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VIDEO AND AUDIO: Domenici Jr. enters gubernatorial race
Pete Domenici Jr.
‘We have never faced the economic challenges and lack of intergrity that now confront us,’ Domenici says
Pete Domenici Jr., a Republican and the son of the state’s longest-serving U.S. senator, announced Sunday that he’s running for governor.
Domenici told a handful of invited supporters, family members and reporters at a news conference in Albuquerque that he’s entering the GOP gubernatorial primary because he believes the state is “on the verge of economic and ethical bankruptcy.”
“Continuous revelations of budgetary disaster and public corruption at the highest levels of our state’s government demand that we not only need a new governor,we need a new direction,” Domenici said. “helping New Mexicans and New Mexico is the sole basis and motivation for my candidacy for governor.”
“I am an ordinary citizen who, like most New Mexicans, is frustrated and fed up with the unprecedented budgetary and corruption crises our state now faces,” Domenici said. “I have a deep concern for our state.”
Domenici, 50, who never mentioned during his speech the names of the other Republicans running for governor, was quick to criticize the likely Democrat Party nominee, Diane Denish.
“As just one glaring example of the mismanagement and corruption at the top, this governor and lieutenant governor have increased the numbers of political appointees by the hundreds,” Domenici said. “As a result, they have created a special upper class of state employees, accountable to no one, who are selected based on whom they know or how much they contributed rather than their qualifications and how they can help the people.”
Domenici's parents, Nancy and Pete Sr. (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
Domenici, who has never run for public office before and said he’s not a “professional politician,” blamed state worker furloughs on a “rash of other terrible financial and spending decisions.”
“Now the people are forced to bail New Mexico out of a mess the professional politicians got us into,” Domenici said. “Hard-working state employees must take time off without pay.”
He said the first step he’ll take to resolve the budget deficit is to “permanently furlough this administration.”
“I will reduce the number of appointments to only those positions the governor must rely on to effectively implement policies necessary to help the people, not the incumbent,” he said.
‘I am my own man’
Domenici, who has practiced environmental, energy and natural resources law for nearly 25 years, said he has a “deep understaing of the core industries and communities that power New Mexico’s economy.” He said the state has “never faced the economic challenges and lack of integrity that now confront us.”
“Instead of providing leadership, the executive branch is paralzyed,” Domenici said. “People need healing from eight years of fiscal and ethical abuse.”
Watch that and other parts of the news conference here:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrmK3SOzhlg[/youtube]
Domenici, who is a single father, has three grown children and is helping to raise his 9-year-old daughter. He is the oldest son of retired six-term U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who introduced his son on Sunday.
Domenici, flanked by his father and mother, said he’s his “own man” who has “developed his own roots, deep and strong, in commonsense conservatism.”
“This means limited government that removes necessary impediments to attracting businesses and creating jobs,” Domenici said.
He also said it means he supports the “protection of human life, traditional marriage and private gun ownership.”
Domenici said he supports restoring the state’s death penalty, which was repealed last year.
Dems attack
Democrats were quick to attack. State Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales said in a news release that it appears “Republican insiders have been unable to find a candidate for governor with an actual record of fighting for New Mexico families.”
“They’re settling for the biggest name they could find. The people of New Mexico won’t be fooled,” Gonzales said. “It’s common for voters to ask candidates for office, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ In this case, they’ll be asking, ‘What have you done for me ever?’”
Democrats were also quick to publish a blog posting critical of Domenici’s record as an environmental attorney, and of clients he has represented.
Despite efforts to separate himself from his father, Domenici may have to tap the senior statesman’s political network to catch up to four other Republican candidates who have been running against each other since last year.
The other Republicans in the race are state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, Albuquerque businessmen Allen Weh and Doug Turner and Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez.
Turner welcomed Domenici to the race.
“There are so many good Republicans running because New Mexicans are desperate for a change from the policies and corruption they have endured for far too long,” Turner said in a prepared statement. “…This is going to be an exciting year for Republicans, and I look forward to the debate and presenting my vision for New Mexico’s future and becoming our party’s nominee for governor.”
Weh also released a statement in response to Domenici’s entrance into the race.
“This election for governor isn’t about political connections or surname; it’s about who has the experience to create jobs and get New Mexico back on the right track — I believe I have that experience, and the ability to lead this state forward. I look forward to the debate,” Weh said.
A source close to the Domenici campaign told NMPolitics.net that the campaign expects to reach the $500,000 mark in fundraising “very soon.” But the source would not say whether Domenici would agree to more frequent campaign finance reporting than is required by law, as Denish, Arnold-Jones and Martinez have done.
