John Dendahl
The media busy bodies were subjected to a tongue lashing by the state GOP for dubbing R Guv candidate John Dendahl a "pit bull" and your blog for tagging him as a "sacrificial wolf." Maybe they were right. Since then the candidacy has been more akin to a sheepdog than any attack breed. But there were finally renewed signs of life on the cold-as-ice gubernatorial campaign trail this week as Big John dashed off a news release ripping Big Bill for that poor school performance report. But even if John wanted to stay incognito, he's too juicy a target for some, like ABQ Mayor Martin Chavez who called him out as he endorsed Dem congressional contender Patricia Madrid over her rival, GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

The bombastic Dendahl burst onto the scene in mid-June, being named the new GOP standard bearer after Santa Fe's J.R. Damron was moved aside for the putative reason of not being "aggressive" enough. Dendahl delivered a couple of verbal whippings against the Guv, but then took to the airwaves of KKOB-AM in mid-July where he suffered that old political malady known as foot-in-mouth disease and promptly disappeared for the rest of the month.

The media types freaked out. Didn't Dendahl realize he has a responsibility? How was newspaper circulation going to be increased without him? What about those crucial TV news ratings, not to mention additional blog hits? The reemergence of the former GOP chair was disappointingly low key to them, but the bean-counters were heard breathing sighs of relief as Dendahl's first release in weeks finally clacked over the news wires.

John, please don't leave us again. Those of us left to write about this thing have been passed over by Big Bill for one of the dozens of media jobs he has handed out in state government. You're all we've got. We need you. Our advertisers need you. Now get out there and do that thing of yours.

MAYOR MARTY'S MOVE
Mayor Chavez
If Dendahl did not slip back onto the trail himself, ABQ Dem Mayor Chavez might have smoked him out. How about that news conference Wednesday where he endorsed Patsy Madrid? Not that the endorsement was big news. It was the subtle playing of the race card that had the eyebrows arched and the Alligators feeding. Here's the news release money graph.

"Mayor Chavez also called on Republican nominee Heather Wilson to repudiate the gubernatorial candidacy of John Dendahl, saying, “If Heather Wilson doesn’t share the radical, divisive views of John Dendahl, she needs to be up front and say so.”

This was no subtle reference to the radio mishap where Dendahl said it is well known that most repeat DWI offenders are Hispanics "and the Legislature will not enact legislation, on the basis (that) `Gee, that would be racist."

If you hang out around here, you know the score. The Dendahl candidacy can break two ways for Heather. He helps energize the Republican base, thereby boosting turnout for her, or his candidacy generates a backlash among Hispanics, pushing them into Patsy's corner and heightening her chances for the upset. Obviously, Mayor Marty is encouraging the second outcome.

But why is the Dem mayor, who carried the Republican vote in last year's city election, so intent on upsetting Heather's apple cart? According to insiders, Chavez felt Wilson's sting when she went high-profile in helping his GOP mayoral opponent, City Councilor Brand Winter, raise campaign funds. In short, it's payback time. It's even more interesting because Chavez, to the chagrin and bemusement of top state Dems, recently endorsed GOP NM heavyweight U.S. Senator Pete Domenici for re-election in 2008.

The Chavez endorsement is not going to hurt him with hard-core Dems, long upset with the mayor's continuos flirtations with conservative R's. If he someday seeks the Dem nomination for Governor he will need them in his corner.

THEY'RE NOT GOING AWAY

Don't expect any Dendahl-like breaks in the campaigns of Wilson or Madrid. The campaign watchers say the duo will stay on TV continuously until Election Day. Heather went up in mid-July; Patsy shortly after. Heather unveiled a new ad this week touting her service to seniors, a group that has been key to her re-election bids. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is also backing Wilson here with a 100 Grand TV buy. Patsy is getting third party TV and radio support from the national Dems.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Vigil & Bregman
It is now just a bit more than a month until the September 5th scheduled re-trial of ex-NM Treasurer Robert Vigil on corruption charges; a trial that could impact the November election. We blogged recently of plea bargain talks that insiders say have been conducted with Vigil's defense team, but broke down because of Vigil's insistence that he serve no jail time. The deal, according to a Junior Alligator, would have involved a year or more behind bars. Now, a Senior Alligator surfaces to update and correct Junior's original tip.

