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Holding GOP leadership accountable
Doug Turner
Republican Party of New Mexico officials are notorious for taking sides in primary elections, damaging the strength and credibility of the party in the process. Unfortunately, this year is no exception.
On Sunday, GOP Chairman Harvey Yates took sides in a TV ad fight between two of my opponents in this race. His involvement breaks our rules, shows a bias and betrayed the neutrality Republican Party officials are supposed to respect.
Party officials simply must trust the wisdom of GOP voters to do what’s right and not intervene in a way that supports one candidate over another.
By taking sides in a primary, party officials lose the credibility they need to unite the party behind the single candidate selected by GOP voters on June 1. These are the same kind of practices that fractured our party and sowed disaffection among voters during the last decade.
By opening this window for the rise of the tax-and-spend Democratic Party, Republican infighting aided the loss of every congressional seat in New Mexico by 2008. It’s time we put an end to this kind of politics and regain the high ground once and for all.
Candidates should defend themselves
Politics can be brutal. In an election like this one, the only way we can see how a candidate will run in the general election or govern once elected is by evaluating the quality of the campaign and the ability to remain strong in the face of adversity.
By acting as a referee in the mudslinging, Chairman Yates has done a disservice not only to the party but also to the candidates by denying them the opportunity to defend themselves by themselves. If the factual content of a negative ad is false, it must be up to the candidate in a primary election to set the record straight.
For instance, when an anonymous opponent launched a false recorded telephone “push poll” against me, I came to my own defense.
If the mudslinging among the two GOP candidates looks bad now, imagine what it will look like when the big-government, status-quo Democrats begin taking shots in the general election. When that happens, no chairman will have the ability to play referee or to coddle our candidate.
Yates’ decision could have encouraging consequences
Throughout this state there are people working within the party who are dedicated and loyal, and who fulfill their duties with the proper primary neutrality to properly serve the party. I applaud them for their service and urge them to push forward.
Ironically, the decision of some party officials to publicly abandon their duty to remain neutral could nonetheless have encouraging consequences.
Motivated primary voters are an especially wise bunch and will show their dissatisfaction for insider politics at the ballot box by voting for a candidate who is outside the entrenched political system and who is willing to do what is right, rather than manipulate the process.
The opportunity for Republicans to take back the governor’s office means we must look at June 1 with an eye to Nov. 2. We must support a candidate who can campaign effectively against entrenched Democratic opponents without the personal baggage or a reputation for mudslinging.
As Republicans, it’s time we had a candidate who stood solely and proudly on the principles we believe in. If ever the stage were set for Republicans to vote for a candidate who is outside the political machine, it is right now.
Turner is a Republican candidate for governor.
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I love open and frank discussions but, in my humble opinions, I reserve the right to be sarcastic and condemning (of candidates for the most part). Also, I know if I get too rambunctious, Heath will refuse to post my comments…he has before…and I respect him for it.
ksparks writes;
“I … yearn to … invite open discussion” and yet ” be sarcastic, (and) condemning, …”
good luck with that one.
@ksparks: Okay, I had to take you point by point:
You say: “I will admit that Domenici, Turner, nor Arnold-Jones shouldn’t even be allowed on the ballot as a result of their failure to garner a 20% delegate count at the Pre-primary Convention. That is a flaw in the state law that needs to be addressed.”
That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. A candidate knowing how to “stack the delegates” shouldn’t disqualify one who chooses not to.
You say: “Loosen up and make sure you and your candidates have a thick skin…it’s a tough business.”
No need to worry about my skin, having respect does not mean “thin skin”. Respect is not something I compartmentalize and save just for special occasions.
You say: “I don’t think that veterans status, war record, or living in a place for “several generations” qualifies one to hold office.”
I agree with you, just as being a hispanic women does not mean you’re entitled to the hispanic vote.
You say: “Seems like people are being drawn to the candidate I support according to the SurveyUSA poll.”
Sure, according to factcheck.org your candidate also mislead the public in her attack ad, and keep in mind, she attacked first.
You say: “Susana is shown to be the ONLY one of the five candidates who can beat Denish in November.”
Wrong. I believe her hard stance on illegal immigration may cause her to lose much of the hispanic vote, only time will tell.
Looks like we agree to disagree.