Domenici is quickly assembling a campaign team that includes attorney and Republican strategist Doug Antoon, who managed two successful Albuquerque City Council campaigns last year for Dan Lewis and Michael Cook.
Lewis will be the co-chairman of the campaign in the First Congressional District, which includes Albuquerque. Domenici said he will announce other co-chairs for the campaign at “news events in their respective districts.”
Domenici pointed to Lewis’ Republican victory in the most populated district of Albuquerque as an example of the Republican Party “revitalizing in many parts of our nation.”
He said New Mexico needs “a strong Republican governor to continue this renewal, and I want to be that governor.”
Back on the political stage
The elder Pete Domenici, who lives in Washington, flew into town for his son’s announcement. He told reporters he’s introduced a lot of politicans, but never his son.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttTCr1lAp9U[/youtube]
To listen to audio from the news conference — including the introduction from Sen. Domenici — click the play button the bar below, or listen online here.
A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that Domenici is married.
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“jeffnm January 22, 2010 • 4:28 pm
More client troubles for Domenici.
This YouTube video has been making the rounds (i actually received it from two different people yesterday):”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMJEW8UdHvc
What trouble are you pointing for Dominci Jr. on this video? These kinds of problems are real! I have this same problem with my neighbor except the issue is not cigarette smoke … it’s the smell from dog crap that never gets picked up. When the wind blow from the the southwest I can’t be in my own back yard because of the stink. I would like to enjoy my own back yard once in a while without the smell of crap in the air. I’m sure the lady in Albuquerque would like to enjoy her back yard without the smell of cigarette smoke getting her asthma going. Sometimes you have to sue them to get their attention on the matter.
More client troubles for Domenici.
This YouTube video has been making the rounds (i actually received it from two different people yesterday):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMJEW8UdHvc
True nmretired. Be afraid Ben Ray, Harry, Marty, Jeff, Tom and Lady Di, be very afraid.
If Scott Brown can win in a longtime Democratic stronghold like Kennedy country … then Pete Jr. just might surprise even Mr. Hemingway.
Trouble tonight in River City for the Dems… Susan Estrich Democratic strategist 1/19/10
If Sarah Palin was qualified to be VP, why not junior for Guv? Do politicians really think voters are that gullible? Two terms of GW, an unnecessary war with Iraq, and a country on the verge of bankruptcy perhaps says it all.
Take a shot a little lower down the ladder, Jr.
Wow, this speech is a dud, and I thought Pete Sr. was a bad public speaker. He has the charisma of a tuna sandwich, and his voice modulation and speaking pace shows he is truly “an ordinary citizen” alright. Don’t think he could excite very many, unless they are very bored. Pete Sr. was also a dull, bland speaker without many skills, but Pete Sr. brought lots of pork to the table and practiced La Politica style tactics over the years, Pete Jr. has none of that and will fail.
Based on his speech and the terrible reading of his script in the robo call I received Junior is going nowhere fast.
I agree that Dom Jr. wouldn’t be a good idea, but is it telling at all to see the reactions from the others? Gonzales’ reaction is of course pathetic and predictable, but I expected more out of Weh–well maybe I didn’t but was somehow surprised nonetheless. I really liked Turner’s reaction, and appreciated his optimism.
This is what bothers me the most about Domenici Junior:
“In his first political snafu, JUNIOR officially announced his candidacy at an event today in Albuquerque held at the exact same time as the city’s traditional parade to honor Martin Luther King Jr. kicked off. I guess it was to be expected given the modern GOP’s lack of enthusiasm about equality, but you’d think they’d at least go through the motions.” From
http://www.democracyfornewmexico.com/democracy_for_new_mexico/2010/01/the-facts-on-pete-domenici-junior-the-new-gop-candidate-for-nm-governor.html#comments
Such typical Republican arrogant insensitivity.
By the way my friend Clyde Gillcork , a dump site CEO in Smalltop plans to change his name to Pete V. Domenici Jr. Then he says he will run for governor. He said this would divide the Domenici vote, but he stressed he has a lot more experience then the namesake. Gillcork advocates the elimination of all regulations regarding hazardous-waste dumps and the establishment of the world’s biggest facility for radioactive waste and hazardous chemicals. He says “It might stink up the area, but it will bring jobs.” This should make the Republican primary very interesting with two pro-pollution candidates with the same name.
Here is a guy who has absolutely no experience handling a budget of any kind, but he is going to undertake the state budget because he has the same name as his father. There is no logic.
