From deep within the bowels of NM state government comes this Alligator take on deep-seated problems with the state's $32 million payroll and accounting computer system known as SHARE.

The Governor ordered SHARE to be installed. The contract was given to a company that was a big donor to the Gov, but that was held in low esteem by states that had used them. Now the warts are showing. Undisclosed issues must be even worse: employees are being subject to discipline if they talk about the system and true blue Democrats (State Rep. Lucky Varela for one) are running for cover.

The Department of Transportation can't run the numbers to get reimbursed by the Feds. That means they can't balance their books. Will they be able to successfully close their books on June 30, the end of the fiscal year? For a state agency DOT is competent. If they can't run their financials other agencies probably can't either. At the end of June we could have no closure of the books--audit exceptions--lowered bond ratings. If that happens, things could look pretty bad this fall just when Big Bill is promoting his experience as governor in NH, Nevada and SC.

And you thought your desktop gave you headaches.

COP COUNTING

The political donnybrook between ABQ Mayor Marty and City Councilor Brad Winter over just how many cops the Big Duke City needs and how many are currently on the beat, draws the attention of retired APD office Dan Klein who thinks he has a solution and who doesn't cotton to our notion that ABQ has historically been a pretty violent place.

Here is the real issue. APD has fewer officers on the streets, yet the city has grown. APD has probably lowered it's hiring standards. This is not Marty's fault or Brad's. This has been going on for years, APD has just not found the right chief and mayor and council that understands...If Albuquerque can ever put all these things together you would see a much safer city..,Hearing anyone say that Albuquerque is a violent town, like that is ok, means we just are not doing our jobs. Albuquerque could be the safest city in the nation, if it would move beyond politics and personalities...

What? No politics and personalities in ABQ? Actually move forward together, instead of fighting each other every step of the way? That sounds scary.

THE PETE BEAT

It's the big political story. NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici's quest for re-election in 2008 as he battles the US attorney scandal and declining poll numbers. He won't publicly acknowledge the campaign--it's too early for that--but he will be taking steps to overcome his obstacles and discourage a well-known and well-financed Democrat from taking him on. Have you noticed how busy he's been during this congressional recess? We have. How about that long visit to the Spanish north this week where he can try to stop the bleeding among the Dems? That's why we're starting a new blog feature called "The Pete Beat" where we'll cover the early moves for his re-election with the insider info and exclusive analysis you have come to expect. So without further ado, here's the first installment.

From a Senior Alligator of La Politica who watched avidly this week as Domenici handled the audience at a meeting of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

"Pete talked exclusively about the immigration bill. He charged the talk radio hosts with mischaracterizing the bill. He joked periodically and stayed for about an hour. He was accompanied by four staffers. He looked strong but did sit down about half of the time. If his health holds up he will be formidable."

As we recently blogged, Domenici, 75, was also in good form during a recent radio news conference. He needs to retain that form to rebuild his polling numbers which will come under renewed fire as the campaign draws closer.

POPULIST PETE

Pete is getting populist on the skyrocketing pump prices. ((Sound familiar?) As the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, he is using his bully pulpit to put the heat on British based oil refiner BP, asking why two of its largest refineries are operating at only half of capacity. It's a good question and one that we would expect Senate Energy Chairman Bingaman (D-NM) to join in asking as New Mexicans top off at over $3.40 a gallon. Meanwhile, just as Domenici released his letter BP announced it was reopening a down Texas refinery. It would be nice if that wasn't a coincidence, and if the senator sent some letters to American refineries as well.

And that's the latest from our exclusive "Pete Beat." Stay tuned for more.

THE WAY IT WAS

To wrap things up, we turn to Helen in Santa Fe who sent us this cool, retro poster of the first Hispanic to run for president--Republican Ben Fernandez in 1980. Says Helen:

"Buenos tardes. Joe. Here's a nice photo in the event that you again mention Big Bill not being the first Latino to run for president. This is a campaign poster on the wall at the wonderful El Paragua in Espanóla with an inscription to the owner."

Fernandez, born in Kansas of Mexican immigrant parents, was indeed the first known American of Hispanic origin to campaign for the presidency. In 1980, he appeared on the ballot in 18 primaries. He received about a million votes nationally, enough to win three delegates at the Republican convention. He passed in 2000. Big Bill now says he is the first Democratic Hispanic Prez candidate.

I met Ben several times as he was close with ex-ABQ GOP US Rep. Manuel Lujan who I was working with in '80. What struck one about Ben was his earnestness and belief in himself. He must have made an impression up north as usually the only photos on display there are of John Kennedy and Jesus.

This is the home of New Mexico politics. News? Comments? Send them our way from the email link at the top of the page.

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You know that the US attorney scandal has prompted NM GOP US Senator Pete Domenici to hire a top criminal defense attorney while ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson has not said whether she will lawyer up. Does she need to? One of the fired US attorneys, John McKay of Washington state, lays out the worst case scenario for Domenici and Wilson telling the Seattle media: "I think there will be a criminal case that comes out of this."

McKay believes Wilson's phone call to NM US Attorney David Iglesias last October during which she inquired about the status of a grand jury investigation into the construction of Bernalillo county courthouses, could lead to obstruction of justice charges. He said such charges would be filed if investigators conclude that the dismissal of any of the eight prosecutors was motivated by an attempt to influence ongoing public-corruption or voter-fraud investigations.

But that's the worst case scenario for Pete and Heather, given by a fired US attorney with a motive to paint a dreary picture. Most political observers have not taken seriously the prospect of criminal charges against Domenici or Wilson, seeing the senator's hiring of a criminal defense attorney as preparation for a Senate Ethics Committee inquiry, not a criminal probe. Wilson could be subject to a House ethics probe if a fellow member asks for one. So far, none has. Also, in a recent interview with the ABQ Alibi, Iglesias did not share the dark outlook for his former Republican allies.

"Domenici has retained a good criminal defense lawyer. Could his phone call to me [concerning the timing of charges in the court house corruption investigation] constitute a criminal offense? I’m not sure. I suspect ethics charges are more likely than criminal charges as I doubt he called me to interfere with the courthouse cases. Having me removed for not prosecuting voter fraud cases or [not] prosecuting cases fast enough probably does not constitute obstruction of justice." Iglesias said.

IGLESIAS CHANGING HIS TUNE?

Critics of Iglesias have seized upon the line "I doubt he called me to interfere with the courthouse cases." Iglesias said in March congressional testimony that the calls from Wilson and Domenici made him sick to his stomach and that he felt "leaned on" by the two lawmakers to speed up the courthouse case involving top Dem Manny Aragon in time for the November election. Indictments finally came, but not until this year.

Has Iglesias changed his tune? I don't recall him saying before Congress that Wilson or Domenici may have violated criminal statues or that he believed the calls constituted an obstruction of justice, so there does not appear to be any direct contradiction there. But if Domenici did not call him "to interfere with the courthouse cases" as Iglesias told the Alibi, did he call to simply get an update, not meaning to put any pressure on Iglesias? Did Iglesias, as the senator argues, misconstrue his intent? Is Iglesias softening his tone for future political reasons? Whatever the case, Domenici's high-priced lawyer is sure to put as much of his foot in the door Iglesias has opened as he can fit.

