Mayor Chavez
ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez began exploring a possible bid for the 2010 Dem Guv's race by heading into must-have territory. He toured Las Vegas, Taos and Espanola last week, gauging the political climate with local politicos and seeing if Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, already announced for the race, has sewn up early support.

"He was pleased with his reception," commented a Chavez operative who also informed that Chavez did several radio and press interviews while in the area.

In Las Vegas, he attended a lunch at Pino's Family Restaurant with area elected officials. One of those in attendance turned into an Alligator and emailed me this: "He speaks well and seems to be intelligent. I guess he should be, he is an attorney and mayor of our biggest city. Almost all of our elected officials were present."

The reception he received on his northern political swing was better than the one Marty has been given at the legislative session. There, lawmakers have rejected his bid to let him appoint members of the Albuquerque School Board. And a measure to modify the city's red-light camera law--one he opposed--sailed through the senate where Chavez himself served back in the early 90's.

The mayor's backers argue that ABQ has always been a favorite whipping boy of the Legislature, but they also realize that outside of the metro area governing the big Duke City is not necessarily seen as an attribute.

Chavez, who was the Democratic party's standardbearer in the 1998 governor's race and lost to Gary Johnson, will need heavy support in the Hispanic north to fend off Denish's expected strength. But it is much to early to handicap the Democrats nomination contest as we don't even know if others will be running. Chavez has started raising money for the race, with the insiders saying he received pledges and cash of $100,000 at a party thrown last month at the home of longtime politico Ed Romero, although Romero says he is staying neutral in the Denish-Chavez race.

Both Chavez and Denish and whoever else gets in this thing are going to be whipsawed in the next few years by the events of the day. For example, a turn in the state's and/or city's financial fortunes could be just one of many twists and turns we see along the very long road to Election '10.

THE CHAIRMAN'S RACE

Unlike the Guv contest, there will no four year campaign for state Democratic party chairman. That race to succeed outgoing chairman John Wertheim will conclude with an election April 28th at a party central committee meeting in Las Cruces and campaigning is well under way. We broke the stories of the candidacies of former House Majority Leader Michael Olguin and ABQ attorney Brian Colón and now both contenders are hitting the phones hard in search of the votes of some 400 hundred party insider votes who will decide the contest.

For his part, Olguin emails in to tell us that he wants to make clear that he has not made up his mind on who should be the executive director of the state party.

"I have in no way made any comment relative to the executive director. I have the utmost respect for (current ED) Matt Farrauto and have worked well with him as chair of the Socorro county party. If successful, Matt will be given every opportunity to continue as ED if that is what he wants." Olguin explained.

His comments come in reaction to our report that ABQ South Valley politico Sisto Abeyta intends to apply to become ED if Olguin wins his party chair race. Abeyta now says he will apply for the position no mater how wins.

As for Colón, we remarked that he can look for his most firm support in the party's "progressive" wing, but in telephone calls his supporters are making, they say they want to appeal to party regulars as well as the young bucks and that Colón is not a spear-carrier for any particular wing of the party.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Outgoing U.S. Attorney David Iglesias has set a news conference to talk about his dismissal and his future plans. In an email to a friend quoted here Monday, the GOP prosecutor called his ouster a "political fragging" that had nothing to do with his performance. That blog is receiving some national attention, so it will be interesting to hear how Iglesias frames the story when he meets with the press.

The big item still dangling at the federal courthouse is the investigation into the construction of two Bernalillo county courthouses. Will indictments come anytime soon? Iglesias is sure to be asked for an update.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

"Governor" Herrera
It's a kick for Mary Herrera to be carrying the title of "Acting Governor Herrera" today. She started off humbly in the 70's as a clerk-typist for Bernalillo county government, but with her election as secretary of state she became third in line to the governorship. Big Bill and Light Guv Lady Di are renowned road warriors so Mary didn't have to wait long for the state Constitution to take effect and for her to become the chief executive in their absence today and yesterday. Bill is campaigning for Prez and Diane is in Denver attending to family business.

Democrat Herrera told me Monday she wasn't plotting any attempted coups in the absence of Big Bill--unlike some lieutenant governors of yore who filled in for their bosses--and she spent much of her day before the Legislature working on bills impacting her office. But there were a couple of thrills.

"The security showed up in the morning. It hit home. They even gave me a ride to lunch...I talked on the phone with my my mom and my brother and they were pretty excited. And I posed for pictures with a visiting fifth grade class," said Acting Governor Herrera.

Politics may not pay much, but it delivers a thrill or two.

MORE GOVERNOR HERRERA?

Herrera's brief ascension to power did raise the not unlikely possibility that unless something is changed, she could find herself serving as Governor more than she ever contemplated.

The scenario goes like this. Governor Richardson manages the long shot and gets himself a spot on the '08 Dem Prez ticket, or more likely, gets himself a job in a Democratic administration that takes office in January '09. That makes Diane Denish Governor, but leaves a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. There is no provision to replace Denish which leads us over to the state senate where ABQ Dem Senator Ortiz y Pino has introduced a constitutional amendment that would permit Denish to name her own lieutenant governor if she were to take over the Fourth Floor by succession, not election. The bill is now in Sen. McSorley's Judiciary Committee. If it makes it through there, it will head over to the House.

The amendment calls for the senate to provide "advice and consent" on the appointment of the state's new #2, but if the Legislature wasn't in session the appointment would stand until lawmakers convened. (A provision to also give the House consent was amended out) Voters would be asked to approve the succession amendment at the November '08 election, just in time if Big Bill is moving up and out.

If the amendment does not make it and the Denish replacement scenario became reality, Mary Herrera would be the designated hitter each time Di left the state until the new governor and light guv were seated following the '10 election. Diane, just in case, you might want to make nice with Mary (lunch at the Bullring?) or else you may never be able to leave the state if you do become governor.

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT...

Two New Mexico Governors have died while in office with their # 2's taking over and leaving unfilled lieutenant governor vacancies, but the most notorious vacancy came on November 30, 1962 when GOP Governor Ed Mechem resigned. He was immediately succeeded as Governor by Lieutenant Governor Tom Bolack who then appointed Mechem to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy created by the death of Democratic U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez. But the Light Guv vacancy lasted only a month as Jack Campbell took over as Governor and Mack Easley as Lt. Gov. on New Year's Day 1963. Mechem went on to lose the Chavez senate seat in 1964 to Joe Montoya, but for the rest of his life Bolack was called "Governor" by one and all even though he served just one brief unelected month.

THE VIGIL-GIRON SAGA
Vigil-Giron
We recently posted a defense of former secretary of state Rebecca Vigil-Giron from supporters who claim she is wrongfully blamed for a $3 million shortfall--a shortfall that is the subject of federal and state audits and has put on hold Big Bill's appointment of Becky as executive director of the NM Film Museum. But the defense drew some offense. Here's an example from a retired Roundhouse employee in Las Cruces who does not address the shortfall which Vigil-Giron defends as being caused by the switch to paper ballots, but he asserts Vigil-Giron wasted money.

"When you compare the $2.5 million that Vigil-Giron spent on TV ads in (last year's election) versus the $3 million that was spent by the Texas secretary of state, it alone is enough to get your dander up. In Texas, they spent their money on a mobile exhibit that toured the state, along with TV and radio ads and printed voter guides--all this in a state with eight major media markets, and 12 smaller markets. I've got to believe Vigil-Giron was on TV more than Big Bill was.

"No where in the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) does it say that you have to spend money on TV ads, as the former secretary's supporters allege. The Act leaves it to the discretion of the SOS, meaning, that you can spend it on a variety of public education materials, not solely on TV."

Well, no one was on TV more than Big Bill, but Rebecca was on more than her fair share and it is coming back to haunt her. Will she get the museum job? The insiders say those audits will have to find serious mismanagement or wrongdoing, not just questions of judgment, if she is to be denied some kind of job in the administration, if not the musuem post.

AMBITION AND THE SHERIFF

You hear his name mentioned frequently in GOP circles as a possible for a variety of higher offices--ABQ Mayor, U.S. Congress etc. But Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White is building a record which will be the subject of intense scrutiny if ambition does propel him to climb higher on the political ladder. While he won re-election by a large margin last year, not all the news has been good for the Sheriff. Take a look at this editorial. You'll be seeing a lot more of it in 30 second TV ads if and when any speculation about White running for another office becomes reality. As the late Ernie Mills would put it: Don't say we didn't tell you.

MY BOTTOM LINES

We welcome aboard our latest advertisers, Dan Serrano of Serrano & Sons Construction and Greetings etc. You may recognize Dan's name as he has several times sought elective office in the ABQ area, but has come to his senses and is now concentrating on building successful businesses.

Greetings, etc. is a return advertiser who is very popular around here because of their ability to deliver a quality print job at the drop of a dime--just the kind of service you need in politics or business. Click their banner ads for details and contact numbers.

Thanks to them and to all of our sponsors for their support of our endeavors. We ask that you consider supporting them so we can keep the politics coming your way. And if you are interested in advertising your business here, just drop me an email for further info.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Iglesias
Outgoing U.S. Attorney David Iglesias has had enough. He is telling supporters that recent U.S. Senate testimony citing his "job performance" and that of other fired U.S. attorneys as the reason for them getting the axe by the Bush administration is way out of line. In an email to a friend, he dubbed his dismissal "a political fragging" that cannot be pinned on his performance.

"I can provide reams of performance stats showing record immigration, narcotics and firearms prosecutions under my administration, not to mention a higher than national conviction rate. Not to mention the biggest political corruption cases in NM history--four indictments, four convictions.

"This is a political fragging, pure and simple. I'm OK with being asked to move on for political reasons, I'm NOT OK with the Department of Justice wrongfully testifying under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee that I had performance issues..." So scorched the Gallup native and Santa Fe High graduate.

His reference to a "fragging" is a military term to describe the killing of an unpopular senior officer, typically with a hand grenade. Iglesias served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the United States Naval Reserve and is the military defense attorney portrayed in the early 1990s movie "A Few Good Men."

U.S. ATTORNEY INTRIGUE

The exact reason for the Iglesias departure remains shrouded in mystery. Five of the dismissed U.S. attorneys, including Iglesias, who received walking papers December 7 told reporters that they were not given any reason for their firings and had not been told of any performance problems.

Here in NM, legal and political Alligators pointed to Iglesias's prosecution of ex-Treasurer Vigil in which he managed to get a conviction, but only on one count of several dozen and only after a mistrial. Others attribute the dismissal to disgruntlement on the part of ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson and others that Iglesias did not announce indictments during the '06 campaign regarding the federal corruption probe of the construction of two Bernalillo county courthouses. Indictments are still anticipated in the case which focuses on Democratic politicians,

As for the dismissal of the other U.S. attorneys, several of them were in the midst of investigations focusing on Republican politicians or their supporters. At that heated senate hearing, Justice cited poor performance for the firings, denying it was politics. Here's more from the Sunday New York Times.

