GOP BOSS MAY FACE OUSTER

The head of the state Republican Party said he is facing political
retribution for his support of Gov. Gary Johnson's assertion that the
nation's war on drugs is a failure.

New Mexico GOP Chairman John Dendahl confirmed that some party members are
trying to oust him for supporting drug decriminalization.

"I've been told that some are preparing to make a run at me," said Dendahl,
who has been the party chairman for five years.

Dendahl acknowledged that state Rep. Ron Godbey, R-Albuquerque, faxed him a
letter asking for the names and addresses of the more than 400 members of
the GOP's Central Committee, which has the power to remove any elected
party official from office without cause. " This letter is a pretty clear
start on that process," Dendahl said.

Godbey denied that he was working to oust Dendahl. He said he asked for the
names and addresses of Central Committee members because he wants to send
them information demonstrating that drug decriminalization doesn't work.

"The last thing I would like to see is John Dendahl go," he said. "I just
want him to be quiet about drug decriminalization, and I want him to follow
the party platform."

The national Republican Party platform is against drug legalization.
Dendahl said he does not oppose the legalization of marijuana. But he said
he was not prepared to support the legalization of heroin and cocaine.

"The drug war is a loser," Dendahl said. "It has cost us an unacceptable
amount of money and an unacceptable loss of civil liberties."

Godbey said Dendahl should not be removed but should face censure by the
GOP Executive Committee and the Republican Party as a whole.

"He and the governor have made some outlandish claims about the benefits of
drug legalization," he said. "He is not willing to follow the party line on
drugs. He goes out on his own."