Iglesias has won the public opinion battle on the scandal, but his near fetish like attraction to the media is not without risk. Unlike courts of law, the court of public opinion can be a fickle forum. And everything you say can and will be used against you.

HEATHER OUTSPENT PATSY

How much did the R's outspend the D's on in last year's nail biter between Rep. Heather Wilson and Dem Patricia Madrid? According to a report from an UNM professor writing in the new publication, Capitol Report, Wilson's side outspent Madrid by about $1.4 million.

"..When we consider total spending--parties, the candidates, and interest groups..Wilson outspent Madrid supporters. Total GOP and ally spending amounted to $6.577 million and Democratic and ally spending amounted to $5.199 million."

That jives with our reporting and, I think, sets the record straight for Wilson operatives who said Madrid had it wrong when she told us in a recent interview that Heather had outspent her.

BILL BASHING

You ain't in Tucumari, Bill. The national press has sunk its jaws into our Governor's poor showing during his one hour interview on Sunday's Meet the Press program, and they are enjoying the taste. Slate magazine, in a headline over a very critical review, claims he self-destructed. Here in our Enchanted Land, the Alligators were also feasting. An example: "Bill made an F on the Tim Russert show. He should call (Bernalillo County Commissioner) Teresa Cordova for a grade change!" So chimed in one of the Gators, using Teresa's recent controversial interference to get her son a passing high school grade as his jumping off point. Don't worry, Guv. It will get better, but we can't tell you when.

JIM IS IN
Jim Hannan
We blogged Tuesday that there is no announced Democratic foe running against Senator Domenici. We should have said there is no major Dem candidate on the field. Jim Hannan of Santa Fe reminds us he is one of two second-tier candidates who have emerged. But he told me when he got in he did not expect to spend much time raising money, so his candidacy slipped from our radar. He has done some newspaper ads, but Dems still await a major challenger who can raise sufficient funds, grab the public imagination and give Pete a serious run. In that regard, there is still no "announced" Democratic candidate. But maybe Hannan can take it to the next level. If a good sense of humor has anything to do with it, he's got a shot. He emailed this funny: "Naturally, I'm taking credit for the sharp decline in Pete's polling numbers. It's amazing what a few newspaper ads and my flyers placed in just the right laundromats can do." He's right, of course. Dems use the laundromats; R's the dry cleaners.

Send your news tips and comments her via the email link at the top of the page.

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Attorney Gen. King
The earliest ever NM gubernatorial campaign won't include Democratic Attorney General Gary King, the son of a former governor who has twice previously sought the state's highest office. He gave a one word response when I asked him if he would seek the Guv's chair in 2010: "No!" He declared emphatically, and added with a grin: "And I may be the only one ruling it out."

But will there be a flood of candidates? The expense and demands of a multi-year campaign could keep the number of hopefuls down. As of today, Light Guv Diane Denish is the only official Dem contender, with ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez also raising money and expected to formally join the battle for the Democratic nod. But Chavez, however unlikely, could still opt to challenge term limits and go for another stint as mayor if the road to the Fourth Floor of the Roundhouse looks too bumpy.

King describes himself as enjoying the challenges of the AG post and will likely seek re-election in 2010. That news is most beneficial to Denish who would compete with King for Anglo votes, especially among rural Democrats. There is a long way to go and it would be surprising if at least two more serious candidates--one Anglo and one Hispanic--didn't eventually join the fray. But they may not want to wait much longer as Lady Di and Mayor Marty are both adept at sucking the political oxygen out of a room.

BILL'S 'MEET THE PRESS' PRESSURE

Another lackluster performance on the national stage gave the Big Bill watchers something other than their foot long hot dogs to munch on over the first long summer weekend. The Guv appeared on "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, which is fortunate because the NM leader was not ready for prime time. Comments posted on the liberal national blog, the Daily Kos, supply the major complaints about an appearance that the Guv's campaign can use as a basis for improvement, but little else. Watching Richardson wrestle with tough questions put to him by host Tim Russert had the Alligators calling for better prep of the Guv. They said he gave defensive answers, did not adequately recount his success as NM Guv and often looked down when talking, not at the host.

He did give a solid performance on Iraq and the appearance was not a disaster; it just didn't rise to the presidential level. One insider told me that Big Bill's consultants have been irked that he doesn't heed their advice enough, and that could be a reason for the disappointing Meet the Press. Something is wrong because it was his second sour bite out of the national apple. April's televised debate with the other Dem Prez candidates, by his own admission, also did not come off well.

With the Guv breaking into double digits in the New Hampshire and Iowa Dem polls just days before the national TV shot, precious momentum may have been squandered. Time to hit the briefing books and the mock TV studio, or else the thin air in the second-tier rows could be Big Bill's permanent home.

PETE & THE POLL
Bob Dylan
There's only one reason NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici could get away with questioning the reliability of the mid-May Survey USA poll showing his popularity rating hitting a historic low of 52%--he has no announced Democratic foe. Otherwise, the explanation given by Pete's office--that Survey USA uses automatic telephone calling, and is therefore not a reliable indicator of where he stands with the public, would be shot down in a New York minute. All of us have had our issues with the poll, and they have been noted here over the years, but even ABQ Journal pollster Brian Sanderoff told the Santa Fe New Mexican, the latest survey indicates that Domenici is in trouble and needs to take corrective action.

But the senator, seeking an unprecedented seventh six year term, in '08, will only face the music when he has to, and if the Dems don't have anyone around to question him, it will be power to the Pete. In Washington, where national Dems have been hammering Domenici for his role in the US attorney scandal, one wonders if the recent polling summons the scent of blood in the water and encourages further rousting of the 75 year old lawmaker. Clearly, Domenici is not ready for war. Heck, he's not even ready to acknowledge there's a battle. As for the rest of us, as Bob Dylan memorably wrote: "You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows."

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Sen. Domenici
It's been a verity of New Mexican life since you were young and none of your body parts sagged: Pete Domenici is senator for life. But unlike death and taxes, politics carries no certainty and so it is for New Mexico's longest serving U.S. Senator. His Washington office was rocked by the news Thursday that the latest Survey USA poll shows him dropping perilously close to the critical 50% approval rating, with only 52% now approving of Domenici's job performance. 42% disapprove and 6% are unsure. (Conducted 5-11-5-13 MOE +-4.1)

In the April Survey USA he was at 54%; In march 57% approved; in February, before the US Attorney scandal broke, he garnered 64% approval. The 52% approval represents a stunning drop over the course of only three months. Can he go lower? Or is this the bottom? What does this mean for his '08 re-election prospects? Will the low numbers attract a serious opponent?

"The most dangerous number in this poll is among those aged 55 and over. Only 51% of those older voters approve of the job he's doing and 46% approve. These are the people who have trusted him for 30 years. Now many of them think he has let them down. He needs to do more to address the US attorney scandal and assure them his actions were not out of line," analyzed veteran NM Democratic pollster Harry Pavlides.

Students of New Mexico politics will note that these are the lowest approval numbers ever for Domenici who was first elected in 1972. His closest re-elect bid was in 1978 when he beat Toney Anaya with 53% of the vote.

While damage control is obviously in order, it is hard to do when you face the prospect of another shoe dropping. The US attorney scandal, which has become as no-end-in-sight as the Iraq war, could draw more of Pete's blood If the Senate Ethics Committee gets aggressive and turns a preliminary inquiry into a full fledged probe.

"He could drop below the 50% level if there are further damaging revelations, " said Pavlides.

While they weren't revelations, testimony this week about the White House role in the firing of NM US Attorney David Iglesias will do nothing to warm up voters who have suddenly turned a cold shoulder to the 75 year old legendary lawmaker.

DEM CHAIR POUNCES
1970's Pete
Domenici has now dropped to a 39% approval rating among Democrats, the state's majority party by far, and that has emboldened new state Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colón. He drafted this missive Thursday demanding the senator "come clean" over his role in the scandal.

The only good news for Pete was that it was the Democratic chairman coming after him and not an announced and well-funded Democratic opponent. There is still no significant contender in the race, costing the Dems a golden opportunity. That could change with these polling numbers, as a Domenici challenge has gone from a long-shot gamble to within the realm of possibility.

Another note from pollster Pavlides. "Pete's numbers are following the same trajectory as Bush's. He is holding his Republicans--although 71% approval among them is too low--and like Bush, he has lost the Democrats and Independents. (Independents give only 41% approval) He is not as low as Bush, but I think he is being hurt by his support of Bush and the war. His halo has been tarnished by the scandal; he is now more susceptible to his position on the unpopular war." He explained.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Is it fathomable that Pete could be beat? It would still take a perfect storm--the US attorney scandal, the Iraq war and his age--combined in a way that fully resonates with voters on the fence. Will the numbers make Domenici take a second look at the notion of retirement? If there is no turn around in the months ahead, everything will be on the table. As we said at the start, Death and taxes are still on the certainty list. Domenici as senator for life has dropped off.

Thanks to photog Mark Bralley for today's pics of Senator Domenici. Have news or comments? Send them our way via the mail link at the top of the page, and stop by again soon.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Rep. Udall
NM U.S. Dem Rep. Tom Udall is the new guy on the block with bragging rights, and he's starting to strut. Named at the start of the year to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Udall, a member of the majority party in the House, is boasting of his prowess. Here's an example from his office:

Udall, D-N.M., helped the Valles Caldera National Preserve receive a major bump in proposed federal funding in the House Subcommittee on Interior and Environment Appropriations.In April, Udall requested a significant increase in funding over the mere $850,000 proposed by the Bush Administration in their Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) budget request. At Udall's urging, the subcommittee, to which he was appointed in January, upped federal funding to total $3.5 million for the Preserve.

With funding for the national labs, like Los Alamos, appearing to have peaked for now, pork from other pockets of the federal budget will be eyed hungrily in the needy north, with Udall being told to bring it on.

THE SANTA FE OUTRAGE

Speaking of the north, the Santa Fe crime outrage continues, with yet another woman raped by a stranger. From the New Mexican: "An attacker threw a woman to the ground in the parking lot of a hotel off North St. Francis Drive early Tuesday morning and raped her, marking Santa Fe’s 10th attack on women since last fall..."

This is a disgrace for Mayor Coss and the city council. Santa Fe is a small city and this type of crime (and numerous others of late) signals an out-of-control problem. They need to divert resources to public safety, even if it means pain elsewhere in the city budget. Santa Fe Sheriff Greg Solano is pitching in with his department's manpower. We were one of those suggesting that and are glad to see it, but ultimately making the city safe is a city task. (Can something be done to get some faster help from the feds via our congressional delegation?)

The human cost of the crime wave is obvious; the harm to the city's international reputation and its business outlook is coming. The police announced a series of public meetings on crime for each of the four city council districts, but the people of Santa Fe don't need PR meetings; they need a fully-funded police force and cops that share their outrage and are ready to stop the crime wave in its tracks. Mayor Coss, Police Chief Johnson and the city councilors need to get moving.

HERE IN RIVER CITY...

Should we also be freaking out over the police department in ABQ and the padding of its payroll to make it look as if it has more officers than it says? The charge comes from ABQ City Councilor Brad Winter who is seeking re-election this year. ABQ has always has been a violent city, but If Mayor Chavez has done anything, it has been to keep a lid on crime. Outbreaks like those occurring in Santa Fe are met with swift reaction. The Duke City mayor has become fixated with getting the number of cops up to 1,000 and Winter, who lost for mayor against Chavez in '05, is taking advantage as that number is having difficulty being met. An ABQ crime problem? It's perpetual, but not close to being out of control. Winter is right to point out any payroll padding, and Chavez is right to continue to make public safety his biggest concern.

LIGHTNING STRUCK

Roswell State Senator "Lightning Rod" Adair has a legendary temper (just ask former NM House Speaker Raymond Sanchez) and now it has gotten him in some legal hot water. A lawsuit has been filed against the hard-right, firebrand lawmaker. He has been accused of blocking an activist Dem from a senate hearing and having a verbal confrontation with him. Rod says the complainer has filed multiple lawsuits and is a troublemaker of longstanding. The ACLU, surely one of Republican Rod's least favorite organizations will press ahead with its suit.

ALLIGATOR SIGHTINGS

State Senator Cynthia Nava (D-Dona Ana) and companion Ron Curry, Secretary of the NM Environment Department, sent me this pic of Cynthia handling an Alligator at the Everglades in Florida,. Obviously this one is not as threatening as the political alligators who populate our area. But I did notice some tape on that Gator's mouth that the senator is holding. Does he have some news that Cynthia and Ron are keeping from us? Well, if he does it's probably better than the info one Alligator from here gave us early last year when they said Nava would seek a seat on the Public Regulation Commission. It never happened. That Alligator is now featured in a new line of Rio Grande luggage.

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Sen. Feinstein
A recent exchange between MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California had to be welcomed by NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici. Feinstein is on the Judiciary committee which is trying to find out who in the Administration was responsible for drafting the list of US attorneys who should be fired, including NM's David Iglesias. Matthews pressed Feinstein on his Hardball program on whether Pete should be summoned before Judiciary because he might know who composed the hit list, but Dianne demurred.

MATTHEWS: Do you, on the committee, consider calling Senator Pete Domenici as a witness, since he was the one who made the call to Iglesias in Albuquerque, urging that he give him the latest update on whether he‘s -he‘s prosecuting those people for voter fraud?

FEINSTEIN: Well, no, I don‘t conceive that we would call Senator Domenici. I mean, Senator...