Iglesias remains on the job, awaiting a replacement from the Bush White House. NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici has forwarded several names to the White House for consideration, including those of ABQ attorney Charles Peifer and '06 GOP attorney general candidate Jim Bibb. Legal beagles are saying Peifer appears to be a favorite because his legal experience dwarfs that of Bibb who is the son-in-law law of former Dem NM Governor Toney Anaya. Observers expected an announcement by now, but perhaps the controversy over the outgoing prosecutors has slowed the process. Stay tuned.

IT'S AN ELECTRIC DEBATE

Not everyone saw it my way--actually quite a few didn't--when it came to my Friday riff on why PNM should be corralled by the Public Regulation Commission and prevented from imposing higher electricity rates for summer usage. Marc Christensen, PNM's director of corporate communications, blogged in with this opposing view:

"Why have rates that discourage high volume usage? In the long run, it will reduce pressure on ...rates..."Peak" consumption (in the summer during the hottest part of the day) is growing much faster than average. Generating power to meet peak demand is the most expensive form of electricity. It seems to us to be fairer to ask those customers choosing a lifestyle that involves using high volumes to pay for the cost of that choice...Consumers who use evaporative (as compared to refrigerated) air are not likely to hit the highest rates...We're not trying to dictate customer choices--we are saying that those who cause costs should pay for the costs...If we choose to drive an SUV (and I do) I pay the costs at the pump. I wouldn't expect those who drive more fuel-efficient vehicles to pay the costs for me. Why should it be any different when it comes to the cost of electricity?"

Well said, but the price of gasoline isn't based on what kind of car you drive. It's the same price for all which is how our current electric rates are structured. Should Marc and his fellow SUV drivers pay more for a gallon of gas? That's too much social engineering for my taste, but if people want restrictions, give the people what they want. Others disagreeing with me said I was fostering a pro-pollution policy by arguing for no restrictions on electricity usage. The debate will go on before the PRC for most of the year with a decision in the rate hike case coming by year's end.

THE BIG BILL BEAT

Making a pitch for votes in Indian Country, Big Bill says it's time for a Secretary of Indian Affairs. There are Indian tribes scattered throughout the early primary states, including quite a few in California which is expected to move its primary up to March 5....The Richardson candidacy is evoking pride among the nation's Hispanics, but that doesn't mean the support of Hispanic leaders is there for the asking. Hillary Clinton is managing to pick many of them off, despite Bill's Hispanic roots...Foreign policy continues to be the Guv's strong suit. Over the weekend, the Washington Post made room on its opinion page for a piece penned by the former U.N. ambassador in which he argues "saber-rattling" is not a good way to get the Iranians to cooperate on its nuclear program and calls for "direct engagement."

More New Mexico politics right here tomorrow. Keep me posted by dropping your news and comments in the email via the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

The state's big electric company--PNM--delivered a shock this week. It is asking the elected members of the Public Regulation Commission to approve a double digit rate increase to take effect around the first of the year. Rates have been stable in recent years because of excess capacity and other factors. It has given the PRC a breather from the politics of higher energy costs, but now their back.

Without passing judgment on the merit of the proposal, it appears one aspect of the PNM plan will grab voters' attention even in the non-election year of 2007---forcing them to pay more for electricity when they need it most, in June, July and August. The government-sanctioned monopoly utility explains it this way: "Higher summer rates will encourage efficiency and increased conservation by customers, thereby lowering demand. Ultimately, that helps save customers money."

But who says customers are being inefficient? It's not as if current rates are cause for consumers to throw power parties and burn their lights around the clock or run their air conditioners full-blast. For the many low income New Mexicans and those on fixed incomes among PNM's 460,000 state customers, conservation is already a way of life. Many of them dread even turning on their air coolers even as temperatures become oppressive.

In PNM's opinion, many New Mexicans are apparently being profligate with their energy usage, but the demands of the computer age combined with a traditionally hot desert climate, larger living quarters and, thankfully, a growing economy, naturally increases demand. It can be argued that this isn't waste; it is improving the quality of life. The PNM summer rate increase proposal places the burden of "efficiency" on the consumer, but the elected members of the PRC are mandated to look at the efficiency of PNM in delivering the electricity, not how consumers put it to use.

OPTIONS OR LIMITS?
Chairman Lujan
PNM is a solid corporate citizen with a history of excellent service, but when the company says: "We should be in the business of helping people save energy," it is reciting a laudable goal, not the main purpose of the company which is to provide reasonably priced and reliably delivered electricity. Now is not the time for New Mexicans to buy into a culture of limitations. Our economy is only now awakening compared to our regional neighbors. Rationing electricity, which is in effect what PNM is proposing, is more fitting for a developing country, not an American state. PRC Chairman Ben Lujan, Jr. and his colleagues need to do all in their power to have PNM efficiently provide as much reasonably priced electricity as our small state needs. That way the next generation of New Mexicans has more options, not limitations.

ZANY CITY HALL

Things are back to normal at ABQ City Hall. Half the council seems to be running for mayor, the current mayor's department directors walked out of a council meeting, protesting the badgering they were receiving by one councilor and one of the councilors who charged the mayor with having a conflict of interest with a big developer has received campaign money from the very same developer. It all sounds like one great skit for the NM broadcasters annual Gridiron Show.

Much of this is a case of "second termitis." The ability of Mayor Chavez to herd the cats diminishes with each turn of the monthly calendar. The jockeying to be his successor in '09 is underway, with Councilors Sanchez and Cadigan likely candidates and Councilor Mayer even thinking of a run. The October council elections in which four seats are up for election is also raising the temperature. Under such circumstances, civility is often the first casualty. But if they fight among themselves instead of trying to raise your taxes to build a street car or a giant sports arena, then maybe we should encourage the circus-like antics.

Thanks for stopping by. News? Comments? Send them via the email link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Governor Richardson strode onto a Carson City stage Wednesday with aplomb, beginning what he hopes will be a long walk into the national consciousness and a place on the 2008 Democratic presidential ticket. One of my Alligators watching the forum at which eight candidates appeared separately (Obama did not make it) to deliver a brief speech and then answer questions from a moderator, believed Richardson "went up a notch" in the eyes of the political community and the national press, just about the only ones paying attention at this early stage of the campaign.

"If there was any question of whether he is able to hold his own with the other candidates, they were put to rest. He gave a solid performance, with no big mistakes. He also came across serious and informed, debunking the frat boy image that has been spread about him." declared our Senior Democratic Alligator. (The video of the forum is posted here.)

The Guv's remarks focused on the now familiar themes of his international experience, work as a governor and "having solved problems the other candidates talk about."

He peppered his talk to the friendly labor audience of about 600 with references to accomplishments he has had in New Mexico, including, he said, the addition of 84,000 "high-wage" jobs. He may be tested on that. Not the 84,000, but the high wage assertion.

He made strong points on foreign policy, drawing a laugh when he related how President Clinton sent him on foreign missions "because the bad guys like Richardson." He called for direct talks with Iran and Syria saying, "you don't make peace with your friends; you make peace with your enemies."

The forum was the Governor's first lengthy national broadcast appearance since announcing his candidacy last month. C-SPAN ran the afternoon event live. His pre-forum prep and years of experience on camera paid off. If he rambled a bit and covered too much ground, they were minor infractions. He seemed completely comfortable in his own skin and said so after the forum. It was as if he had been waiting for the opportunity. And, of course, he was.

Big Bill appeared to be the only male candidate who did not wear a suit, opting instead for a blue blazer, orange tie and khaki colored pants. "He dressed for the West," said another of the Gators. "He knew his audience and he played to them and to those watching on TV in Nevada where he hopes to score an early caucus victory."

BILL BOOT LICKING?

There was some guffawing when Big Bill took sides with Hillary Clinton in her first Barack attack. The Guv was asked at the forum if Obama should apologize for negative comments made about Hillary by Hollywood heavy David Geffen, an Obama supporter. The Guv replied: "Yes, if we are going to win, we have to be positive." Was it a case of boot licking? Why did the Guv have to take sides at all? It had observers recalling that it was President Clinton who gave him his big national break. Is he looking for a second one from Hillary, like a place on the ticket as Veep or a job as secretary of state? Or will the two "minority" candidates--Obama & Richardson--be pitted against one another? They're just asking.

COAL-FIRED ROUNDHOUSE

Can radio ads and a push in other media aimed at the Legislature make a difference in a big fight over a bill that would give a multinational company an $85 million tax credit for a coal plant on the Navajo Nation? Various state and national environmental groups hope so as they argue such a plant would be a major source of pollution. They are also trying to put pressure on Governor Richardson to use his influence to kill the measure scheduled for consideration Friday before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

But it is Las Cruces Dem State Rep. Joni Gutierrez who is really feeling the heat. The former NM Dem Party chair first voted to table the bill, but then later joined with committee Republicans to have it reconsidered. Another committee vote is scheduled on the coal credit for Sithe Global Friday. It will be one of the more closely watched votes because of the media push. Joni has refused to answer questions about her reversal from Las Cruces blogger Heath Haussamen but if the heat gets hot enough, she just might.

Keep the politics rolling. Email from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Domenici at Kick-off
A spry Pete Domenici took to the podium last night near historic Old Town in Albuquerque to assure the Republican faithful (and a fair share of Democrats) that he is ready, willing and able to deliver on a seventh six year term in the United States Senate. "I want to say I am running!" the 74 year old emphatically declared to a combination campaign kick-off and fund-raiser. After a round of applause, he quickly added: "And I also want to say I am definitely running!" which sent gales of laughter rumbling through a brightly lit ballroom at the Hotel Albuquerque.

It was Pete's way of addressing the persistent concerns over his health and whether it will prevent him from continuing a political career that started as an ABQ city councilor in the mid-1960's, just blocks from last night's campaign kick-off. Domenici, keyed up for this important political event, appeared hale; his twenty minute speech did reveal a weaker voice, but one that retained timbre enough to assure his supporters that the ailments of age will not take him off the campaign trail--at least not now.

As his '08 campaign gets underway the senate giant will continue to assure his base supporters as he raises the millions necessary to make the run. (Today he is headed to Las Cruces)

Last night, accompanied by wife Nancy and Pete Jr., Domenici preached the gospel of bipartisanship, noting that his Republican party is in the minority in the senate by only one vote. "That one vote is enough to keep me from being a chairman," he ruefully imparted. He mentioned his cooperation with Dem Senator Jeff Bingaman on the '04 energy bill saying it would be a template for the cooperation that he will again pursue now that he is on the outside looking in, not to mention his need for re-election votes from the state’s majority party.

