ABQ Mayor Marty was accused of election year grandstanding when he proposed that the city pull out of its joint operating agreement with Bernalillo County to pay for local jail costs. But there may be another motive. Santa Fe Alligators sent me this bill introduced in the last session of the Legislature and unsuccessfully pushed by Chavez rival and Bernalillo County Commissioner Alan Armijo. It would have forced the city to pay a whole lot more to the county to run the Metro Detention Center. Chavez's pullout threat may have been a response to the Armijo movida. Meanwhile, Armijo who drew just one per cent in the 01' mayoral race, has threatened to run again, but it's not seen as likely.

NEW CHIEF, NEW LOOK
Staying in the Big Duke City, besides the mayor the spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department always ends up being a statewide figure. The TV news obsession with blood and guts catapults this public servant into the upper levels of notoriety in a matter of days. It just so happens the new guy knows that. Former public information officer (PIO) John Walsh was just named PIO by new APD Chief Schultz. Insiders say with Gil Gallegos out a new public image was needed and the first face to go had to be the TV talking head. Walsh also had the job under Jerry Galvin during Jim Baca's mayoral term.

Schultz may have a limited honeymoon. Because of the scandal over the APD evidence room, the new chief will need to demonstrate his independence and integrity quickly. PR alone won't do it. He will have to make the department come clean, and if he doesn't, the next mayor will live to regret it.

And what about that byline on all the ABQ Journal's investigative stories on the police dep't evidence room scandal? Police reporter T.J. Wilham is a newcomer to the scene. He came here just months ago from Indiana, says a Journal source. For Wilham the timing could not have been better.

NM WEB WATCH

The TV stations cover the cops and robbers beat to death, but on the KOB-TV web site you will find much more. The site is varied and updated regularly during the weekdays. It's edited by veteran NM broadcaster Reed Upton whose efforts and the stations were recognized when it won the NM Associated Press Broadcasters Award for 2005.

And while I'm on the media beat, how about student journalist Ryan Hickey of La Cueva High in ABQ? He found that tap water at the school has high levels of arsenic and lead, and now the school is figuring out what to do about it. Congrats Ryan. Please think about joining us on the La Politica beat. We need your enterprise.

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Sen. Domenici
We are long removed from the days when most of NM's congressional delegation ranked way up high on the seniority ladder. But our little Enchanted Land continues to more than hold its own in the Senate, while it will take years for us to regain high rankings in the House. In the Senate, if Pete Domenici, who turns 73 in May, hangs on for another term, and he will if he can breathe regularly, NM could find itself close to having the most senior of all the 100 senators. Pete now ranks #5 on the list with Robert Byrd of West Virginia #1. Domenici is the longest serving U.S. senator in state history taking his seat in 73.' And Dem Jeff Bingaman is not all that far behind, coming in at #18 out of 100. In fact, our state's senators rank highest in seniority than any other.

Over in the House, our three representatives are all relatively new and its reflected in the seniority rankings. Sophomore GOP Rep. Steve Pearce brings up the rear, ranked #381 out of the 435 House members. Dem Tom Udall is #292 and ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson comes in at #265. Top committee assignments continue to be handed out on the basis of seniority so it still matters.

A PLACE WITH PEARCE

Congressman Pearce went with a Washington insider and native Texan when it came time to fill the top spot on his D.C. staff. Greg Hill, who counts a stint at the White House press office under Bush I as well as time at the law firm of former Senate majority leader Howard Barker, takes over the reigns as Pearce's chief of staff from New Mexican Jim Richards, who is now on the Capitol lobbying circuit. Hill comes to Capitol Hill from the Housing and Urban Development Dep't where he was an Deputy Assistant Secretary. Washington insiders say the choice of Hill, instead of sticking with a New Mexican is not unusual and that Pearce, who has a reputation as a tough boss, can utilize Hill's skills to climb the congressional ladder. Pearce continues to covet a spot on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

POWER PLAY FOR A PENNY

Also on the D.C. beat, word comes that Penny Lee, a top aide to Pennsylvania governor and possible Prez contender Ed Rendell, has been hired as executive director of the Democratic Governors Association. This after a tussle we reported on that had Big Bill forcing out Lee's predecessor. Our Guv, chairman of the association, decided not to directly name a new ED after speculation surfaced that he was trying to use his position to tout his own 08' Prez candidacy. He opted for a search committee which named the Rendell loyalist. Big Bill rivals are trying hard to paint this one as a setback, questioning the political skills of his staff. Apparently no move is to minor for scorecards to be kept in the Alligator infested waters of Campaign 08'.

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AG Madrid
National Dems reportedly polled ABQ recently to see how Attorney General Patsy Madrid would stack up in a race next year against Heather Wilson for the ABQ congressional seat. Insiders say Madrid may be inching closer to running. Her term expires next year and if she wants to continue her political career they feel she has to run for something. But Republicans think an Anglo female would stack up better against Heather who has been a stellar vote-getter in the moderate ABQ district. If Madrid is the D's choice and no Green runs again, it will be the first all woman race since the district was created in 68'.

The longshot for Madrid continues to be a run against Diane Denish for Lt. Gov. That continues to seem unlikely as the AG and Big Bill have stopped sniping at each other in public, perhaps signaling that he's getting on board her possible congressional bid. It as also interesting to see Roy Soto land a $90,000 a year state job as chief information officer. Wasn't Roy a top campaign player for Patsy in her last AG race? Sure was.

