Pubdate: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 2000 Albuquerque Journal Contact: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Author: Loie Fecteau, Journal Capitol Bureau GOV. TO CONTINUE DRUG RHETORIC SANTA FE - Gov. Gary Johnsonsaid Tuesday that he knew his popularity would plummet when he started advocating the legalization of illicit drugs, including marijuana and heroin. But Johnson said he plans to continue to speak out in favor of drug legalization because he believes it is the right thing to do. "I recognized that if I had good approval, that that good approval was going to dive," Johnson told reporters. "I recognized that prior to doing any of this." Johnson's approval rating with voters has plunged nearly 20 points in the past year, declining from a 54 percent level to 35 percent earlier this month, according to a recent Journal poll. At the same time, more than two-thirds of the New Mexico voters surveyed in the Journal poll called Johnson's recent push to legalize marijuana and heroin a bad idea. "What it tells me is I need to redouble my efforts with regard to what it is that I'm saying" about drug legalization, Johnson said Tuesday of his drop in popularity. Earlier this year, at the urging of other Republicans, Johnson agreed to tone down his drug rhetoric during the regular legislative session, which ended Feb. 17. Johnson said he would honor that commitment through the special session. However, on Tuesday he discussed his views on drug legalization with student delegates to the YMCA Youth and Government Model Legislature, as he did Monday with the Rotary Club of Albuquerque and with a group of San Juan College students last week in Farmington. "I don't want to not talk about the issue and have people believe that somehow I'm shying away from my beliefs," Johnson said Tuesday. "These legislators aren't getting beat up like I'm getting beat up, and, again, I expected to get beat up." Johnson said he does not think his advocacy of drug legalization should be a campaign issue in the upcoming primary and general elections. All 112 legislative seats are up for grabs this year. Johnson described his push to legalize illicit drugs as "a campaign of information." "There is another side to this issue than the one that we've been fed for many, many years," Johnson said. "I think people do want to try and understand that other side to this issue." In the latest Journal poll, 44 percent of registered voters surveyed said they disapproved of the job Johnson is doing as governor. Sixteen percent had mixed feelings, and 5 percent were undecided. It was the first time since he took office in 1995 that Johnson's disapproval rating climbed above his approval rating. Johnson's popularity fell most sharply among his fellow Republicans in the latest Journal poll, plunging nearly 30 percentage points over the past year. Johnson said Tuesday he believes his drop in popularity is directly related to his push to legalize drugs. "I'm not surprised by it," Johnson said. "I knew when I started this discussion that I figured this was going to be a 70-30, that's what I figured, 70 percent against, 30 (percent) that were for it." In the Journal poll conducted earlier this month, 68 percent of registered voters said they thought Johnson's push to legalize drugs was a bad idea. Sixteen percent said it was a good idea; 13 percent had mixed feelings, depending on which drugs; and 3 percent were undecided. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. The statewide telephone survey of 408 registered voters was conducted March 14-16. - --- MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson