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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Karl Rove Makes Phone Pitch for Weh
By Sean Olson
Journal Staff Writer
National Republican political strategist Karl Rove, or at least his recorded voice, is calling New Mexicans with praises for Republican governor candidate Allen Weh.
Rove defends Weh's stance on immigration, which has been assailed by a Weh opponent, while recommending the former state GOP chairman and Albuquerque business owner for the party's governor nomination in the June 1 primary election.
"Allen Weh is tough as nails on illegal immigration," Rove says in the recording. "Allen is a retired Marine colonel, and nobody running for governor is better trained or better prepared to handle this issue."
Rove, a sometimes polarizing figure in national politics in his past role as top political aide for President George W. Bush and the architect of national Republican election strategy in 2000 and 2004, also appears to give an endorsement.
"He'll lead with integrity and make you proud. Don't be misled by negative ads. Allen Weh is the right choice," Rove says.
THE YATES FACTOR: Republican Party county chairmen said this week that there has been little reaction from rank-and-file party members to the negative advertising blow-up between state GOP Chairman Harvey E. Yates Jr. and Weh.
Calling them "misleading" and "dishonest," Yates condemned advertisements from Weh's campaign that targeted primary election opponent Susana Martinez. Weh then accused the party leader of playing favorites in a primary election and "handicapping" his campaign for governor.
Party chairmen in Sandoval, Doña Ana and Bernalillo Counties — Charlie Christmann, Mark A. Van Dyke and Rick Abraham, respectively — said the whole episode has been an "inside baseball" conversation that most party members haven't been concerned about.
Christmann and Van Dyke said they felt a little trepidation about Yates stepping in to play referee with Republican campaigns, but said they agreed with his message.
"It's nervous territory," Van Dyke said. "Personally, I think there is a distinction between picking sides and telling the truth."
Abraham said he has received some feedback, mostly from people who believe Yates did the right thing.
"They're glad people are standing up to this stuff," Abraham said.
IT'S A NEW DAY: Weh pulled his Yates-condemned ads on Martinez on Monday for the sake of "party unity." But his campaign was back at it on Tuesday, releasing new ads and new attacks against Martinez.
Weh warned earlier this week, even as he announced his plan to pull the first attack ads, that he wouldn't be pulling any punches down the road.
"Our ads are going to be honest, they are going to be fair, they're going to be truthful and they are going to provide contrast," Weh said Monday.
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