In 2006 the Dems will have one of the strongest top-of-the-ticket teams I can recall--Big Bill, Senator Jeff and Rep. Udall up North. No wonder Madrid supporters hungrily eye Heather's seat. Still, New Mexicans love of ticket-splitting keeps Heather as the favorite and holds out some hope for the R's in the other races. But first they have to find some players.

ON RESTAURANT ROW

Last week saw us take a dig at the "bitching" being done by locally owned restaurants about the dominance of chain restaurants. We said they should stop whining and start competing. Well, wouldn't you know that the owner of one of my favorite local restaurants, Jerry Wright of ABQ's Great American Land and Cattle Company who is also a member of a group promoting local restaurants would read that. He has this retort:

"Joe, I say, "bring on the chains!" Our push is not to keep chains out, but to promote ourselves. Our view is that chains, in their all-dominating push for consistency, breed mediocrity. The Bloomin' Onion at Outback is legendary. But I am proud to say that the cost of the aged steaks I serve, would get me fired at a chain. Also, local restaurant profits are not siphoned out of our community to out-of-state investors. While the chains provide jobs, we lowly independents provide even more jobs.

And (as good as Starbucks is) without the Barelas Coffee House, where would you go to pump the Alligators for information?"

Well done, Jerry. You won me over. I'll have the Alligator Special, a rare rib-eye with a baked potato. Vegetables? You're kidding, right?

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Secretary Curry
Hey, let's get crazy! And there's no better place to do that than in a race for mayor of Albuquerque. Let's go to the videotape. The semi-implosion of the candidacy of City Councilor Eric Griego has worried some of his Dem liberal and progressive backers. After Griego filed a campaign finance report that was, to put it mildly, a mess, the name of Environment Secretary Ron Curry again floated up as a possible candidate who could attract liberal voters, and maybe even more.

Curry is not the conservative, Anglo Republican who could alter the dynamic of this race significantly, but he could offer an alternative to Griego who has work to do to alter the perception that he may not be ready for prime time. Curry sought the Dem nod for Sec. of State back in 90'. He also served in Santa Fe city government. He lives in ABQ making him eligible to run.

MAYOR MARGARET?

Meanwhile, the soap opera aspect of Mayor 05' hit again Friday night when Mayor Marty's ex-wife, Margaret Chavez, hit the airwaves of KOB-TV to again tease that she may run against her former husband. "We have a committee raising money and are doing some polling," she said. Her entry could turn the race into a circus with hungry media going back forth between the two used-to-be-marrieds. While a run may be a longshot, feisty Margaret is signaling that she will at the least play the part of major thorn in the mayor's side.

THE PAC PLAY: PART II

The top dogs at the MoveOn PAC in D.C. were quick to reply to our Thursday blog that pointed out that while both Congresswoman Wilson and Senator Bingaman voted for the new bankruptcy bill the PAC dislikes, only Heather was attacked for it by the PAC in paid radio in the NM market. The PAC says Senator Jeff, contrary to our implication, was not given special treatment. They say the MoveOn radio was only for U.S. House members. OK, I hear ya. When is the radio for the senators? The news release? Not that we're asking anyone to beat up on Jeff. But it was the Dem switches in the Senate that made passage of the bill possible. Yet MoveOn is going after House members like Wilson. Come on PAC men, both R's and D's, get straight with the voters and give them your true agendas.

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A conservative Catholic Pope and Big Bill is not a match made in Heaven. Last year the Guv suffered a setback when John Kerry lost NM and many Dems assigned a share of the blame to the Catholic church. Some church leaders urged Catholics here not to vote for Kerry because of his position (pro choice) on abortion. Is the same in store for our pro-choice Guv as he advances his Prez ambitions? NM Lobbyist Bill Jordan, a Catholic with a theology background, has our analysis:

"Democrats should be worried about the selection of Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope. He intervened in last years election when he wrote a letter to Catholic bishops telling them that communion should be denied to any supporter of abortion. He specifically mentioned "the case of a Catholic politician consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion laws." That...may have cost Kerry NM because many Catholic voters in the north left their presidential vote blank."

It appears Big Bill will need all his diplomatic skills to avoid a fate similar to Kerry's as he searches for Catholic votes. He seems to know it. In a controversial move, he gave state workers time off to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

THE WERTHEIM OPTION

There's no announced challenger to NM Democratic Party Chairman John Wertheim, but when members of the party's Central Committee meet in Socorro Saturday insiders say there will be rumblings about Wertheim's possible candidacy for attorney general. "If he runs for AG, he will be forced to give up the party chairmanship. It doesn't seem fair that he gets to keep the position if he is going to us it to launch his campaign," reported one source on deep background.

Fair or not, Wertheim is unopposed for another year at the party helm where he was placed with the blessing of Big Bill who also hired John's wife for a nice job in Santa Fe. Wertheim has let his name be floated for the AG spot, but has not said he is running. But he is a carrier of the political bug, having twice sought the ABQ congressional seat. Big Bill legal counsel Geno Zamora and ABQ State Rep. Al Park are both in for AG, with a long list of other Dem possibles.