THAT PESKY WAR

The Senator did profess frustration; it was not health related, but it was a whopper. "You're hearing garbage, garbage from the media," he railed as he hit upon the #1 issue in the USA--the no-end-in-sight Iraq war. "There are good things happening" he told the crowd of about 300--"things that give you hope." He cited recent economic progress in ABQ as the kind of news he would like to see the public and media focus on.

But even as the veteran lawmaker spoke, the media he expressed frustration with was carrying very real and unbiased headlines of the war deaths of two young New Mexican soldiers and how they were being mourned.

Clearly, the war presents even the poll-popular Pete with an election year challenge. The Democrats control Congress because of it and their numbers could grow if the foreign policy debacle is not ended by the '08 election. With the blood of young Americans being spilled and the vast majority of the nation set against the Republican President's war policy, there will be little, if any, room for other issues, as important as the Senator says they may be. One could say that days of reckoning, not hope, are ahead for this Congress.

Pete's appearance is more wooden now; at times he borders on frailty, but he still commands a room with authority and a now legendary reputation earned by accomplishments and service to the state too lengthy to list. There's no denying that the twilight of an extraordinary political career is at hand, but the gleam in Domenici's eye sends the message that he believes its arrival can be delayed. Will someone argue otherwise?

ON THE SCENE

I took in Pete's plea for a repeat seated at a table with my old boss, ex-U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan, GOP Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, '06 GOP Treasurer candidate Demesia Padilla and NM GOP National Committeewoman Rosie Tripp who made the "trip" up from Socorro. They made me get up for every standing ovation. (Not that I minded, Pete.) Democrats for Domenici enjoying the h'orderves included PR guru John Cordova. He heads up New Mexico's Dennis Chavez society, the senator who was the longest serving senator in state history (1935-62) until Domenici(1973-?) came along.

MORE MONEY NEWS

Pete isn't the only one out raising money early. ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson has another $1000 per person event slated. This one is a noon lunch set for February 26th at the new Savoy Bar and Grill. She held a similarly priced event recently at the Zea Rotisserie. Fund-raising for a competitive congressional seat may not take up as much time as lawmaking, but it's gaining fast.

MUST-SEE TV

It will be must see TV today for all you Big Bill Prez watchers. How will he do when he joins his rivals for the Dem Prez nod (Obama won't be there, but Hillary will) during a televised forum in Carson City, Nevada? It will be the candidates' first TV appearance together (they will appear on the stage one at a time to answer questions) and will be broadcast on C-SPAN starting at 1 p.m. However, you can also catch the action on your desktop or laptop as one of the Las Vegas TV stations provides a live video stream. As for Bill's Nevada campaign, here's a report on that.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Some reaction to our Tuesday blog on developments in the race for Dem state party chair. It's a hot potato with associates of Light Guv Denish emailing in to make sure she is not perceived as taking sides in the Michael Olguin-Brian Colón face-off. "She is not taking sides..She enjoys a good relationship with Michael and Brian," said one...And if you've ever been a political candidate, here's your worst nightmare come true....

That's it for now. Come back tomorrow for more NM politics. Email your news and comments from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Brian Colón
"It's the old versus the new," summed up ABQ attorney Brian Colón as he revealed to me that he has decided to join the race for the chairmanship of the New Mexico Democratic Party, challenging former State Representative Michael Olguin who until now had the field to himself.

Colón, 36, says he represents a new generation of Democrats, but describes his campaign against savvy political veteran Olguin, 57, as "uphill all the way." Still, he is quick to point out that Michael lost his Socorro area legislative seat to R Don Tripp. "It can be done," Colón declared.

The trial lawyer, a longtime party activist, member of the NM Hispanic Bar Association and supporter of Governor Richardson, will have two months to get his ducks in a row to defeat Olguin, a former House majority leader. The some 400 members of the Democratic Party Central Committee meet in Las Cruces April 28th to choose a replacement for attorney John Wertheim who is giving up the position after four years of service.

The battle lines are clearly drawn in this race. Colón, a 2001 UNM Law School grad, will find his most ardent support in the "progressive" wing of the party. He is aligned politically with State Reps Al Park and Moe Maestas and he played a key role in the election of young Hector Balderas of Wagon Mound as state auditor. Olguin appeals more to "regular" Democrats and those who have been around a long time.

Liberals, including Rep. Park, attempted to oust House Speaker Ben Lujan late last year and replace him with Majority Leader Kenny Martinez. Colón was sympathetic to Martinez. Olguin is a longtime ally of Lujan who turned back Kenny's challenge.

Neither Colón or Olguin is claiming backing from Big Bill in this intraparty duel. Both combatants told me the Governor is well aware of their plans and has given his blessing to their candidacies, but is not taking sides. But Colón was quick to point out that he raised $56,000 for the Guv for his recent fundraiser at Sandia Casino.

OLGUIN VS. COLÓN

Olguin has told me he will consider giving up his part-time lobbying if elected. He runs a Socorro insurance agency full-time.

Ethics has been a major concern of the progressives, especially since the scandal involving ex-NM Treasurers Vigil and Montoya.

Meanwhile, Colón's rivals are claiming that his relationship with Lieutenant Governor Denish has soured somewhat because of Colón's dealings with her over the auditor's race. "It's not true. Diane and I get along fine," Colón rebutted. His critics also claim Colon lacks the breadth of experience of Olguin who may have lost his seat in the Legislature, but has experience fielding the hardballs that come the way of any party chair.

Colón believes whoever is elected will face additional demands because the Governor, who was deeply involved in party affairs, will now be out-of-state campaigning much of the time. That could magnify the role of Denish who has already announced her 2010 Guv bid and will be plenty interested in how the party is run for the next several years. Like Big Bill, she has not publicly signaled a favorite in the race and is unlikely to do so.

SCRAMBLE FOR PARTY POWER

The issue of who would claim the important job of executive director under either of the two men has also become a campaign issue, with the Colón wing warning that ABQ South Valley political operative Sisto Abeyta has his eye on the position and that he does not represent "progressive values."

Abeyta is not shying away from the battle, confirming to me that he is interested in the ED position. "If Michael is elected I will certainly file my application. I believe I can work with everyone in the party to advance our candidates and our agenda," declared Abeyta, only 30, but well-schooled in the treacherous ways of New Mexico politics by his elders in his native Socorro county and by friend and mentor State Senator James Taylor.

The scuttlebutt has current ED Matt Farrauto leaving with Wertheim and perhaps taking a position with Big Bill's New Hampshire Prez campaign. Farrauto has made no public announcement regarding his future.

THE WERTHEIM YEARS
The Wertheims
Party insiders credit Wertheim with generally doing a good job. One challenge was dealing with a Governor prone to managing things himself. Also, Wertheim's wife, Bianca, was in the employ of Big Bill during much of her husband's tenure, giving the Governor additonal sway over the chairman. But Santa Fe native Wertheim walks away getting some credit for the Guv's epic landslide as well as that of Senator Bingaman. Also, his party is firmly in control of the Legislature and other key levers of government power and seems to have survived the Treasurers scandal relatively unscathed.

GOP Guv nominee John Dendahl referred to Wertheim as "that boy" as he tore into the youthful appearing attorney during last year's gubernatorial campaign. But after four years as party chair and approaching 40, Wertheim carries political knowledge and experience that few others have. Observers expect him to someday try to reignite his political career which faltered after he twice unsuccessfully sought election to Congress.

Among the credits Wertheim lists on his resume is "guest political commentator for KANW 89.1 FM" in ABQ where over the years Wertheim has joined me for Election Night coverage. Now that you are headed for the exits, John, your old radio gig awaits. Who says there's no place for old party chairmen? For now, though, the Democratic stage belongs to Michael Olguin and Brian Colón as they vie for their time under the harsh, but often rewarding spotlight of La Politica.

Your news and comments are always welcome. Send them from the mail link at the top of the page

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Secretary Faught
Some things government does best and in some things private business excels. Our case in point today is the delivery of vital weather and road closing info that has given the state Department of Transportation numerous headaches. When the big snows hit, they just can't get it right. But they can fix it. Why not privatize this particular service? Let the big ABQ TV stations bid for the job, just as they do now to be the state lottery source. No one is better equipped. The bonus for the station or stations that take over the service is to constantly promote themselves which they delight in doing.

The state has made a valiant try, but failed. There is already a system in place that can deliver weather and road conditions over the phone and Web at lightning speed. Why not team with the media and get this vital service delivered to New Mexicans without delay or recrimination and without the sorry alibis on why everything broke down when the white stuff inevitably again falls? How about it Secretary Faught?

COULD IT BE RATINGS?

And how do you know February is a "sweeps month" for the TV stations in which they scrape for ratings for their newscasts? When KOB-TV's Jeremy Jojola lures lawmakers into a Capitol restroom, that's how! Read and see all about it...

NEW UNM PREXY
The Schmidlys
The Alligators setting the line at 8 to 5 in favor of NM Tech president Dan Lopez snaring the top job at the University of New Mexico have their jaws wired shut today after the UNM regents chose Okie State U president David Schmidly as the new leader. The AP has details. Schmidly will be pulling down a stunning (over-the-top?) $580,000 a year when all of his incentives are calculated. With that kind of dough, he can forget about a honeymoon. Schmidly is 63. Will he be a competent placeholder like Richard Peck, with the UNM job easing him into a comfortable retirement, or will his educational swan song be creative and aggressive and change UNM for the better? Stay tuned.

There may be an opportunity for UNM that we haven't seen lately. Schmidly's wife, Janet, is also an educator (retired) and was active in campus and community life when he headed Texas Tech as well as OSU where she formed a parents association. As the Schmidlys peel the onion on their new state, they will find the dysfunctional family is as ubiquitous as green chile. If UNM is to raise itself up, the students sent to it have to be raised up first. If Janet and hubby can get into the nitty gritty of that problem, they might just have a shot at a legacy. But it's going to take more than tea with the ladies of leisure.

The Gators are doing much better with their predictions regarding those ethics bills floating around the Roundhouse. They predicted none were going to make it through the Legislature, and they are looking prescient as Senate Majority Leader Sanchez makes clear in his recent statements.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Estimates in the national press (which we quoted) were all over the map, but it ended with 17 Republicans joining with the Dems in supporting that nonbinding resolution last week in the U.S. House to disapprove of Bush's troop build -up in Iraq. NM Dem Tom Udall summed up the majority support, saying he cast his vote "with great hope that it will signal an important step towards the end of the war; a war so ill-conceived...that it has cost our nation almost $400 billion, ignited a civil war, and further destabilized an already fragile region. Most importantly, this war has resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 of our bravest military men and women." NM Reps Pearce and Wilson voted against the resolution. We posted their views last week.

