Gov. Susana Martinez Reacts to Mother Jones Story: "One of the Most Desperate and Despicable Attacks

[Judi Lynn]

Gov. Susana Martinez Reacts to Mother Jones Story: "One of the Most Desperate and Despicable Attacks"

—By Andy Kroll

| Wed Apr. 16, 2014 10:16 AM PDT

On Wednesday morning, Mother Jones published a cover story about New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a rising star in the Republican Party, that draws on previously unreleased audio recordings, emails, and text messages. In these audio tapes, she and her aides use crude and often offensive language when referring to political opponents. Martinez's reelection campaign immediately responded.

In an email blast to supporters, Martinez attacked the messenger, calling Mother Jones a "tabloid" and "one of the most radically liberal publications in the country." Martinez accused Mother Jones of "peddling false, personal attacks against me, using stolen audiotapes from our debate prep sessions four years ago." She claimed that "this shows just how far the Left is willing to go to stop reforms in New Mexico." In the email, Martinez does admit to calling 2010 Democratic opponent Diane Denish "the B-word," adding, "I admit it—I've had to fund the cuss jar a few times in my life." Her email ends with a plea for a campaign contribution.

Her email neglects to address several parts of the story, such as the reports that Martinez's top adviser, Jay McCleskey, wrote "I HATE THAT FUCKING BITCH!" about a fellow GOP pol, and that a former Martinez adviser mocked New Mexico political icon Ben Luján for his English-speaking abilities, saying he "sounds like a retard."

Martinez's campaign has also created a petition describing Mother Jones as "the far-left's premier magazine" and calls the story "one of the most desperate and despicable attacks to date." The Martinez campaign's message goes on to ask supporters to sign a petition ostensibly to "show the D.C. liberal media that their desperate attacks have no place in our state."

More:
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/04/susana-martinez-new-mexico-responds-mother-jones

[madaboutharry]

1. Thin skinned too.

I would think that a former prosecutor and someone who has been around politics long enough would have a thicker skin. The response is a whiny attack on the messenger. She would have done herself a favor by ignoring it.

[chervilant]

2. Especially, if -- as she insists --

Mother Jones is "liberal" and "radical" and an unlikely read for her wilfully ignorant supporters.

[djean111]

3. I honestly believe she is just wringing some free publicity from this, because

from what I can see, her base would approve of every nasty thing she said. She is calling attention to the article, calling attention to what she said. Plus - a free list of people to ask for contributions, with that petition.

[tularetom]

4. Maybe there's a bridge over the Rio Grande she can shut down and tie up traffic

just to piss off the "fucking bitches" and "retards" she has to deal with.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. ,

,

[tanyev]

6. How dare Mother Jones report things she actually said!

Outrageous!

[The Magistrate]

7. Always Easy To Tell, Ma'am, When A Report Has Hit Home

"The bleatin' o' the kid incites the tyger...."

[bemildred]

8. +1.

And a pleasure to watch.

[frylock]

9. one of the most radically liberal publications in the country..

she says that like it's a bad thing.

[Aristus]

10. A screaming, histrionic press release, but no lawsuit.

Of course.

In a lawsuit, Mother Jones would produce the source materials under oath, proving what she said. Martinez knows better than to risk that...

[catbyte]

11. Only dumbass baggers whine about reporters reporting on what they actually say.