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Monday, April 26, 2004

GOP Turmoil: "The Coup Is Complete," The Inside Scoop On The GOP's Bloody Weekend, Plus: Our Reader Mailbag 

GOP CHAIR WEH
"The coup is complete." That's how one insider is assessing the firings of six state GOP staffers, including Executive Director Tom Carroll, by new GOP Chair Allen Weh. The spin from the inside is that the forces of ex-state party chair Dendahl, successful in forcing Ramsay Gorham to resign, have now been aided by the Bush campaign and congressional delegation in consolidating power at the top of the state party, if not at the grassroots level.

"Weh is taking orders from (Bush operative) Rich Beeson and (Sen. Domenici Chief of Staff) Steve Bell. They are basically ignoring the local players. Even though the State Central Committee is dominated by Ramsay's supporters, they have been ignored.
Guys like (former light Guv Walter) Bradley and (GOP Bernalillo County Chair) Ken Zangara have been dealt out. This is about the re-election of Bush, Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce. It's also about the big money that will be flowing into the state for the Bush campaign and who will get the contracts. Local candidates or building the party for the long term and healing the divisions is of no concern to these guys," analyzed another deep insider who has been close to the ongoing action.

Another party source told me "he felt duped" by Weh. "He was basically presented as having no dog in the fight, but it turns out he does. He never consulted with anyone over the staff firings. He just took his orders from the Bush campaign who needed these people out of the way so they could run the show here." The source also told me that a former campaign operative for Congresswoman Wilson, Glen Wilkins of Atlanta, appears to be in line to take Carroll's $60,000 a year post as executive director. "He will take orders from the Bush campaign and basically be a front guy," our source informed.

But Weh's advocates again hammered the "incompetence' of Gorham as the cause of the upheaval. "We needed to bring someone in to straighten out the mess she created with the Republican National Committee and the Bush campaign. It's not about who gets the money; it's about who gets the White House. Dendahl and (GOP Nat'l Commiteeman, attorney/lobbyist) Mickey Barnett have shown they know how to get the job done. It's too bad it had to come to this, but Gorham was unwilling to play ball. Now, it's our game to win or lose," said a Weh supporter.

Whether the party apparatus has been hijacked or rescued is a matter of opinion. However, the war for control is far from over. The Barnett-Buffett contest for GOP Nat'l Committeeman looms in June. And the bloody weekend sparked cries for Weh's resignation. But for the next six months, it appears the Bush campaign, aligned with the Dendahlites and congressional delegation, is calling the shots in the state GOP. Rank and file Republicans, legislative candidates and others lower in the pecking order may have to fight get their voices heard and their share of the party's resources.

THE READER MAILBAG: MANNY & JUSTINE


"Manny doesn't want the Highlands job!" "Justine Young is supported by both Republicans and Democrats." Those were some of the sentiments in our mailbag recently in reaction to stories we broke on this site. "Which is more important to Bill? Have a strong and accomplished ally in the Senate or a pal languishing in the backwaters of a non-rated school of learning?" That's how one reader reacted to our report (April 19 & 20) over the speculation on who would replace Manny Aragon in the state senate, if he did get the top job at NM Highlands University. Well, I would not call Highlands a 'backwater" and also think the post is prestigious enough to lure Manny away.

About that fundraiser being thrown by GOP State Rep. candidate Justine Fox-Young and being co-hosted by two prominent Democratic lobbyists. (April 21) "You misled your readers. There were 17 other sponsors of the fundraiser, and they were all Republicans," said one miffed correspondent. Another Young supporter, Democrat Mark Fidel, son of State Senate powerhouse Joe Fidel, e-mailed that he has hosted a coffee for Justine and that he "was proud to be a Democrat backing her." To my eyes, the big news was that Young was having any association at all with Dems during an intense struggle with fellow Republican and incumbent House member Bob White. I think most political observers would agree. But agree or disagree, your comments, criticisms and news tips are always welcome. Use the e-mail link at the top right of this page to send them in.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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