Wow – who knew that buying votes in New Mexico was sanctioned?  From Santa Fe New Mexican:

Asked by state Rep. Debbie Rodella for an opinion on what’s a legitimate campaign expense and what’s vote-buying, Attorney General Gary King came up with a critique of state law along with legal-scholarly response:

There’s no “bright line” between the two in New Mexico statutes. But Rodella, the wily political veteran, should read between the lines of the entire King opinion:

What he’s really saying is “use your head.”

Rodella, who has represented La Mesilla and vicinity down around Española for most of two decades, is given to giving out money — $50 here, a hundred there — to folks she figures could use it; funeral expenses, a phone card for a college student headed out of town, things like that.

“Random acts of kindness” is how the representative coyly characterizes her largesse.

She’s performed such acts often enough to raise eyebrows, and questions of impropriety — mainly because it isn’t her own money she’s giving away; it’s her campaign fund, replenished from time to time by big interests who’d like her to think kindly of them when key legislation comes up.

Read the Rest…