Thanks for stopping by. Send your news and comments via the email link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

The Big Bill presidential campaign billed it as the "largest fund-raising event in New Mexico history." If they come anywhere close to raising the $2 million they said they would at the Sandia Casino & Resort event Thursday night, they will have it right. That $2 million would include not only money received in advance of last night's party, but also commitments made to the presidential campaign. As we blogged earlier, financial heavy-hitters were being asked to commit to raising as much as $25,000 each, if not more. The maximum individual donation for the nominating round in a Prez campaign is $2300.00 and there were a lot of those types in the big casino crowd crowing over Big Bill. It was also an "hackfest/appointee fest," according to one Alligator who emailed in from the scene.

CASH COUNTING

Two million is a lot of cash, but in the twisted world of big-time presidential politics it is only seed money. Still, it reaffirms the Guv's star status in his home state and gives him walking around money for those numerous trips to Iowa and New Hampshire. We will get a fuller picture of his financial prospects when federal reports are filed at the end of the first quarter.

If Governor Richardson's soiree was the "largest fund-raiser" in state history, what was the previous record holder? We're not sure, but consulting with the Alligators turned up a 2000 event for Bush-Cheney in Mesilla, NM that swelled their campaign coffers by nearly a half-million bucks. And all that was raised in one day.

HEATHER AND THE SURGE

ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson is against sending more troops to Baghdad, but not to Iraq. Huh? Under Bush's "surge" some 17,000 troops will be sent to Baghdad and 4,000 to hunt for al-Qaida operatives in Anbar province. Wilson now supports the Anbar deployment. In blogging Thursday on her decision to oppose a non-binding resolution opposing the additional Iraq troops, we said she was against sending any additional troops to Iraq. Confused yet?

PEARCE: HATE OR LOVE?

While Heather was hedging, GOP southern NM U.S. Rep Steve Pearce was back on the House Floor Thursday throwing red meat again. The day before he compared Bush to Lincoln. Now he is comparing the resolution to disapprove of the troop deployment to the Vietnam years. "They're (supporters of the resolution) doing the same thing that was done in Vietnam. They're trying to feed that hungry tiger that lives on the left that hates the American way of life; that hates the American military; that will do anything to discredit, disrespect, and discount...the service of our soldiers," Charged Pearce. (See the video here.)

But Steve, it appears many of your fellow R's are going to vote FOR the resolution. (It passed late Friday with 17 R's joing with the D's ) Guess you won't be hanging out with them in the cloakroom anymore. Pearce's heated, hard-right rhetoric (He even invoked "Hanoi Jane" in his speech) may play in the most ultra-conservative areas of his district, but even there they are sick of the no-end-in-sight-war.

Pearce may be right about one thing. Like Vietnam, the Iraq fiasco may end in disgrace, but the vast majority is united in wanting its end. The representative from Hobbs watched as he and his party were shunted into the minority in the November elections as people demanded change. He is now about to witness another marvel of democracy as the will of the American people ends this war, not unpatriotic leftists. It's not about hating America, congressman; it's about loving it.

THE BOTTOM LINES

This is a fascinating story about ex-ABQ District Court Chief Judge john Brennan and his dealings with a prisoner rehab program. It's from the Wall Street Journal and is must reading for the legal beagles.

News tips? Comments? We welcome them. Send them via the email link at the top of the page

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

She's against the President sending more troops to Baghdad to quell sectarian violence there, but she's also against that non-binding U.S. House resolution disapproving of the troop build-up, the subject of fiery debate and which the House is expected to approve Friday. So goes the balancing act of ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson as she grapples with the #1 issue facing the USA and the one that nearly caused her defeat in November. Wilson, weighing in on the House floor Wednesday on the 95 word resolution, could not bring herself to join what is expected to be as many as several dozen "moderate" Republicans in voting for the resolution and thereby buying more political protection when 2008 rolls around.

What hook did Heather find to hang her hat on in voting against the measure since she had already agreed to no more Iraq troops?

"The resolution intentionally leaves unanswered the question of whether we will fund the bullets and body armor for troops who are not there yet but are going. I believe a majority of this House would vote to equip and support the men and women being sent there, even if they question the President's strategy," explained Wilson.

(Wilson is now saying she supports more troops deployed to Anbar province to fight al-Qaida operatives there.)

Since her less than 900 vote re-election win, Wilson has devoted more study to Iraq and it shows. The Air Force veteran and fifth term representative entered this lengthy analysis into the Congressional Record. But understanding the problem is not what is giving Heather headaches; it's the solution.

"We must adopt strategies, tactics and apply resources to secure (our) vital interests and garner the support of the American people for doing so."

That's how Heather concludes her analysis, but the vast majority of Americans, including those in the 1st Congressional District, have concluded that our "vital interest" is to get out of Iraq which is why, in large part, the Congress is now controlled by the Democrats. Wilson is accommodating the new reality by opposing the troop build-up, but not embracing it as evidenced by her decision not to support the resolution.

THE POLITICS OF IRAQ

NM Democrats have been quiescent toward Heather since her near upset by Patricia Madrid. No first-tier names have yet surfaced as potential '08 challengers and a redistricting bill to make her district more friendly to a Democratic challenger died before it was even introduced at the state Legislature.

It is a bittersweet irony for Heather Wilson that the Democratic takeover of Congress that relegated her and her party to back bencher status seems, for the time being, the circumstance that is insulating her from the fervent passions that will force a conclusion to the war in Iraq.

ABE BUSH?

There may be some give to Heather's previous hawkish Iraq stance, but her GOP NM colleague, Steve Pearce, seems to be growing even longer talons. Taking his talking points direct from the hawk notebook, Pearce took to the floor of the House Wednesday and compared Bush to Lincoln who he said both "faced generals who listened too much to the public."

Steve, you ever hear of the old expression: "That dog won't hunt?"

BILL'S BALANCE OF POWER

Isn't this the really big story of this legislative session so far--Governor Richardson's in-the-work compromise with the state senate to restore capital outlay money he vetoed last year? It signifies that the balance of power, tilted toward the Guv in recent years, is being restored which means a more collaborative approach on major legislation. Is that a good thing?

Fans of Big Bill think his varied legislative successes were accomplished because he lit a fire under reluctant lawmakers and awoke a somnabulant Legislature. Critics, especially fiscal conservatives, see a Governor who ran roughshod over the solons and embarked on unrestrained spending.

PICKING A PREXY
Dan Lopez
Of the five contenders for the presidency of the University of New Mexico, we called Dan Lopez, president of New Mexico Tech in Socorro, the even-money play. An Alligator monitoring the action gave us a new set of odds as we await the final decision Saturday. He has Lopez at 8 to 5, but still the favorite. But many disagree seeing an out-of-stater taking the prestigious posting. Judge for yourself. There are video interviews with the staff and the faculty posted on the UNM Web site.

Keep the politics coming. Email your news and comments from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Going through the blog photo library the other day, I realized that we've stored up cool snaps from across the Net and from our own blog photographer--Mark Bralley--that are just too good to keep in storage until events merit their use so today it's a Blog Photo Special.

It's almost mandatory that we start with a shot of the man who has brought state politics to the fore. This pic of of Governor Richardson is one of the best we've seen. Shot for the New York Times Sunday Magazine, it captures the benefits of his diet and makeover for his Prez campaign. The power stance imparts confidence and leadership. He may want to frame this one for his scrapbook.

As for the ongoing Legislative session, the Guv has reason to maintain his confident pose. As he put it Tuesday when asked about his legislative bills: "As long as they are all moving--and they are--and they have broad support, I'm pleased."

It's obvious, but nonetheless true--it's good to be the Guv.

PATSY MADRID

During last year's election I would frequently call up Bralley and yell, "More Patsy! More Heather!" (Yes, he yelled back) We were both captivated by the battle for the ABQ congressional seat featuring GOP Rep. Heather Wilson and then Attorney General Patricia Madrid. This close-up of Patsy is one of our favorites. It was taken several weeks after the election on the day she conceded the race. It captures the resignation and longing of that day. Believe it or not, she turned 60 a few months before this snap. I wonder if she has another race in her...

TOM TAYLOR AND DAN FOLEY

Looking at this Bralley photo, you might think State House Minority Leader Tom Taylor, (pictured in the foreground) and House GOP Whip Dan Foley are in the majority. Taylor looks gritty and determined. Foley plays the #2 role to the max, looking deferential, but not obsequious and definitely ready to execute any marching orders.

DEBBIE AND TOMMY RODELLA

Everyone in New Mexico politics knows of Dem State Rep. Debbie Rodella and her husband Tommy, but rarely are they photographed together. She has been a newsmaker for years as has Tommy who has clashed with Big Bill. Debbie is now chair of the powerful House Business Committee. This photo of the Rio Arriba couple was taken at the Democratic party's pre-legislative dinner. Despite the many controversies they've been through, this couple looks very comfortable in their own skins.

CLINTON, DENISH & CHAVEZ

Anytime Bill Clinton gets in front of a lens, look out! The crowd went wild for Bill at this ABQ appearance for the Madrid congressional campaign. How about ABQ Mayor Chavez and Lt. Governor Diane Denish together on the stage and in such a happy mood? They are now potential opponents for the 2010 Dem Guv nomination. I don't know if Mark and his photog colleagues will again catch this duo so pleased to be together, at least not anytime soon. By the way Di had no complaints about the former Prez getting too "touchy."

LYNDA LOVEJOY

I didn't get a chance to run this photo of Linda Lovejoy when Governor Richardson recently appointed her to the state senate to replace Leonard Tsosie. Portrait photos can be boring, but this one is a keeper. Lovejoy, a former Public Regulation Commissioner, was making an historic run for the presidency of the Navajo Nation last year when this shot was taken for her campaign. For those outside the southwest where Native American women do not figure prominently in politics, the photo may seem exotic, not to mention the jewelry. You're not going to see this in Boston. For New Mexicans it's all in a day, but that doesn't mean it isn't special.

WILSON AND PEARCE

Here's one you don't see everyday. It's NM GOP U.S. Reps Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce at a Capitol Hill Christmas party. We've talked about how destiny could have this pair someday go against each other for the Domenici senate seat. But judging by this photo, if that ever happened it wouldn't be personal. Both are professional politicians who are well-prepared for any camera, but this shot captures Heather as genuine and open, when she can sometimes seem closed off and aloof. Pearce wears a relaxed and easy smile, losing the steely gruffness he sports on occasion. The pair had won their re-election bids a month earlier and the photo was snapped by a friendly Hill staffer, both good reasons why it turned out just right.

