Baa. Baa. Baa. Could that be the sound of sheep going to the voting booths?

We have just finished a mayoral election between an outstanding challenger and an incumbent. A third candidate, long in experience and civic awareness, but short on vote-getting appeal really didn't affect the outcome.

But what may have seriously influenced the outcome was the rude and crude charge by the incumbent. It wasn't a racial slur. It wasn't an ethnic insult. It wasn't a religious slam. No, none of these. Much worse, the challenger was called a "Republican." Good heavens, the challenger was maybe a member of the party of the Emancipation; the party preaching freedom for all from the constrictions of big government; one of the two major parties that has contributed, along with the Democrats, to the two-party system that used to serve this country so well.

God forbid that in this wonderful sanctuary city, where illegals thrive and in which we all live together, we should dare to allow a Republican to be elected mayor. If the election looks like it might be getting close for a supposedly bipartisan position of leadership, then let's throw out the dreaded "R" word and horrify the voters with the dangers that such a person might wreck upon our fair city.

Even this newspaper, the owners and operators of which graciously allow me to write what I wish, can't handle the threat of a competent manager to run this city, if he or she might be an "R." Never mind that the paper's economic well-being is totally and inextricably dependent on the economic vitality of Santa Fe, it is just too much of a stretch to support an "R" over a "D."

The lifeblood of a newspaper is its advertising revenue, and it doesn't take a genius to notice that Santa Fe business is not running the advertising that it used to. Nevertheless, this paper supported the candidate whose entire career appears to have been on the opposite side of the table from business and economic management. This makes as much sense as burying one's head in the sand.

To be sure, the mayor is a fine person, appears to be sincere, hardworking, and a gentleman. But luckily for him, he is a "D." That apparently is the major qualification for office in Santa Fe. Most people would think that demonstrated management skills might be a requisite to handle a $100 million enterprise. But apparently party affiliation is what is really important.

In reporting on the election the next day, the paper even had to denigrate the challenger by referring to her reception as "a small gathering" in a "back room" at La Fonda. It was actually quite a large crowd of boisterous well-wishers in a lovely space in the heart of that landmark hotel. (I was there.) Why did the paper feel the need to be negative and patronizing toward this hardworking dedicated group effort to bring change, management, and positive economic improvement to Santa Fe? The challenger had run a very positive campaign on the issues, no smears of the opposition, the kind of campaign that provided the electorate with the basis for an informed choice.

OK, Santa Fe will probably survive. In our form of city government, the mayor's job is not one of great power. But the position is one where real leadership could in fact have impact. Leadership on the battlefield requires a certain amount of charisma and good judgment, but leadership of a large institution like the city of Santa Fe actually can benefit from management skills and experience. What a pity that there seems to be so little importance placed on these attributes by our citizens and our media. That nasty "R" tag was more than Santa Fe seemed able to handle. Isn't it time to grow up?

Bah. Bah. Bah. (Humbug, with apologies to Scrooge)

Santa Fean Gregg Bemis is an industrialist/adventurer and concerned senior citizen.