MATTHEWS: Because he would tell you who told him to put the pressure on Iglesias.

FEINSTEIN: Well, I don‘t know that anybody did.

And I think that where we want to go is, who put the names on the list? That is what is important, is who...

MATTHEWS: But it may have been Domenici who might have supplied that one name.

FEINSTEIN: No, I don‘t...

MATTHEWS: “This guy is not cooperating, because (ABQ GOP Rep.) Heather Wilson is trying to get him to do something. I am trying to get him to do something, and he won‘t do it. So, let‘s get rid of this guy.”

How do we know that didn‘t happen?

FEINSTEIN: Well, Senator Domenici may have made a suggestion. I don‘t know. But, right now, that is not the issue. Right now, the issue is to find out, candidly, whether the White House made a decision that these people were not loyal enough or were too independent or wouldn‘t carry out a bidding on a given case. I think, for me, those are the issues."

A "preliminary inquiry" is underway by the Senate Ethics Committee into Pete's October phone call to Iglesias during which Iglesias says he felt pressured to bring indictments in the courthouse corruption case; indictments that may have helped Wilson in her close congressional contest against Dem Patricia Madrid. Domenici has hired a criminal defense attorney, but Feinstein's comments raise the question of how much zeal there ultimately will be by Pete's Dem colleagues to probe Pete. The bad news: Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who has been leading the charge on the attorney scandal on Judiciary isn't showing the same deference toward Domenici as Feinstein.

ONE GOOD WOMAN?

Iglesias thinks testimony this week before the House from former top Justice Department official Monica Goodling could finally put on the record what the thinks the real reasons were for his firing. They've been saying performance. Will that change to politics?

A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY
Wilson & Domenici
You have to give Pete credit. Through thick and thin he conducts a regular weekly news conference with NM radio reporters. He's not answering questions about the US Attorney debacle, but everything else is fair game. The most recent edition shows Domenici in good form, displaying broad knowledge on immigration and relaying it with more than usual passion. His voice is craggy and his speech slower than the old days, but it's a strong performance that doesn't give any encouragement to prospective opponents.

Senator Bingaman also does a radio roundtable and NM Congressmen Pearce and Udall are also readily available. The lone standout is ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson, who recently refused to be interviewed on her Iraq votes and who has had past bouts of cagey behavior in dealing with the media. She's is well-informed on the issues of the day, but has apparently felt burnt a couple of times by her media treatment.

To anyone who doesn't trust politicians--that should include everyone except the politicians ---Heather's behavior is disturbing. Before my GOP friends fly off the handle, let's point out this is not a partisan issue. Democratic Attorney General Patricia Madrid often refused to be interviewed by the ABQ Journal during her challenge to Heather last year, another woeful example of a politician asserting control over the public dialogue. A regular news conference by Wilson, as Domenici does, might just help her politically. More important, it would be the right thing to do.

ON THE WAR FRONT

Speaking of communicating, the Associated Press said this week that Wilson "has backed President Bush for much of the war but has opposed plans for a troop surge currently under way." Not quite. Wilson is against the surge of troops into Baghdad but, as she explains on her Web site, (look under speeches for 1/8/07) she is FOR the surge of troops into Anbar province.

"The President is sending an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq...Some of those troops are going to Anbar, and I think we do need to reinforce our troops in the Sunni heartland to fight alQaeda in Iraq and strengthen relationships that will make it less likely that they will be welcome there over the long term. But I am skeptical about the Baghdad mission."

This is hair-splitting at its finest that we've previously covered and can hardly fault the AP and other media for not picking up on. It does show Wilson's dilemma as she tries to pacify a pro-war Republican base while attempting to soothe anti-war Dems and Independents. But there is not much middle ground for anyone on this war. In the voters' minds you are either for it or against it. Wilson had a pro-war problem last year when she narrowly won by less than 900 votes. It remains her problem today. Don't say we didn't tell you.

THE BOTTOM LINES

What I learned from a lengthy (and I mean lengthy) profile of former NM US Attorney Iglesias in the Washington Post: He is of Kuna Indian heritage...

Not everyone is happy with Big Bill's prez run, even though you might think so after looking at that Survey USA poll showing New Mexicans giving him a whopping 74% approval, his highest ever and also recorded after his Guv win in November. But now comes self-described "moderate Republican" Gary Simpson of Rio Rancho to rain on Bill's parade and make sure his head isn't swelling. "It didn't play well with me that he did not make his presidential announcement in the state where he is governor. It's amazing how quickly he has forgotten where he got his political break years ago. I found it interesting that (KRQE-TV) 13's poll shows a majority (53%) of New Mexicans don't think he has a chance of getting elected and the people they interviewed on the street complained about his absence from the state. I'm ready for him to go away and I don't care how." Said reader Simpson.

OK, Gary. But if you succeed in making him go away, you will be responsible for helping to fill the blog every day.

Help write your blog. Send your news and comments via email from the link at the top of the page, and stop by again soon.

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Bill & Barbara in L.A.
It was not a heavy news Monday around the nation, and that was to the benefit of Big Bill who made his presidential candidacy "official" before a throng of politicos and reporters at a Los Angeles hotel. The announcement, of course, was anti-climatic since the Guv has been campaigning since he formed his "exploratory committee" in January. But the media bought into it, giving him coverage like this from the AP. There was a zinger in there--a reference to a story the news service hit with Sunday that had a mother of a slain New Mexican solider complaining that the Guv has misrepresented a conversation she had with him at her son's funeral. The story shaded the AP coverage, but did not make it into the reports of other major news organizations and seemed to have limited legs.

The Washington Post took the opportunity of the "official" announcement to do a lengthy and largely favorable profile of Bill. ABC News anchor Charles Gibson was on the Web with video analysis of the campaign, mentioning the Guv's recent rise in the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. He replayed a part of the humorous TV spot that is being given credit for that bump in the numbers. Here is big video chunk of the speech as delivered in L.A.

THE INSIDERS PERSPECTIVE

There was a New Mexico reference of interest as he pointed out that Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish was on the stage with him and he joked over who was in charge of the state while the two campaigned. (Secretary of State Mary Herrera serves as acting governor in their absence.)

We also noticed NM Treasurer James B. Lewis on the stage smiling broadly at Bill. Lewis is New Mexico's most prominent black politician and Democratic Prez primaries attract large numbers of African-American voters.

The presence of Denish was notable as it was her comments in December '05 stating that the Governor sometimes touched her inappropriately that set off a stream of ongoing and negative coverage. That seems to have subsided in recent weeks. The Governor was introduced to the gathering by wife Barbara. Also of note is the Guv ratcheting up his references to his Hispanic heritage and his use of Spanish. California's primary is the clear target.

The national media seems pleased to have Richardson reaching double digits, giving them a new angle on the interminably long Prez campaign. Of course, if he starts to climb even higher in the polls the long knives and the negative coverage will come as soon as the sun rises in the east. Such is the nature of the game played at the highest levels.