ABQ MONEY CHASE

When we blogged yesterday of those money reports for ABQ Mayor Marty and his opponent, ABQ City Councilor Eric Griego, we wondered where mayoral candidate Judy Espinosa's report was as well as those of city councilors' seeking re-election. Veteran ABQ Journal reporter Jim Ludwick informs that the reports filed were those required of elected city officials. Official campaign reports from all candidates will not be due until later in the year.

So, how come no reports from elected councilors Sally Mayer, Tina Cummins and Dem Miguel Gomez, who are all up for re-election? You mean they did not raise a penny in the first three months of the year? Apparently not. However, Ludwick, on the City Hall beat for five years now, reminds us that each city councilor has a $5,000 annual "discretionary" fund, more than enough to get some "communication" going without having to officially start the money chase. (Councilor Cadigan reported his contributions)

Mayer has a tough re-elect ahead. Cummins, if she goes, will apparently have it easier as she has no announced opponents.

JEFF'S SPECIAL TREATMENT

Sen. Bingaman
ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson is being pounded this week in radio ads for voting for the new, tougher bankruptcy law. The MoveOn PAC made the anti-Heather buy, but their spot fails to mention that NM Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman voted for the very same bill. The PAC claims: "Our ad campaign will serve notice to politicans in both parties." Of course, it does not. Aren't most of these "PACS" partisan political groups that have more interest in the next election than watchdogging for the public? Just asking.

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Heather
After she raises a bunch of bucks from his visit next month would ABQ GOP U.S. Rep Heather Wilson please put a word in with VP Dick Cheney in support of our NM air bases? We don't feel like living in ghost towns. The renewed talk of shutting down Kirtland in ABQ is enough to make the plunging stock market look like economic progress.

Insiders report Heather has indeed lined up Cheney for a May fundraiser as she prepares for yet another re-election cycle. Didn't the last one just end? It comes at a tricky time for the tenacious and studious Congresswoman who last year dispatched her Dem opponent in a landslide. Dems have been hammering her to reject the Bush proposal to allow individuals to invest their Social Security taxes in the currently disliked and distrusted stock market. Heather has stayed firmly neutral, although she appeared to reject the notion back in 98'.

But perhaps in a sign that she is not completely tone-deaf to the situation, she has taken a high-profile and decided turn to the left on proposed Medicaid spending cuts, loudly defending the state-run health program for the poor. Wilson voted for a round of Medicaid cuts before apparently changing her mind. She did not explain her switch. Could it be a prelude to her throwing in the towel on the stock market/Social Security proposal which is unpopular in all polls? There's no immediate pressure. The Dems have no definite candidate for Heather to face in 06.'

EAST MOUNTAIN INTRIGUE: PART TWO

Some Republicans took "NM Politics with Joe Monahan" to task over our report that former D.C. Heather Wilson staffer, Republican Karin Foster, may be eyeing a race against GOP freshman ABQ State Rep. Kathy McCoy. Our critics have been getting personal too, but we wouldn't be here if that made us back off from doing our best to tell the real inside stories of NM politics.

Foster reportedly says she will not make the run next year but, according to State Rep. McCoy and Washington sources, Foster has indeed seriously weighed a candidacy.

Here's how McCoy put it in an email: "Joe, this surfaced early in the recent (Legislative) session. At that time, I asked Karin directly whether it was true. She said she wanted to run at some point, but not in the immediate future."

So, according to Rep. McCoy, Foster told her she wants "to run at some point." And Washington sources reaffirm that Foster told Congressional staffers last year that she was going to run.

WHY IT MATTERS
Barnett
So why does it matter that a GOP political unknown contemplates a challenge to an incumbent R state Rep? Because it addresses the current status of the wing of the NM GOP led by lawyer/lobbyist Mickey Barnett. Remember, it was that wing that last year fielded primary opponents against several Republicans causing major party disruption and generating coverage of the strife in major NM media. McCoy trounced her Barnett-faction opponent in the 04' primary. Her predecessor, Rep. Ron Godbey, also held off a Barnett backed challenger.

The important question for NM politics is will it happen again? Some insiders feel the Barnett wing, hit hard by Mickey's loss for re-election as GOP National Committeeman and the Legislative retirement of ally Joe Thompson, has had its last hurrah when it comes to primarying fellow Republicans. They further speculate that the vociferous response to the McCoy report and the possibility that Foster would be a Barnett backed contender may be a result of the GOP finally trying to exercise some discipline and heal a party that was torn asunder. But for the healing to begin, the hurting has to be stopped.

IT'S STILL A FREE COUNTRY

To the politicians trying to make the reporting of this story a motive for personal attacks, I again paraphrase the late, great Harry Truman: "I never give them hell. I just tell the truth, and they think it's hell."

BOTTOM LINE

You may have seen the late and legendary lobbyist Pancho Padilla quoted here Monday as saying, "I won the Legislature." It should have read, "I own the Legislature." The error was due to a Starbucks induced caffeine overdose combined with a 300 mile drive to Dona Ana County during which I experienced several interesting hallucinations which someday I hope to have explained. Meanwhile, thanks to the many readers who pointed out the Pancho error.

Send me your notes, comments and news via email from the link at the top right of this page. See you tomorrow.

