Diary of a Mad Voter: Heath Haussamen
Bet on Richardson Signing Death Penalty Repeal
The New Mexico Senate approved a repeal of the death penalty today and sent it to Gov. Bill Richardson for a signature. He isn't saying what he'll do, but my money is on him signing the bill.By Heath Haussamen, 3-13-09
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I have nothing more than a gut feeling, but my money is on Gov. Bill Richardson opting to sign a bill that would make New Mexico the 15th state to repeal the death penalty.
For the politically savvy and embattled governor, there’s nearly every reason in the world to sign the bill—from a political standpoint—and few to veto it.
The Senate sent House Bill 285, sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque, to the governor today on a vote of 24-18. It’s the most significant legislation to head the governor’s desk so far this session.
Richardson put out a statement that says he’s still undecided on whether he’ll sign the bill.
“This is an extremely difficult issue that deserved the serious and thoughtful debate it received in the Legislature,” Richardson said. “I have met with many people and will continue to consider all sides of the issue before making a decision.”
Richardson has opposed the death penalty repeal in the past, but he now says his stance is softening.
Which is the first clue he will sign it. Think about it. A governor dogged by pay-to-play allegations and still stinging from his failed bid to join the Obama administration needs a big win. Signing the bill would earn him positive international attention, while vetoing the bill would do the opposite.
The last time Richardson was on the internationally unpopular side of such an issue—cockfighting—Jay Leno made fun of him. And Richardson switched sides.
In addition, progressives are taking increasing control of state and federal government, and Richardson has failed to deliver on some of their biggest issues, including domestic partner benefits and universal health care. His success in pushing their desired ethics reforms has been mediocre, at best.
Though ending capital punishment isn’t only a progressive issue, the signing of this bill would be a big win for progressives.
It’s no secret that Richardson can be swayed. The master of shrewd political moves has come back from scandal before, and he could do it again (assuming, of course, that he isn’t indicted in the ongoing federal grand jury probe). Signing this bill would be quite shrewd at this moment in America’s political history and in Richardson’s career.
The governor has until Tuesday to act on the bill. He has set up a hotline—(505) 476-2225—for people who want to share their opinion on the bill. People can also e-mail the governor through his Web site. The governor’s office says staff will work throughout the weekend to tally people’s positions and “provide the governor with the options.”
Don’t expect Richardson to act before Tuesday. He’s also a master at getting press. The suspense around this bill will earn him plenty. But when he does act, don’t be surprised if he signs the bill and puts an end to capital punishment in New Mexico.
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Comments
So one person can give the death penalty to the just born and unborn. How quaint and personally responsible. But millions can't insist on the death penalty for persons who take another's life. Damned quaint. Save the scumbags!!
And that Bill Richardson. The pro-cock fight guy. Hey, compadre, that was just Hispanic culture he was defending. You know, like how the diplomatic attache' in Oregon explained that culturally, for Hispanics, is just fine for a forty year old man to hump his 13 year old niece...that is how we do it in Mexico. You know, the place with no death penalty....unless, of course, you look at a dope dealer wrong. Then the heads do roll...or end up in plastic bags on the street corner. Lovely place, that Mexico. They try to slow down the dope smugglers, but they keep finding their generals are part of the problem. No death penatly and over 7000 murders known in the last few months. Grisly, demeaning, vicious, Cormac McCarthy novel murders. So you have to wonder which relative of Richardson's is threatened with death if he doesn't sign. If you don't think Americans with relatives in Mexico don't get threatened, think again, sucker.
So what the hell are we to teach children, really? Is there any moral compass left? There are millions of grade school kids who can see the hypocrisy of no death penalty and abortion on demand, both "rights" of free men and women. Do ya s'pose that kind of confused foundation for growing, maturing children expresses itself in mayhem on more occasions than we want to address or admit to? Like, even the ones doped up on anti-psychotic drugs can think in their fog. Just maybe not thoughts you and I would like to know about.
Damn. If you could just predict the outcome of the next fetus to arrive, like you know what's on there, if the dude was going to be a boil on society's butt, what's on there, or is she the gal that cures cancer. Then you could just knock the bad ones on the head and keep the best of the best. You know, sort through them somehow, and blow out the ones that would cause problems. I mean, like the state does have an obligation to protect its good citizens, what's on there. Ya know. The ones who will do good stuff...like play good basketball or be smart, ya know... And do keep all the cute girls and good looking boys....beautify America, ya know...what's on there.
When you write a book on Richardson, I'll be first in line.
If it were up to the people who make the decisions in New Mexico, in other words, "put to the vote", Richardson would react differently!
In other words, if an "illegal immigrant" shoots up a community, and people are killed, do you believe the community would say "No Death Penalty?" I doubt it. Then if "anybody" did the same thing, other than an illegal, do you think the decision would change?
It sounds as if we're pandering to the Mexican Immigrant population that is pouring across the borders into New Mexico!
Richardson will pander to them! He might be entitled "the Great Panderer!"