Democratic Party shows support for Colón

| The Associated Press

2/24/2008 -

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico's Democratic Party chairman received a standing ovation during the party's first statewide meeting since its problem-plagued presidential caucus.

"Evidently, the rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated," Brian Colón said Saturday, when more than 180 party members gathered for a central committee meeting in Albuquerque.

Marvin Moss, a former Bernalillo County Democratic Party chairman, said he backed Colón, who has repeatedly accepted responsibility for the caucus problems.

"He did the right thing," Moss said. "He didn't pass the buck."

The Feb. 5 caucus was plagued by long waits at some polling places and a shortage of ballots that forced some to cast their vote on scraps of paper.

Colón came under sharp criticism during the prolonged counting of ballots, which ended Feb. 14 with Hillary Rodham Clinton narrowly defeating Barack Obama.

Also targeted for criticism was Laura E. Sanchez, who resigned last Tuesday as executive director of the state Democratic Party.

Colón said he and Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish are discussing heading up a committee to review the caucus.

Colón also said that he and Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson are planning an April 25 summit in Albuquerque.

The meeting will be held to gather input from Democratic elected officials, central committee members and others on how to proceed with the party's future presidential nominating contests, Colón said.