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Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Facts on Pete Domenici JUNIOR, the new GOP Candidate for NM Governor
By now you've probably heard that former Senator Pete Domenici's son, Pete Domenici JUNIOR, has decided to become the 5th candidate running in the GOP primary for Governor of New Mexico. What will JUNIOR be running on? It's clear from his new campaign logo, which features the word DOMENICI in all caps -- without the Pete Jr. I guess the Repubs are hoping people won't notice that this is JUNIOR, not former Senator Domenici.
In his first political snafu, JUNIOR officially announced his candidacy at an event today in Albuquerque held at the exact same time as the city's traditional parade to honor Martin Luther King Jr. kicked off. I guess it was to be expected given the modern GOP's lack of enthusiasm about equality, but you'd think they'd at least go through the motions.
Anyway, Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales responded to Pete JUNIOR's announcement with a statement and some very interesting facts about the new GOP gubernatorial candidate:
"Since Republicans insiders have been unable to find a candidate for Governor with an actual record of fighting for New Mexico families, they’re settling for the biggest name they could find," said Chairman Gonzales. "The people of New Mexico won’t be fooled. It’s common for voters to ask candidates for office ‘what have you done for me lately?’ In this case, they’ll be asking ‘what have you done for me ever?’”
A few facts about the Republican Party’s latest would-be Governor:
Domenici JUNIOR calls himself an “Environmental Lawyer” when in fact he represents the special interests that pollute New Mexico’s environment ...
Domenici JUNIOR represented Ryder Truck Rental Inc., responsible for the largest diesel fuel spill in Albuquerque history: Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. brokered an agreement between Ryder Truck Rental Inc. and the state Environment Department over the cost of cleaning up what Steve Reuter, chief of the state's Underground Storage Tank Bureau, called the largest diesel fuel spill ever in the city. [AP, 3/11/00]
Domenici JUNIOR represented a man who sought permission to discharge up to 8,000 gallons per day of dairy wastewater less than two miles from Caballo Lake: Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. represented a dairy applying for a permit to discharge up to 8,000 gallons of dairy wastewater a day just 30 feet from a flood plain. The Environment Secretary Ron Curry said he opposed the permit because “New Mexico has limited surface water and we must protect it.” [AP, 2/28/08]
Domenici JUNIOR represented a Valencia County dairy indicted on 14 counts of polluting water of irrigation canals: When defending dairy farm owner Nick Van Tol, attorney Pete Domenici Jr. said there was no environmental harm involved in the charges that Van Tol illegally discharged pollution into the water. The farm owner was indicted on 14 counts of dumping pollution into irrigation canals. State Attorney General Tom Udall said he took the case seriously, “Pollution of ground water is obviously a serious issue for a state that has scarce ground water resources.” [Albuquerque Journal, 4/17/97]
Domenici JUNIOR represented Agronics Inc., which did not have a mining permit: Agronics Inc. was also cited for failing to obtain a ground water discharge plan. Agronics Inc., which was shut down for failure to obtain a permit, was represented by attorney Pete Domenici Jr. According to the Environment Department, the company also failed to obtain an approved ground water discharge plan despite the potential for ground water contamination. [Albuquerque Journal, 4/18/00]
JUNIOR has also represented other bad actors, such as the infamous "Drunk Nurse" ...
Domenici JUNIOR represented a nurse who admitted to treating a 5-year-old child while intoxicated: Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. said his client, Ann Barnes, a nurse at Lovelace Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic, was skilled despite her alcoholism. Barnes claimed she was not responsible for the death of a 5-year-old in 2004, despite her intoxication. [Albuquerque Journal, 2/14/08]
January 17, 2010 at 03:52 PM in 2010 NM Governor's Race, Minority Issues, Pete Domenici Jr., Republican Party | Permalink
Comments
I am sure that Pete D. Jr, is not necessarily a trustworthy man. It looks like another set-up for sell-out, brought to us by the Party of sell-outs, and the lowest bid.
Posted by: Mike Kitts | Jan 17, 2010 9:47:31 PM
So Pete Junior has spent his life defending polluters. That matches the Republicans total obedience to the oil and gas industries. Oil and gas is where Republicans get most of their campaign donations and Harvey Yates, the chairman of the state GOP is one of the biggest oil guys in the country. Talk about corruption!
Posted by: JT | Jan 18, 2010 7:44:37 AM
So Dementia JUNIOR is running for Governor. Meh. If any of the other Rethuglican saps had been able to raise significant scratch, he'd be dead in the water. As it is, his corporate polluter clients can come to his rescue. That'll help in the primary, but not so much in the general election.
Posted by: Proud Democrat | Jan 18, 2010 10:54:12 AM
The discourse around the gubernatorial race feels like people standing face to face shouting out names for the other.
I wonder that we cannot have civil debate of the issues and those who are carrying them. And then arrive at a solution that reflects and supports the public interests, Ds and Rs and Gs and Is alike.
What would you rather have in the end, a great governor, or, a governor that happens to be of a particular "party" or another?
Candidates are proud to claim to be "bipartisan", or better yet, above partisanship altogether, yet those who support them are not expected to exercise the same judgment; we are expected to accept or reject them based on their party ALONE.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 11:07:15 AM
Here he is again touting his "moderate" candidate for governor. Give it a rest, Ched. Arnold Jones has zero chance to win. The fact is there ARE real differences between the parties. Go read the platforms of each if you need a refresher.
Posted by: Sean | Jan 18, 2010 11:21:05 AM
Junior needs some practice with the public speaking but makes his living as a Lawyer? Hmmm.