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UNM
The media revolution may or may not be televised but it will be blogged. At a discussion at Big Bill's UNM Poly Sci class Friday, top students quizzed a panel of media mavens with questions that showed they are not impressed with big media, are skeptical of what they read everywhere and give certain blogs as much credibility as other media. I was peppered with questions that kept me on my toes so I thought I would share my answers with you, my loyal readers, to give you a long overdue primer on what guides us around here.

HOW DO YOU REGULATE WHAT YOU BLOG?

I was trained as a journalist and describe myself as a hybrid--a reporter/blogger. I am not here to talk about personal lives, personality disorders, call people names, create rancor or attempt to kick them when they are down. I am here to cover the process and the game that we all love and know as "La Politica." I do use anonymous sourcing but I strive for a 99% accuracy rate.

A newspaper reporter, in most instances, needs sources to give their names. We need that kind of reporting. On a story of significant consequence, dealing with public policy etc., I will invoke the named source rule for my blog. But if it has to do with a politician seeking a office or most of the other stuff we specialize in, I will go with my very reliable sources, most of who have been in politics for decades and, if you are a regular around here, you know that they rarely get it wrong. When they and I do, the email hits. That's the beauty of the Web.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR CONFLICTS-OF-INTEREST?


It's a great question. I blog as a sideline because, like you, I am fascinated by politics. My main biz is public relations and consulting. I disclose that at the top of the blog. I seldom blog about an issue or cause that I am working on because often it is not connected to politics, but if I do I disclose my interest. Again, those who know me are aware that over the years I have consulted for Republican, Democratic and Green candidates. What I try to bring to you is my experience, insight, and perspective, plus polticial news that is not covered in other media. This is "NM Politics with Joe Monahan," not a newspaper or TV newscast.

I believe my readers need to know when I am professionally involved in something and making comments or predictions about it so they can weigh that. But most of the time it simply will not come up. For example, I am involved in a public affairs issue dealing with casinos in southern NM. If I blogged politics related to it, I would mention my association. In the past, I have disclosed here political candidates that I have consulted with including Manuel Lujan, Martin Chavez, Roberto Mondragon, Dave Cargo and others. If you think I may be biased because of it, that's your right. Also, I am not a politician. I am not blogging to further a political career for myself or anyone else. I am a registered Independent. I vote for candidates from all parties.

WHY DO IT?

Another good question. When I started this in October of 2003 I was often asked how I was going to make money. And I said I had no idea, that I was doing it because I like to write and friends had asked me to send them my stuff. It grew from that. I received advertising and am proud to say this is one of the few blogs anywhere that generates a profit.

My bottom line is I think I have something to give and something to receive. The "give" is my knowledge of NM politics learned over three decades and the great sources that report to you through me. I'd like to think it has given some pep to the NM political community and, on occasion, made a small contribution to better public policy. The "receive" is just the joy of being involved in politics in the state we call home.

ARE YOU AWARE OF YOUR READERSHIP?

Indeed, I am. It's no small pressure on you when you have the top reporters in the region and in Washington and New York looking at your stuff, as well as top politicos everywhere, plus a general readership that is highly-informed. As the blog grew, along with the references to it in the local and national press, I realized that sometimes I can be too casusal and that a responsiblity has developed here. I am just one blogger, but I do my best to meet that responsibility. In the end, blogging is about all of us, the blogger and the reader, having fun and sharing the subject that delights us: politics. When it ceases to be that, it will be time to move on.

Thanks to the students from the class of 06' and beyond for the great questions. It was a real-eye opener. And thanks to the participants: Larry Ahrens of KAGM, 106.3 FM ABQ, David Miles of the ABQ Journal, Lorene Mills of NM public TV and Mark Evan, state editor of the Associated Press. Big Bill presided, letting it be known that he reads and listens to everything everyone says and writes. He then concluded the class by offering all the panelists high-paying jobs in Santa Fe. (Not really).

GOODBYE, PANCHO PADILLA

We have been talking about him a lot here lately; the most famous lobbyist in the history of the New Mexico Legislature, Frank "Pancho" Padilla. His name arose because of controversy this past Legislative session involving another lobbyist. Now word comes that Pancho passed away last week at the age of 85. "He was truly a legend," commented a current Santa Fe and Washington lobbyist. "He was a liquor inspector before he became a lobbyist for the liquor industry and made his famous, or infamous comment."

That comment, that will ring thru the ages, was: "I own the Legislature," said in the midst of a heated debate over a contemplated change in the states liquor laws. He was evicted from he lawmakers sight because of it. But Pancho never did get out of the game, still hanging in Santa Fe this session and sharing political history with friends in ABQ at the Barelas Coffee House.

Pancho Padilla, a name surely engraved in the permanent record of La Politica.

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Nancy Laflin
Big Bill has his dancin' shoes on again, and this time he's waltzing around the NM Legislature and creating a state music commission. This, despite the lawmakers rejection of the proposal during their last session. And that's not all. Our Guv, who dances to his own tune, is going to name veteran ace KOAT-TV crime reporter and New Mexico's best-known redhead, Nancy Laflin, to head up the tune shop. All this from our Santa Fe Alligators. Yes, another top journalist snared in the net of Big Bill. What's that make it? About 166 ex-scribes now toiling for the Guv?

Our sources also report there won't be much money going into the new commission and that eye-pleasing Nancy, who reportedly doesn't play in a band, but has a soothing TV and singing voice, will have to shake a leg to drum up some more gigs for state musicians.

