal and computers' line to be the headline not as a signature line.
last post, I believe the issue is the campaign purchased two computers with the taxpayer money. These computers become the property of the candidate.
So after the election is over she now has two computers purchased with taxpayer money.
Certain individuals are believe that the computers were not purchased for the campaign but for after to campaign to run the candidats consulting business.
i was told that if she could not lease the computer and printers...therefore, after the campaign is over, she would donate it to charity. i called and asked. it was that simple
Paulette coundn't lease the computers because her credit is so bad. I believe that is what happens when you go bankrupt. Regarding to the post above, if she wins the election she will donate them to charity. If she loses the computers are hers....So she will be the proud owner of two new computers
huh, the other way around with the computers
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