I’m not attacking anyone. I’m merely pointing out weaknesses in the candidates who, if they were successful in the primary, would take on a very polished, professsional, and heavily financed opponent in November. I will admit that Domenici, Turner, nor Arnold-Jones shouldn’t even be allowed oin the ballot as a result of their failure to garner a 20% delegate count at the Pre-primary Convention. That is a flaw in the state law that needs to be addressed.
I have been very active in politics for many years and have my own opinions and views. I do not yearn to press those views on anyone else but, to invite open discussion. I may be sarcastic, condemning, or downright critical but, that is my right. Loosen up and make sure you and your candidates have a thick skin…it’s a tough business. I don’t like a slew of primary candidates that jump into a campaign just because they can fill out an application. I don’t think that veterans status, war record, or living in a place for “several generations” qualifies one to hold office. The governor of a state is a tough job, I do think it needs a little political experince as an office holder in some type of political office, elected or not.
Seems like people are being drawn to the candidate I support according to the SurveyUSA poll. Susana is shown to be the ONLY one of the five candidates who can beat Denish in November.
Please go to factcheck.org to get an objective review of the Martinez/Weh ads.
@ksparks – I’m not even voting for Turner, but I’ve heard him speak. He is not unpolished, nor unprofessional. You seem to attack anybody who’s not supporting Martinez. Everybody gives their critiques, but you have a knack for framing everything in the most disrespectful way. Whether you like their politics or not, whether you like their style or not, none of that should take away from the fact that 5 candidates have all sacraficed much to run for the highest office in the state. That has to be worth something…
Try treating all of our candidates with some respect, it might actually draw people to the candidate you’re supporting, versus “turning people off”.
valleydoc…who died and made you editor?
My assessment of Turner’s campaign appearances has absolutely nothing to do with his age, it’s his presentation that is unpolished and frankly, unprofessional.
@valleydoc
Turner’s age has absolutely nothing to do with it so, you DON’T get it. It is the way he gives a speech. He comes off as unpolished and unprofessional. I’m looking for someone with not only rhetoric but, ideas on what and how to get things done. Before becoming governor of a state, someone should have some kind of experience, whether it be a term or two as state rep, mayor, or city council, IHO.
One of the people who has solutions instead of just rhetoric, if some of you would give her the chance, is former Governor Sarah Palin. She just explains herself in her folksy tone that people write her off as dumb. She is far from it.
ksparks. Your ‘class president’ line has frankly gotten old. We get it. Turner’s the youngest one in the field. The thing is, if we really want to see change in this State it’s going to come from someone who is young, innovative, energetic, and determined; not someone who has worked his way up the political ladder at ‘the local level’. Does making a career out of politics make for a better leader? I think not. Isn’t that what America revolting against right now, career politicians? The fact that Turner has never been a politician is actually an asset during this election. His youth, and the fact that he’s not a career politician happen to be a couple of the main reasons I support him.
Transparency, You make some great points. I’ve always been disappointed with the way so many Republicans mindlessly support a candidate because it’s what everyone else is doing.
I also happen to agree with Turner to the letter. Yates was completely out of line to opine as he did. I have never before seen a party chairman make a public statement with the intent of influencing the outcome of the election. Its the opponent’s job, and the voting public’s duty to call Weh out on his allegations of Martinez. Yates’ statement all but revealed who he wants to win this primary election.
As an aside, I am absolutely astonished that an endorsement by Sarah Palin would be viewed as valuable for any candidate. Wasn’t her recent book ‘Going Rogue’ a bestseller? Don’t people know what “rogue” means? Look it if you don’t….I mean you can’t write comedy better than that. Are there really that many Republicans who are ignorant enough to assign credibility to her? I hope not. But, lately it seems the Republican way has been to support people just because the rest of the herd is doing it. What a sad state of affairs.
it’s a brave stand that GOP chairman Yates took… and I bet he knew he would take heat for calling one of his own dishonest. It didn’t earn him brownie points in his own party, but for the good of the party the chairman wanted the NM GOP to not be associated with dishonest information in campaigning.
From the evidence it is pretty clear that Weh totally twisted information to say that Martinez didn’t pay taxes. Actually, in many circles it would be called lying. However, there *is* documented evidence that Weh supported Amnesty. It is hard to dispute Martinez’s evidence against Weh because it was out and about in the public realm.
Also, I hear and have read that Weh has a major temper-control issues and has acted as a fracture in the Rep. party for years. Is this true?