The music commission idea fell on deaf ears at the Roundhouse, but rocker and Big Bill press secretary Billy Sparks is said to have been a prime mover behind this one. Will disgruntled lawmakers disrupt the melody when they hear the Big Guy is going around them? Probably not. Rock and Roll is here to stay. And so is Big Bill...at least for now.

DYSON'S DANCE

Also from TV land comes word that there will be no age discrimination at KOB-TV. Our old colleague, (ok, not that old) Stuart Dyson, is returning to his alma mater as a beat reporter after finishing up a stint as a press aide to the state senate. Dyson started in radio back in 74', following me into KUNM-FM by three months. Stu, I scooped you again. Good Luck back at your old stomping grounds.

EAST MOUNTAIN INTRIGUE
Rep. McCoy
ABQ GOP State Rep. Kathy McCoy just got elected, but she may be inheriting some of the intra-party strife that followed her GOP predecessor, Rep. Ron Godbey. Listen to this from a D.C. insider: "A little tip off. Corinne Foster, from Rep. Heather Wilson's office, left her job to work at the NM Legislature. She has made it known that she will run as an R for House district 22 against Kathy McCoy."

Godbey and McCoy crossed swords with the wing of the party led by lawyer-lobbyist Mickey Barnett and State Rep. Dan Foley. They tried to oust Godbey, who criticized that wing for supporting drug legalization, but were never able to.

Some more on this from our eastern Gator: "Pretty interesting. To me, this looks like the Barnett folks trying to make a move on McCoy after they couldn't beat her with Mario Burgos. Foster, like Burgos, is from New York and is new to the state."

Thanks for all the news this week. Keep it coming via the email link at the top right of this page.

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Commissioner Lujan
A group of thirtysomething political gunslingers will be among the first on the frontlines to help Big Bill raise the millions he will pour into his 06' re-election effort. The Generation X'ers, mostly all lawyers, will fete the Big Guy at the fashionable Zinc Bar and Bistro on ABQ's Nob Hill. Among those passing the hat for 50 bucks a pop this Friday at 5 p.m. will be lawyers Brian Colon, State Reps Al Park and Hector Balderas, Geno Zamora and Mo Chavez. Non-lawyer, but chair of the NM Public Regulation Commission, Ben Ray Lujan, son of Dem State House Speaker Ben Lujan, rounds out the gang. This warning for politicos of all ages: Hold on to your wallets. Big Bill is coming to a town near you soon.

OUR SATURDAY NIGHT GUV

Perhaps our Guv is better known around the nation than you think, or maybe he just has some good friends on the staff of the hit comedy show "Saturday Night Live" seen on KOB-TV. Whatever, the Big Guy was actually the subject of one of the SNL team's famous parodies this weekend. Here's a report from one of my TV insiders:

"It was a skit spoofing a Sunday morning talk show. The host was the Bee Gees Barry Gibbs played by actor Jimmy Fallon. They had someone play (House Dem leader)Nancy Pelosi, another woman played conservative commentator Ann Coulter and actor Horatio Sanz played Gov. Bill. They had the bad hair down and everything. He made some comment about loving Gibbs when he played in New Mexico and Gibbs (Fallon) exploded saying, "don't patronize me Bill Richardson."

It was somewhat funny, if I was still drinking, but the Governor did make the big time back East and it can't hurt with the young voters," wrote our TV guru.

AG RACE HAS EM' TALKING

Monday's blog on the AG's race had the email bag bulging. Reliable sources on the ground in Las Cruces report that Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, mentioned as a possible GOP AG contender next year, is "not at all interested and will not be running." Also from Cruces, several junkies wanted to know why State Rep. Joe Cervantes was not mentioned as a possible Dem AG candidate. "He's also from the south so Gary King saying he would have a monopoly on the south is a off base, if Joe gets in," said one. Good point. But Joe, according to those in the know, is still on the fence on this one and is having the time of his life as new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. And no, ABQ's Mayor Marty is not interested, as some Gators insisted a couple of weeks ago.

Back on the R's, the name of warhorse Bob Schwartz has surfaced as a possible AG aspirant. Bob recently confirmed to the newspapers our report of several weeks ago that he will not seek the ABQ mayors job, as he he did in 2001, after talking it over with his boss, Big Bill. Now, friends say, Schwartz has been mulling over a run for AG, but is concerned that R's would give him the cold shoulder since he's on Big Bill's payroll. Hey, maybe he can switch back to his old party, the D's, and make a run for it. Stranger things have happened.

EXIT....STAGE RIGHT

As you may know, it won't be NM GOP executive director Greg Graves looking for an R candidate for AG or any other offices up next year. As we blogged Monday, he is out. Graves writes in that he felt free to leave his job of less than a year because Allen Weh is on his way to re-election as party chair in May. "I feel secure that my commitment has been fulfilled," writes Graves who adds he will be staying in ABQ and joining onetime Guv Johnson cabinet secretary Robin Dozier Otten and veteran Roswell PR man Jack Swickard in a lobbying and consulting venture. Insiders tell me veteran R and Graves assistant Marta Kramer will replace Graves, at least on an interim basis.

We love politics around here, and we love hearing from our readers from coast-to-coast and beyond the sea. We fall behind on the email sometimes, but we answer it all and print a whole lot of it. So

keep it coming.

