The battle over the state House speakership between Ben Lujan and Kenny Martinez squeezed a lot of the other political news out of the picture this week, including who will replace longtime Dem State Senator Joe Fidel of Grants who announced he was calling it quits. The only names I've heard circulating so far are Jackie Fisher, who has been involved in Cibola county and Grants area politics and Clemente Sanchez, the director of the New Mexico State University/Grants Small Business Development Center. The county commissions in the multi-county district will come up with a list of recommendations for Big Bill to select a Fidel replacement from.

TV NEWS

KRQE-TV has grabbed back the 10 p.m. news crown after it slipped away by a mere fraction of a point in the February ratings. November put the CBS affiliate back on top in the big Albuquerque market as it came in with a 10.5 rating for its late news followed by KOB-TV with a 7.7 and KOAT with a 7.3. A rating represents the percentage of households with television that are watching a particular station.

A PERSON FOR PETE

Is that a "People for Pete" employee sighting? So say one of the Alligators who says he knows of at least one worker who has been hired for Senator Domenici's 2008 re-election committee. The Senator's operatives have been putting out the word that he is running after much national speculation to the contrary. But he has left himself some wiggle room on the issue. On this one, the old cliché, "only time will tell," is quite apt.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Former KOB-TV reporter Neil Simon checks in from D.C. to remind us that his TV documentary "Inside Bill Richardson," will get a screening in Santa Fe this Sunday, December 3 at 2:30 p.m. at the Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma. Tickets are $9. I sat down and interviewed at length with Neil for this program which first aired on KOB-TV. It is a good introduction to the life and times of Big Bill and will probably be seeing more airtime when he gets his presidential campaign underway...

Michael Henningsen makes his debut in La Politica as communications honcho for Light Guv Diane Denish. The former 11 year editor of the popular ABQ alternative newspaper, the Alibi, Henningsen joins Di chief of staff Judy Espinosa as a new addition to the office. Denish has been beefing up her staff of late and she needs to. With Big Bill on the out-of-state Prez campaign trail soon, Denish is going to be called "Governor" more than ever. But there's still four years and a long, long campaign trail before Diane gets to have that title permanently...

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

Rep. Martinez
As the drama built and rumors swirled across the inner sanctums of La Politica, the camp of State Rep. Kenny Martinez made it clear he will not attempt to form a coalition with state House Republicans in order to wrest the House speakership away from Ben Lujan.

"There's no circumstance under which he will consider doing that. He wants to win it clean, in the caucus with the Democrats," informed an authoritative source.

What about Speaker Lujan? Would he dare cross party lines and try to retain power by cutting a deal with the R's, something that has been done in New Mexico's storied past?

"If Ben made a serious move in that direction it would be seen as desperation. The first person to cut it short would be the Governor. He is running for President. He would use all his powers to avoid the embarrassment." So said our highly-placed Alligator who added:

"Which Democrats would publicly go along with such a coalition? This vote will be won in the caucus, or before the caucus with one of the candidates throwing in the towel."

For Martinez, talk of a coalition is particularly gruesome because his father, the late and legendary House Speaker Walter Martinez, was dethroned when a coalition of conservative Dems and R's toppled him from power back in 1979. I covered it and we called it the "Cowboy Coalition" as Dems from Little Texas were instrumental in executing the coup.

THE CAMPAIGN

Talk about fear campaigns. This battle for the second most powerful office in the state is filled with it. Lujan has led with an iron first and has kept his supporters in line with punishment or threats of punishment. House members are freaking out about picking the wrong side and fear the consequences. Even though the December 18 House Dem caucus will feature a secret ballot, somehow word has a way of leaking.

As for Kenny of Grants, his camp is hitting the ethics theme hard, saying there is everything to fear if more bad news comes out about the Speaker's ties to a low income housing authority formerly led by the controversial Smiley Gallegos. They are saying such news cannot be ruled out and would put the House and Lujan under an ethics shadow. The time to change is now, they argue.

In fact, both sides are closely watching ABQ Journal investigative reporter Thom Cole. (Did you hear that clicking on your phone, Thom?) The reason is that he is investigating the housing program that has already snared Speaker Ben and if he hits with another piece that does even more damage, it could tip toward Martinez the 42 Dems who are deciding the speaker battle.