"The supervisors at the U.S. Attorney's office also rejected the deal. They wanted a minimum of 75 or 78 months or six years plus. Another stumbling point--Vigil does not want to testify against anyone else which any plea agreement would require. I think this has also been a major stumbling block.

The problem for Vigil is that if convicted he faces a minimum of 23 years, possibly more and he can be held responsible for the millions that (ex-state Treasurer) Montoya got in the scheme. Plus, he has the expense of a second trial." Informs the Senior Alligator to which we add our customary warning that only those directly involved in these matters could give a definitive confirmation and they aren't talking.

Vigil's first trial was a nail-biter with the jury ending up hung 11-1 for a conviction on one of the key charges. Vigil has repeatedly asserted his innocence. His attorney, Sam Bregman, says the Feds have politicized the case. As things stand today, Vigil and Bregman are going to get a second chance to prove those assertions. Stay tuned.

THAT OTHER HOT POTATO

And what about that political hot potato known as the federal grand jury investigation into the construction of two Bernalillo county courthouses and the metro jail; another legal tempest that could play a role in the fall elections?

The hive is buzzing and awaiting word of any indictments. Various politicos say "target letters" have been received by those the Feds are investigating, with one saying they went out in June. If there are indictments, any trials would likely be held well after the November election because of the number of witnesses involved.

All of this made those photos of Dem Governor Big Bill meeting with GOP U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales Tuesday in Santa Fe fascinating, Not a word was spoken publicly about these matters which are ultimately overseen by the U.S. Justice Department led by Gonzales, the boss of NM U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, but the elephant was in the room.

Gonzales is the first Hispanic U.S. attorney general, a point of pride for many southwesterners and also, perhaps, a rebuttal to the rumblings already being heard (and voiced here) that there is an ethnic factor in the government probes.

SOOTHSAYING WITH SANDEROFF

Pollster Brian Sanderoff says the chances of that ABQ public schools bond issue passing in the special September 19th election are pretty good, even though it would mean a sizable tax hike for property owners--$142 for a home valued at $200,000. Commenting on his recent poll, he said:

"I was surprised that there was only a 7 point drop in support after hearing the tax implications. I don't see anyone on the horizon to take on the tax increase except Mayor Chavez. If the Mayor were to oppose the increase because of his concerns regarding APS, it could definitely impact the election; however, it would be counter productive to the Mayor's stated objective to build more West side schools.” So blogged the veteran pollster who says 42% of city voters are very likely to pass the tax and another 21% somewhat likely.

Chavez has not said whether he will support the tax. His intense displeasure with city school performance (He was given more ammo Tuesday.) reflects the behind-the-scenes bitching in the business community of the Big Duke City, but the business groups routinely support school tax increases and are doing so this time.

One other point. Sanderoff says holding the election in mid-September rather than in November increases the chances of its passage because opponents are more likely to show up for the General Election than the special.

ENTER BLOG PHOTO CONTEST!

The blog photo contest unveiled yesterday is turning out to be a lot of fun. Some of the caption entires for the photo of Big Bill are on the wild side. OK, maybe the smutty side, but they are all fun. Take a look at the pic (below on Tuesday's blog) and join the fun by emailing your caption from the top of the page. The best two entrants get the free blog lunch, even a large order of chicharrones, if they like.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Ron Dolin
You probably haven't heard of Ron Dolin. But it's not because he doesn't have plenty to say. And what the GOP challenger to incumbent Dem northern NM Congressman Tom Udall is saying is anything but party boilerplate. Dolin is New Mexico's version of Ross Perot--minus the money. He is the anti-candidate, with no polls, focus groups or huge money. Take his position against the Iraq war. Dolin emails in that he gets "zero support" from the state and national GOP. With his position against the Iraq war, that's no surprise.

