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I've never seen the Journal cover this kind of low-level meeting unless there was something juicy. Did the Party have enough meeting places and ballots for this unexpected turnout?
Michelle Meaders, unlike the Democrat caucus yesterdays Bernalillo County Republican Party’s was well run with plenty of ballots and supplies even though the turn out was large. As to it being a low level meeting that is far from the truth. Bernalillo County represents one third of all delegates to the State Republican Party’s pre-primary convention or the State Democrat pre-primary convention. This is important because if a state wide candidate such as a candidate for US Senate does not get at least 20% of vote at their respective party’s pre-primary convention then they will not be on the June Primary Ballot under the current law. If a candidate for a Congressional District does not get at least 20% of the delegate votes from their Congressional District at their respective party’s pre-primary convention then they will not be on the June Primary Ballot. Based on my observation from yesterdays Bernalillo County Republican Party convention both Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce will be on the June Primary Ballot, however for Congressional District 1 only Darren Whites name will appear as Joe Carraro got froze out at the convention and will not get 20% of the votes at the State Republican Pre-Primary Convention. Unless the Governor signs Senate Bill 1 which expands access to the June Primary Joe Carraro is toast. So no yesterday’s meeting was not low level.
I know all that stuff about the State convention -- I've been a delegate before, and will be again. I'd rather have the papers help publicize the meetings before they happen so people can go to them.
Isn't this the party that kept the press from covering an actual Congressional Candidate debate lately?
Maybe that didn't endear them to the press.
Wow Mario, not one story about these pre-primary meetings? Huh, I wonder if that has to do with Darren ducking the press in his debate with Joe-Jo. (After all, reporters have better things to do than wait to be big-timed by such a small fry.)
Oooooh! I know! Darren's campaign was responsible for the press invitations, but "forgot" to send them out (sounds so much better than saying "You're not welcome until I'm done teasing my hair... I mean, I iron out my talking points.")
Dang, Michelle beat me to the punch on that one.
Benson, ever wonder what Joe Carraro will do after the Republican state convention? Nothing...He isn't even close to be put on the ballot.
So go ahead and make hay about Darren but his team was at the county convention and they delivered. In Ward 27, 12 of the 15 delegates were pledged to Darren. 2 of the 15 delegates were legislator and wife and one couldn't tell.
Poor, poor unelectable Joe. He should have become a democrat last year when he threatened too.
I didn't see any coverage of the delegate selection for the Democratic party on feb. 7 either. Is that unfair? This meeting was just some delegate selection and was not a primary ie. not important to anyone who isn't a political junkie.
First the republicans don't let the press in to their little congressional debate, and now they are comlpaining about too LITTLE coverage...give me a break and make up your minds.
This is getting old.
No one and all neather Darren nor the Party kept the press out I did, it was my meeting and I set the rules. That was a meeting for potential delegates not for the press or the Candidates. If you believe diffrently not only do you have it wrong but you are mentaly deficent.
I heard Carraro couldn't even get elected delegate in his home ward at the convention. That's pretty remarkable. Isn't this the same guy who is running on "electability?"
Sounds to me like Joe Carraro needs to run for Precinct Captain before he sets his sights on Congress...
Ogler, you're absolutely right, you made the rules for your meeting. And that won't stop me from wondering why Darren "hid" behind closed doors when the press arrived. What would have been impressive would be to adjust on the fly and say something like "we've already agreed to this meeting in private, but I'll debate Joe at the time and place of his choosing." (which Heather would have done, I'll bet)
If you hadn't said "no press allowed" and just held the meeting, focusing more on the delegates being there, then this wouldn't have been a story. The press probably wouldn't have even cared that the meeting was going on.
Frank, the question is, do I care what Joe Carraro does after the Republican State Convention? Not really. He was a pretty good state senator for my parent's district and I'm glad he helped get Paseo extended. Beyond that, big whoop. I don't think anyone outside of Joe's family and friends really expect him to get through the primary.
Benson, Darren did not hid from the press and did address just as you metnitoned the fact that I set the rules and he followed them. You are mistaken to think that he hid from the press you just did not see the interview that he did.
Furthermore, I talked to both Darren and Joe on the phone and explained the format and the rules including no press. When Joe said he did not know about that rule he was lying to everybody because just the day before I also talked to his campaign manager and went over the format with him on the phone and sent e-mails explaining the rules and the format to each campaign. Because I was friends with both Darren and Joe and had served in the Legislature with Joe I was going to sit this primary out and not take sides. When Joe pulled this stunt I decided to become a delegate to the State Convention just so I could vote against him. Between the two only Darren acted with honor. Now does everybody get it?
