[Ex-Rep.] Joe Skeen [R-NM] dies after battle with Parkinson's

[goobergunch]

ROSWELL (AP)
Dec 8, 2003, 10:18 am

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Skeen, who was elected as a write-in and served longer than any other New Mexico congressman, has lost his long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

The blunt-talking former congressman who championed causes of New Mexico’s ranchers and farmers during his 22 years in the House, died Sunday night at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. He was 76.

‘‘He was in his sleep, and he went peacefully,’’ said Jerry McKinney, a longtime Skeen spokesman. Skeen’s wife, Mary, was with him when he died at 8:20 p.m., McKinney said.

‘‘The state and the nation just lost a great statesman,’’ McKinney said.

more...http://www.alamogordonews.com/artman/publish/article_2102.shtml

[Gloria]

1. He just stepped down in 2000 ; he seemed to be very popular in

this district. We got stuck with Pearce, drilling man, instead.

My dad died from Parkinson's; I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[burrowowl]

2. Let's

say that Pearce is more openly rightwing nut. Skeen had the same agenda of wrecking gov but used calmer language than Pearce.

I don't understand how Rubin Smith didn't get the Dem nomination, he at least is a Democrat, the other Smith was Repug-lite,

[Gloria]

3. I didn't mean to suggest I supported Skeen....he was in office when

I came here. I actually worked on the Dem campaign against Pearce!!
Yeah, Smith was pretty Repug-lite, but considering the alternative...

Ruben Smith...I guess people were sick of him. And he just got bounced from the post he got in Santa Fe...heading the museums, I believe. Apparently, he wasn't too popular there....

[kainah]

4. He was a decent man

who at least understood how politics and policy worked together. He understood the place that the House of Representatives played in the scheme of governing and cared about the institution -- a trait sorely lacking in most modern repugs.