"I was invited to an event in northeastern NM where I was asked about Iraq. I knew the answer the ultra-conservative audience wanted to hear. Call it a naive miscalculation, but rather then tell them what they wanted to hear, I told them what I truly believed; namely, that while attacking Afghanistan was an appropriate response to 9/11, invading Iraq was a mistake. No one attending this event signed my nominating petition."

Obviously, Dolin, Los Alamos Labs' coordinator for Homeland Security programs and equipped with a Ph.D in mechanical engineering, is not expecting any helpful phone calls from Karl Rove or NM GOP Chair Weh.

The hopeful, 46, says he will not get personal with Udall, who is expected to again win big in the liberal north, but he does score the incumbent with a refrain heard in the past.

"Congressman Udall seems absent and disengaged from the decisions and debates impacting the lives and futures of all Americans and I believe we deserve better."

Udall backers point to his recent passage of a bill protecting the Valle Vidal--Valley of Life--from oil drilling, hardly a sign, they say, that he is "disengaged."

DR. DOLIN'S PRESCRIPTION

It isn't only Udall that Dolin takes on at his comprehensive, self-authored Web site. It's both political parties.

"When I watch the current Congress and I am not inspired by either the Democrats or Republicans. They both seem out of touch. Democrats during this administration behave like Republicans did during Clinton's. In the end, all Congress seems to do is point fingers at each other and blame all the problems on the other party." Declares Dolin.

And here's one that's not going to make Dolin any friends with the powers-that-be on either side of the aisle: "I believe we should replace the House Ethics Committee with an external citizen review panel." He proposes.

Dolin may not do focus groups or polls, but he reflects the thinking of the disaffected of both major parties and nonvoters when he states: "I intend to legislate in a nonpartisan manner putting the needs of my constituents first, the needs of America second, and my party's best interests third."

Well, maybe America needs to be first on that list, Ron.

Like Perot, Dolin has all the markings of a third party candidate, but he's the GOP standard bearer. Judging by his campaign kitty--he has just $7,000 in the bank--his fellow R's are not yet oozing with enthusiasm for the tell-it-like-I think-it-is political newcomer, but the broader electorate might perk their ears up--if they ever get to hear him.

BLOG PHOTO CONTEST!

They wear funny hats, kiss babies with lots of germs and shake hands with characters who later turn up in the pokey. Yes, being a favorite of the photogs can be hazardous work for our politicos. Which leads us the Las Cruces Sun-News photo of Big Bill pictured to the left.

Just what is the Guv thinking here? He wears a satisfied smile, while sporting a hair net and sticking his hand deeply into a batch of pecans. You tell us. Write a caption, email it in and if it's in the top two, you get a free lunch on the blog.

We promise that pecans will not be on the menu, but conversation of La Politica definitely will. Get those entries in now.

BOTTOM LINES

With the campaigns about to enter high gear, I have posted a permanent link to Real Clear Politics at the top of the site so you can quickly reference the latest breaking national political news and polls. Like ours, it is non-partisan and I hope you find it useful...Reacting to our Monday blog on the wages to be paid to most Eclipse Aviation workers in ABQ, ex-ABQ GOP State Rep. Rory Ogle chimes in: "Joe, you know that the only way to get higher paying wages in NM is to have worked on the Gov's staff. Then you can get whatever you want for life."

OK, Rory. But how many years does working on the Guv's staff take off of your life?

Thanks for tuning in today. Email your news and comments from the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

The Eclipse 500
The politicians have been falling all over themselves to congratulate one another over initial federal approval of Eclipse Aviation's very light passenger jet that they say will "revolutionize" air travel. A common theme in the bragging is the "high wage" jobs the Albuquerque based company, the beneficiary of $100 million in taxpayer cash and assorted subsidies, will bring to the state's largest city. But will it really? Maybe it depends on your definition of a high wage job.