COUNCIL COLLARS CHAVEZ
Council Prez O'Malley
A battle of wills between the ABQ city council and Mayor Marty Chavez ended Monday night with the council of a liberal bent giving reasons that appeal to conservatives for their decision to delay the mayor's eighth of a cent cut in the gross receipts tax from January until July 2008. The council said the $9 million saved by the delay will be used to help fund the Bernalillo county jail. "I don't want to see corrections officers put at risk," declared Councilor Martin Heinrich as he voted to delay the tax cut. The statement could be seen as an attempt to inoculate himself against the charge that he is a tax and spend liberal, a charge he can expect from ABQ Congresswoman Heather Wilson who he hopes to challenge in '08.

The tax delay passed with enough votes to override a mayoral veto, so it looks as if the 11th floor is going to have take its medicine on this one.

Council Prez Debbie O'Malley, armed with the votes, handled the situation with equanimity amid a caustic mood toward His Honor led by Councilor and possible '09 mayoral hopeful Michael Cadigan. She said she thought a delayed tax cut was actually a good compromise with the mayor who had flatly refused to talk with councilors about giving any money to the jail.

The mayor offered no compromise and he got none. A veto-proof majority is not set in concrete on other issues, but Mayor Marty may have to pay more attention to his own backyard, even as he busies himself with preparations for a run for Governor in 2010.

MY BOTTOM LINES

There is one less voice in the news coverage coming from our state capitol. Walt Rubel, who covered the Legislature and state government for Media News Group's half dozen NM newspapers, including the Las Çruces Sun-News, is off the beat. Rubel has landed a job as managing editor for the Sun-News, but no one has been named to replace him in Santa Fe, leaving a hole in capitol coverage for rural New Mexicans. Budget tightening is probably the reason as the newspaper biz continues to deal with the changing media times.

This is it, the home of New Mexico politics. Stop by again soon and send your political news and comments via email from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Running for President hasn't made the home fires burn less for Big Bill. In fact, the New Mexico Governor is more popular than ever, winning a lopsided approval rating of 74 per cent and garnering majority support in every subgroup sampled in the mid-May poll by Survey USA. 84 percent of his fellow Dems approve of the Guv's job performance and even 59% of Republicans give their stamp of approval. (MOE +-3.6%)

The Governor has not been home much, but he still tends to state business while on the road and nothing has blown up because of his campaign absences. Also, the prestige factor of having a Governor from the state seriously contend for the Dem Prez nod is likely giving him a boost as is his name being in the news more than ever.

An approval rating of 74% for a Governor in a diverse and often divided state like ours is a major political achievement. We've never seen it before, and are unlikely to see it again.

NOT JUST NM

And how about that Des Moines Register poll released Sunday showing Big Bill cracking double digits and getting 10% support among Iowa Dems? Pretty good. He did the same in the recent Zogby New Hampshire poll, also registering 10% support. He still trails the leaders significantly, but let's say things are a lot more interesting as Bill's TV spots and handshaking tours show some payoff.

PETE'S POSITION

While Bill has taken over the premier slot in state politics, the man who used to have it, GOP U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, has taken a back seat. His approval in the Survey USA has slipped to 54%, the result of his becoming mired in the US Attorney scandal. Also, persistent chatter that he could decide not to seek re-election in 2008 has further eroded the lawmaker's standing. For example, the Washington Post's handicapper insists on keeping Pete's seat on his top ten of those to watch for turnover in '08.

Any source worth his salt will tell you Pete is running for an unprecedented seventh term, but the top insiders also acknowledge that the health of the 75 year old senator will be a determining factor, and that is not predictable.

Could Governor Richardson turn his political dominance against Domenici and actually run against Pete if his Presidential campaign fizzles? We have previously floated this possibility because the Guv could use leftover Prez money for a senate race; he would have time to meet the petition deadline requirement and a senate run, if necessary, is a viable option to keep his political career going. And with these latest polls, Richardson would now appear to be the favorite in a head-to-head showdown with Domenici. Call it far-out or unlikely, but any complete analysis of what could come must include this factor.

THE GENETIC FEAR

Some Dems are grumbling that the above scenario could be discouraging top-tier challengers to go against Domenici, even as names continue to float about. There has also been talk that Richardson is seeking a "place holder," a candidate who would get in the race, but be willing to get out in favor of Bill if Domenici were to resign the seat or Bill wanted to make the run against Pete. State Dems have long had a genetic fear of Pete, and while the US Attorney scandal may have altered the landscape, they have been unable to find a serious challenger since Toney Anaya in '78. Domenici's best bet to keep them fearful is by getting his approval rating back to 60%.

THE MARTY MANEUVERS
Chavez
ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez could conceivably seek a third consecutive term as mayor, but he better not listen to us before he decides. Our initial blog Thursday said there were no term limits on the mayor, but we were reminded by vigilant readers that there are indeed such limits. If the Mayor wanted to seek another term in '09 he, or someone else, would have to go to court to get the limits struck down. That was done with city councilor term limits. Our legal beagles suspect the term limits for mayor would not hold either.

Meantime, the city council meets today and appears to have the votes to delay the mayor's proposed eighth of a cent tax cut from January until July of 2008 and use the savings to fund the county jail an additional $9 million. Chavez is ardently opposed to the jail deal. The councilors also propose to kill some pork projects of the mayor and fund their own priorities, or at least those of six of the nine councilors constituting a veto-proof majority.

COMPROMISE OR CONFRONTATION?

The mayor still has command and control, as signaled by the councilors acceptance of his tax cut, although delayed, but they expect more give from the 11th floor. Prior to the recent Legislative session, Governor Richardson ensured smooth sailing by signing off on many of the legislators pet projects. Chavez could have done the same, but may have thought his tax cut would not be tampered with, especially by Councilors Winter and Harris who represent conservative districts. Councilor Heinrich, seeking the ABQ congressional seat and needing to boost his conservative credentials, may be taking a risk by voting against the tax cut. Chavez, seeking the Dem nod for Governor, needs to show he is familiar with the art of compromise. Perhaps their mutual self-interest could lead to a deal and avoid a veto spat between the councilors and mayor both of whom seem to be driven as much by ego as public policy.

PACK POUNCES ON COMMISSIONER

We wondered last week if political opponents would start to line up against incumbent Dem Bernalillo County Commissioner Teresa Cordova for the June '08 primary. We didn't have to wait long for an answer. Retired sheriff's deputy Cris Sanchez, who came in third in the eight way '04 Dem primary contest with Cordova, is telling friends he will seek the post again. Also, Andrew Leo Lopez, who placed eighth in '04 says he will also go. Cordova has become drenched in controversy over her intervention to get her son's report card adjusted so he could graduate from Rio Grande High. She is now out with this defense in which she calls herself "a great commissioner." Self-esteem is obviously not a shortcoming of Teresa's, but does she come up short with her explanation of the grade-fixing fiasco? Stay tuned.

