For the Nov. 7 New Mexico general election, SFR called candidates to test their knowledge. The rules for Pop Quiz were as follows: No research allowed and if they call back later with the right answer, too bad. To see who answered correctly (or came closest), check out our answer keys below.
Questions:
1. You and your opponent were both highly touted young athletes before becoming politicians. Name three other well-known politicians-from any era-who were also big-time athletes at one point in their lives.
2. The current movie
All the King's Men
, starring Sean Penn, is loosely based on the exploits of what former Southern Governor?
3. How many New Mexico National Guard troops are currently serving in Iraq?
4. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, what percentage of New Mexicans are uninsured, and where do we rank nationally?
5. How many Native American languages are spoken in New Mexico?
6. What is your position on stem cell research? And what is your position on commentator Rush Limbaugh's criticism that actor Michael J Fox was faking his Parkinson's disease symptoms in a recent political spot in support of the research?
7. What famous person, celebrity, actor, athlete or other public figure does your opponent remind you of?
Answers:
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Bill Richardson (Democrat), 58, is currently the governor of New Mexico.
1. Uh, Bill Bradley, senator from New Jersey, was an NBA basketball star and college star. Uh, Jim Ryun was a congressman and Jack Kemp was a congressman from Buffalo and a football star.
2. Huey Long.
3. Well, I know we have 4,000 total. I think it's about 100. I know a lot have come back.
4. We're at 22 percent and rank 48th.
5. Tiwa, Tewa…Hold on. How much time do I have? Eleven.
6. Well, I'm for stem cell research. And, in fact, I'm going to announce a major stem cell research initiative tomorrow. I have one word for Limbaugh's comments: outrageous.
7. Say it again. You mean, physically? Dick Cheney. In character and in looks.
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John Dendahl (Republican), 68, is retired.
1. Well, Jack Kemp. George Allen-his father was coach of the Washington Redskins. And, uh, let's see. Lynn Swann.
2. I haven't seen that movie, so I don't know the answer.
3. I don't know the answer.
4. Well, I think they claim we rank somewhere in the order of 25 percent.
5. Uh, let's see. I know the answer. I think it's seven.
6. Well, I think Mr. Limbaugh may be about right. That Fox could have well exaggerated his symptoms-but I don't know that. But I was sympathetic to that. As for stem cell research, I think the president is about right. There are enough stem cells out there already being researched in order to do it without government funding. I don't have any philosophical or religious concerns about stem cell research as long as long as these kinds of research are done with very careful ethical care.
7. Bill Clinton.
SFR Key
1. Both candidates' answers to this question are correct (although Senator George Allen-R, Va.-was not as highly touted as the other athletes mentioned; he played football at the University of Virginia).
2. The film
All the King's Men
is loosely based on the life and career of Louisiana Governor Huey Long.
3. Approximately 270 state National Guard troops are currently serving in Iraq, according to the New Mexico National Guard.
4. According to the most recent figures from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 21 percent of New Mexicans are uninsured. New Mexico ranks second, behind Texas, for the highest percentage of total population lacking health insurance.
5. According to the Web site of the New Mexico secretary of state, eight Native American languages are spoken in New Mexico.
