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Tuesday, February 3, 2004

GOP Leaders Campaign for Bush

By David Miles
Journal Capitol Bureau
    SANTA FE— The chairman of President Bush's re-election campaign joined state Republican leaders on Monday at a Capitol rally to remind New Mexicans that Democrats aren't the only ones seeking the presidency this year.
    Marc Racicot, a former Montana governor, touted the GOP's candidate on the eve of today's Democratic presidential caucus. "We felt like it was an entirely appropriate moment in this very important political moment for the state for us to also remind people that we are very active and strong in our presence in New Mexico," Racicot said.
    Racicot noted that Democrat Al Gore edged out Bush by just 366 votes in New Mexico in 2000. Republicans hope to reverse that result this year, he said.
    "We believe we can win this state," Racicot said.
    Several state Republican leaders highlighted Bush's record against terrorism.
    "The president has led the world in the war on terror," said House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs, R-Albuquerque.
    Last year, the Bush re-election campaign initially considered setting up operations in New Mexico separate from the state GOP organization.
    But Racicot said Monday that Republicans now are all on the same page when it comes to Bush's re-election efforts. Racicot said the state GOP will be essential to the campaign and noted that he met Monday with Ramsay Gorham, chairwoman of the state Republican Party and a state senator from Albuquerque.
    "We're going to be working together to re-elect the president," Racicot said.
    John Sanchez, southwest regional chairman of Bush's re-election campaign and the Republican candidate for governor in 2002, said Bush's campaign in the state has bridged any rifts.
    "The Republican leadership of New Mexico is unified," Sanchez said.