Joe Monahan, Jeff Jones and Steve Terrell hit the ground running this week, unraveling the yarn spun by Republican power players to explain the replacement of GOP nominee, J.R. Damron, with former party chair John Dendahl. The rapid reporting and insight brought the spinning to a precipitous halt, revealing the motivating factors and actors behind the first autocratically designated gubernatorial nominee for public office.
Almost immediately after Saturday's meeting of the 100 (out of 350 something) Republican State Central Committee members adjourned, players in on the game began pushing their product, trying to sell the press and their own Republican rank and file their version of events. But what was their version of events?
Republican consultant and Wednesday Morning Quarterback, Whitney Cheshire, turned in one of the first accounts, claiming an "individual close to the GOP," had told her "that Damron approached GOP party officials on Wednesday to notify them that he was withdrawing from the race and that he wanted John Dendahl to replace him."
But in an article by Leslie Linthicum that in Sudnay's AbqJournal, GOP Chairman Allen Weh said "Dr. Damron had personal things in his family and in his life that were causing him to be distracted from engaging full time in being a gubernatorial candidate, and I think that's probably the single biggest reason."
On Tuesday the spin came to a halt. Monahan had the nitty gritty on background from his sources and Terrell had it on the record, and from none other than the Damron's, who had had enough.
Joe Monahan: Grumbling about the lack of aggressiveness began before the R's March pre-primary convention
Grumbling about the lack of aggressiveness by Damron began before the R's March pre-primary convention. The Treasurer scandal and news stories popping up hitting the administration of Big Bill were not being touched by the Santa Fe radiologist. Top party figures urged him to start hitting and he said he would. But as the campaign wore on it became clear that he could not or would not. He alluded to this in a statement after bowing out saying the party needed a more aggressive approach. (Read Damron's remarks on Heath Haussamen's blog)
Steve Terrell: Especially hurtful were rumors that the Damrons were having some kind of personal problems
The Damrons in May began hearing rumors that Damron might withdraw. Especially hurtful were rumors that the Damrons were having some kind of personal problems that might force the candidate out of the race. The couple on Monday strongly denied this was the case.
"I kept hearing all this talk that he wasn't being aggressive enough, but when it came to actually challenging Bill Richardson, nobody stepped up to the plate but my husband," Barbara Damron said. "Others were slinking off and hiding under their chairs. I told them, either come do it better yourself, give us money or shut up."
Jeff Jones: they were in full campaign mode as of early last week
The Damrons said Monday they were in full campaign mode as of early last week. But that changed after Dendahl, a longtime friend, telephoned and met with them Wednesday.
Steve Terrell: Dendahl said, he got a call from U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici's chief of staff, Steve Bell, who said (Mickey) Barnett and Domenici had discussed replacing Damron with Dendahl. Bell told Dendahl that Domenici liked the idea.
Dendahl on Monday said he had been hearing talk among Republicans in recent weeks about the possibility of Damron withdrawing.
He said Barnett had called him recently saying there was a "groundswell of support" to field a new candidate -- someone like Dendahl.
Last Tuesday (June 13th, 2006) Dendahl said, he got a call from U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici's chief of staff, Steve Bell, who said (Mickey) Barnett and Domenici had discussed replacing Damron with Dendahl. Bell told Dendahl that Domenici liked the idea.
ABQjournal: Domenici Turns Into 'an Observer'--Jeff Jones
Bell said state party chairman Allen Weh, during a June 13 phone conversation, asked him what Domenici thought of Dendahl as a possible candidate.
Bell said he phoned Dendahl that same day to ask whether a candidate change was afoot. Bell added he relayed the information to Domenici, who was supportive of Dendahl stepping in.
Jeff Jones: someone else should be on the gubernatorial ticket.
Barbara Damron said Dendahl told them of rumors the Damrons had already heard: that the Damron campaign wasn't "moving along like it should" and that someone else should be on the gubernatorial ticket.
"(Dendahl) said, 'I'm willing to step to the plate,' '' Barbara Damron said.
Steve Terrell: "A physician doesn't relish giving bad news to a patient, or to Bill Richardson, about himself." Wow, now if Damron would just not give his patients bad news at all, he might actually qualify to work for the Governor.
That conversation resulted in an Albuquerque meeting that afternoon. Present were Damron and his wife, Barbara Damron, Dendahl, state Republican chairman Allen Weh, party executive director Marta Kramer and former Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, a longtime Dendahl ally.
By the end of the day, J.R. Damron would be convinced he was not the best candidate for that task.
Barbara Damron noted her husband is a physician. "Doctors are used to giving bad news in a thoughtful manner, holding back," she said. "A physician doesn't relish giving bad news to a patient, or to Bill Richardson, about himself."
President Bush earlier this year nominated Barnett to be a governor of the U.S. Postal Service. Domenici is sponsoring Barnett in the Senate, which must approve the nomination.
Like Dendahl, Barnett has made enemies inside the GOP. He was defeated in 2004 for re-election to his National Committee post by state Rep. George Buffett. Barnett is a lawyer and former state senator who in recent years has worked as a lobbyist at the Legislature. He angered some Republicans when he lobbied for drug-law reforms pushed by former Gov. Gary Johnson.
Alright already, we know how they did it, but why? Well, here's where it gets really interesting.
GOP's gloves come off--Steve Terrell
Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff said any candidate would have trouble defeating an incumbent with as much money as Richardson has. "He's already advertising on television," he said.
Because both Richardson and Dendahl have political records, the negative advertising on both sides will be harsh, Sanderoff said. "This race is going to get nasty," he said.
"The big question is whether Dendahl has a commitment for money from the (Republican National Committee)," Sanderoff said. He said Dendahl doesn't have to match Richardson's money, but probably needs about $2 million to run a credible race.
Joe Monahan: you can't emphasize enough the rivalry for top status in New Mexico politics.
"It's not the Republican National Committee that is so concerned about the Governor's race. Pete is. He wants to rough up Bill for several reasons, not the least of which is to reestablish himself as the go-to guy in New Mexico. Richardson has dominated the scene and Domenici and his operatives have tired of it." Offered a Washington R.
The high risk strategy of letting Dendahl take on the Governor was apparently based in the logic that he would rough up Richardson sufficiently to make him damaged goods for any presidential bid, weaken him if a presidential bid did not work out next year and he contemplated running against Domenici in 08', or if Domenici for health reasons or others would be unable to make the 08' race. That could set up a duel with ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson and Big Bill. Domenici is seen as determined not to let his seat pass to Richardson.
"The Dendahl move covers all the bases, but you can't emphasize enough the rivalry for top status in New Mexico politics. That has been Pete's role, but this Governor has in many ways eased him into the shadows," offered another tapped-in and reliable source.
Technorati Tags: 2006, 2008, Bill Richardson, Congress, Democrats, Elections, Fundraising, George W. Bush, Heather Wilson, lobbying, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Patricia Madrid, Politics, Republicans
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