News (Media Awareness Project) - US NM: NM Democrat Chief Asks Governor To Quit |
| Title: | US NM: NM Democrat Chief Asks Governor To Quit |
| Published On: | 2000-08-23 |
| Source: | Dallas Morning News (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 11:39:46 |
NM DEMOCRAT CHIEF ASKS GOVERNOR TO QUIT
SANTA FE -- The head of the New Mexico Democratic Party says Republican Gov. Gary Johnson's latest statements glorifying cocaine are the last straw, and he should resign.
The governor's office said he has no intention of resigning.
Democratic party chairwoman Diane Denish said the state GOP should ask Mr. Johnson to quit because he was quoted in Sunday's New York Times Magazine as saying about cocaine: "Whoa! I understand why people do it. This is unbelievable."
The article also quoted Mr. Johnson as saying the drug was too dangerous for him to continue using it. He has said he quit using cocaine after college.
Mr. Johnson has long been criticized for his views on the legalization of drugs. Although he believes using cocaine is wrong, he has been candid about the euphoria induced by it, and told The Dallas Morning News that "It's wonderful!" in August 1999.
Mr. Johnson's latest comments came in an article in The New York Times Magazine about his national push to legalize marijuana and change other drug laws.
"Using his office to ... spread such an irresponsible message is misuse of office and constitutes malfeasance," Ms. Denish said in a news release Monday. "Johnson is clearly sending the most irresponsible, harmful kind of message not only to New Mexico's children but the nation's children."
She also criticized him for telling a group of college students in Washington last fall that smoking marijuana is "kind of cool."
Mr. Johnson has repeatedly called the use of any drug "a bad choice." He said he has not used drugs since his early 20s and has not had a drink of alcohol in 13 years.
"Rather than resign, he's going to redouble his efforts, including the message, 'Don't do drugs. They're a bad choice,'" said Dave Miller, Mr. Johnson's legislative liaison.
GOP state chairman John Dendahl said that while he did not speak from personal experience, Mr. Johnson probably was telling the truth about cocaine and marijuana, "given their rampant use."
"And telling the truth, even though it may be an unpopular truth, is not grounds for removal from office under the articles of the New Mexico Constitution," Mr. Dendahl said.
SANTA FE -- The head of the New Mexico Democratic Party says Republican Gov. Gary Johnson's latest statements glorifying cocaine are the last straw, and he should resign.
The governor's office said he has no intention of resigning.
Democratic party chairwoman Diane Denish said the state GOP should ask Mr. Johnson to quit because he was quoted in Sunday's New York Times Magazine as saying about cocaine: "Whoa! I understand why people do it. This is unbelievable."
The article also quoted Mr. Johnson as saying the drug was too dangerous for him to continue using it. He has said he quit using cocaine after college.
Mr. Johnson has long been criticized for his views on the legalization of drugs. Although he believes using cocaine is wrong, he has been candid about the euphoria induced by it, and told The Dallas Morning News that "It's wonderful!" in August 1999.
Mr. Johnson's latest comments came in an article in The New York Times Magazine about his national push to legalize marijuana and change other drug laws.
"Using his office to ... spread such an irresponsible message is misuse of office and constitutes malfeasance," Ms. Denish said in a news release Monday. "Johnson is clearly sending the most irresponsible, harmful kind of message not only to New Mexico's children but the nation's children."
She also criticized him for telling a group of college students in Washington last fall that smoking marijuana is "kind of cool."
Mr. Johnson has repeatedly called the use of any drug "a bad choice." He said he has not used drugs since his early 20s and has not had a drink of alcohol in 13 years.
"Rather than resign, he's going to redouble his efforts, including the message, 'Don't do drugs. They're a bad choice,'" said Dave Miller, Mr. Johnson's legislative liaison.
GOP state chairman John Dendahl said that while he did not speak from personal experience, Mr. Johnson probably was telling the truth about cocaine and marijuana, "given their rampant use."
"And telling the truth, even though it may be an unpopular truth, is not grounds for removal from office under the articles of the New Mexico Constitution," Mr. Dendahl said.
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