N.M. gov. suggests state workers help him in Iowa

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has a suggestion for many of the people who work for him in state government there.

The boss of the state thinks they ought to pack their bags now or by the holidays, leave the Land of Enchantment and hike up to Iowa's sleeping fields and snowy roads to help him get yet another job: president.

According to the Associated Press, the two-term governor has asked his appointees and other state employees to help out with the intense door-to-door, phone-to-phone process of organizing for the Jan. 3 Iowa Democratic caucuses. If Richardson, who hasn't exactly been surging in the polls, doesn't do well then, his hopes of winning the Democratic nod seem slimmer than he is. And he'll be stuck in Santa Fe.

Getting the hint from their boss, several administration officials have already left for the Hawkeye State. Others will soon follow. "I've got quite a few friends in Iowa," says Environment Secretary Ron Curry, "so I am looking forward to going back up there and campaigning hard enough to keep my butt from freezing."

Also maybe to protect his butt back home.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Vinny]

When I first read this, the legality of Richardson's request popped into my mind. I know there's a federal law preventing federal employees from using federal property to campaign. I wonder if there is a federal law governing what state employees do on campaigns, even if it's apparently "volunteer" work. I also am curious to know if there is a law in New Mexico preventing a governor (or any legislative leader) from so nakedly requesting state employees to campaign for them, as Richardson did so in this case. I'm sure Richardson double checked first before making this request but I'm just curious if there's such a law. I'm not sure if New Mexico has such a plural executive system like California (and appoint some of their important posts where we would just elect them). I'm sure some of these people are doing it under their own free will but it seems like there's a thin line between volunteer and possible subtle coercion.