There is simply no way to know who has how many votes. We are told and we sense that it is close. And like most seasoned observers, we find it hard to believe Martinez did not think he had a good shot before deciding to take it this far. Does he have the votes lined up and is playing coy? Or is it a brass balls move to grab the power by forcing the issue? Maybe a little of both is our read--he has a decent number of votes and a lot of balls.

RUBBER STAMP MEETS THE ROAD
Speaker Lujan
What seems to be hurting Lujan the most is his four year rubber-stamping of Big Bill's agenda. Not that Martinez disagrees with most of it. "Kenny is probably supportive of 95% of what is proposed, it is the way Ben has handed over the authority of the House to the Governor that is the really big issue," said a veteran Capitol wall-leaner.

State Rep. Lucky Varela, chair of the powerful Legislative Finance Committee, said as much when he told Terrell of the New Mexican that he was supporting Lujan's speaker bid, but with the caveat that he show some cojones when dealing with Big Bill.

The smart money is betting that the race will sort itself out a week or so before the actual vote and that one of the candidates could see the writing on the wall and get out; if Martinez can't get it together, he could simply say he was testing the waters. If Lujan is faltering he could say he has served long enough and is retiring from the post.

If the matter goes to a vote my Alligators--and I am only listening to my most astute ones on this--say they expect one of the candidates to win it big, by perhaps as much as 30 of the 42 votes.

"The caucus will sense there is a clear winner and that should break it open, one way or the other," said a veteran of the game.

But the worst case scenario--a down and dirty fight to the finish with one of the candidates only losing by a vote or two cannot be ruled out. A divided House could get downright nasty after that.

DOWN IN DONA ANA
Rep. Cervantes
My blogging buddy down in Dona Ana county, Heath Haussamen, has received confirmation from State Rep. Joe Cervantes that he will seek the majority leader position if Martinez gives up the post to go for speaker. But southern Joe, chair of House Judiciary, may have some tough sledding ahead. Sources here in the north say a bevy of candidates could emerge to replace Kenny, not the least of whom could be Ben Lujan if he were to lose the speakership! Also, add State Reps. Rick Miera, Jose Campos and Mimi Stewart to your majority leader chasing list.

The issue of what happens to Lujan if Kenny beats him is especially intriguing. Maybe the deal could actually be that Ben takes the majority leader spot. But deals between Martinez and Lujan are not known to stick, particularly the one they reportedly made in which Ben would give up the speaker's gavel to make room for Kenny. That "deal" was supposed to take effect two years ago. Now look where we're at. Still, a loser Ben on the bench does not seem tenable.

ITS A HUMDINGER

State House Democrats face an anguishing decision. Should they let go of the 70 year old Lujan, a loyal soldier who has rewarded them, but sometimes offended them with his tough love and who has a good run since 2001? Or should they do the inevitable now and vote in the new generation symbolized by Martinez and restore the House's institutional strength lost to the Governor under Lujan?

One thing is certain and power player Lucky Varela signaled it. He says Lujan must pay a price if he is to stay in power, and that price is less fealty to the Fourth Floor. For those of us in the peanut gallery that is as real as it gets. For Bill Richardson, it's what's known as a House call. For Kenny Martinez, it's opportunity knocking.

A MEETING, BUT NO COUPS

State R's still plan on having an unusual end of the year meeting of their state Central Committee that we blogged of recently, but they have moved the date from December 8 to the 9th and the location from the campus of the University of New Mexico to the more staid ABQ Hilton Inn.

The R leadership also says there will be no power plays at the meeting, like picking a new chairman. They say the agenda will be strictly limited to a year end budget review and a post-election preview.

BOTTOM LINES

Several readers took exception to our comment on Tuesday's blog that no city councilors have ever built state political careers. They said what about Pete Domenici who started out in the 60's on the old ABQ City Commission and went on to assume legendary status in the U.S. Senate. They are right about Pete, but the modern city council did away with the commission in 1974 and since then no councilor has gone on to a statewide political career. As usual, Domenici had good timing.

Thanks for tuning in today. Keep me posted with your news via email from the link at the top of the page. I'll post a little Friday blog for you too. I have some tidbits that should be of interest. See ya' then.

