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opinion editorialsThis editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
N.M. Tips Cowboy Hat To Gentleman Politician
Bruce King, the booted, cowboy governor known for barreling through life and politics with an outstretched hand and a "How're ya doin'?" died Friday. He was 85.
The three-term governor leaves a legacy of consensus reached over a cup of coffee. He takes with him a home-spun style that makes us nostalgic for a kinder, more naive era of just 15 or so years ago. It was back before the pay-to-play revolving door of indictments and trials and felony convictions. When you won elections mostly by shaking hands. When the goal was to find common ground, not win at all costs. When there was nothing remarkable about being married for 60-plus years and considering her your partner as well as your wife.
Granted, King governed during good economic times (he was elected in 1970, 1978 and 1990), when the state was flush with cash from oil and gas, coal and uranium. But he had what some might call an old-fashioned foresight to use that largesse to help create the state's enduring "rainy day" funds.
And to come up with a formula for equally distributing money to public schools across our diverse urban vs. rural state.
And to establish a Cabinet-level agency to coordinate help for the state's children and families.
And to make kindergarten available statewide.
And to set up a public defender program.
And to recognize the need to an environmental improvement agency.
King's initiatives weren't flashy, but they have had staying power and an immeasurable effect on New Mexicans' well being.
His terms weren't controversy-free. King candidly described the bloody, brutal 1980 state prison riot as "the hardest two days of my life" and admitted years of neglect were to blame. His opposition to expanding legalized gambling likely help cost him re-election in 1994, when Indian tribes sent their support and campaign contributions to Gary Johnson, who approved the gaming compacts.
He was notorious for giving long-winded non-answers to pointed questions and mangling the language along the way — including his famous "Box of Pandoras." His middle-of-the-road approach sometimes got him labeled as a caretaker instead of an innovator.
But he never forgot where he came from or the people he represented.
He grew up on the family ranch in Stanley. He died there, too.
And in between he covered New Mexico like an afternoon monsoon, visiting county fairs and catered dinners, national meetings and local diners, shaking hands and calling out to people by name. The list of condolence cards starts with former President Bill Clinton, covers a who's-who of New Mexico politics and likely ends with the staff that served King and his brothers coffee every morning at Moriarty's El Comedor. But King would have been the last person to prioritize the senders.
He simply would have walked over, hand extended, to ask "How're ya doin'?"
Without him and the common-sense decency he epitomized, not as well.
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