If you've ever hung around a New Mexico political operation, then you've probably come across some version of the saying "Rules that apply elsewhere do not apply here" -- usually printed on a piece of paper tacked to a wall or the side of a computer monitor -- and if you stuck around long enough, you probably saw something that confirmed the sentiment. However, if you're new to the N.M. political scene, then the Vigil trial should have brought you up to speed pretty quick.
Consider for a moment the strategy of the of former Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico and immediate past Vice-Chair and lead Vigil Defense attorney, Sam Bregman, description of a secretly recorded video tape of his client accepting $11k in cash while seated in a vehicle with an investment broker seeking business with state Treasurer's Office, as nothing more than campaign fundraising. And while that may make you shake your head in disbelief or even laugh with disgust, it shouldn't, because ultimately, Bregman is right--though it may look, smell, sound and sound like corruption, it's just good ol' fashioned New Mexico politics.
Consider this from one of Monahan's gators close to the case;
"Bregman's closing argument twice referenced Sen. Domenici getting campaign money from companies who do business with the Senate Energy Committee, and Gov. Richardson getting money from people who do business with the state which was unreported in both newspapers. He said, “You may not like it, but it’s not against the law.” Joe Monahan / 5/18/2006 12:04:00 AM
Bregman's "it may not be ethical, but it's legal" defense crystalized this basic fact, laws aren't ethical, people are. But when people aren't ethical, you better have good campaign laws to keep them in check. And guess what, N.M.'s campaign finance laws are the loosest in the nation.
The Governor can create as many ethics panels, commissions, committees and task forces as the media will report on, even pass campaign finance reform legislation, but at the end of the day, the ethics of our elected officials will still be dependent on the personal integrity they bring to the office and not the opposite.
Technorati Tags: Bill Richardson, corruption, Elections, Fundraising, Hall of Shame, indicted, legislature, lobbying, New Mexico, Patricia Madrid, Politics, reform, Republicans, State Treasurer Robert Vigil
Personal integrity is without a doubt an important matter, Gideon. However, as you stated in your post, New Mexico's ethics and campaign finance laws are the loosest in the country. Better disclosure, better oversight, a gift ban and a serious examination of how we finance campaigns is long overdue.
Posted by: Matt Brix | Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:32 AM