This is the home of New Mexico politics--www.joemonahan.com. Send your news and comments via the e-mail link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Here's the latest comings and goings on the contenders for the four ABQ city council seats up for election this October. My first round of handicapping has incumbents Debbie O'Malley and Brad Winter positioned for re-election. District Six in the SE Heights will be a wide open affair as incumbent Martin Heinrich has vacated the seat to run for Congress. We will hold the analysis until we have the complete field announced. In District Eight in the far NE Heights, real estate broker Trudy Jones is positioned to take over the seat from fellow Republican Craig Loy who ran unopposed four years ago.

We see the long hand of ABQ Mayor Chavez in candidacies announced against O'Malley and Winter, but they retain solid support in their districts. They go off as 2 to 1 favorites with effective negative campaigning needed against them to shrink the odds. We'll keep you posted as post time nears.

As for the mayor, this is his second consecutive term, a time when the political cycle dictates some weakening. We've seen the city council assert itself more, but they had permitted the pendulum to swing so far toward the executive that it is just returning to a more normal balance. Chavez could be suffering some burnout after so many years, but he combats it with willpower and energy. His ambition for higher office also keeps him on his toes.

His Honor has lost control on a couple of issues, but the central governing ideas for the city continue to emanate from the 11th floor, not the council. His ideas, like him, remain generally popular. If those ideas start to dry up, more substantial power could start to flow through the nine councilors. One other thing. It is possible, if not likely, that Marty could forgo a run for Guv and seek another mayoral term in '09. Having that option doesn't prevent lame-duck disease, but it makes it less severe. (The mayor or someone else would have to go to court to get current term limits overturned as was done with city council term limits in order for him to run for another term.)

RUDY, AL TO NM

Insiders report in that GOP prez candidate Rudy Giuliani will make his first NM campaign appearance in ABQ in June. Additional details to come, but we are told the former New York City mayor will hold a fund-raising event. Meantime, Democrat Al Gore, who is not being ruled out yet as a possible '08 contender, is also coming to the state, not to campaign but to talk the environment.

NO RELIEF IN SIGHT

With pump prices back above three bucks a gallon, the idea of rebating more of the state's windfall energy surplus directly to consumers should again arise, but it isn't because politicians of all stripes want to spend every dime that comes their way. ABQ State Senators Ryan and Cravens made a stab at the concept in 2006, but did little to advocate for their rebate proposal. Even conservatives are too tempted by the huge pot of gold that has been coming into Santa Fe the past five years because of high natural gas and oil prices. If all that money is being spent wisely and is necessary for government programs, we should not have any rebates. How many of you believe that?

It is not much prettier in Washington, where NM's two U.S. Senators command the Senate Energy Committee--Jeff Bingaman as chairman and Pete Domenici as ranking member. But we are hearing the same old tune--the problem is long term. Well, as the fella once said, in the long term we're all dead. Republican Pete could help by working to persuade the President to end the no-end-in-sight Iraq war which creates political instability that puts a premium on world oil prices; Democrat Jeff could slap the oil and gas industry on the butt for their refineries and why they only seem to be working part-time. Yes, less dependence on oil is the long term solution, but does that mean we deserve a do-nothing Congress while New Mexicans tool around in eight year old Chevy Malibus trying to make ends meet? (If you own a gas hogging Hummer, you are on your own.)

THE CITY REALLY DIFFERENT

Will someone please do something about the over-the-top Santa Fe police department? A crime wave has swept the city and now they want to hire Mexican nationals to fill cop vacancies? Actually, the department needs more vacancies--including the top brass. Where is the mayor? Hiding in a booth at Tiny's waiting for it all to go away as this story breaks nationally? Mayor, you are supposed to be safeguarding an American treasure, our nation's oldest capital city. But you already knew that.

THE BOTTOM LINES

This long, long race for the ABQ congressional seat is going to be a barrel of fun--or not. One of our Dem emailers ripped into hopeful Martin Heinrich here, calling the city councilor a "pretty boy" with no substance, a comment that deserves rebuttal. Here it is from Heinrich cheerleader Andrew Scrank: "Where's the beef?" In a very short political career Heinrich has made enormous contributions on a host of important issues: economic justice (e.g., the ABQ minimum wage initiative), environmental protection (e.g., the protection of Open Space, incentives for hybrid vehicles...crime control..." Opines Andrew. But Heinrich, we're sure, is thankful that they aren't calling him ugly.....Go ahead, Bill. Make it official.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Teresa Cordova
Nothing captures the public imagination like a public official using their position for petty personal benefit. So it is with Bernalillo County Commissioner Teresa Cordova who burst into the statewide consciousness this week for going over the head of her son's English teacher and principal to have a failing grade revised which allowed him to graduate from Rio Grande High School. The cherry on top of the story was that the boy's father, former ABQ public schools board member Miguel Acosta, also was in on the grade fixing.

The coffee shop crowd wagged their tongues and their heads in disbelief at the special treatment with murmurs of "only in New Mexico" heard time and again.

Will Commissioner Cordova's overreach translate into a challenge when she comes up for re-election next year? She represents much of the ABQ South Valley and won the Democratic nomination with 23 per cent of the vote in an eight way race in 2004; her closet challenger garnered 21 per cent. Winning the Dem nod is tantamount to winning election as the district has so few Republicans they are on the endangered species list.

Incumbent Cordova could have expected at least one challenger in the highly political district, but with a brigade of outraged parents whose children received no special treatment calling her on the carpet, Cordova next June might find herself again facing a jammed pack primary. If memories don't fade, making the grade with voters could be a lot tougher for the commissioner than getting one fixed at the local high school.

MOVING AND SHAKING
Scott Darnell
The new press flack for the NM GOP is twentysomething Scott Darnell who has worked several campaigns here, including for President Bush and '06 secretary of state hopeful Vickie Perea. Darnell replaces former ABQ Journal reporter Charlotte Balcomb Lane who had a short-lived stint in the position. Maybe she can take a vacation cruise now with Marta Kramer.

You can't say Scott isn't a true believer, as witnessed in the photo displayed here in which he protests a 2004 John Kerry NM visit. At the time, Darnell was chair of the NM College Republicans. Will he get to protest visits from a 2008 Dem Prez nominee named Bill Richardson?

We told you back in March that Kentucky politico Alan Feldman would become the new executive director for the state GOP. Feldman, who as ties to the Republican National Committee will start work May 30, reports state GOP Chairman Allen Weh.

No official confirmation yet, but Alligator talk has Bianca Ortiz Wertheim, wife of ex-NM Dem Party chair John Wertheim and onetime director of cabinet affairs for Big Bill, leaving her project manager position at the Center for Economic Development at the University of New Mexico and heading downtown to ABQ's Government Center to work for none other than Mayor Marty Chavez. Reliable city hall and political sources say she is coming aboard soon, but we have not been told in what capacity. Will she also help out on a Marty Chavez for governor campaign against fellow Dem Diane Denish? Insiders say she will not be helping Lady Di, for sure.