PAT LYONS

Here's a Bralley shot of GOP Land Commissioner Pat Lyons that we might have used once before, but is worth a second look because, like the Lovejoy snap, this one is also iconic of our politics. Cowboy hats on the heads of politicos are seen less these days, but for many New Mexico voters it conjures up images of strength, trustworthiness and the New Mexican heritage. Those are qualities any political candidate is glad to emanate.

MY BOTTOM LINES

ABQ GOP State Senator Diane Snyder blogs in to remind us that is wasn't only State Senator Duran who is asking Attorney General King to investigate spending by ex-Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron. It's "the entire NM Senate Republican Caucus minus the one missing Senator who was not there," she says. We left the impression that it was only Senator Duran...Several readers got the notion that we were taking sides in the dispute over Vigil-Giron's spending. We were not. We posted Tuesday what supporters of her were saying because it was a new angle to the story. We don't necessarily agree or disagree with their defense.

Let me know if you enjoyed today's blog photo special and if you'd like to see more. If so, I will solicit special pics from readers and we'll do it again. Thanks to blog photog Mark Bralley, but what has he done for us lately? Stay tuned.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Vigil-Giron
Can former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron stanch the flow of blood and save her political career, or will the Alligators tear even deeper into her, ending any hopes she may have had to become the state's next lieutenant governor?

Governor Richardson has the former three term Democratic secretary of state who left in office in January dangling by a string, awaiting an audit on as much as $3 million in overspending at the SOS office before he agrees to give her an $85,000 a year job as head of the State Film Museum.

Vigil-Giron is not fanning the flames as she awaits the audit, but an associate of Vigil-Giron took up her cause in a lengthy email missive. Another emailer, not associated with Rebecca, lambasted ABQ Dem State Senator Shannon Robinson who last week ripped into Vigil-Giron on the floor of the senate and called on Big Bill to nix her film job.

"Becky is ambitious and ego-driven, just like all of them, but she's no crook and doesn't deserve this. She's being blamed for things she didn't create and couldn't control. She was forced into the purchase of the (new) voting machines by the Democratic Party and the Governor. They bought into the big Republican hacker conspiracy. Rebecca did not choose the voting machines.

"As for criticism about the state sending out voter ID cards to outdated addresses, again, the Legislature made the SOS do this through an ill-conceived piece of legislation that county clerks advised against...The Legislature was told these cards would come back by the tens of thousands," declared our Vigil-Giron defender.

INCOMPETENT OR NOT?

How about the big deficit? Isn't that out and out incompetence?

"That was created by the Legislature. Paper ballot systems cost more with the printing and they put language in a bill to pay for the ballots, but they never appropriated the money." Asserted the Vigil-Giron associate.

But what about those TV and radio ads Becky cut featuring her persona and widely criticized as a device to advance her political fortunes?

"Those were required as part of the Help America Vote Act. The federal money can only be used for certain things--not any of the regular costs associated with running an election, but purchasing the voting machines and voter education. If we had gone to a new voting system with no voter education and federal money to do so, she would have been criticized for that!" Claimed Vigil-Giron's defender.

SHADOWING SHANNON

Perhaps the most scorching criticism of Vigil-Giron came not over her conduct as secretary of state, but over her selection by the Governor to head the film museum. That stuck in the craw of Senator Robinson, a longtime advocate for the film industry here, who slashed at Becky saying she was "a boll weevil looking for a home" and had no qualifications for the position.

Robinson was knifed back for that, with one emailing Alligator asking: "What has Shannon done in 15 years in Santa Fe, besides kiss the behind of (former Senate leader) Manny Aragon? Look at his district. It's a mess. Hasn't he learned yet how to get capital improvement money." Lashed the Gator.

Robinson represents a large portion of the aging ABQ SE Heights and opponents there have often threatened to run someone against him using the capital outlay argument, but it has yet to slow the senator down at the polls.

THE LA POLITICA FACTOR

Richardson was careful not to throw Vigil-Giron completely overboard not only because the audit could vindicate her, but also because she is a prominent Hispanic female politician with a proven track record as a vote-getter. How he treats her will also be closely watched among the national Hispanic community as she is a former president of the National Association of Secretaries of State. Democratic Attorney General Gary King, being asked by GOP State Senator Duran (who has long coveted the SOS job) to join the probe of Vigil-Giron, can also be expected to tread carefully, knowing as he does this delicate political patch. Stay tuned.

MY BOTTOM LINES

They say music soothes the savage beast and with the Legislature in session for nearly a month, the "beast" could probably use some soothing. And there will be some--from the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra which will help celebrate the Legislature's Hispanic Culture Day by conducting a concert at St. Francis Cathedral tonight at 6:30. Imagine. Speaker Lujan joining with R’s like Dan Foley to be soothed by the timeless intonations of Mozart and Beethoven. Who says we can't all get along?

It wasn't only Republicans signing up to co-host the Feb. 20 campaign kick-off of Senator Domenici that we told you about Monday. There were some Dems too, including Bob Gallagher, honcho for the NM Oil and Gas Association. Meanwhile, Republican Domenici continues to ward off speculation that he might not make the '08 race as you can see in this AP dispatch out of D.C.

Over at GOP headquarters Friday they had a little going away for ex-GOP executive director Marta Kramer, but they can't seem to let go of their efforts to try to refute reports here that Kramer's departure should not be seen as 100% voluntary. In a recounting of the party, they made indirect reference to our report dubbing it far from the truth. Our analysis is based on conversations with GOP Chair Allen Weh who was ambiguous, not emphatic, when discussing the Kramer departure. The GOP staffers interpretation is also apparently based on conversations with Weh. Well, we all have our way of reading the tea leaves. Maybe this one will be placed in the mystery section of our beloved La Politica. Meanwhile, we await the appointment of a new executive director of the state GOP and wish Marta mucho Buena Suerte.

THE BOTTOM, BOTTOM LINES

A tip of the blog hat to the ABQ Journal's Dan Mayfield and Sandia Prep's Susan Walton for helping set up my visit to the ABQ Press Women Monday. Among the many good questions posed: “How do you make sure your advertisers don't influence the blog content?” Well, none has ever sought to influence the content, but if I do write a story that touches upon an advertiser, I will point out that they are indeed an advertiser. Also, on those rare occasions when I do a story that involves any public relations work I am doing, I report that to my readers. Ultimately, it is the readers who hang out here with finely tuned B.S. detectors who help keep this blog what we aspire it to be--fair. We wouldn't have it any other way.

Often imitated, but never duplicated--this is the home of New Mexico poltiics--www.joemonahan.com. Back tomorrow. Meantime, email your news and comments from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Sen. Domenici
Amid intense speculation about his health along the banks of both the Potomac and the Rio Grande, New Mexico GOP U.S. Senator Pete Domenici forges ahead with his re-election plans to an unprecedented seventh six year term, setting an ABQ "campaign kick-off" for February 20.

Since 1978, the last year he received a serious challenge, Pete's re-elect bids have been yawners. While no Democratic opponents have emerged to battle him in 2008, Father Time, a formidable foe for all of us, has surfaced as Domenici's chief obstacle.

But when friends and longtime supporters gather at the Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town for a $100 per person and $1000 per co-host event reception, the assessments of the legendary lawmaker's health will be set aside and the push will begin in earnest to keep him in the senate where he now ranks higher in seniority than any other NM senator in history.

The ranks of the Domenici devoted, listed on the fund-raising invitation as the co-host committee, include familiar GOP names such as former Congressman Lujan and his brother Edward; auto dealers Ken Zangara and Don Chalmers; longtime R donator Anna Muller and '02 GOP Guv candidate and contractor John Sanchez. Topping off the list as "Honorary Chair" is the woman who owes her political career to Pete--ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

The senator spent nearly $5 million in his '02 re-elect in which he landlslided Dem Gloria Tristani, winning 65% of the vote. The popular Domenici will probably raise that and more this time out. He has about $260,000 in the bank.

THE DOMENICI WATCH

Yes, it's a tad ghoulish, this health watch on Senator Pete, but he more than anyone realizes it's a part of the process. Political power is not a personal possession. Some of the Alligators are already speculating that if Domenici, who turns 75 in May, has any second thoughts about taking on another term, there could be a move to hand off the seat to Rep. Wilson. Their scenario would seem outlandish, if something similar had not recently occurred. Here's how it was described to me by a seasoned politico.

"Pete could secure the GOP nomination for the senate in the June 2008 primary and then withdraw. That would mean the Republican party central committee would select a candidate to replace him and that candidate could be Heather Wilson."

Of course, that's similar to what happened in the '06 GOP Governor race when Santa Fe's J.R. Damron won the June primary only to resign the ticket and be replaced by the central committee with John Dendahl. If it happened in the senate race, it could leave the Democrats unarmed if they had failed to recruit a strong candidate. It would also open up a battle royale for the ABQ congressional seat which would also feature a central committee chosen candidate.

The prospect of this conspiracy unfolding certainly sends shivers down the spine of southern NM GOP Congressman Steve Pearce whose associates have let it be known that they don't take kindly to assumptions that the Senate seat can be passed off to Heather like a family heirloom. Would voters feel the same way?

And the Democrats, now under pressure to field a candidate to start raising the millions necessary for a serious run or else cede the race to Pete, have this new factor to consider. If they don't and the unlikely becomes the likely, they could set the GOP up for the seat for even more decades.

While this sub rosa murmuring plays in the background, (Don't you love a good conspiracy!) the Old Warrior Domenici remains engaged and passionate about the job he first assumed in 1973, qualities that can serve well in the oldest battle of them all--the one against Father Time.

BARACK & BILL NEWS
Sen. Obama
Whether you're D, R or Green, the emergence of Barack Obama is an exciting political event. It's his eloquence that grabs you by the collar. He announced his Prez candidacy over the weekend during which he neatly summed up the major issues facing the USA:

"All of us know what those challenges are today--a war with no end, a dependence on oil that threatens our future, schools where too many children aren't learning, and families struggling paycheck to paycheck despite working as hard as they can. We know the challenges. We've heard them. We've talked about them for years."

Before Obama announced, Big Bill was out with a news release touting a "political insiders" poll from the National Journal as the "long-shot candidate with the most potential to emerge as a serious contender." One wonders, observed the New Mexican's Steve Terrell, if Big Bill wouldn't prefer the "insiders" to pick the nominee, an oblique reference to his low-standings in the public opinion polls.