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

Councilor Heinrich
The ABQ streetcar follies is turning out to be fine post-election entertainment, with nine city councilors and a usually politically savvy mayor finding their boots covered with fresh dung they stepped in and furiously trying to wash the stuff off. All this is to the delight of Joe Citizen who says the politicos brought it on themselves when they tried to ramrod through a ten year extension of a transit tax without a public vote and devote much of it to a highly controversial $270 million streetcar proposal.

Like sticky dung, it appears it is going to take a while for this mess to be cleaned up. After caving in to voter outrage, city fathers talked of having the streetcar-transit tax placed on the ballot February 6 as part of the Albuquerque Public Schools election. But the legal beagles have nixed that idea and now some councilors and the mayor are thinking about a March mail-in election. Others want the quarter-cent tax on the regular city election ballot next October. Either way, there's trouble in River City.

"Right now the streetcar would go down by at least a two to one vote. The best course to preserve the plan is to delay it so you have a chance to get support and change some minds," said veteran pollster and consultant Harry Pavlides.

I pointed out that the original transit tax narrowly passed in 99' in a mail-in vote, but Pavlides and others I surveyed did not see that strategy making much of a difference saying voters in March will still be joyous to defeat it because it will send the politicians a message for trying to deal them out.

City Council President Martin Heinrich says he is not set in cement on an election date or format. Councilor Ken Sanchez has already proposed putting the streetcar-transit tax on the regular October city election ballot. A decision could come Dec. 18.

STREETCAR WRECKAGE
Mayor Chavez
Mayor Martin Chavez's first year of his third term was coasting along just fine, until the streetcar started to derail. Now he will have to fight to save face. It won't be easy. The $270 million plan calls for the state putting up over $100 million. No one is even dreaming that the traditionally ABQ wary Legislature will come through.

The Mayor's best bet may be the October election giving him time to make a case for the streetcar which would run along Central from Washington to Atrisco Plaza. A mail-in ballot is alluring because of that one success back in 99', but opposition then was muted, unlike today.

But, more important, says streetcar backer and politico Steve Cabiedes, "the city has to slow down" and try to sell the concept. "It may take a couple of years, but if they continue to rush it, they will kill it permanently."

The controversy could also be used by Republicans to slap around the Mayor who has made no secret of his plans to pursue the Dem nomination for governor in 2010. Handing him a defeat at the polls would serve the R cause.

A RUNAWAY STREETCAR?

The streetcar hot potato could also endanger a Republican or two, in particular freshman Councilor Craig Loy of the far NE Heights who is up for re-election in 07'.

"He could get a challenge from another Republican for supporting this deal and for being too close overall to the Mayor," commented one insider R.

Dem Council Prez Heinrich also might get hurt on the streetcar tracks, said pollster Pavlides.

"He is a strong liberal, but has a good image with moderates and conservatives. This could change that, especially if he is campaigning for this measure which the voters hate because they see the council and mayor as trying to take away their right to vote. This could be a loser for Heinrich with voters he might be able to attract in the future." Warned Pavlides.

It sure could. No city councilors have ever built state political careers. Issues like the streetcar only make it more difficult.

With warning flags flying from all corners of the city, it is hard to see how a council of nine politicians and a three term Mayor will not pay heed and slow their ardent desire for a streetcar named Albuquerque. Stay tuned.

FIDEL FINISHES
Sen. Fidel
The State Senate could join the State House in having a leadership battle. That's the word from the insiders in the wake of Tuesday's announcement that Dem State Senator Joe Fidel, 83, will retire from the senate and a replacement will be named by Governor Big Bill. Fidel, a 34 year veteran of the Legislature's upper chamber, supported Michael Sanchez for senate majority leader in a close leadership contest. Will Fidel's absence tip the balance to Sanchez chllenger Senator Phil Griego? Something to keep our eyes on. Surely, Big Bill is. Sanchez has been a thorn in his side while Griego has in the past openly boasted of his friendship for the Guv.

Another angle on the Fidel retirement. He represents the Grants area. The House district of wannabe House Speaker Ken Martinez overlaps the Fidel district. How about appointing Kenny to the state senate and getting him out of Ben Lujan's hair, Guv? Just a thought from those always plotting (and sometimes smirking) Alligators.

