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The420Guy
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Arianna Huffington, a national columnist and political activist, called
upon President-elect George W. Bush on Wednesday to appoint New Mexico Gov.
Gary Johnson as the new national drug czar.
Meanwhile, Darren White, a former member of Johnson's administration, is
making a serious bid to become the drug czar.
"As drug czar, (Johnson) would have the courage and the passion - and, yes,
the compassion - to lead the nation in a long-overdue debate on this
critical subject," Huffington wrote in her column published in Salon online
magazine (www.salon.com) and newspapers around the country.
The chances of Bush appointing Johnson might be slim. The idea has been a
joke among New Mexico political observers ever since Bush declared victory
in the presidential election, and the suggestion even came up as a
tongue-in-cheek question at a recent news conference.
"He's a popular Republican governor," Huffington wrote, "the first in the
history of his state to be elected to two consecutive four-year terms; the
only governor to complete the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii; a model of
abstinence who doesn't even drink."
A spokesman for the Bush transition team couldn't be reached for comment
Wednesday. In the past, spokesmen have declined to comment on possible
choices for administration positions before an official announcement.
Addressing her comments to Bush, she wrote, "Now, like you, he used to
party. But, unlike you, once in office he didn't hypocritically introduce
tougher drug sentences for first-time offenders and instead launched a
crusade for sensible drug policies."
Huffington probably is best known for her frequent appearances on the ABC
political-satire show Politically Incorrect and for her role in last
summer's "shadow conventions," billed as alternative presidential
conventions intended to highlight issues the major political parties won't
address.
Johnson spoke at both shadow conventions - in Philadelphia and Los Angeles
- about the war on drugs. He is backing proposals in New Mexico to legalize
small amounts of marijuana and lessen penalties for possessing other drugs.
Huffington quoted Johnson in her column, saying, "The first thing I would
do is institute truth in advertising rules at the Office of National Drug
Control Policy because a lot of what has been coming out of it is pure
hogwash - especially the claims of victory."
But she noted that the governor was quick to add, "It would be too bold a
statement for Bush to choose me. I'm a little radioactive. But I definitely
think that a bold choice is what is needed."
His remarks were similar to those at a recent Santa Fe news conference at
which Johnson jokingly was asked about being appointed drug czar.
"I'm sure that's the last headache that Bush needs right off the bat,"
Johnson said last month.
The second person from New Mexico being discussed as drug czar, Darren
White, said Wednesday he has applied for the drug-czar position or to be
director of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. White resigned as
public-safety secretary last year because he disagreed with Johnson about
drugs.
White, now a television reporter for KRQE Channel 13, said a person
involved in the Bush campaign, whom he declined to name, urged him to reply.
He sent the required paperwork to Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather
Wilson, both New Mexico Republicans. Wilson, White said, mailed him a copy
of a handwritten note she sent to Dick Cheney, the vice president elect.
White said he does not expect to hear from the Bush team for several weeks.
Newshawk: Sledhead
Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jan 2001
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM)
Copyright: 2001 The Santa Fe New Mexican
Contact: letters@sfnewmexican.com
Address: 202 E Marcy, Santa Fe, N.M. 87501
Fax: (505) 986-3040
Feedback: https://www.sfnewmexican.com/letterstoeditor/submitform.las
Website: santafenewmexican.com | News, opinion and sports from Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico
Author: Steve Terrell
upon President-elect George W. Bush on Wednesday to appoint New Mexico Gov.
Gary Johnson as the new national drug czar.
Meanwhile, Darren White, a former member of Johnson's administration, is
making a serious bid to become the drug czar.
"As drug czar, (Johnson) would have the courage and the passion - and, yes,
the compassion - to lead the nation in a long-overdue debate on this
critical subject," Huffington wrote in her column published in Salon online
magazine (www.salon.com) and newspapers around the country.
The chances of Bush appointing Johnson might be slim. The idea has been a
joke among New Mexico political observers ever since Bush declared victory
in the presidential election, and the suggestion even came up as a
tongue-in-cheek question at a recent news conference.
"He's a popular Republican governor," Huffington wrote, "the first in the
history of his state to be elected to two consecutive four-year terms; the
only governor to complete the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii; a model of
abstinence who doesn't even drink."
A spokesman for the Bush transition team couldn't be reached for comment
Wednesday. In the past, spokesmen have declined to comment on possible
choices for administration positions before an official announcement.
Addressing her comments to Bush, she wrote, "Now, like you, he used to
party. But, unlike you, once in office he didn't hypocritically introduce
tougher drug sentences for first-time offenders and instead launched a
crusade for sensible drug policies."
Huffington probably is best known for her frequent appearances on the ABC
political-satire show Politically Incorrect and for her role in last
summer's "shadow conventions," billed as alternative presidential
conventions intended to highlight issues the major political parties won't
address.
Johnson spoke at both shadow conventions - in Philadelphia and Los Angeles
- about the war on drugs. He is backing proposals in New Mexico to legalize
small amounts of marijuana and lessen penalties for possessing other drugs.
Huffington quoted Johnson in her column, saying, "The first thing I would
do is institute truth in advertising rules at the Office of National Drug
Control Policy because a lot of what has been coming out of it is pure
hogwash - especially the claims of victory."
But she noted that the governor was quick to add, "It would be too bold a
statement for Bush to choose me. I'm a little radioactive. But I definitely
think that a bold choice is what is needed."
His remarks were similar to those at a recent Santa Fe news conference at
which Johnson jokingly was asked about being appointed drug czar.
"I'm sure that's the last headache that Bush needs right off the bat,"
Johnson said last month.
The second person from New Mexico being discussed as drug czar, Darren
White, said Wednesday he has applied for the drug-czar position or to be
director of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. White resigned as
public-safety secretary last year because he disagreed with Johnson about
drugs.
White, now a television reporter for KRQE Channel 13, said a person
involved in the Bush campaign, whom he declined to name, urged him to reply.
He sent the required paperwork to Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather
Wilson, both New Mexico Republicans. Wilson, White said, mailed him a copy
of a handwritten note she sent to Dick Cheney, the vice president elect.
White said he does not expect to hear from the Bush team for several weeks.
Newshawk: Sledhead
Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jan 2001
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM)
Copyright: 2001 The Santa Fe New Mexican
Contact: letters@sfnewmexican.com
Address: 202 E Marcy, Santa Fe, N.M. 87501
Fax: (505) 986-3040
Feedback: https://www.sfnewmexican.com/letterstoeditor/submitform.las
Website: santafenewmexican.com | News, opinion and sports from Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico
Author: Steve Terrell