Wow, all I want is a rational party that can get along, be honest, and move New Mexico forward. I don’t think Weh can lead the state towards that. And neither can Denish.
“Party officials simply must trust the wisdom of GOP voters to do what’s right and not intervene in a way that supports one candidate over another.”
Do you really believe that political campaigns, including YOURS, appeal to the WISDOM of voters? What hypocrisy!
Burke said it best; All that is necessary for evil to prevail in the world is for good men to do nothing.
Yates was right; silence gives consent. You can’t stand by and do nothing in the face of evil without condoning it.
Yates call was the right call. That is what he was elected as Chairman for. Sounds like Doug Turner thinks he isn’t getting into the limelight enough.
Our system is different than in England in which protecting the reputation of the party takes precedent over protecting the candidate. I can understand Doug’s feelings of being left out of the fray as a legitimate candidate, but Chairman Yates made the right call to protect the party.
I don’t know Yates, but I believe he should have stayed out of it. Let the candidates prove themselves to the voters. As far as Martinez is concerned, I like her, but I don’t think she can beat Denish. It’s good that she “fights corruption”, but she comes off too rigid and out of touch with the average person. That might “resonate” with some in the republican primary, but not so come the general election. Bottom line, she might win the battle, but I think in the end she’ll lose the war.
Doug has paid his dues politically and professionally. To make that suggestion is ridiculous, he cut his teeth in politics long many years before this political race. The truth is he has run a solid campaign, you don’t have to vote for him, but I find it interesting that the only fault that can be found about him is that he looks young. We should all have that problem.
I agree with the previous posts, regardless of what happens on Tuesday, Doug has proven himself to be a respected player in any future political contests. But the race is not over yet, upsets have happened before in New Mexico.
I agree with Turner. Yates should have come out against both candidates smearing each other, not just slapping Weh’s hand. Are we going to have a repeat of the Wilson and Pearce fiasco? Or are we going to unite as a party and choose the best candidate for the GOP. I don’t about you but I look for honesty and integrity in a candidate…two qualities Weh and Martinez lack.
If you ask me they have both ruined the chances of the GOP taking back the Governor’s office should either of them be elected. Their credibility has been tarnished and Diane Denish will walk all over them.
Generally agree, Sparks … but every once in a while, we need some fresh ideas and faces. Someone who prospers from the system is indebted to the system – balance would be good.
gm… Glad you trust so easily. That means when you are part of the herd all you have to do is follow the lead buffalo. One thing to remember… buffalo are near sighted! You may be driven to green pastures with abundance or you may be driven straight off the cliff into the canyon below. So far, Republican Party Officials in this state, Dendahl, Weh, now Yates have been nearsighted to the point they’ve driven us all off the cliff. I mean, c’mon… Darren White vs Martin Heinrich? My teenager was more likely to beat Heinrich… but hey, the ‘party officials’ are who we should follow right? Wake up, smell the stench guy.
Santa Fe… sorry, I agree with Turner to the letter. Only diff is that i prefer Arnold-Jones as the one to advocate for and the reasons are long and valid, not superficial and weak. Yates was completely out of line to intercede in the way he did.
ksparks… Turner will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. He’s a PR guy… cut him some slack for being creative and positive in his messaging. The audience is changing. He’s smart to target that audience cause its going to get bigger and more favorable to a guy like him (far sighted thinking) and he will get smarter as time passes.
AMEN SanteFeObserver!!! I have referred to the Turner Campaign as a run for Seior Class President but, your suggestion of frat president seems more appropriate. If Yates had of offered a negative assessment of both Weh and Martinez’s ads and suggested Turner, Doug would have been screaming it from Sandia Peak. Doug would do good to start at the local level, pay his dues, and work hs way up the political office ladder.
Turner needs to stop his whining. He’s running a race more suited for frat president than for governor of a state. Chairman Yates stepped in and did what any good party chairman would do. He acted as an impartial referee and called Weh out on the carpet like he should have. The Col ran a dishonest, false attack ad and he was “caught red handed” to borrow a phrase.
Weh went way over the top and had to be called on it. Frankly, party officials know the candidates better than the average voter so their opinions are worth a little more. I don’t think it’s the “duty” of the chairman to keep his mouth shut in the face of the dishonesty of Weh. In general? yes. But in this case Weh, who has the personality of a rock, went too far.