We broke the news here Tuesday of Martinez's challenge to Lujan for the speakership and think Martinez would be more than reluctant to leave the House where his future looks bright, but in politics we've learned to expect the unexpected, even the weird.

Here is more on Joe Fidel from an interview I conducted with him back in November of 2003. He was a major player in his day. Senator John Arthur Smith of Deming is expected to take over Fidel's chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee. The replacement the Guv names to fill out Joe's senate term will have to seek election in 08' if they want to keep the seat.

Congratulations to Senator Fidel on his many years of service to our Land of Enchantment. We wish him and his wife of 57 years, Dora, all the best.

IT'S OFFICIAL

Which statewide race attracted the most NM voters November 7? Governor? U.S. Senate? Nope. It was attorney general, according to the final official state figures.

559,432 voters cast ballots in the King-Bibb AG contest which King won handily with 57% of the vote. In the Guv battle, Big Bill came in with an official 68.8% of the vote to best R John Dendahl and to set a new record for a Guv victory. The old one was 60.2% by Dem Jack Campbell in 64'.

About 40% of statewide votes were cast before the actual Election Day. That is down from 2004 when just over half the ballots were early. About 50% of all registered voters turned out.

BOTTOM LINES

I have a bunch more cool stuff for you, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Hard to believe how busy it has gotten for this time of year, but it has.

Drop me an email with your latest news and comments. There's a link at the top of the page. See ya' later Gators.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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Rep. Martinez & Speaker Lujan
He's running. But don't expect a formal announcement. And if he doesn't get close by the time the Democrats of the NM House of Representatives caucus December 18th, it may be like he never ran at all. But State Representative and House Majority Leader Kenny Martinez of Grants is making a move. There's no question about that as my Alligators report he is "working the phones and lining up commitments" to pull off a major-league Movida against NM House Speaker Ben Lujan. Could that change on a dime? You bet. But when someone is making noise for the second most powerful constitutional office and is a serious personality, that's our cue to get it on.

Lujan of Santa Fe, speaker since Raymond Sanchez vacated the post in 2000, is still the man. Already fear is spreading through the ranks of Martinez's would-be supporters that if Kenny does not pull off his coup they could be subjected to the wrath of Lujan and his allies. That's not a pleasant prospect with a Legislative session coming up in which there will be committee assignments to be handed out and again millions of dollars available for "pork" projects for lawmakers.

The possibility of failure is what will keep Martinez, first elected in 98', from taking too high a public profile. "He is a master strategist," one of Martinez's supporters told me Monday while confirming that the Grants attorney is working to nail down the support of 22 of the 42 House Dems.

"I suspect that this race could be close. However, if a winner is sensed it could break big with someone getting near 30 votes. Lujan's best hope may be the five freshmen representatives who are coming in and who he campaigned for." Added our in the know Alligator whose anonymity we will protect with all the power our blogging pajamas bestow upon us.

Some had speculated on the blog that the freshmen D's could go with Martinez, but this latest source is more tapped in on that matter.

As for the Speaker, he told the ABQ Tribune: "I'm pretty confident I have the necessary votes to continue."

WHY NOW, KENNY?

Lujan's iron-fisted ways and the atmosphere of state corruption are drivers in the Martinez bid. And he got some ammo when news broke that Lujan's assistant, Lisa Ortiz, benefited from a state low income housing program, yet the Speaker has been silent on the controversy, not asking for Ortiz to resign or reprimanding her.

The timing of the release of that story has the Alligators asking if it was part of "master strategist" Martinez's plan. They are also reporting that some lawmakers are nervous about Lujan because they have been questioned by federal investigators in connection with the probe into alleged kickbacks and bribery over the construction of two courthouses in big Bernalillo county. Former State Senate leader Manny Aragon is at the center of the Feds attention.

"Last year's Treasurer scandal, the courthouse investigation and Ben's handling of certain capital outlay funds is at the center of this. It is not about policy or ideology--both are Democrats with similar views--it is about money, power and politics," informed one Alligator close to the action.

It's also about acting like an independent branch of government and not kowtowing to the Governor as Lujan's foes say he does. For that reason alone, some lawmakers want change.