As for Obama, he has already "emerged." The chattering classes may be saying he's peaked; that he's a comet trailing off quick. Don't believe it, and don't say we didn't tell you.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Leave it to the inimitable former GOP NM Governor Dave Cargo to contribute this pithy comment on the Big Bill Prez run and the press coverage it has received thus far in the Guv's home state: "I feel like I'm reading the obituaries. There's nothing critical!"

This is the home of New Mexico politics--www.joemonahan.com. It's been that way since 2003. Keep the politics coming. Send your news and comments via the email link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Ethics schmethics! Chances of significant campaign and ethics reform are rapidly dwindling, with veteran Roundhouse observers saying they expect some showboating as the legislative session nears its climax, but do not see any of the major reform measures making it to the Governor's desk.

"The scandals involving the former Treasurers means these bills will get a higher profile--some may even pass both houses--but I don't see the will to pass them up to the Governor," informs one veteran wall-leaner.

The ABQ Journal hit with a foot-long hot dog of an editorial Thursday that neatly summed up the issue, but newspapers and Common Cause need more foot soldiers to put more heat on the lawmakers. It is not that New Mexicans don't care, (as ex-GOP Chair John Dendahl blasted as he prepared to move out of the state) it's that they are numbed by the scandals that have plagued politics and business at all levels.

Big money has subsumed our politics, now even drowning out the will of a majority of the people in the Legislature. That resembles plutocracy, not democracy. Maybe our Legislators can surprise us for a change. Or, maybe the Governor can have one lobbyist devoted solely to ethics reform and exercise some of his renowned negotiating skills through him. Now that would be a welcome surprise.

RACE AND THE RADIO

An FM radio station in ABQ has switched formats. Nothing unusual about that; happens all the time. But the announcement that "The Buzzard" 96.3 FM on the dial would switch to a talk format--"The Buzz"--featuring the Don and Mike radio show, had eyebrows raised. You see Don and Mike were kicked off of ABQ's Citadel owned KHTL 920 AM radio back in 1999 when they went off on a racist rant against Hispanics that drew fire from the public and then Federal Communications Commissioner Gloria Tristani.

Don and Mike were even the targets of street protests in ABQ when they mocked the town of El Cenizo, Texas for adopting Spanish as its official language. The hosts called City Hall in El Cenizo and told the woman who answered the phone that "people who won't or can't speak English should 'get on their burros and go back to Mexico.' They also made lewd comments to the woman in English and Spanish."

Citadel is now letting the controversial pair again grace the Duke City airwaves. Listeners can only hope it is a much-improved second act. New Mexico has its share of "hate" bloggers, surely she doesn't need hate radio added to the mix.

ONE POWERFUL VALENTINE

Hey fellas, how about this for a Valentine for your favorite political lady? The NM Commission on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for the 22nd Annual Governor's Awards for Outstanding New Mexico Women. This is probably the perfect gift, as the recipient will be overjoyed and the guy doesn't have to spend anything, just time singing his lady's praises on some forms. Start clicking guys.

Send your news and comments via the email link at the top of the page, and thanks for dropping in today.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

After a scorching diatribe faulting Governor Richardson for not doing enough to get a community center built near his Ribera, NM ranch, national radio and TV shock jock Don Imus is turning down the temperature. He indicated to his audience Wednesday that the Governor and his staff are moving the project along and that peace is at hand.

"The Governor has been closely involved in the issue and it is getting done," said one Alligator. Getting it done apparently means getting over $600,000 in state money to fix up the center in question.

Imus made a brief reference to his spat with Big Bill saying although it took them a while, the Guv and his staff are resolving the center matter. That's much better than his previous comments that the Guv was a "fat bastard" and his staff was a bunch of incompetents. That flame throwing came when Imus was asked for an apology by a Big Bill staffer who said his boss was upset with comments previously made on the broadcast. Should we look for a a Bill love-in on Imus soon? Probably.

U.S ATTORNEY ACTION

A senior Justice Department official this week confirmed our December report that NM U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was given the axe over "performance related issues." The comment came during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The administration dismisses speculation that White house political honcho Karl Rove has been behind the firings of other U.S. attorneys.

Still hanging in the air is who will replace Iglesias and whether it will be an "interim" appointment which would avoid the Senate's role in confirming U.S. attorney appointments. Senior NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici will make the call on who fills Iglesias's seat. TheWashington Post covers it in-depth.

THE R'S NEW SPIN DOCTOR

NM Republicans might expect more polish and less bluster in their official pronouncements now that former ABQ Journal reporter Charlotte Balcomb Lane has been named the new communications director. She describes herself as a "newbie" to the political game which means she has not been indoctrinated in the often brutal language that has infected the public dialogue.

That issue came up Tuesday in the letters to the editor section of the ABQ Journal just as Balcomb Lane was finding her way around GOP headquarters. Former PNM chief executive and longtime Republican Jerry Geist objected to party chair Allen Weh's description of Big Bill's Prez run as that of a carnival huckster. Geist termed that "character assassination and ridicule" and called on the the party to refrain from "personal attacks" and stick to the issues. Balcomb Lane, who covered the state's society and business scenes for the newspaper, has the opportunity to change the sometimes shrill tone that R's like Geist believe has hampered the credibility of the minority party.

One of those watching her progress will be her father, Ed Balcomb. He is a lifelong Republican who sought the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 1970, but was defeated by Pete Domenici who went on to lose to Democrat Bruce King. Balcomb also served on the Bernalillo county commission. "He's tickled," said Charlotte of her father's reaction to her new posting, but, she added: "I have a sister who is an Al Gore liberal...that should make Thanksgiving Dinner interesting."

LOOKING FOR AN E.D.

As for who will fill the critical job of executive director of the state GOP, Chairman Allen Weh informs that the search is well underway, but will take more time because he is looking out of state. Weh may be taking to heart criticism that the party must move on and leave the factional infighting behind if it is to grow and attract fresh talent. That means new faces, including new consultants and strategists. An out of stater with no stake or history in the internecine warfare could start rebuilding the GOP. On the other hand, if the new ED has been tied up in the past infighting look for "mainstream" Republicans like Geist to push back.

MY BOTTOM LINES

You get all kinds of outlandish e-mail when you blog. Here's something from KRQE-TV executive producer Gerges Scott that will give you some laugh lines. Turn up the speakers and enjoy...

Send your news tips, news releases and comments via the email link at the top of the page, and come back tomorrow for our Friday blog featuring some media news and other fun stuff.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

"Save Los Alamos" just isn't the political rallying cry it used to be. Years of stories over security problems combined with an aloof culture that critics, including the current energy secretary, label "arrogant" has taken its toll on the storied nuclear weapons facility located "on the Hill." Sure, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) raised the flag when the President proposed a slight cut in the labs '08 budget, but with several congressmen actually calling for Los Alamos to be shut down, Energy Committee Chairman Jeff and the rest of our congressional delegation will likely be forced to swallow hard and accept at least some cuts.

The past savior of the labs, GOP Senator Pete Domenici, is now in the minority and under fire by colleagues for being too soft on Los Alamos and its sundry problems. The aforementioned culture of the labs is also not drumming up any sympathy. Public support for the facility could also be waning in light of the news that Los Alamos county has the highest concentration of millionaires in the nation. Folks have other things to worry about than a few scientists having to relocate to Harvard Yard.

Governor Richardson, a former Energy Secretary, didn't even bother to mention the proposed lab cuts in his initial analysis of the Bush budget, choosing to focus instead on a proposed four percent cut to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Granted, it's an issue that will play well for Bill on the Dem Prez trail, but it also, albeit unintentionally, seemed to capture a paradigm shift in which the axiom "what Los Alamos wants, Los Alamos gets" is being slowly but surely retired. Northern NM U.S. Rep Tom Udall dubbed the proposed cuts "unfortunate," signaling dismay, but short of the outrage that would be needed to fully reverse the cuts.

SANDIA'S MOUNTAIN

The other half of the New Mexico defense establishment, Sandia Labs in ABQ, would take a hit of $120 million to its $1.4 billion budget. Still, the energy department proposes to spend over $4 billion here in fiscal '08. That, along with other federal largesse, keeps us at the top of the list of states receiving the most federal funding per resident.

There's no denying that the feds are the key to the economy here, but the private economy has become much larger than 20 years ago, distancing a larger percentage of the population from the impact of the labs. (It was noticeable during the congressional campaign when Dem Patricia Madrid failed to work up a lather over Sandia and Kirtland Air Force Base in responding to a query by GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson and did not appear to pay any price for it.)

Sandia, with a long record of community involvement and no recent major scandals in its management, has a stronger standing with the public than Los Alamos, but it too can no longer expect to automatically escape the budget axe.

Our congressional delegation will still be expected to do heavy lifting for the labs, but the first signs of the post-Domenici, post-Bingaman era may be surfacing. New generations could start looking beyond the care taking of the feds to provide them with economic security, especially as the lab budgets come up against the strain of ever-increasing Social Security and Medicare spending. The labs won't be the only programs feeling the knife.

Ironically, right now it is war--the founding idea of the giant labs--that is hurting them. The uncertain future mission of the facilities in the new century and the immense expense of the Iraq folly is coming home to roost, not only in the immeasurable cost of human life, but in the very measurable bottom lines of Los Alamos and Sandia Labs.

CANNON CAN-DO

The last time a major NM federal installation was seriously threatened was last year when Clovis's Cannon Air Force Base was proposed for closure. The Guv and the congressional delegation did a good job keeping Cannon alive, although with a different mission. Now comes word that the '08 federal budget is good for Cannon as it provides plenty of construction money to get the eastern NM base ready for its new mission.

ELECTION RESULTS

In the sprawling ABQ school district Tuesday it was attorney Marty Esquivel taking an open seat on the board, securing the win with nearly 39% of the vote in a five way race. Incumbent Robert Lucero, often a lightning rod on the board, was re-elected. Dolores Griego prevailed over former State Rep. Richard Ray Sanchez to take an open seat. A proposed mill levy also passed, but fell short of 60% approval. Message to APS? Complete election results here.

THE BOTTOM LINES

From the ABQ Journal letters to the editor section comes this rib-tickler from ABQ's Jose Montoya. Commenting on John Dendahl's announcement that he would be leaving the state for Colorado, Montoya penned: "By chance does he have room for Coach Ritchie McKay in his moving fan?" And if you don't get that, read this...And it's $60,000 not $600,000 in the campaign kitty of ABQ GOP U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson. We left out one of the zeroes when blogging about the campaign yesterday...