MEXICO MANANA

A traveling reader, an attorney from southwestern NM, blogs in on his recent visit to Palomas, Mexico, located across the border from Columbus, NM where the Governor has ordered an increased state police presence because of ongoing drug related violence in Palomas.

"I was in Palomas last Thursday (Mother's Day in Mexico) on business and saw "Big Papi's" extra state troopers deployed pursuant to his order. It consisted of state police officers standing around the customs house while customs agents harassed people going into Mexico. Nothing about safety was discussed, only what we were doing and how much money we were carrying. Big Papi's "Order" only another grandstand ploy."

I haven't seen Big Bill referred to as "Big Papi," but we could always use another colorful nickname. As for sending more state police to the border being a grandstanding play, maybe. But remember when one state cop would be responsible for hundreds of miles of southern NM territory? It appears we at least have brought the numbers up enough to send some cops to the border if needed.

MORE TO THE STORY?
Your Blogger
Some skepticism greeted the news we blogged yesterday that Secretary of Health Michelle Lujan Grisham was leaving her cabinet position to plot a political career, with an eye on the Dem nomination for the ABQ congressional seat held by Republican Heather Wilson, but considering other races too. Here's an example from the mail bag:

" I really don't think we need her to "decide" which office she will run for. There are those that will still say she didn't do a very good job at the jobs she had. Who would give up a job that pays $117,000 for no employment in sight? I think there is more to her story than we are hearing right now."

But an emailing involved Democrat, saw things differently: "We need somebody--Heather will tear pretty boy Martin Heinrich to pieces. His run is a joke. All she has to do is ask "Where's the beef"--what has he really done? Said the Dem of the ABQ city councilor, the sole candidate in the race thus far.

Have a thought to pass on? News of the day? Send it along via the email link from the top of the page, and thanks for making us a part of your day.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Sec. Lujan Grisham
New Mexico Secretary of Health Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the end of a somewhat tumultuous tenure Monday, resigning her post effective June 11 while toying with the idea of a run for the ABQ congressional seat held by Republican Heather Wilson. Negative headlines surrounding her personnel decisions will not help the UNM Law School graduate and 18 year veteran of state government launch a political career, but she rebuts her critics by telling me she "has made the tough decisions" necessary to challenge the status quo and move the department forward. The lone Democratic candidate for the ABQ congressional seat, City Councilor Martin Heinrich, already looking over his shoulder for a possible Hispanic challenger (or female), had to feel hot breath on his collar as Lujan Grisham played political tease, even if nursing a few wounds from her tenure. (She will be replaced by Dr. Alfredo Vigil, Chief Executive Officer of El Centro Family Health.)

Michelle's relationship with Big Bill was an element of the late Monday speculation, with one Gator reminding us it was on this blog in December that speculation surfaced that the Guv had asked her to return to her old job as head of the state agency on aging, but that she reportedly balked. She told us Monday she was not asked to make a switch and that she leaves the administration on "good terms," while acknowledging she is "a tough cookie."

The outgoing secretary, who was born in Los Alamos and moved to ABQ for college and stayed, deflected speculation that she is not serious about seeking political office and was trying to divert attention from the personnel controversies that plagued her in recent months. She said she has put off politics in the past, but has long had the political bug. She is not announcing a run for a specific office, she said, because she wants to consult with advisers on what would be her best bet. Among those advisers is Lt. Governor Denish who has urged her to run for office. Lujan Grisham, 47, whose late husband was an ABQ attorney and who has two teenaged daughters, does confirm that it is the congressional seat that is highest on her list. By the time the calender turns to August she'll have a decision.

A LUJAN LEGACY

If Lujan Grisham does dive into the political pool, she won't be the first in her family to do so. Her grandfather, Eugene David Lujan, was the first Hispanic New Mexican to serve on the state Supreme Court, having been elected in 1945 and retiring from the bench in 1959. She does not believe she is related to NM House Speaker Ben Lujan, but her branch of the Lujan's does have ties to those of former NM GOP Congresssman Manuel Lujan.

ON THE TRAIL

Meanwhile, back on the Heinrich front, he winged to D.C. last week to introduce himself to the powers-that-be at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee(DCCC) which can't take sides in a primary battle, but can surely create buzz for a candidate they see as a strong challenger.
"I wanted to show these folks that I am a credible candidate and I think I accomplished that," explained Heinrich.

Besides the aforementioned Lujan Grisham, still out there as a possible Dem candidate is former UNM President Louis Caldera, but because he is a non-native Hispanic and one who was dumped from his prexy post, he is generating little buzz. Insiders tell me they expect a seriously contested primary to cost in the area of $400,000 and maybe more. Heinrich is now concentrating on fund-raising, trying to scoop up cash while he is the only announced candidate.

"The DCCC advised that I go home, clear the field and come back and see them when things have settled," informed the councilor. Well, warm up your John Deere, Martin. There seems to be a number of fields in need of clearing.

Raising money is one way of clearing a field. Heinrich, 36, will file his first fund-raising report in July and if the figure is impressive, it could settle the issue of a primary challenge. No matter how much he or any other Dem candidate raises, Heather will again likely have the advantage. Despite protestations from one Wilson operative, Dem money mavens say when you add up the cash spent in the two year '06 cycle--including the massive independent committee expenditures---Dem Patricia Madrid was clearly outspent as she told me in a recent interview. The issue, however, may be academic. With so much money being thrown by both sides at the race, the saturation point is quickly reached.

WILSON'S STIFF ARM

Her constituents will be either baffled or outraged by Wilson's refusal to answer questions from the ABQ Tribune regarding her stance on Iraq war policy. All other members of our congressional delegation did. Wilson issued a statement on the latest round of Iraq House votes, but refused to stand for questioning. This is the side of Wilson that prevents her from sealing the deal and getting off with no serious re-election challengers as did her GOP predecessors Manuel Lujan and Steve Schiff.

Stiffing the press on the #1 issue in the USA is outlandish, but if the press is going to take it, they are going to keep getting it. Back in the day, when we were on the daily beat, a refusal from a politician to comment meant all bets were off. We put the posse on them, refusing to quote them on any other event until they addressed the issue they were evading as well as repeatedly broadcasting their evasion. Soon, the offending politico and their press flacks were begging to talk.

Heck, maybe we should round up Larry Calloway and other old school types, get a contract from the papers and head to D.C. guaranteeing that we'll have Heather talking like a chatterbox within 72 hours. That's 71 hours to party in Georgetown on our expense account. Our team would need just an hour to cure Heather's congressional lockjaw.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Domenici & Bingaman
We're probably going to see more of this as we draw closer to the election year--mutual backscratching by New Mexico GOP Senator Pete Domenici and his Dem counterpart, Jeff Bingaman. As Pete dips below 50% approval among Dems in one poll, the duo seems to be everywhere together, perhaps helping Domenici with Dems disillusioned with his role in the US attorney scandal. The long-serving duo have never encouraged opposition against one another and it looks as if that unwritten pact is going to stay intact as Domenici faces what could be a sterner test than usual in '08.