As for power, that's something Martinez, 49, knows about, having been schooled in the fine art of La Politica by his legendary father, former NM House Speaker Walter Martinez (1971-77) and having executed his first power play in 04' by ousting State Rep. Danice Picraux from the majority leader post. (He is also a favorite of former House Speaker Raymond Sanchez, another master of the fabled New Mexico Movida.)

Governor Big Bill, never one to shy away from any kind of power play, has not been sighted on the playing field, but that doesn't mean he isn't. Insiders say it is obvious that Lujan has been a good speaker for him and there is no reason for him to want a change unless there is more bad news to come about Lujan that would cripple him.

THE MARTINEZ BAGGAGE

Martinez has his baggage too. He is a trial lawyer and if chosen as Speaker the trial lawyers would be back in charge of the key leadership positions at the Roundhouse. Trial lawyer Michael Sanchez leads the Senate Dems. If Martinez pulls off the upset, Las Cruces State Rep. Joe Cervantes, also a trial lawyer, might well take Martinez's place as majority leader. Critics point to the rule of trial lawyers Manny Aragon in the senate and Raymond Sanchez as House speaker as reason not to bring back that crowd. They say Lujan, 70, is one of the last legislative leaders to come from a working class background, giving ordinary New Mexicans a strong voice.

Martinez's detractors also argue he was too clever by half when he proposed that all new NM autos be equipped with breath interlock devices, even if the drivers were never arrested for DWI. The Legislature later passed a bill to make interlock devices mandatory for only those convicted for drunk driving. Martinez's move was attacked as calculated obstructionism on behalf of the trial lawyers who it was argued wanted no bill, or over-reaching advocacy for big government. Either way, his critics fear more of the same if he seizes ultimate power.

But one thing Kenny Martinez is not shadowed by is allegations of ripping off the taxpayers or unethical behavior. His most ardent supporters say that's why he is needed; that the state is crying out for a new generation that does not see business as usual as the way of the future. Besides, they argue, Lujan has had the job long enough and is not giving any signals that he is ready to relinquish the baton.

Who will win? Lujan is the incumbent and the favorite, but Martinez smells weakness or he would not be making his move. He will be able to back off if it becomes clear he doesn't have the horses. But he will be emboldened by even an unsuccessful challenge and there could soon be another. It will be propelled as much by the historic desire of the State House to provide a check on executive power as it will by the other issues driving the Lujan-Martinez face-off. Don't say we didn't tell you.

R'S SET SESSION

It's an odd setting for a meeting of the NM GOP State Central Committee. Will odd things happen? State R's will meet at that citadel of liberalism--the University of New Mexico Student Union Building Friday, December 8 to conduct a year end review, according to an invitation to committee members. But the last time the committee met in June they ousted J. R. Damron as the R's Guv candidate and replaced him with John Dendahl. Maybe this will be a routine session, but the Alligators are on high alert for any hanky-panky.

The meeting comes against a backdrop of jockeying for the chairmanship of the party with Allen Weh expected to give up the post in April, although insiders say it is possible he could still go for another term. The meeting is not being called to select a new chairman, but stranger things, as noted above, have been known to happen.

The announced agenda is the year in review, or the post-election spin the party has been putting out that it really did not do badly at the polls, despite landslide re-elects by Big Bill and Senator Jeff, no GOP legislative gains and a near Dem sweep of the down-ballot races. The R leadership, deflecting critics like State Senator Carraro and ex-Governor Cargo, say the party's performance was par for the course. The Dems are loving that spin, saying if R's are happy with their 06' performance, they will be happy to keep it coming their way.

You're at Ground Zero for New Mexico politics. Join in. Drop an email from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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Ex-Mayor Schultz
The shadow of public corruption in New Mexico grows longer even as the days grow shorter, with more details emerging on that federal probe of the construction of two courthouses in big Bernalillo county and threatening to make 2007 a replay of 2006, a year we witnessed two corruption trials of ex-Treasurer Robert Vigil.

The latest sensational details came on a quiet Thanksgiving Eve as Mr. & Mrs. New Mexico were making holiday dinner plans, not political ones. KRQE-TV investigative reporter Larry Barker revealed that former ABQ Mayor Ken Schultz, now a lobbyist, has been pulled into the probe--just one of a number of "lobbyists and contractors" whose names will be made public as the investigation proceeds.