Then he naively states we need “limited government that removes necessary impediments to attracting businesses and creating jobs.” That means we eliminate regulations on pollution and environment so we can have new hazardous-waste dumpsites. New Mexicans should reject this guy even though he has same name as his father. He has NO EXPERIENCE.
“Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free…” is written on
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.
I heard that Pete Domenici Jr., Daddy’s boy, wants to adopt a similar saying for New Mexico:
” Give us your waste, your dumpsites, your troubled toxics longing for a home”
It’s well known that Politicians in league with their green hounds of hell progeny have created the current financial chaos. But, worse, they are not content to merely ruin everything America has stood for, but are also actively seeking more dominance over every aspect of each of our lives.
Why have politicians and greens been so proactive in shutting-down what has made this country self sufficient and independent?
Are green lawyers claiming to beholding to no-one telling the truth?
Why should an educated public vote for this or any-other dedicated greenie?
Why should we be importing oil when we have enough in this country for many generations?
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-33062
Is it not time to throw-out ALL who have put us in this mess?
RE: Chairman Gonzales comments:
If anyone knows “what have you done for me lately” it’s the Democratic party in NM…
Regarding Pawekee’s comments, I think I understand were the writer is coming from but disagree. While Pete Jr. certainly benefits from his father’s connections, his statement of upper class state employees is painfully true.
As a recently retired state employee, never in my 26 plus years have I witnessed the level of incompetence and arrogance among Governor Richardson’s exempt employees. It is reflected in an attitude of disdain and special privileges for selected employees both exempt and classified in this administration. I believe this will be one of the negative legacies of his administration and harm state government in the years ahead with a skepticism and cynicism from both Republicans and Democrats alike.
Sen. Domenici – Please reconsider this move. Your party has looked up to you for decades, respected you and admired you. You have been a great leader for the people of New Mexico. Put the people of this state first. Pete Jr. cannot beat Diane Denish, and a democrat in the Gov.’s office in 2010 is a sure bet that your party will be gerrymandered into a permanent, ineffective minority.
I hope you read this.
The statement by Javier Gonzales is a prime example of the Democrat “gimme” mentality especially here in the northern counties. He claims the typical voter asks, what have you done for me lately? La cusquera here in the northern counties is appalling. The corruption is sickening and Denish has seen it and looked the other way. It will continue if she wins as our next governor. Too many people here have a vested interest in continuing the same old ways.
What an insult this candidacy is. After watching the speech, if that’s what you want to call it, I can’t help but believe his handlers think voters are so stupid we won’t look past his last name.
This is a lawyer who has done virtually nothing to give back to the community — zero record whatsoever. He has neither the charisma, nor vision required in a leader.
If you take away his last name, Pete Jr wouldn’t even be a tier 1 candidate for the state legislature…yet here we go for the biggest race in the state.
Pete Domenici Jr., the environmental attorney for alleged polluters, is an awful choice for governor. He will make New Mexico the radioactive state of the nation. This is ridiculous!
Somehow all these politicians look too much alike and sound too much alike. Anybody who is the son of a career politician and has the gall to say we “have created a special upper class of state employees, accountable to no one, who are selected based on whom they know or how much they contributed rather than their qualifications and how they can help the people” is really saying to the people of this state that we are so stupid that even when told straight faced by the king’s son that he wants to get in on the same ‘goodie’ system that he complains about he has a very good chance of getting the job. I may be chided by some for criticizing a politician who I have said is speaking the truth ~ however, when the truth is that the politician wants a political job because his father had a political job and he believes the people of this state are just plain stupid ~ then that truth needs to be spoken. For the same reason that New Yorkers booed and booted out Carolyn Kennedy’s bid for the senate job there we need to put out this prairie fire before it starts going off in other crazy ways. If we don’t and then we start complaining about nepotism in state government we’ll be told that ‘we’re just crazy’ and then we’ll be ignored.
As a die-hard supporter of our former Senior senator, I admit, I looked forward to see what his son had to offer in regard to public service here in New Mexico. I was excited at the possibility of having a strong candidate that could beat Denish and give Republicans a chance to right all of the wrongs that have been committed by the Dems over the years.
After seeing his speech, I am very disappointed. Joe Monahan this morning put it best in describing Dominici Jr.’s speech presentation as “plowed and sometimes plodded through.” Monahan was absolutely correct with this observation. I am very worried about the prospect of winning in November, and I feel Pete needs to drop his bid and let someone with more experience and personality take on Denish. Republicans need to seriously avoid a primary and pick a strong, viable candidate.
The Dems may run away with this race, Republicans only have themselves to blame. Maybe Pete Jr. should run for the legislature, or attorney general. The Guv’s race is too important to loose.