I can't believe the Republicans in District 1 are so fired up about Darren White. The guy doesn't understand the big issues. He couldn't debate his way out of a paper sack. It would do him good to have a challenger in the primary. I look forward to the debates in the fall, talk about a whooping.
Democrats will turn out in huge numbers to elect Obama and that will only help in most races around the state with the exception of District 2. The Democrats will hold four of the congressional seats in 09'.
Case in point, when he announce his intentions to run for Heathers seat he spoke about Iraq, not a winning issue. He can't separate himself from Bush, he heading his reelection in NM.
Nationally the GOP will have to defend 30 vacated Republican House seats. The also have to defend twice as many Senate seats versus the Dems. The Democratic nominee will have more dollars and an excellent public speaker. Hate to break it to you Republicans, but your turn out this weekend may be your highlight of the year.
If Darren White wins the republican primary I think the republicans are at great risk of losing this congressional seat to the democrats!
The Democrat party is a joke. Just eight years ago they were yelling and screaming that the President of the United States should only be elected by the popular vote, and then they turn around and design a system where they have Super Delegates that are not tied to the primaries popular votes from the states that they are from. Now they find themselves in a position where instead of electing their Standard Bearer to run for President of the United States their Candidate will be anointed by the Party’s Elite and Power Brokers. For Clinton to get the popular nomination on the popular vote she would have to get 101% of the remaining delegates to be selected in the remaining primaries and caucuses, which I guess is possible in the Democrat Party. For Obama to get the nomination on the popular vote he would have to get 98.5% of the remaining delegates which is highly unlikely given the current rules of the Democrat Party unless the rules are change in mid process, which is also possible in Democrat Party. Ahh I can smell the cigar smoke coming from the back rooms already.
I think Darren and Joe are both weak candidates. What we really needed was Janice Arnold-Jones in this race.
She is not only smart, but works harder than any legislator I know up in Santa Fe. She understands the issues, and can make valid arguments. Joe and Darren just ramble on in platitudes with no real direction.
I think Janice will beat Martin Heinrich in two years, as we have already ceded this election to the Dems.
Janice, you shouldn't write comments to the blog without signing your name.
If you are such a great candidate you should have got in the race.
Janice, you were at the convention -- Darren is going to smoke Joe, if Joe makes it through the state convention.
No one has ceded anything to Martin "I have never had a job" Heinrich.
Dear Frank:
Sorry I am late to the blogs today. Still trying to catch up from the session in my private sector job.
Have no idea who Theodore Reagan might be, but thank them for the kind words.
Frank, do not know why you wrote --"Janice, you shouldn't write comments to the blog without signing your name." Not my style! If I have something to add, I assure you I will do so and sign my name. Just in case, e-mail is JEArnoldJones@aol.com.
Since you are concerned about this post, perhaps you should ask Mario to verify the poster.
Go Janice!
You see Frank, that's why we needed Janice in this race. She's a fighter. She's no B.S. Oh, and by the way, did I mention she has a grasp of the issues?
She is from Albuquerque. I am tired of voting for candidates who come to us and not from us.
Having to hold my nose and vote between two New Yawkers makes me throw up just a little bit in my mouth.
I'm sick of this Republican Party in New Mexico who have long since left us conservatives behind.
Ogler, why are you such an irritating little dumbass? Huh baby, why?
Chris Who?
If you are going to argue a point, argue the point and not the individual.
I usually let these things play out by themselves, but since Janice asked, I can in fact confirm that Janice is not Theodore Reagan. They use different computers. I know that by the IP address. They are not even using the same server to connect.
Interestingly enough, the "Tanoan Tattler" and "Theodore Reagan" are one in the same.
Woo Wee! Mario has turned into our very own Perry Mason.
If only he was as good at winning elections as he was at reading IP addresses!
"Just eight years ago they were yelling and screaming that the President of the United States should only be elected by the popular vote, and then they turn around and design a system where they have Super Delegates that are not tied to the primaries popular votes from the states that they are from."- ogler
Just hold on a minute, "we just turned around"?? Those rules were made a long time ago..20+ years. The republican parties winner take all system in most states is almost just as bad. Leaving most of the voters out with just the guy getting ~30% all the delegates.
Both parties need to fix thir primary systems, and also fix the general election. The Supreme Court shouldn't decide who the President should be, Democrats agree on that. That is the only thing that happened in 2000.
"Ahh I can smell the cigar smoke coming from the back rooms already." -ogler
Oh just like your private debate between congressional candidates...mmmm hypocrisy, tastes good doesn't it.
Sincerest apologies to Ms. Arnold-Jones
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