Indictments in the case could come in January or February. Sources report that plea bargains are already being hammered out.

The focus of the Feds remains on former NM state senate powerhouse Manny Aragon who resigned (or was forced out, depending on your point of view) from the presidency of NM Highlands University this year. Barker reports the Feds are alleging that then State Senator Manny met with then ABQ Metro Court Administrator Toby Martinez and then Chief Metro Court Judge and now District Court Judge Michael Kavanaugh and promised he could get the money for the construction of the new metro courthouse. That, according to the TV report, set off a chain of events in which Aragon and Martinez allegedly took "bribes and kickbacks."

The full TV report is here. It may take a moment to load.

Former Mayor Schultz, 66, saw his name surface as the station quoted insiders as saying he was a lobbyist for one of the contractors who worked on the courthouse and that the FBI taped undercover video of Schultz as part of its investigation. The report said the politico turned lobbyist accepted "tens of thousands" of dollars in cash. An attorney for Schultz said his client did nothing wrong and is only a witness in the investigation.

Longtimers will recall that Manny Aragon served with then Mayor Schultz as a top city attorney when Schultz manned ABQ City Hall from 1985-89. In fact, Aragon became a focal point in Schultz's unsuccessful bid for re-election as he faced criticism of the state senator's dual role.

MOVING ON MANNY
Manny Aragon
It appears obvious from Barker's report that administrator Toby Martinez would be the chief witness against Aragon, along perhaps with Judge Kavanaugh who, according to Barker's sources, is not suspected as a bribe-taker. Whether he is susceptible to other charges remains unanswered.

While the charges against Aragon are sensational, so were those against Vigil and they also involved video tape. Still, federal prosecutors were unable to secure a guilty verdict at the first Vigil trial and at his retrial managed only a conviction on one count of several dozen.

The insiders and Alligators say Aragon, who has already said that a $50,000 payment he received in connection with the courthouse case, was a "consulting" fee, can be expected to fight just as hard as Robert Vigil and that they would be surprised if he copped a plea.

A trial could come in mid or late 07'. That will be bad timing for Big Bill and his presidential campaign. Even though he was not governor when the courthouse caper allegedly came down, he has long been associated with Aragon politically; a relationship that could give his foes some mileage.

THE BANE OF BEN

Manny Aragon isn't the only prominent name associated with the NM Legislature that is under the gun. What about those charges of abuse in a state low income housing program and that have dragged the name of State House Speaker Ben Lujan into the muck? Surely, it's one reason why State Rep. Kenny Martinez has somewhat boldly refused to rule out a challenge to the Speaker when the Dems caucus in mid-December. Martinez, as we have blogged previously, does not appear to have the votes to upset 70 year old Ben, but the housing abuse story weakened the leader at a key moment.

Aragon is gone. Ben Lujan is feeling heat. Big Bill will soon be looking for a new hill to climb. Like wax from a candle, power will start to slowly drip down. To whom? Stay tuned.

MY BOTTOM LINES

A reader writes regarding the ongoing speculation on whether GOP U.S. Senator Pete Domenici will seek a seventh term in 08': "As of September 2006, he's raised $605,872. He gave away $374,792. He has $264,271 on hand. When does the fund raising start?"

He has time. At this point in the cycle Jeff Bingaman, re-elected to the Senate this month, had not raised much of his campaign money either. Both senators are so tapped in that fundraising can be started quickly. Still, it is a good clue to watch for as we go forward...Meanwhile, here is some fun stuff I did with KOB-TV and reporter Stuart Dyson over the long holiday weekend as we handicapped the question: What if Pete retires? (Thanks to Todd Dukart for putting this together for the station's Web site.)...

100,000 by 2010. That's the population prediction for Las Cruces. And get this. Dona Ana county is headed for 200,000 by that time. Talk is already circulating there about forming a metro government by combining the functions of the city and county. The notion would probably be fought hard by rural residents as it has been in the big ABQ metro, but government services are much more advanced here than in Dona Ana. Like the old days in ABQ, the city government of Cruces is seen as more "professional" while the county government is more prone to, shall we say, "missteps."...

Your news tips and comments are welcome. Drop an email from the link at the top of the page.

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