How would you like to see such public quotes in a newspaper about a candidate or elected official in which you are involved in during a campaign?

And it doesn’t take much for something like this to snowball out of control.

Fortunately for Gov. Richardson, it became expedient for the Lt. Governor to downplay the incidents but in all reality, this situation should have never reached this level.
 

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From the very beginning, a campaign staff and especially the campaign manager has to make it explicitly clear that such behavior is totally unacceptable. Granted, that is easier said than done simply because such culprits may be bold and charismatic or they may be politically powerful and importantly connected. Such a confrontation can immediately end the involvement of a campaign staffer if it is done in the wrong way.

But how does this conduct happen in the first place?

Just as with other bad behavior, it happens because the right person does not stop the malefactor.

Anybody can be resolute enough to say “no” but it requires the right person to do it so that it has the maximum impact necessary. Unfortunately, this acquiesce is what emboldens the culprit into thinking that this illicit conduct is acceptable or that at least, he or she will get away with it.

A personality type is a different story. For instance, the individual may actually believe that this is merely a component of his or her personality. Some people are naturally touchy-feely and that behavior may be fine around friends and family but it doesn’t work in politics particularly when someone complains about it.

Either way, boorish behavior or personality types have to be confronted and dealt with swiftly.

The worst possible outcome is for this sort of incident to hit the local media and then get catapulted into the national spotlight. Gov. Richardson is fortunate in that he enjoys favorable coverage with the press and good relations with the right people.

And some politicians are very lucky if they happen to have media types who will shield them from embarrassing coverage. In addition, New Mexico is really a small state and has a tiny media market so that even at the gubernatorial level, it is still pretty hard for that state to get national press attention.

But here is an ugly truth.

Gov. Richardson has a “D” attached to his name instead of an “R.” And that makes all the difference in the world, especially when it comes to a vindictive media. Democratic operatives will dismiss such a notion as partisan hand-wringing but it is a cruel reality. When a Republican does something bad, it automatically gets demonized by the press. Such a thing rarely happens with Democratic malcontents unless it is totally outlandish.

As a result, Gov. Richardson is lucky.

But not everyone can count on luck. That is why it is absolutely critical for the most influential individuals who support the candidate or elected official to make the confrontation. Its importance belongs right at the top and it must be confronted directly by the people whom he or she will listen to.

And at that point, the entire political future must be discussed because that is what is at stake.

Here are some sensible questions to ask:

• Does the candidate or elected official want to scare off current or future supporters and volunteers?
• Does he or she wish to bring the brunt of a media circus upon a campaign?
• Is a very public lawsuit or threat of a lawsuit really needed at this time and place?

Those are tough questions to ask but the answers definitely carry more weight.

Overall, such behavior has to come to a swift and immediate end. If not, the press will surely make that happen. Also, a campaign staffer has to decide if he or she wants to become part of a media whirlwind if such events continue to go too far. I have personally known of people who have walked out of campaigns because of the bad behavior of politicians (although not of pinching or grabbing). And it is actually a shame to see such talent take flight but that will surely happen if such conduct goes unresolved.

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