That's it for today. Let's meet back here again tomorrow and catch up on the latest.

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Posted by: Joe Monahan / Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Gary King
Hey Al, you can call me Gary. That's the message from Gary King who lets loose with word that he's seriously entertaining a bid for the Dem nomination for NM attorney general next June, a contest which Dem ABQ State Rep. Al Park and a bevy of others already have in their sights.

In a recent conversation on the 17th floor of a downtown ABQ office tower where lawyer King occasionally holds forth, we tossed around the political footbal. When it was over, it was clear that the goal post Gary was going for was marked AG. And why not? With a ton of hard-to-earn name ID from his unsuccessful bid last year for the southern NM congressional seat, King, who has a fatal attraction for politics, has all the reason he needs to take the plunge. But he gave me a few others just to round things off.

"I think I would be a strong candidate in the Southern and Eastern parts of the state. So far, all the candidates are form the North. I think I would also run well there because of my family's long involvement in the state," declared Gary, son of former Guv Bruce King.

And Al Park's recent vote in favor of abolishing the death penalty is also on King's radar as he indicated he is ready to carry the conservative Dem flag in the race. Also eyeing the prize are Big Bill legal counsel Geno Zamora, soon to leave the Guv to launch his campaign, Lemuel Martinez, a central NM district attorney and ABQ attorney Eric Sedillo-Jeffries.

What about the GOP? Some political pros think AG is one slot in which the conservative R's just might have a shot in 06'. But they need a candidate. Dona Ana County District Attorney Susanna Martinez is being touted by insider R's and may be ready to go. With the top of the ticket races so far inducing snoring, the battle for AG could be the one that keeps the siestas short for the sunning Alligators.

WHO'S THE GREATEST?...CONTINUED

Our "Who's The Greatest NM U.S Senator" debate turned out to be one of the more popular features since we started writing here in late 03.' I offered up Sen. Dennis Chavez as the greatest, drawing stacks of email with other choices and even critics of Chavez who accused him of everything from payroll padding to stealing his elections.

Now, "Inside the Capital" syndicated columnist Jay Miller, has brought our contest to his statewide readers and comes to Chavez's rescue as he cast his vote for in our little debate. Here's an excerpt.

"My vote goes to Dennis Chavez. Through sheer guts, perseverance and raw political talent Chavez fought discrimination against himself, his people, women and laborers and still is a model for all those who start from humble beginnings.

He is probably most remembered for the day he took the Senate floor during the McCarthy hearings and delivered one of the bitterest attacks in Senate history against McCarthy’s star witness Louis Budenz, who claimed to be an ex-communist and born-again Catholic. It was a time of national hysteria, when no one dared speak out, but Chavez did and it quickly emboldened others to take a stand. It was classic Dennis Chavez – a fighter against anything he saw that was wrong," penned Jay, who is stationed in Santa Fe.

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drop us a line and help us keep up with the latest political news from across the Land of Enchantment. And thanks for tuning in today. You're company is always welcome.

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Posted by: Joe Monahan / Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Zangara
That old cliché--the best defense is a great offense--springs to mind after a weekend in which GOP stalwart Ken Zangara, on the ropes in the wake of an investigation of his auto dealership by Attorney General Patricia Madrid, roared back into the headlines of our beloved La Politica by winning another term as Bernalillo County GOP chairman. And it was done on an unanimous voice vote. This, despite banner headlines that confronted Zangara last month when Madrid ripped open his Dodge dealership with a variety of charges of wrongdoing, many of which came from Zangara's customers.

But Zangara countered that Democrat Madrid, who he tangled with in the past, was on a political witch hunt, and his fellow R's apparently agreed as they ignored the controversy and put him back in the drivers seat of their party. Zangara had been thinking about calling it quits and Fernando C de Baca was waiting in the wings as insiders speculated that Zangara might head for the exits, but Zangara decided to fight. Not only is he fighting on the political front, but he has launched an all-out TV ad assault to overcome the Madrid charges. And who is featured in one of those TV spots giving a testimonial to Zangara's dealership? Why, none other than former NM GOP chair Edward Lujan.

Zangara, one of NM's biggest donors to President Bush, has demonstrated that in politics you can die a thousand deaths. His shot at snagging an appointment as a Bush ambassador may now be a long shot, but Zangara's re-election as county chair shows he is ready for more of the rough and tumble of New Mexico politics. To that we say: Bring it on!

GRAVES IS GONE

The executive director of the NM GOP, Greg Graves, is a tested political pro with years of experience in southern NM, but it apparently was not enough to survive here in the big city. Reliable sources report to "NM Politics With Joe Monahan" that Graves is out as ED. "The reasons why are somewhat cloaked, Joe. But he is out of there soon," a top R reports.

Graves will reportedly head back south after less than a year in the job under party chair Allen Weh, who is seeking re-election to his post in May, so far without opposition. Republicans have been grumpy about the party not holding their own in the slash and burn category with Dem chair Wertheim and will also be looking for a new communications director as they replace Graves.

Weh came in after the coup against Ramsay Gorham and basically turned the party over to the Bush campaign last year. Bush did win NM, but top R's complain that the party has done a poor job recruiting candidates for governor and senate next year and ABQ mayor this year. They are hoping the new blood coming in will start generating some enthusiasm among the party faithful about the prospect of taking on Big Bill and Senator Bingaman next year.

