N.M. REPUBLICANS UPSET WITH JOHNSON CRUSADE

SANTA FE -- Gov. Gary Johnson's call for national debate on drug
decriminalization has given New Mexico Republicans a "black eye," a longtime
state senator said last week.

"This is a black eye and an embarrassment to good solid Republicans," said
Sen. Billy McKibben, R-Hobbs. Johnson, a Republican pushing for a national
debate on legalizing certain drugs, discussed the issue on several national
television news programs last week.

McKibben said the governor should focus on creating jobs or lowering taxes,
not legalizing drugs. He said many Republican lawmakers are "disgusted
beyond belief" with Johnson's latest crusade.

"I would hope the governor would concentrate on more important subjects that
are not so degrading to the Republican Party," McKibben said. "He has
diluted his credibility."

At a Capitol news conference last week, Johnson said drug policy reform is
supported by many private citizens, but it is unpopular with politicians.

"There is absolutely zero political support," Johnson acknowledged.

Some Republican state legislators complained that Johnson's drug proposal
surfaced in the media before they knew about it.

Rep. Jeannette Wallace, R-Los Alamos, said she was "disappointed, but not
surprised" that Republicans were caught off guard by Johnson's call for a
debate on drug policy.

"I'm not sure he's ever talked to us a whole lot about anything," Wallace said.

Johnson pleaded "guilty" to failing to consult with Republican legislative
leaders before his proposal was made public.

Johnson said he is concerned that his relationship with Republican lawmakers
- -- who have been important allies in upholding his vetoes against the
Legislature's Democratic majorities -- could be damaged by the drug issue.

"That's a reality, it's a fact, it's happening," said Johnson, who refused
to elaborate.

Senate Minority Leader L. "Skip" Vernon, R-Albuquerque, said Johnson isn't
obligated to consult party members before taking on an issue.

"But I want to distinguish obligation from courtesy," Vernon said.

House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs, R-Albuquerque, defended the governor's
right to raise the drug issue, but conceded it is not helpful "in holding
everybody (in the Republican Party) together."

However, Hobbs predicted most Republicans will continue to support Johnson.

"We will stand behind him on most issues," Hobbs said.

Rep. Ron Godbey, R-Albuquerque, also called the issue "embarrassing."

"It's extremely embarrassing to the party by virtue of the fact that the
national platform condemns illegal drugs," Godbey said.

The state Republican Party's executive committee sent Johnson a letter in
late July, reminding Johnson of the national party's anti-drug platform. The
platform calls for strict criminal penalties for drug crimes, especially for
those convicted of drug trafficking.

Vernon said Republicans worry about the effect Johnson's drug rhetoric will
have on their campaigns in 2000.

"We don't want to be defined as pro-legalization" Vernon said. "If the
public is misled into believing that because the governor says he's in favor
of legalizing drugs then all Republican legislators are in favor of it, then
the public is wrong."

Journal Staff Writer Loie Fecteau contributed to this report.