The political alligators are surfacing after the off-the-tracks special session of the Legislature and, as usual, they have a list of winners and losers in New Mexico's latest political partying. Deep inside the Roundhouse much of the spin is focusing on House Speaker Ben Lujan. "Gentle Ben" is now earning the moniker "Big Ben" from politicos who said his use of force to keep the House in session, despite a balking senate, was his first real public use of power since he assumed the speakership in 2001.

Here's how one veteran Republican put it: "It's not well-know but Lujan is a pretty tough guy. He comes across as very meek to the public, but behind the scenes he has been a major player for years. His forcefulness in keeping his fellow Democrats in line on behalf of the governor is par for the course, but because it happened under intense public scrutiny a new side of Ben was revealed. I think his stock goes up in the Legislature, and certainly he has a major favor to call in with Richardson, who was left hanging when the Senate temporarily adjourned."

Lujan of Nambe had a revolution on his hands when House Dems were defecting because of the tax increases contained in the road bill that finally passed. House Majority whip James Taylor publicly strayed from the reservation and was quoted in the papers calling for the Legislature to go home. But Lujan brought him and others back into the fold. If the Speaker failed, the entire session would have been a political disaster for Big Bill, who hung on by a thread thanks to Lujan and company.

Another insider said while Lujan deserves credit and will benefit politically from the raw exercise of power, the Democrats have won a battle but lost the war. "Let's face it. Raising taxes and fees is never popular and that's what the road bill does. There will be a price to pay for some of those Dems who supported it. The Republicans have real ammo now to label this a tax and spend Legislature."

Speaking of paying a price, one wag at the Capitol chimed in: "Richard Romero ought to call California because that's where his campaign for Congress is headed." He explained: "Governor Davis raised car registration fees and look what happened to him. I think Richard made a big mistake on this one and Heather's gang is going to make him pay."

Romero, of course, is seeking the Democratic Congressional nomination for the fight to take on Republican Wilson for a second time. He lost the Albuquerque seat big in 2002, but wants another bite out of the apple. He led the move for early adjournment in the Senate, but was lobbied by Big Bill, agreed to come back and then ended up supporting the tax and fee increases in the road bill. Hardly a recipe for electoral success in a Congressional district where conservative independents are key.

Bottom Line: Speaker Lujan is now truly speaker in the eyes of New Mexicans. Richard Romero now needs major repair work on his fiscal record, and Governor Bill loses political capital for botching the special session, but gets rescued from major political damage by the gentle, but firm Ben Lujan.


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