I’ve watched with much amusement as Governor Richardson’s favorite blogger has opened mouth and inserted foot a couple of times this week. Yes, I’m talking about New Mexico’s premier politicial gossip columnist, Joe Monahan.
Staying true to form, our dear friend, Mr. Monahan, is trying to paint a picture of turmoil and dissension within the Republican Party of New Mexico. This time the tale he’s spinning starts something like this:
Suffice it to say, Dog Days of Summer or not, the blogging Gods pulled the plug on the getaway, providing a reason we couldn’t dream up even if we had dosed that iced tea with Drambuie. That reason is one Spiro G. Vassilopoulos, a Republican considering running against NM GOP US Senator Pete Domenici in the 2008 primary. Got your attention?
Now good ol’ Joe may have got your attention, and mine, but in classic style, he either forgot to do his homework or just chose not to do it for the sake of sensationalism.
You see, if Senor Monahan had done his homework, he would have realized that even if Spiro G. Vassilopoulos is registered as a Republican, Mr. Vassilopoulos’ money has a long history of being committed to the Democrats.
But hey, don’t take my word for it. Go check out Political Money Line and see for yourself. Now, you are going to have to go back a ways, because it’s been a good 13 years since Mr. Vassilopoulos has written a check for more than $200 to a candidate for federal office.
- In 1994, he and his wife contributed $500 to Senator Domenici’s campaign, but he reserved the big money, a $1,000 for Democrat Bob Krueger of Texas.
- In 1990, he gave Senator Domenici another $500, but in the same campaign cycle he gave the Democrats, James Warren Lane of Texas $2,000 and Senator Jeff Bingaman, $333.
- In 1988, he gave his $500 to Senator Jeff Bingaman.
In case math is not your strong suit, that leaves us with Mr. Vassilopoulos donating a total of $3,833 to Democrats and $1,000 to a Republican. Sorry, but in my book, anyone who gives their money almost 4:1, Democrat to Republican, does not get to call themselves a Republican.
And, anyone following politics in New Mexico for any length of time knows that a “republican” candidate with close allegiances to the Democratic Party doesn’t have even the slightest chance of being taken seriously by the GOP faithful in a primary situation.
Tsk, tsk, Mr. Monahan.