Posted by: bg | Jan 18, 2010 12:00:47 PM
Sean,
I have never argued that there is no difference between parties - the premise is nonsense.
I did argue that the quality of the person is more important than their party, and that we would be better off having a civic discourse than a bunch of name calling.
You apparently disagree, on both counts, as is your right.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 12:12:53 PM
Thanks Barb! Publishing the records of the candidates is useful information for a voter like me.
Honestly, I do not know how the guy can look himself in the mirror.
If we are going to concentrate dairy cows so much, the state should spring for sewage treatment plants for them. These little plants would provide good jobs. The dairies themselves cannot afford to protect the water as the dairymen are hardly making a living. Ensuring wholesome milk and protecting our water should both be a function of government. Profit driven food supply has led to shortcuts creating extreme pollution and contaminated food supply. It is not the producers that make money from mass produced food. It is the middlemen, speculators and food brokers that "game" our food supply and make obscene amounts of money at great cost to our environment and health.
Posted by: qofdisks | Jan 18, 2010 12:25:09 PM
Ched-I want a governor who supports my positions, that are the positions of the Democratic Party. Your candidate supports Republican positions. The same ones that have gotten us into trouble in the country. She does not even support domestic partnerships. Granted some Dems don't either but the majority do. If she isn't for civil rights for all I can't support her or anyone else with that view. She wants to cut government not use it to help people.
Posted by: Sean | Jan 18, 2010 12:41:34 PM
I have no problem with your position - supporting a candidate who supports your issues. My interest is getting the discourse past party to issues.
I understand single issue politics though I don't advocate in its favor. Nor can I speak to JAJ's view domestic partnerships, an issue I personally support.
It is narrow minded to suppose that we have gotten where we are because of "Republican" positions any more than we got here because of "Democrat" positions.
We are where we are because we turned over control of our power and resources to a bunch of politicians and public servants, and then stopped paying enough attention to how they were being spent.
I think that the chance of being lead out of this mess by a democrat with competence, character, and courage, is about the same chance we have of being lead out by a republican with competence, character, and courage.
If we do find that person and they do lead us out, I believe you will find that their "party" had little to do with it.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 12:59:13 PM
She voted against domestic partnerships. End of story. We got here because right-wing policies of deregulation and greed have dominated our government for at least a decade. You can try to again claim that there is no difference in party positions on the issues but that is just plain crazy.
Posted by: Sean | Jan 18, 2010 1:07:31 PM
I didn't say there is no difference in party positions.
You don't get to just bully your position onto the minority without consideration of their interests.
I suspect you would feel differently if it was your voice being denied.
If we had not lost control over our power and resources, "right-wing policies of deregulation and greed" would not have dominated our government for decades.
Not only is there greed and deregulation,there is public corruption and incompetence.
There is no legitimate agenda that does not move forward on the day we eliminate the culture of corruption and incompetence in state government.
The impact of that change far surpasses the impact of a governor of "other" party.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 2:16:41 PM
I hate to say it but you sound like a child Ched. What's your response on her voting against domestic partnerships? It's laughable that a bad agenda pushed without corruption or incompetence would be a good thing. The GOP core belief is in deregulation and against progressive taxes. No matter how that agenda is applied it is wrong headed and out of touch.
Posted by: Sean | Jan 18, 2010 2:37:03 PM
Anyone else notice that Pete's son is divorced and has custody of the couple's child? What's the story behind that? He has some nerve saying he wants to fight for traditional marriage. Maybe he should try it in his own life.
Posted by: A Question | Jan 18, 2010 3:39:22 PM
As I said, if she has indeed voted against domestic partnerships, my council would be otherwise. It is not the only issue, and in my opinion not the most important.
Whatever her opinion, you will not find her cramming it down anyone's throat.
I said, if corruption and incompetence were ended, everyone's agenda moves forward. And further, that is so important an issue that others pale in comparison.
That is a far cry from saying I advocate pushing bad agendas even if part of them is transparently accountable government.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 3:49:05 PM
Oh surprise! Ched doesn't think equal rights is a very important issue. Old white men never do.
Posted by: Diz | Jan 18, 2010 4:51:25 PM
People should avoid getting into a back and forth with Ched-he goes around and around and where he stops nobody knows. Has a thing for Arnold Jones & doesn't understand why everyone else doesn't too. Nothing else matters.
Diane Denish is a strong candidate with high ethics & she's smart and practical. She's fair and cares about people. What the heck has Arnold Jones ever achieved except dragging that camera in there?
Posted by: Luther | Jan 18, 2010 4:56:01 PM
Diz,
To suggest that I have ever said that "equal rights" is a not a very important issue, is simply dishonest. Shame on you.
What I said exactly was, "domestic partnership" is not the "most important" issue.
If you are entitled a most important issue, why not I? Why does yours have to be mine?
Your racism and bigotry come as no surprise.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 5:28:06 PM
OK Luther,
Why won't your Denish admit that state government is awash in corruption and incompetence?
Why won't she use the words "culture of corruption" with regard to the executive branch of NM state government?
Let's stop there for a while.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 5:32:08 PM
See what I mean? The GOP has a culture of no, a culture of bigotry and a culture of making the poor pay for the sins of the rich. Does Arnold Jones ever mention that? Why not?
Posted by: Luther | Jan 18, 2010 5:51:24 PM
It is not her obligation to defend any record but her own.
Posted by: ched macquigg | Jan 18, 2010 6:02:00 PM
