Richardson Slams Door on Recount Compromise

According to an article in this morning's Albuquerque Journal, Governor Bill Richardson has slammed the door on any compromise with the Green and Libertarian candidiates that would allow a partial recount in New Mexico's presidential election.

Richardson is quoted in the article as saying,

"I'm not accepting the compromise," Richardson said. "It's time to move on. Let them have a full recount, if they can come up with the money."

Ain't he sweet.

An appeal by the Green and Libertarian parties of the $1.4M advance payment requirement is before the NM Supreme Court. Although no hearing has yet been set, the court issued an order on Friday ordering the canvassing board to respond in writing to the lawsuit by Noon on Wednesday, December 22.

At a meeting of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo this past week, attendees got the Party line from Party officials about Richardson's decision on the recount -- he's doing the right thing by protecting New Mexican taxpayers from footing a million dollar bill for the recount! And there's no use fighting the decision because, well, you know why.

From the reactions of what seemed to be a majority of the crowd at that Party meeting, the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party isn't happy, to say the least, about the responses of the DNC, Kerry and Richardson to the voting problems being uncovered and documented almost daily in several states. If the Democratic Party won't stand up for fair elections and against voter suppression, who will? 

I think this issue is one that could have helped build a good working relationship between the mainstream Democratic Party and the grassroots activists, volunteers and small donors who gave uncountable hours of volunteer time and between $30 and $50 millon in donations to the cause during the presidential race. Instead, the dismissive positions taken by Richardson and others will only serve to push people away from supporting the Party and guarantee that people will reserve alot of their faith, money and sweat for helping progressive groups increase their clout and leverage. What other choice to do we have?