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Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Both Parties Hope To Cash in on Karl Rove Visit
By Sean Olson / Politics Notebook
Former President George W. Bush senior adviser Karl Rove is coming to New Mexico for an event that both political parties are using to raise money.
Rove will be the drawing card for a state GOP fundraiser Saturday at the Hilton Albuquerque. For $100, fans will get a reception with Rove and a copy of his book, "Courage and Consequence." For $250, they'll get a signed copy of the book and a "VIP" reception, according to a state Republican Party invitation.
Democrats have responded by sending out fundraising letters criticizing Rove.
"Rove is here on May 1 to raise money for the Republican Party of New Mexico so they can bring the same policies of the failed Bush presidency to New Mexico," wrote Scott Forrester, state Democratic Party executive director.
Rove was a lightning rod for controversy during the Bush presidency, with many Democrats seeing Rove as the architect of some of Bush's most conservative policies, as well as national Republican election strategy.
Conservatives have praised him as a master political strategist.
CABINET BOOST: Seven Cabinet secretaries in Gov. Bill Richardson's administration have volunteered to help boost the fundraising efforts of Lawrence Rael, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
The secretaries — Katherine Miller, Joe Williams, John Garcia, Jon Goldstein, Rick Homans, Ron Curry and Ken Ortiz — all are slated to appear at a May 11 fundraiser for the former Mid-Region Council of Governments executive director.
Richardson has not come out with an endorsement for any candidate in any primary race.
"Governor Richardson does not get involved in primary races, and Cabinet members do what they want," Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said Tuesday. He added: "The governor has a high regard for Lawrence Rael."
Other Democrats running for lieutenant governor are former state Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colón, Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa, Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, and Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque.
BIG AUDIENCE: Candidates often worship with constituents during elections, but Allen Weh, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, got the opportunity to speak in front of four services at the Cavalry megachurch in Albuquerque.
Weh, who has been a member of the church for 13 years, said he did not ask the 14,000-member congregation for its votes during his minute-long speeches at four separate services over a weekend.
Weh said his speeches did not amount to an endorsement of his campaign by church leaders.
"My pastor simply felt it was appropriate for the congregation to hear me tell them why I was running for governor and for them to offer their prayers for my journey," Weh said.
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