Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Q. What’s your favorite political joke?
Rep. Brian K. Moore, R-Clayton:
Where does the word politic come from? Latin for poly, meaning many; and tic, meaning blood-sucking parasite.
Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa:
President George Bush was at a news conference, he was talking about Iraq, Washington and the economy. A reporter asks him ‘Did you hear about the bizillions of deaths in Iraq?’ Bush becomes devastated, slumps over and says ‘How many millions are in bizillions?’
Sen. Clint Harden, R-Clovis:
The story about the little girl that wanted something for Christmas. Her family was in hard times (financially), so she wrote a letter to God asking for $100. The girl’s letter wound up on the post master’s desk in Washington, D.C., and the little girl received $10 in the mail for Christmas. The girl wrote a thank you letter to God, ‘Dear God, thank you for sending me $10, but please don’t send other letters to Washington, because they keep too much.’
Q. Who’s your favorite US president and why?
Rep. Keith Gardner, R-Roswell:
“Ronald Reagen because of his vision and ability to stand fast in adversity.”
Rep. Brian K. Moore, R-Clayton:
“I have to appreciate Washington for getting the whole thing started. Lincoln may have been the bravest ...I admired Reagan for communication.”
Rep. Anna Crook, R-Clovis:
“I was very fond of Ronald Reagan. He was an excellent president. He was charismatic and did an excellent job.”
Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa:
“FDR, because of the challenges he had to overcome, through the Depression and World War II and bringing the country together ... He worked internationally to make sure we wouldn’t be overrun by the Japanese or Germans. He was a man with a strong will and heart. He was there for America at a critical time.”
Rep. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs:
“My favorite in my lifetime is Ronald Reagan, for his ability to pull people together. That’s missing in Washington. He was the right man at the right time. I’m hopeful to see that again. The way it is now it’s difficult to accomplish what we need to at the federal level. My hero is Ben Franklin, but he was never president.”
Sen. Clint Harden, R-Clovis:
“So many come to mind ... (But) I’d go back to the early founding fathers. That group of presidents that laid the foundation for what democracy is about today.”
Sen Stuart Ingle, R-Portales:
“There’s been a lot of great presidents. It depends on the circumstances ... Kennedy and Eisenhower. Nixon opened up a lot of things in foreign countries.”
Q. Why did you enter into politics?
Rep. Brian K. Moore, R-Clayton:
“I was politically active in the 60s, campus stuff. Our state representative asked me to run and I said, no, I don’t have time. I had friends call, and I came down the year before and went to committees and watched the floor. I thought this is crazy and I thought no I can’t do this. (But then) I was convinced I could come up and be independent and vote how I wanted to vote. I thought we’d lose anyway, no one was more surprised then me on election night.”
Rep. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs:
“All my life, my family’s been in politics. My dad was a county chairman. My brother worked in Washington (for a senator). I’ve always had an interest but never thought about stepping out until I was asked. I was appointed the first go-round and then elected. It’s all about timing and life experience. Some are lucky and others just dream. I’m fortunate to be in the political arena.”
Rep. Anna Crook, R-Clovis:
“I was the number one draft. I was the last one on the list and I was elected.”
Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa:
“My father. After World War II, he got involved in moving the community forward, in keeping the town alive What inspired me to get involved was to create opportunities for all rural communities, to enjoy quality of life, without gang problems, where we know our neighbors. In large cities, many people don’t know who their neighbors are. Much of our armed servicemen are from rural areas. There’s a quality of life in being raised in rural areas, we need to preserve these areas, and find good jobs to help improve our opportunities.”
Sen. Clint Harden, R-Clovis:
“It’s something I’ve always been interested in. I got involved in the political process really early, when I was in ninth grade at Marshall Junior High. I always wanted to go the Naval Academy, I got in, (but the) process is writing Congress and senators ...When I was in high school I was always involved in the young Republican party. It’s always been an interest and I am fortunate and blessed to be in a position to do this.”
Sen Stuart Ingle, R-Portales:
“I enjoy working with people.”
Rep. Keith Gardner, R-Roswell:
“Frustration and a desire to serve. My dad was in politics and it’s always been interesting to me ... to hope to make a difference.”
