Who Will Take On Heather Wilson? Let the People Decide

Round and round we go and where we stop, nobody knows. At least not yet. But there's been lots of recent leaking, rumors and positioning going on about Dems who may be considering a run against Repub Rep. Heather Wilson in New Mexico's CD1 in 2008. Names bandied about have included former City Councilor and Albuquerque mayoral candidate Eric Griego, current City Councilor Martin Heinrich, Economic Development honcho Rick Homans, State Auditor Hector Balderas, Binagaman' staffer Terry Brunner, NM Rep. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, State Treasurer James B. Lewis and even former UNM President Louis Caldera. In recent days, we've had a visit from the DCCC to Albuquerque and reports of Calderas seeking out their counsel in D.C.

Homans quickly withdrew from consideration after initial reports of his possible candidacy, and he's since transferred from his job running the NM Economic Development Department to heading up the new Spaceport initiative. I guess the response to his candidacy was less than enthusiastic. I know it certainly was in the core Dem segments of the Party.

For Griego's latest statements on entering the race, check out New Mexico FBIHOP's with Eric. Today, Las Cruces blogger Heath Haussamen reports that Heinrich has formed an exploratory committee for the race and taken an unpaid leave of absence from his job as NM Natural Resources Trustee. Along with Balderas, Griego and Heinrich seem the most likely to follow through with a run that might well end up in an exciting Dem primary race full of ideas and energy.

Richardson Camp Weighing In?
Unfortunately, however, the Bill Richardson camp seems to be jumping the gun and leaking their support for Heinrich way ahead of the game. See today's post on Monahan quoting "top political sources." Nothing against Martin, who is very popular and well-respected among local Dems, but remember when it was MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY who selected candidates? That's why we have a pre-primary convention and the option of a primary to settle the question of who would be the best candidate to run on the Dem side. Haven't we had enough of candidates being crowned from above based on who knows what criteria? One of the most common (and angry) complaints I hear these days is that power brokers and insiders are usurping the power of rank and file Dems, of the Party itself. Let the people decide!

Practice Makes Perfect
Some believe primaries can sap the strength (and fundraising) of the ultimate candidate in these kinds of races, but everyone I talk to thinks it would be a positive development in this race. We need the strongest, scrappiest, most articulate and honest candidate to take on Wilson, and a primary contest would permit the cream of the crop rise to the top. What's in a candidate's resume and position statements is important, but I think most of all we need someone this time who can think on their feet, and be passionate and genuine in their communications. We need a candidate with the presence of mind to confront Wilson on her weaknesses, while clearly and persuasively delineating how they would solve the problems she cannot or will not solve.

How do candidates gain these skills? By debating in public on the merits, by stumping in the primaries before those who will decide who runs. What we don't need is another candidate who avoids debates until the last minute and then fumbles because they've had no real-world practice.

We need someone proud to be a real Democrat who won't run from controversy or confrontation, and who can stand up to the usual barrage of dirty campaign tactics used by the Repubs. We need someone who can generate strong grassroots support, deal intelligently with media pressure and avoid greenhorn mistakes. How can we know which one would be the best at this unless we have a process where candidates have to first show their stuff in a primary arena? Believe me, if it's perceived that Dem bigwigs are choosing our candidate from on high, it may well hurt our chances, not help them. The grumbling has already begun over the phone lines, and nothing kills rank and file enthusiasm (and volunteer hours) quicker than a perception that our views can safely be bypassed or ignored. We need a process that drums up excitement, not resentment.

Who Best Matches the District?
Without recent and convincing local polling data, it's difficult to predict which issues will be on the minds of CD1 voters this time around, or which candidates have organic support in the district. We don't have that kind of data yet, which makes early insider cherry picking even more unwise and unwelcome. Most of all, I think voters are sick and tired of overly groomed, say-nothing, do-nothing, mealy-mouthed candidates, who take the "safe" road to nowhere recommended by Beltway consultants and powerful elected officials. We need a candidate in CD1 who can stand up to both Repub propaganda and insider Dem manipulation. We need a candidate who gets his or her strength from voters, not handicappers. We need an independent-minded leader, not someone beholden to those currently in office and their advisers.

Don't get me wrong -- I like Heinrich and believe he might well be our best candidate against Wilson. What I don't like is all the pressure being applied by those who apparently believe they know best and that Democratic Party members should be content to stay on the sidelines as a candidate is chosen.

As to Monahan's contention that "the odds have dipped dramatically" for other candidates "as the Guv's support of Heinrich will make fund-raising difficult for any other contender," I guess he's never heard of Act Blue or other ways of raising large sums via small donations for candidates who emerge from the grassroots. Money shouldn't be the problem -- getting sufficient numbers of voters to turn out will be the trick. Attempting to pre-empt the Party's process can only make this harder on those who'll be doing the doorknocking and outreach.

Let the People Decide
Let's support an open and grassroots Dem contest to decide who will next take on Heather -- one that will be chock full of passion, ideas and straight talk -- whether it takes the form of pre-primary competition or a full-fledged Dem primary in CD1. What we don't need is another candidate annointed by power brokers in the state and from inside the Beltway. I say let the people decide. What do you say?