Also, ABQ Dem State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino is no longer on the Senate Rules Committee as we blogged Tuesday. Committee assignments underwent changes when Senator Tsosie recently resigned. Meanwhile, the Alligators are saying Ortiz y Pino may have lost his nerve when it comes to introducing that redistricting bill that could make it harder for Heather to get re-elected. They say the lawmaker stood tall when he introduced a resolution asking that President Bush be impeached, but there was no local heat on that one. Hitting Heather, on the other hand, takes some moxy, especially since the redistricting bill has little chance of passing. We'll keep you posted. As for Wilson, she is doing what she needs to--softening up on Iraq and currying favor anew with West Side voters and Hispanics. We often ask: "Who wants it most?" When it comes to the ABQ congressional seat, it's Heather and the R's.

Your news, comments and corrections are always welcome. Send them via the email link at the top of the page and help us keep the politics coming. I'm Joe Monahan, reporting and blogging to you from Albuquerque. Stop by again soon.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Governor Richardson remains flatlined in the key Democratic Prez states of Iowa and New Hampshire, apparently getting no bounce from his January Prez announcement, according to the latest ARG survey. In Iowa he remains the favorite of just 1% of the prospective caucus goers and in New Hampshire he garners only 2% with likely primary voters.

Richardson has said Nevada, which holds a caucus between Iowa and New Hampshire next January, will be key for him. It will have to be if the other early critical states don't wake up to him. But there's plenty of time and plenty of mistakes to be made that could and likely will shake up the political landscape between now and next year.

The ARG poll has Hillary Clinton ahead in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

NEW DEM FACES

Voters across our state will trek to the polls in very small numbers today to elect school board members, but at least there seems to be plenty of candidates. How about some for the U.S. Congress? Is there a possibility that the ABQ school board candidates you see advertising on this blog for today's election--lawyer Marty Esquivel or 29 year old Vanessa Alarid, former executive director of the NM Dem party--could take the plunge? Both are fresh political faces who could hold their own on a stage with incumbent GOP ABQ Congresswoman Heather Wilson, who despite almost losing her seat last November, has yet to draw a challenger.

Esquivel told me he has been asked about a the possibility and found it intriguing. Alarid comes from a political family and has the type of profile that could also attract votes. The duo is running against each other today, along with two other candidates.

Whether Esquivel or Alarid decided to make a congressional run, they would face the always well-financed Heather who reports a cash balance of over $60,000 in her campaign account.

And what about Ray Powell, Jr. running for the ABQ seat? In one of our idle moments we floated the former Dem land commissioner's name and he recently responded: "I have a real appreciation for how many people read your column and then talk with each other. Your comments generated a lot of inquiries. You have me thinking about it now." emailed Powell.

Come on gang, everybody jump in and let's party!

ON THE HILL

Heather sure isn't running to the right after her narrow victory in the moderate ABQ district. On last week's big budget vote in the U.S. House she was on the side of Dem NM Rep. Tom Udall in approving a $463 billion 2007 budget measure. NM GOP Rep. Steve Pearce voted against the bill which passed on a 286-140 vote. Earlier, Wilson started moderating her hawkish position on the unpopular Iraq war, a move predicted here and we believe you will see more in the months ahead.

IN THE ROUNDHOUSE

Meanwhile, up in the City Different, ABQ Dem State Senator Jerry Pino is still inclined to introduce a bill that would keep the heat on Heather by redistricting her seat now and not waiting for the scheduled redistricting in 2011. If they could field a strong candidate, Pino's tinkering could tilt the seat toward the D's. The bill is not expected to go very far, but insiders say it should be able to at least get one hearing. You can bet Heather will want a full report.

DON AND DOMENICI

It was Big Bill who got a bunch of unwanted attention from shock radio talk jock Don Imus recently for refusing to appear on the national radio and TV program unless Imus apologized for earlier criticism of the Guv. However, NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici did appear on Imus in late January. A blog about the Imus program wasn't too kind to the senator, but we didn't hear anything very odd during the gab session. You can judge for yourself.

D.A. DINGED

Let's take a trip up to Farmington where District Attorney Lyndy Bennett is getting hammered by the Farmington Daily Times over his handling of a big meth case. It caught our notice because we don't see much coverage anymore of what's happening in our district attorneys offices, especially here in big Bernalillo county. Why is that?

MY BOTTOM LINES

Governor Richardson turned the tables on the pundits who are insisting that he is really running for vice-president, not president. He did so at this weekend's winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee when he fired off this one liner to the party activists:"Anyone of these candidates would be good in the White House,” said Richardson. “As my vice president.”

You can see the Guv's entire speech. It is worth a look as it is one of his better efforts. He is animated and loose which is not always the case...In a Superbowl evening interview on KRQE-TV with New Mexico TV news dean Dick Knipfing, the anchorman asked the Governor what would be his first official act if he was indeed elected President. Not missing a beat, Big Bill wisecracked: "Give an exclusive interview to you!" Knipfing chuckled, but quickly retorted: "I will hold you to that." One suspects that could be one crowded "exclusive interview" before Bill finishes up on the campaign trail..

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

What is a top gun from the giant electric company, PNM, doing lobbying for the Governor? Inquiring minds wanted to know since PNM has a stake in a few pieces of legislation pending at the capitol, not the least of which is the Renewable Energy Transmission Act. The PNM heavy doing the backslapping on behalf of Big Bill is Art Hull, but the Fourth Floor says this is not a case of conflict:

"Hull is participating in PNM’s Loaned Executive program by working as a senior staffer in the Governor’s Office, which enables him to gain direct experience in how state government works...Because of his relationships with many legislators, Art is a valuable resource who acts as a liaison for the Governor on a broad number of issues. With the exception of the Governor’s proposed Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, Art is not lobbying on behalf of any of the Governor’s energy package." Says Fourth Floor officialdom.

The renewable energy act passed both houses of the Legislature last year, but a final bill combining both versions got lost in the last minute crunch, thus the do-over. It would position the state as an exporter of renewable energy sources such as wind, but opponents say it would also promote nuclear and coal power.

THE LOBBYING LONG HAUL

Lobbyist Ed Mahr may be second in seniority in that category, just behind his former partner Bob McBride. Mahr is working (or enduring) his 28th legislative session. He burst into the headlines recently when it ws reported he was hired by the Lottery Authority to help with their legislative package which included opposition to forcing the authority to spend an increased amount on educational scholarships and less on administration. Big Bill pulled the plug on Mahr's deal, but there's no hard feelings says the longtime wall-leaner:

"The Governor realizes I was in the middle on this. He and I spoke recently. We get along just fine" reports Democrat Mahr.

Oldtimers will remember that Mahr was the managing editor of the states largest newspaper, the ABQ Journal, back in the 70's. The gray-hair set will also note that the lobbyist served a stint as Secretary of Corrections. (The Mahr photo is courtesy of Jim Baca's blog.)

WHAT RICHARD WANTS, RICHARD GETS?

What does Espanola Senator Richard Martinez want? He certainly has asking rights of Big Bill after taking a walk on the controversial cockfighting issue and allowing it to pass the Senate Conservation Committee. If he had hung around and voted, there would be no chance for the controversial activity to be banned, thus giving prez hopeful Bill a campaign migraine. (Maybe Senator Richard had a bad cold, a family emergency or forgot the hearing!)

We're probably late in asking what Martinez wants for his Northern NM district. This cockfighting deal looks neatly pre-planned by the Guv and his legislative allies. And you have to say they have played a smooth political hand. Even Conservation Committee chairman Phil Griego is off the hook, getting to vote against banning cockfighting which he says is popular in his district, while having his committee vote for the ban.

Senator Mary Jane Garcia (D-Dona Ana) is getting accolades for sponsoring the bill, as she should, but if a ban makes it through, as expected, history will likely record this one as "The Martinez Movida." Our bottom line? Senator Martinez has either already gotten what he wants, or it's on the way.

WHERE'S OUR WEBCAST?

There was $75,000 put up last year so all of you Legislature addicts could see your lawmakers in action just by turning on your computer and tapping into a video stream of the floor sessions. That way you could sit in your pajamas eating a jelly doughnut and not have to put on a tie or a dress and step foot in the Roundhouse. (Not that we don't do that already) So how come it hasn't happened? I checked with ABQ GOP State Senator Mark Boitano who has been key in getting this one going.

"...The Legislative Council Service said it wasn't going to happen this year. They are still working on designs, getting bids, etc. and intend to make it happen for the '08 session. Government works slowly." Boitano blogged.

We do look forward to seeing Senator Pinto singing the "Potato Song" live on the World Wide Web and the visage of Senator Carraro showing up for "Italian Day" draped in an opera cape. With characters like that, high ratings are guaranteed.

BUG THE ROUNDHOUSE!

In a similar vein, an emailer asks why doesn't some enterprising reporter, blogger or troublemaker find a way to secretly record one of those House-Senate conference committees that are closed to the public and press? Would it really be illegal to tape a bunch of public officials gathered in a public building discussing public business, even if you had to hide a recording device to do it? Just asking. Not that anyone around here is going to up up bail money for whoever does it.

Keep us posted. Send your news and comments, anonymous or otherwise, from the email link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Don Imus
A "fat bastard" with an "idiotic" staff? Say what? There were a lot of double takes across our Enchanted Land as word spread of the tongue lashing administered to Big Bill Richardson by Don Imus on his national radio and MSNBC TV shows Thursday morning. Imus came uncorked when, according to Imus, the Guv canceled an appearance on his show and asked Imus to apologize for previous comments he had made. It was all downhill from there as Richardson, his staff and nascent candidacy were all scorched shock-jock style:

"That moron...Bill Richardson...That idiotic, yuppie, not ready for prime time staff of his..He was going to come on today. He wanted me to apologize...Me apologize? You get that fat bastard on here and let him apologize. If Bill Richardson is going to run for President he is going to to have to get rid of the staff he has...I actually got a phone message from his idiot communications director. This moron calls me and wants me to call him back. Me, call him back to discuss this issue! You're not talking to some nitwit at some radio station in Farmington, you idiot!

"The fat sissy canceled. Get another staff, Bill, if you are going to run for president...They jerked around and the fat Governor wants me to apologize? These folks are not ready to play...This is New York; this is the big stage. This is not Santa Fe...Get serious..."

And in a final assault, the radio host and his crew accosted the Guv in Spanish: "How about if I whip your fat ass, Richardson? Besa mi culo!" (Kiss my ass.)

You can listen to Imus's comments here. And you can see the video here. These are partial excerpts of the Imus rant.

INSIDE IMUS
Big Bill
A Richardson sympathizer, while acknowledging that demanding an apology from Imus was a misstep, rose to the defense of the Guv who he said was maliciously maligned by the microphone master.

"Imus is an old booze hound trying to stoke his ratings again. He does it at the expense of the dignity of others. In the big picture, he is not much of a factor, but no one wants to tell him," rebutted the Guv backer.

