Denish plans for 'a new era of thinking'

Photo: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a second-term lieutenant governor, will seek the statea TMs top executive post in 2010, in the wake of a series of political scandals involving fellow New Mexico Democrats.

[Gato]

Glad to hear a NM politician addressing the problem of nepotism in government.

[Recovering Santa Fean]

"She said she wants an ethics commission nominated by the Supreme Court but devoid of any elected officials, lobbyists or family members of lobbyists. No officers of political parties, either."

If all these people are excluded, then who's left? Academics, researchers? And from where will they come?

Denish is just acknowledging what everyone already knows.... the reason that any meaningful, impactful ethics reform fails is the very participation of elected officials (legislators) & the lobbyists that pay them.

Both of these parties have an obvious conflict of interest regarding ethics reform. Legislators don't want their constituents to know which lobbyists are paying them nor do they want us to know what the lobbyists get in return.(Isn't it sad that lobbyists "buy" the policies that make them rich.)

Sadly, even if elected officials are excluded from the discussion at an early stage, they are ultimately responsible for the final form of any bill that reaches the governor's desk... so I'm not sure how Denish intends to get meaningful ethics reform, except to waste the time of a well-intentioned panel whose recommendations will be "amended" by the legislature.

[Its]

...about damn time we had someone running for office that has some integrity. Unfortunately, she probably would not win an election. Very few politicians in this state and certainly none in Northern New Mexico would be very likely to vote for her.

[Eideard]

An ethics discussion including/about the Roundhouse.

There are hacks in the Roundhouse who think ethics means "who picks up the tab at the track?"

[Judge Roy Bean]

Ethics reform in New Mexico means learning how to cover up corruption better.

Denish is a career politician. Throw them all out and start fresh.

Well, that's unrealistic but the reform does have to start from the top down and there is too much systemic resistance to change.

[What a Joke]

Yeah with so much $$$ in donations, she will be Bill Richardson all over again. This pay to play crap has to end...

[Eli Chavez]

Richardson asked for ethics too. Where was the second most powerful person at when pay for play and other ethics violations took place. It is time for an overhaul in Santa Fe.

[Reality]

"For years, the people of New Mexico have been waiting for Diane Denish to take a more active and visible lead on the issue of corruption. Cosmetic changes to the laws under the guise of corruption reform will not do. What is most important in the battle against corruption is for leaders to stand up against the fountains of corruption in the state."

OMG, I'm quoting the Republicans. But they are right. Anybody can speak out against the already convicted and propose legal changes in a state that doesn't enforce its existing laws. It is time for leaders to speak up against ongoing corruption -- eg, the Lujan Billboard and the Lujan Interchange.

Denish has to stop playing footsie with the bad guys while she mouths pap.

[Diogenes six]

If Diane Denish is linked to Roundhouse corruption, what better way to find out than to help her pass ethics reform under which her corruption will be exposed?

[The]

only difference between $Bill and Denish is their gender, other than that their thinking and attitude are the same. This is all just a PR move on her part.

[the smears]

The wrote:

only difference between $Bill and Denish is their gender, other than that their thinking and attitude are the same. This is all just a PR move on her part.

continue...

[Priorities]

1) Reduce the number of appointed salaried positions.

2) stronger civil service - minimum qualification requirements and review of all appointments and positions.

3) Clean contracting - full transparency

4) Immediate web disclosures of all gifts and perks - two working days max

[dpb]

Just what we need -- someone who stood by and/or ignored the corruption going on within her own party. Just another "good ole' gal" trying to obfuscate the issues and gain political power for her own group of "give me's." Better get someone new into this race, or it will just be more of the same. Denish has her own agenda, and it just includes a different group of crooks from a different part of the State.

[Pelon]

Her words sure sound pretty, but she IS associated with Big Bill. I don't know if I could trust her enough to vote for her. We shall see.

I wish someone with cojones to use the line item veto pen would run. Eliminate useless government entities and save us some money.

[Ret-Cop]

Actions speak louder than words. What has Mini-Hillary done?
All we get is promises. Time for real change from someone who has accomplished ethical reform.

[Corruption Studies Instit]

As a daughter of a former state politician, DENISH is nepotism personified.
Nothing is more powerful in campaign fundraising than INCUMBENCY. Another case of the foxes guarding the henhouse.
Her personal wealth makes it easy to set limits on others.

[Iff]

the Republicans put Mickey Mouse as their candidate, I will vote for him over Denish! At least he'll bring his Walt Disney ethics with him lol.

[Reality]

the smears wrote:

<quoted text>
continue...

Smears? Are you kidding? She got where she is by eight years of going along and keeping her mouth shut.

Now she has a golden opportunity. Instead more pablum let her issue the following press release:
********
IN MY CAMPAIGN, I WILL:

Accept NO help in any form from those involved in the decision to build the Lujan Interchange to Nowhere.

IF ELECTED, I WILL:

1. Halt all planning, purchasing, condemnation proceedings, and construction on the Lujan Interchange to Nowhere.
********

I wish she would do it. I am dying for a reason to vote for her. The thought of voting for a Republican gives me the creeps. So don't talk about smears. Tell me why she doesn't break with this reign of corruption.

[Concerned Citizen]

Sheriff Solano -- what about the dishes?

[Bill in Santi Flush]

Please tell me the dimwits in NM will show a little smarts and not elect the same old same old crooks for a real change!!!! PLEASE!