Webster's defines "pall" as "a sudden numbing dread," and nothing better sums up the reaction to the shocking weekend arrest of Bernalillo County Chief District Judge John Brennan. The bizarre incident again thrust New Mexico into the national headlines and overshadowed today's statewide primary election. Gasps of incredulity greeted the news that Brennan, a jurist known here and nationally, had been busted for cocaine possession while apparently driving drunk while trying to evade a police DWI checkpoint in midtown ABQ early Saturday morning. But as the shock wore off the political alligators surfaced with the postmortems and the tough questions.
--Where does a leading judge buy cocaine? Will that come out as this case winds thru the judicial process?
--What about his female companion, an employee of the NM Higher Education Commission? What do her bosses have to say and what is the message to the students of this state from that commission?
--Depending on where the judge allegedly got his drugs, did this influence any cases that may have come before him? He went on the bench in 1979.
--Where were his fellow judges, the ones who time and again elected him as Chief Judge? Did they not know he had a problem? Did they know but choose denial, rather than confrontation?
--What is the damage nationally to New Mexico politics as the news was played across the country throughout the long Memorial Day weekend?
--Will the Republicans benefit politically from Democrat Brennan's disaster, or are they handcuffed by prominent members of their own party who support drug legalization?
--Will the depressing news of the arrest further dampen turnout for today's already low-key election?
--Who will become the new chief judge for Bernalillo County District Court? One alligator touted Judge Edmund Lang as a a possible contender. "He ran a tight race against Brennan for the Chief Judge post and could now be positioned to take it."
--And will any of these questions be answered responsibly, or will the whole thing be swept under the carpet and labeled a “personal tragedy?” At this point, Judge Brennan’s personal problems are, frankly, irrelevant. The severe damage inflicted on the body politic and the citizens of New Mexico are what matter. Do our elected leaders have the guts to admit that and get on with cleaning up this mess in a forthright manner?
THE COCAINE HIGHWAY, NO JOY RIDE
Just some of the questions burning up up the email and phone lines as the impact of the news is fully absorbed. It comes just a couple of months after the DWI bust of another prominent state leader, State House Minority Whip Joe Thompson, who was forced to get out of elective politics as a result. Most legal sources say it's a no-brainer that Brennan is through as a judge and they expect his resignation shortly.
Governor Bill's reaction was tougher than when Thompson was arrested and Big Bill termed that a 'personal tragedy." He took heat for going so mild on Thompson and apparently learned his lesson as his Brennan statement took note that the judge's status should not influence how the case is handled. As Chair of the upcoming Democratic National Convention, you can be sure Big Bill wants this one to go away quickly. But tough talk and condemnation, if it comes, will only be a first step in repairing the damage to the state political and judicial system.
It was incredible to hear KOB-TV news report over the weekend that they had received numerous calls and e-mails that the station was placing too much emphasis on the arrest. This while the story raged across America! Until these pockets of indifference and denial towards the behavior of elected officials are cleaned out, our fair little state will continue to suffer, economically, politically and spiritually.
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
All the fevered speculation of NM Primary 04' will come to a halt tonight when we start counting the votes and see just how many upsets this one has to offer. I will anchor KANW 89.1 FM Election Night coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. with top NM Lobbyist Scott Scanland and an all-star panel of politicos. We will also continue our tradition of gathering votes early from key precincts so KANW will be the place to be if you want to know early how things are shaping up. Also, we will offer one-of-a-kind political analysis in New Mexico tonight, giving you stuff you can't hear anywhere else. If you ar a TV addict, I urge you to turn down the sound and tune us in. See you tonight!
Also, for an Election Night appetizer, join me at 4:20 p.m. today with KRQE-TV anchor Dick Knipfing who has been covering La Politica since the early 60's. We will preview the night ahead. And, at noon today, I will take calls and talk politics with talk show host Jeremy Reynalds on KKNS-AM 1310 in Albuquerque. Again, Election Night coverage on KANW starts at 6:30 p.m. Thanks to Pfizer, New Mexico's Enterprise rent-a-car, Bill Campbell Real Estate and Alphagraphics on Osuna NE in ABQ for their support of our program and of public radio.
Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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