Maybe, but Imus, who lost the sauce and the coke years ago, is avidly listened to by the D.C. power brokers as well as a healthy dose of liberals who will be voting in the Dem prez primaries. Industry reports say his overall listenership has taken some hits of late, but he still reaches millions. Sounds like a factor to us.

The Imus radio program has only one affiliate in NM--610 AM in Albuquerque. Unlike most syndicated radio programs, stations must put up a hefty penny to access Imus which limits the number of affiliates but keeps profits healthy. The 66 year old Imus, who has grown more crusty and irritable with age, has beaten the odds by staying on the air in a media world geared toward the 25-54 demographic. He is amply rewarded with industry articles pegging his take-down at over $7 million a year.

The Imus diatribe came after weeks of adoring press notices for Big Bill in New Mexico and served as a rude reminder that the national stage, as Imus said, is a much different arena. Still, repeatedly calling the Guv "fat" seemed juvenile. Hasn't Don noticed the new and diet-improved version of our White House Hopeful?

BEHIND THE BLAST

Imus is known for roasting politicos and then kissing and making up with them. (NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici has been a frequent guest as has Big Bill.) Imus's ire has been sparked by his efforts to get a community center built in Ribera NM where he and his wife run a ranch for children afflicted with cancer and other serious diseases. Imus claims Richardson has "jerked around" on the matter. Comments like that had the Guv's staff asking for an apology before he would again appear on the broadcasts.

(The Imus ranch had some controversy of its own not long ago).

The Imus baptism by fire may actually do the Guv and his staff some good, reminding them that thin skin gets roasted quickly in the national theatre; that you are dealing with people who are not intimidated by any politician and who can send you back to Pasadena before you know what hits you. The Governor knows all this having dealt with Imus for years, but his ego, as it does all of us at one time or another, may have gotten the best of him. If nothing else, the tirade could have Big Bill brushing up on his renowned negotiating skills as he works to bring the grumpy media personality back into the fold. Look for a Richardson initiated make-up session soon.

GOVERNOR KING IN HOSPITAL

Former NM Governor Bruce King fell victim to the recent icy weather, injuring himself at his ranch. The AP reports:

Former Gov. Bruce King had surgery to have a pin put in after breaking his hip in a fall at his Stanley ranch, his son, Bill King, said Thursday. "He slipped on the ice and fell," Bill King said. "He was out feeding the cats and it was kind of icy yesterday."

Bruce King, 82, was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque on Wednesday. He was listed in good condition Thursday. "I think he's doing fine," his son said. "I talked to him this morning on the phone. He sounded good."

"He's tough," Bill King added.

Keep me posted. Send your news and comments via the email at the top of the page. I'm Joe Monahan, blogging and reporting for you from Albuquerque.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

The coast appears clear for Michael Olguin to become the next chairman of the New Mexico Democratic Party, but some behind the scenes sniping is going on over Olguin's role as a lobbyist, particularly for the payday loan industry, and some foes have talked of coming up with an alternative candidate. So far, there have been no takers and Olguin is the odds-on favorite to take the leadership role when the election is held April 28th.

Olguin, 57, told me he had not heard of the concerns over his lobbying role until we rang him up at the Roundhouse Wednesday (Hey, we love spreading good news.) and while not brushing them off, he did not commit to abandoning lobbying if he assumed the chairmanship.

"If I were chairman, I would probably re-examine it to make sure there is no conflict-of-interest." He explained.

Olguin is a veteran power player, having served in the New Mexico House from Socorro from '84 to '98, garnering a reputation as a well-liked and effective lawmaker who capped his career as House Majority Leader. He was a loyal lieutenant to then-Speaker Raymond Sanchez. If Olguin had not lost his seat in '98 to Republican Don Tripp, he might have had a shot at leading the House. Instead, his ouster was a signal that the roof would also soon cave in on Sanchez who two years later lost his seat and the speakership .

THE OLGUIN FILE

While Olguin is taking hits over his lobbying, his main livelihood is his Socorro insurance business which he's had for 18 years. I first met him in the late 70's when he was an aide to the late NM Democratic Congressman Harold Runnels and I was working in D.C. For GOP Rep. Manuel Lujan. He says that his "political background and knowledge of the process" qualify him to succeed attorney John Wertheim as party leader.

"Fund-raising and party building are the crucial roles of a chairman," said Olguin who added that his history with the Legislature would also be an asset.

The lobbying issue is a touchy one because it was a major reason for the divisions that tore the NM GOP apart in recent years. When a faction of the party advocated legalizing drugs, lawyer-lobbyist Mickey Barnett, also then the NM GOP National Committeeman, was a paid lobbyist for the drug cause which was opposed by most Republicans. His faction also fielded primary candidates against fellow Republicans who his critics said would favor Barnett's lobbying clients. Critics of Olguin, while not fearing a division on that scale, nevertheless believe Olguin should follow the example of Wertheim and another previous chair, Light Guv Diane Denish, and not lobby while serving as party leader.

As for the titular head of the party, Olguin, who has served the last four years as chair of the Socorro county D's, says he has met with Governor Richardson and describes him "as supportive of my efforts." The Guv has also run up against critics of the payday loan industry who claim he has been too cozy with the business. Olguin is lobbying during the current session on a payday loan bill sponsored by Rep. Patricia Lundstrom. Efforts to get the bill passed last year failed and are being fought again this time by State Sen. Bernadette Sanchez who calls the measure "an industry bill."

HIS SECOND ACT

It's been a while since a native Hispanic New Mexican has been party chair and that is enlisting support for Olguin. "I am glad to see him emerge. I don't think the lobbying issue has any legs. I would be pleased to see a party chair who understands business as well as politics," commented Sisto Abeyta, a young Dem from ABQ's South Valley who is active in party affairs.

Olguin takes the criticism in stride acknowledging that "when you stick your head out there" there are going to be hits. It is his practiced political personality that seems to win him the most support. "He is well-liked, glib, knows the issues and understands party politics as well as anyone. He can also carry the ball for us in the media," analyzed one party veteran.

It appears Olguin will have a chance to prove the merit of those statements. Written off as "a could have been" after losing his House seat and a shot at the speakership, he now prepares for a rare second act on the stage of La Politica. He is already being reminded that there, the lights always shine brightly.

WAITING ON THE FEDS
ABQ Federal court
Still no official announcement on who will be the next U.S. attorney for New Mexico. While initial insider betting was heavy on Jim Bibb, the tide has now turned to ABQ attorney Charles Peifer. NM GOP Senator Domenici has submitted four names to the White House to replace David Iglesias. Domenici chief of staff Bell said don't expect the job to be a "political plum," a statement read as a zing against Bibb, who ran for attorney general last year as well as at Iglesias who won the job after also running for state attorney general, but whose performance is known to have disappointed Domenici. Peifer, 46, if he does get the job, is not expected to take over for several months as he closes out private law business. All this is courtesy of the legal beagles who are being kept busy on this beat.

And what about federal indictments in the investigation of the construction of two Bernalillo county courthouses? The Alligators pinpointed the end of January as D-Day for those, but nothing has been announced yet. The indictments are still expected, but you are dealing in "government time." And maybe the reports that the indictments would come made the decision makers take another look at the calendar.

SPACEPORT DEBATE II

Wednesday's blog noting that not all in Dona Ana county are happy about the prospect of paying an additional quarter cent in gross receipts taxes to finance the Big Bill spaceport, drew response from politico Josh Geise who took took note of pickets that recently greeted the Guv in Las Cruces:

"The state has already appropriated $100 million and will do another $25 million. Like most major infrastructure projects the local communities are asked to contribute matching funds to show local support. It makes no sense to fund the entire project with state funds when the communities up north will see little benefit.

"The "picketers"--if you can call one guy and his children picketers--are upset because they'd like to see the money go to basic services. They're missing the point of economic development. When the spaceport begins operation the tax base of Dona Ana county is going to expand providing better healthcare, education and other basic services." Argued Geise.

The tax election will likely be held in early April. It could be spirited as some will counter argue that the spaceport is akin to big road and other projects that may mainly benefit one area of the state, but a special tax is not levied on those living near the road.

Interesting sidelight: Governor Richardson late Wednesday announced he will "highlight his support for several multi-million dollar infrastructure projects in Southern Dona Ana County during a press conference Thursday in Las Cruces."

It seems Big Bill is already campaigning for an expected April tax vote.

NOT ALL LOVE FOR LYNDA

The day State Senator Leonard Tsosie resigned the insiders pinpointed Lynda Lovejoy as the obvious replacement for the Native American leader. Wednesday Big Bill proved them right as he named Lovejoy, a former member of the state House as well as the Public Regulation Commission, to the Tsosie vacancy. Last year Lovejoy unsuccessfully sought the chairmanship of the Navajo Nation in an election at which Tsosie was elected to the Navajo Nation Council. This northwest NM senate seat is designed for Indian Country. Some wanted a Pueblo Indian to take the position which would have been a first in state history, but we got another first in that Lovejoy is the first Native American woman to serve in the Legislature's upper chamber.

Lovejoy is not getting any love, however, from liberals who resent her comments on abortion and homosexuality during her recent presidential run and which were circulated against her on the Net. Here's how the New Times of Phoenix wrote her up: "I''m anti-abortion on an individual basis," she stammered, with more umms and ahhs than The Bird has room to reproduce. "But I know families whose children have gone through abortion . . . but personally I would not tolerate it except when a person doesn't have a choice."

Safe enough answer, despite the Navajo pol's near incoherence. But her remarks on homosexual rights made her sound like some 19th-century eugenicist.

"I feel the same way about that as I feel about abortion," spat Lovejoy. "I know we are all . . . some of our children are born with physical impairments and it's not the baby's fault. That person is special. I feel the same way about sexual orientation."

Welcome back, Lynda. But we don't think you will be getting too many invites to campaign for Big Bill in those liberal Dem prez primaries. By the way, the annual Indian Day celebration will be celebrated Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the New Mexico Legislature.

JOE'S BOTTOM LINES

Here's a Roundhouse funny on the perennial issue of cockfighting from House Minority Leader Tom Taylor. It looks as if a statewide ban on the controversial activity might actually pass this year and perhaps anticipating it, Taylor comes with a "cock retirement" proposal in the form of a House Memorial. Don't get too cocky if it passes, Tom.

Nothing official yet, but we are hearing that former ABQ Journal reporter Charlotte Balcomb Lane has signed on as the new communications director for the state Republican party. An announcement is expected Monday. The search continues for a new executive director...

See you here tomorrow for the Friday blog. Meantime, send your latest news via email from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
Not for reproduction without permission of the author