State Won't Recount Votes; Court Denies Two Candidates' Request (NM)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | December 23, 2004 | Andy Lenderman

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE— The state Supreme Court has denied an application by two candidates for a recount of the presidential election. The court's order, filed late Wednesday, did not give a reason for the denial.

Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb and Libertarian Michael Badnarik had asked the state for a full recount. Cobb has said the recount request was made in order to verify the credibility and accuracy of New Mexico voting technology.

Justices Pamela B. Minzner, Patricio M. Serna, Richard C. Bosson and Judge James J. Wechsler concurred, while Judge Michael D. Bustamante dissented. Bustamante and Wechsler, who are state Court of Appeals judges, were named to replace Supreme Court Chief Justice Petra Maes and Justice Edward L. Chavez, who recused themselves.

The court reviewed the matter after the state Canvassing Board, which governs election recounts, ruled the recount could go forward if Cobb and Badnarik paid for it.

The board, which includes Gov. Bill Richardson, Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron and Chief Justice Maes, gave the petitioners until Dec. 16 to come up with $1.4 million to pay for the recount. That deadline came and went without a deposit.

"The governor believes now more than ever that it's time to look forward and focus on election reform in order to fix the significant problems that arose in the last election," said Richardson spokesman Billy Sparks.

Reached by telephone, Cobb said he was disappointed in the court's ruling. "The law seemed clear," Cobb said. "In fact the law is clear, and I think it's an example of Bill Richardson and the ruling elites of New Mexico simply making a decision that the law won't be followed and the Supreme Court going along with them."

Cobb's attorney John Boyd of Albuquerque said he is hopeful the state would still accept the $1.4 million deposit. "To me that seems like an option," said Boyd. "Whether or not the plaintiffs can raise that kind of money is obviously a question."

Copyright 2004 Albuquerque Journal

[CedarDave]

"In fact the law is clear, and I think it's an example of Bill Richardson and the ruling elites of New Mexico simply making a decision that the law won't be followed and the Supreme Court going along with them."

I agree with the Supreme Court in this case, but it's true that King Bill controls state government much as Huey Long did in Louisiana.

[Eastbound]

""The governor believes now more than ever that it's time to look forward and focus on election reform in order to fix the significant problems that arose in the last election," said Richardson spokesman Billy Sparks."

Translation: 'We didn't think we could use the old 'ballots found in a closet' routine two times in a row.'

[jimfrommaine]

At first New Mexico was driving me nuts. But now that the Electors have met and it's 286 for America and 251 for Kerry, I can look back and laugh at it all. What A joke Richardson is. The left is going bonkers over The President's legitmate win in Ohio, yet were silent as lambs as Richardson kept manufacturing votes for Kerry.

[CougarGA7]

The thing about Richardson is he's a lot like Jennifer from the second season of the Apprentice. When things go right he will claim credit, even when it's unwarranted. When things go wrong he will just sit quietly looking as cute as he can so he can fly under the radar.

This election I believe that Bill thought New Mexico would be as close as it was in 2000. He had about 3000 votes stashed away in the event that Bush won. He would then bring them out and save the day for Kerry. The problem was, the 3000 votes weren't enough. Now he knows that he couldn't deliver the state as he promised, so it is important to him that New Mexico doesn't become a spotlight in recount events. He needs to keep a low profile.

That's why he is not in favor of any of this recount nonsense. He's already lost some political capital and he cant afford to lose anymore since he's running for higher office in 4 years.