As for Graves, who reportedly banished the reading of this Blog from party headquarters, no hard feelings, Greg. Just think, soon you will be able to read us entirely guilt-free. Hasta La Vista, baby.

BILL SAYS NO TO BUTCH

Finally, Big Bill wasn't doing his buddy Butch Maki any favors when he made his final decisions on Legislative passed bills Friday. The Guv vetoed the propsoal, covered here, that would have paved the way for lobbyist Maki to start up a phone company to serve the Navajo reservation.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

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Our report on the coup of ABQ Valley State Senator Linda Lopez as chair of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party has the Alligators pouncing high, telling me there are several angles and they want the story out. Not one to argue with these dangerous critters, here we go. First, a veteran Dem who says yes, supporters of former Prez candidate and current national Dem chair Howard Dean played a role in the Lopez upset, but they did not target her, it fell into their laps.

"The main thing that did her in was frustration with her repeated absences from the monthly party meetings and other events over the past year. Marvin Moss (who beat Lopez) ran the meetings in her stead and gave the impression that he was also taking care of the behind-the-scenes work, while Linda was MIA. The fact that Linda got as much support as she did with that history was a testament to her political support."

And another Senior Alligator who has been at these meetings for many years reports: "Linda ran Saturday's meeting and it was a five hour disaster. She lost control of the agenda, the audience, everything. By the time it came to vote for chair, delegates were outraged. It was a big reason she was defeated. Perhaps the Deaniacs benefited, but they did not orchestrate it."

FINALLY....

From deep within the mysterious regions of the fabled ABQ South Valley, we get this from a jaded practitioner of the ancient arts of La Politica:

"The Deaniacs did really do Linda in, but not as you think. They didn't know how the process worked. Deaniacs didn't get their proxies together and a lot of county central committee members didn't show up to vote. Linda's base was so upset with her inability to actually lead the meeting that she lost those votes on the fence. Linda can not actively blame anyone or group for her loss."

And the head Deaniac in the state emailed me to say she thought I was "Democrat bashing" by reporting the Deaniacs role, if any, in the Lopez defeat. Hey, we're just the piano player around here. You politicos write the music.

LETTING IT RIP

Just when you think he may be ready to hand in his liberal pen, veteran ABQ Tribune columnist V.B.. Price let's one rip and lets everyone know the left still lives. Here's his scorcher on the Schiavo case that will have our R friends frowning.

Thanks for all the contributions to today's blog. It's the readers who make this site ground zero for the inside scoop on New Mexico politics, so don't touch that dial.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2005
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Sen. Lopez
It would make a good name for a rock band: Linda Lopez and the Deaniacs. But the veteran Dem ABQ Valley State Senator is probably in no mood to joke about her whipping at the hands of supporters of onetime prez candidate and now Democrat National Chair Howard Dean. Lopez was unceremoniously dumped from her spot as chairwoman of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party and replaced by party liberal and oldtimer Marvin Moss.

"It was the Dean supporters who did did her in. They packed the precinct and ward meetings leading up to the county convention and they did Linda in," reported an Alligator in attendance at the weekend confab. "The post has lost its glamour. Just what does the county chair do? Not a whole lot," added our on-the-scene Gator.

But whatever the chair does, Linda Lopez will not being doing it. By any measure that is a setback. She has repeatedly been mentioned as a possible candidate for higher political office, everything from Guv to mayor, but her detractors are now saying she was unable to hold on to a relatively minor party post. That gladdens the hearts of her rivals, including friends of Light Guv Diane Denish who are tired of being taunted by the Lopez clan for keeping Linda off the ballot when the two sought the Dem nomination for Light Guv in 02.' Oh yeah, Big Bill isn't crying in his beer about this one either.

BUTCH PHONES HOME

It takes a lot to rouse Santa Fe political pro Butch Maki, the low-key lobbyist and major friend of Big Bill. But our report Tuesday on his plans to start a phone company to serve the Navajo Rez did the trick. Maki picked up the instrument he hopes to spread to far-flung reservation areas to tell us his critics have gone overboard when they charge that a bill on Big Bill's desk would be a sweetheart deal for Butch and former Qwest honcho John Badal.

Maki declared: "Joe, there are no black helicopters on this one." The start-up company, Sacred Wind, will raise venture capital from private sources and will not be solely funded by the $15 million Rural Extension Fund paid for by Qwest customers, Maki said. The new company, Maki said, will be extending phone lines to Navajos in need previously identified by Qwest. Maki said the $5 million it will get from the Rural fund will be used for that purpose. The firm would make money by identifying other Navajos lacking phone service and tapping into federal phone fees set up for that purpose. The bill does call for eventually abolishing the Qwest Rural Extension Fund, but Maki says that's an issue for the Public Regulation Commission, not him. He is hopeful Big Bill, who he pledges fealty to, will sign the measure allowing the company to go forward.

POPE POLITICS

It's not always easy representing super-liberal Santa Fe in the Congress, but Dem U.S. Rep Tom Udall might have gone a little too far in trying to cater to his base when he released this reaction to the death of the Pope:

"While not everyone agreed with everything he said or did, Pope John Paul's influence on the world has been pervasive and powerful. But whatever opinions people have made about individual positions the Pope has taken, few could fail to be moved by the courage of his life story, or the kindness of his personality."

