North Koreans Come to the Rescue

You’ve got to love the timing of the thing. Conspiracy theorists could have a field day. Former Democratic Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron is indicted on 50-counts for laundering millions of dollars, and Governor Bill Richardson holds “productive talks” with the North Koreans.

I can’t help, but feel the need to take a trip down memory lane back to April 30, 2007:

Oh, and it looks like the newly elected Democratic Party Chairman, Brian Colon, is already going to have his hands full trying to keep some folks from getting back into office:

Former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron wants to be lieutenant governor.

You might be thinking that she’s looking to get on a ticket in 2010. Vigil-Giron, however, is thinking about next year.

She told me that during the Democrats’ convention in Las Cruces today.

Rebecca Vigil-Giron back in office. It’s like a dream come true for Republicans. Remember, this is the lady whose fiscal mismanagement of the Secretary of State’s office was so severe that it resulted in a Richardson job offer being revoked put on hold:

Richardson said he wasn’t aware the shortfall was that big.

“I was not aware of the size of the deficit,” he said. “I was aware there was some expenses that hadn’t been paid but when I learned that was $3 million, I think it’s important we get all the facts and we make sure a proper audit is done.”

The governor’s announcement [regarding Rebecca Vigil-Giron’s appointment being put on hold] followed Sen. Shannon Robinson, an Albuquerque Democrat, yanking his sponsorship of an administration bill this week that would create the Media Arts and Entertainment Department, of which the film museum would be a part. Robinson was the only Senate sponsor.

House Republicans tried but failed to stop a similar bill in that chamber.

Even with his call for an audit, the governor defended Vigil-Giron.

He said she “has served the state, she’s been an elected official, she’s contributed to state government in New Mexico and I believe she deserves an opportunity to stay in state government.”

Of course, you’ve got to love the Governor’s logic in that last paragraph, “[Vigil-Giron] contributed to state government in New Mexico and I believe she deserves an opportunity to stay in state government.”

Hmm, I wonder… let’s try that a few different ways…

“Manny Aragon contributed to state government in New Mexico and I believe he deserves an opportunity to stay in state government.”

“Robert Vigil contributed to state government in New Mexico and I believe he deserves an opportunity to stay in state government.”

Michael Montoya contributed to state government in New Mexico and I believe he deserves an opportunity to stay in state government.”

That about sums up the problem with New Mexico politics. Now, I’m sure that the timing of the Governor’s meeting with the North Koreans was just a fortunate coincidence.