In a special report filled with congratulatory advertising from companies benefiting from Eclipse, the ABQ Journal did a good job of detailing the company's past, present and future. Buried deep in the report was this money line:

"Assembly jobs at Eclipse start at about $12.50 an hour." The article also said Eclipse someday hopes to employ up to 2,000 workers. (It now has about 650.) Of those 2,000 jobs, the newspaper reports, "the bulk" will be aircraft manufacturing technicians apparently earning that starting wage of $12.50 per hour. We take "bulk" to mean a majority of the 2,000. If we're incorrect, Eclipse's PR flacks, we're sure, will correct us.

At that rate, a full time employee could expect to make about $26,000 a year. Let's be generous and pump it up to $15 an hour. The yearly salary then comes in at $31,200. Not bad, but "high-wage?"

A WORKING MAN'S WAGES

The average hourly wage of an ABQ manufacturing job, according to the NM Department of Labor, is $617 a week. $12.50 an hour works out to $500 a week; $15 an hour to $600 a week. Rather than "high wage" the majority of the projected Eclipse jobs would appear to be near average paying by NM standards and low by national standards. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the average national weekly pay for a manufacturing job is $695 a week.

Not to rain on Eclipse's parade--we've had plenty of the wet stuff lately--and recognize the jobs we're citing don't require advanced college degrees, but when the politicos say "high paying jobs" most folks think north of $40,000 a year and think all of the hoped for jobs will fit that category.

Before the yelling starts that the "free market" should set the wage levels, remember it was not the free market alone that got Eclipse flying. It was that $100 million bag of taxpayer goodies that comprises 20% of Eclipse's total investment. With that kind of money in the pot New Mexico politicians have every right, and the duty, to encourage higher wages at Eclipse. When they step up and do it, the mutual backslapping will be in order.

RATING THE RACE
Patsy
We scored the month of June for ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson, noting Dem Attorney General Patricia Madrid's "June swoon," as ethics headlines blanketed the state calling into question the AG's role in fighting corruption. But how about July? We see July as a wash, with perhaps a slight edge for Madrid in one of the most important congressional battles in the nation.

Heather's hit ad on ethics may have scored a point or two, but did not deliver the long shot early knockout some R's hoped for. Madrid answered adequately with her own hit on Heather and was backed up by the national Dems who carpet-bombed the radio airwaves on her behalf. (Mark Barabak took a closer look in Sunday's Los Angeles Times.)

This race has more legs than 04' when Dem Richard Romero lacked the international and national turmoil as a backdrop. His 02' face-off with Heather was destined for the ash heap, coming as it did just a year after the 9/11 attacks.

WHAT NOW?

So, is it different this time? With over 60% of voters saying the country is on the wrong track, gas prices staying too high for too long, an unpopular GOP President, and a dismal international scene, it should be. Clearly, this is the Dems best, and perhaps last shot, to end the Wilson era.

The issues do not break the incumbent's way, so the effort to make Madrid the issue will continue, but as a tested and popular two term elected attorney general, a native New Mexican, Heather's first female opponent and a Democratic base more engaged than the R's, Madrid appears poised to go the distance if she can move the debate off of ethics and avoids any verbal gaffes.

As for Heather, she has a mistake free campaign resume, a record of starting close to her foes, but closing strong on Election Night, a disciplined intellect, and a burning ambition that keeps her working hard. An early stumble would be a shocker.

The Wilson mantra this cycle is her "independence, integrity and honesty." Will character trump political chaos? July did not produce an answer. Now it's on to the guns of August.

TV NEWS

No sooner had we blogged that Kim Holland was the new co-anchor of the KASA FOX 2 News at 9 p.m. than the announcement came that KRQE-TV'S parent company, Lin TV, purchased the station for $55 million. That means Kim and co-anchor Jeremy Jojola will no longer be the 9 p.m. news team. That word from KRQE which will take over the newscast which has been produced by KOB-TV, the employer of Jojola and Holland. No word yet on who the new anchors will be when Channel 13 takes over KASA at the end of August. Get your resume in.

This blog is your blog. Email your news and comments from the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
Not for reproduction without permission of the author