Come on Tom, how about: "Sad to hear the Pope died. May he rest in peace." Sometimes the simple way is the way out.

TO THE BIRDS...AGAIN

Most of the bird watchers who chided me for identifying the birds to the left in last Thursday's blog as canaries also opined that they were parakeets. Well, they have birdseed all over them to. Here is what we think is the definitive word in this email:

"They are Conures, a South American variety of parrot. I own one.
Your Humble Servant, Hugh Soule"

Thanks Hugh. I especially like that "humble servant" part, as I probably should serve up the humble pie for being a bit of a "birdbrain" on this one.

To humble servant and the not so humble, thanks to all for tuning in. It's good to have you along for the ride which resumes right here in this space tomorrow.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2005
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The Friday deadline for Big Bill to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature looms large for those with a direct stake in the action. One measure opponents are trying to make the Guv squirm over (H.B. 256) would have his former Congressional staffer and now lobbyist Butch Maki set up a phone company with ex-Qwest executive John Badal to provide phone service on the Navajo reservation. The critics are railing that this one is a sweetheart deal; that the money for the new company called "Sacred Wind" would come from a fund previously paid into by Qwest customers to provide rural New Mexicans with phone service. That fund currently has $15 million in it that would be used by Maki & Co. The fund for rural New Mexicans would dry up because Qwest would no longer be required to put money in it. Hey, who said it's easy being Guv?

ON THE MEDIA BEAT
Nicole Brady
Downtown at the studios of KOB-TV, fresh-faced Nicole Brady is lining up new make-up kits as she prepares to become co-anchor for the new 4 p.m. newscast that channel 4 will unveil soon. She will co-anchor the broadcast with veteran Nelson Martinez. Insiders ask why not weekend anchor Kim Holland? Outsiders say: youth must be served.........Kate Nash can't seem to make up her mind. But her bosses at the ABQ Journal and Tribune don't seem to mind. The talented 28 year old is switching sides...again. After a two year stint with the Journal in Santa Fe, Nash will go back to where she was when she jumped ship--the Tribune. The Spanish speaking political junkie will replace Shea Andersen as the Trib's chief political reporter. She will remain in Santa Fe. Another Kate will be her boss, managing editor Kate Nelson, who reminds us that while there are two Kates, one is princess and the other is queen. Guess who's which......

Those of us seeking political news on the radio dial must be served as well, but there isn’t much to go around. The longtime exception and still going strong is the 5 p.m. news on KUNM 89.9 FM which dishes up a full half-hour of real New Mexico news, not just the blood and guts. Reporter Tom Trowbridge in Santa Fe is one of the contributors to the University of New Mexico public radio outlet. Worth checking out while your engine is idling.

Corrections, complaints, compliments and other communication is always welcome here. Email me from the link provided at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2005
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And so it begins. Big Bill will visit New Hampshire, the first Prez primary state, as he undertakes his long and perhaps long-shot odyssey of becoming President Big Bill. The Manchester Union Leader notes that that our Guv will speak to Carroll County Dems June 8 and then take a side trip to Manchester where he will speak at a "Latino Summit." But the Guv's camp is not all that thrilled with New Hampshire nor first caucus state Iowa. They think those lily white areas may not be the most fertile ground for the man who hopes to be the first Hispanic Prez. They are working hard to get an early western primary to offset any disappointments they encounter in the first big two tests. But some politicos think the Big Bill campaign could be underestimating his appeal in the little two. "He is best at one-on-one and that's what these early states are all about. He could be blocked on the ethnic factor, but it is worth his while to invest time and effort there and see if the personality that has won him his races the West can warm them up there," analyzed one D.C insider following the embryonic 08'campaign.

Back here in River City, an insider R commented: "I have to give it to him. He has cleared the field for his re-election next year, letting him go to New Hampshire with little public heat."

BATTLE OF THE GUVS
Gov. Rendell
Besides clearing his re-election path here, the Guv managed to get himself elected chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA). No small accomplishment, but it makes him a bigger target too. Evidence of that is the recent fit over his forcing out of longtime DGA executive director B.J. Thornberry, who reportedly clashed with Big Bill chief of staff Dave Contarino. Now, Pennsylvania Guv and possible 08' Dem Prez contender Ed Rendell is moving to place one of his own, Penny Lee, in the powerful post. It got so hot that Big Bill decided not to name a replacement as he is entitled to do but instead turn the matter over to a search committee.

A blog reading Gator at the upper levels of the Democratic National Committee chips in: "The Guv and his staff may have gotten ahead of themselves on this one. They got rid of Thornberry, but are set to lose on the replacement. That could mean Bill will not have as easy a time using the DGA as a tool for his presidential bid."

And so goes the behind-the-scenes, down-in-the-trenches warfare that is part of the chase for the biggest prize of them all.

THE CANARY CAPER

When we blogged last Thursday that ABQ cops would "song line canaries" if the investigation into alleged stolen evidence got tough, we ran a photo of what we thought were singing canaries. But the blog birdwatchers were out in force chirping away that the photo did not feature canaries. I won't argue with them, but I am running another photo here that shows many varieties of the canary. And if they are not canaries, I will eat birdseed. By the way, what kind of birds were those in Thursday's photo?

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2005
Not for reproduction without permission of the author