While Jeff isn't forgetting Pete, what about Big Bill? The question arose when we saw this news release from the Guv's office announcing that additional state police would be sent to Columbus, NM in reaction to violence in Palomas, Mexico across the border from Columbus.

"Governor Richardson is working with U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman to ensure that the federal response to this violence at the border is sufficient to protect New Mexicans who live in the area." Said the release. What? No mention of working with Pete too? Had to be an oversight, didn't it?

BINGAMAN'S BALANCE

It is not an easy balancing act for Bingaman--being chairman of the Senate Energy Committee and coming from a state with a big oil and gas industry as well as a vigorous environmental community. When he signed on with Domenici on the Bush energy bill two summers ago, he took hits from the enviros and won kudos from Big Oil. Enviros remain concerned that he is not aggressive enough on global warming and have even put up a radio ad urging him to work for a bill more to their liking.

By the way, Domenici and Bingaman may be cooing together on a variety of matters of late, but global climate change is not one of them. The duo has split, with Pete wanting China to abide by any caps placed on greenhouse gas emissions. Chairman Bingaman is looking to other R's for support of his bill.

A stunning 71% re-election victory last year has given the state's junior senator plenty of insulation to take the heat that comes his way from both the left and right. Now that he and his fellow Dems have real power for the first time in years, Bingaman can expect the temperature to keep rising.

RADIO RATINGS

770 KKOB-AM continues to hold the #1 position in adults aged 12 and over in the latest ABQ ratings, garnering an 8.0 share of the audience. An interesting sidebar--KKOB's short-lived competition--talk radio KAGM-FM--has skyrocketed in the ratings since abandoning the talk format and going to classic country. The station, after being nearly last, now ranks #15 in the 12 plus category among the 30 stations rated.

MONTANO'S MOMENT
Montano
A New Mexican took the national stage Saturday as Major General Melvyn S. Montano, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), a former adjutant general of the New Mexico National Guard, delivered the Democratic party's radio address. Montano told his audience that the Iraq war has stretched National Guard resources to a breaking point. He recorded the address at an ABQ studio and did it in one take, according to an on-the-scene Alligator.

MAINSTREAM MEDIA RUMORS

They say it's the Internet that fuels the political rumor mill, but it is the mainstream media in the form of this piece from the Santa Fe New Mexican that has made public the rumor of a split in Big Bill's marriage. Was this relevant? Was it "news?" Something for the Ivory Tower flock to mull over.

IDAHO MEETS NM

NM politicos will remember Shea Andersen who covered the political beat for several years for the ABQ Tribune. He moved to Idaho so his wife could take a new job, but it turns out the Gem State is treating Shea pretty well too. He has been named editor of The Boise Weekly. That news comes on the heels of former Rio Grande Sun reporter John Foster taking the reins of the Idaho Democratic party as executive director. Do Shea and John now put green chile on their Idaho potatoes?

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Big Bill's latest TV ads try to separate him from the pack with a humorous pitch, but they don't jump off the screen at you like the funny spot he aired for his Guv race last year in which he appeared dressed as a sheriff, bellies up the bar and orders a glass of milk. His campaign says these new spots, in which he is seen applying for a job with a skeptical interviewer, is an effort to "make light of the political establishment's view of the Governor's campaign."

Funny and effective? Or too clever by half? Opinion will probably be split, but Richardson is not going to hurt himself with these ads. He hovers at around 5% in key Iowa. His worst enemy now is not the size of his campaign treasury--although that could use some bolstering--it is his own impatience. We saw what anxiety can do to him in the last Dem prez debate.

It is Big Bill's talent at one-to-one campaigning that keeps him a threat, albeit a long shot one, to the rest of the field. With TV ads giving him needed name ID, the Governor needs to meet as many people personally to nail down the vote. Richardson with a big TV buy could be potent. Combined with a patient candidate committed to camping out in Iowa and New Hampshire, he could be dangerous.

MORE TUBE TALK

Here's another TV ad using humor--of the dark variety-- but it seems to hit its target-- Republican members of Congress who have run into ethical or legal trouble. New Mexico's own Heather Wilson makes an appearance in the piece from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for her role in the US attorney scandal. The ad is a take-off on the hit show "Law and Order," complete with soundtrack.

WHERE IS HE?

Are you addicted to Big Bill news? Do you lose sleep if you don't know where he's going to be next? Well, for those deeply concerned and the rest of us, here is the place to track the Guv's daily Prez schedule (and that of the other candidates) and how often he is visiting each early primary state. (He's on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno Friday night) Now get some sleep.

Also in TV related news, Gerges Scott, executive producer of news at ABQ's KRQE-TV, says the "daily grind" is the reason he is leaving the station at the end of the month. The CBS affiliate has gone from #3 to #1 in the 10 p.m. news ratings in recent years. Gerges is a political junkie who formerly served as spokesman for the state corrections department.

SIC 'EM BRAD
Councilor Winter
Not everyone thinks it "would be good for the city" if ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez and City Councilor Brad Winter were to "bury the hatchet" as we opined in our May 3 blog. Several e-mails egged Winter on, saying his opposition to Chavez serves to keep the powerful mayor in check.

As one correspondent put it, if Winter didn't take on His Honor "there would be streetcars on Central, more (red light) cameras, higher fines, and administrative penalties for drinking Starbucks and driving."

No Starbucks while driving? Forget about the mayor going for that. He's an at least once-a-day user. So is rival, Light Guv Diane Denish.

Meantime, Winter says he has no plans to seek the mayor's job in 2009. He ran in '05 and was defeated by Chavez in a campaign that escalated the feud between the two.

Mention of that controversial plan, now in the deep freeze, to build an expensive street car on Central Avenue, steers us to the reasoning on why Mr. and Mrs., Albuquerque didn't have much use for it--they have a bus system they are spending good money on and to expand as necessary. Sometimes it is that simple.

GOP IRAQ CRACK

The crack in the GOP over the no-end-in-sight Iraq war we have been telling you is coming broke into the open Wednesday as it was revealed a group of "moderate House Republicans" met with Bush telling him if things don't get better R's are going to start peeling away. ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson has been portrayed as a moderate, but she has not been one on Iraq despite nearly losing her seat over the issue last November. Will she eventually be one of the R's breaking over this war policy? The pressure is growing.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"They do it because they believe in the Governor,'' says Big Bill Prez deputy campaign manger Amanda Cooper on why the Governor's cabinet has donated nearly $50,000 to his national campaign.

And we thought they did it because they believe in full employment.

SECOND QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Covering New Mexico politics is like going to graduate school in political science." So said John Foster, former news editor of Espanóla's Rio Grande Sun as he was named the new executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party.

Foster and his news crew did highly critical stories on Big Bill for the feisty paper, including one on the Guv's use of state planes. Foster is probably safe from any immediate Big Bill inquires. Idaho is not an early primary state.

Thanks to photog Mark Bralley for the shot of Brad Winter, and thanks to you for stopping by. Have political news or comments? Send them via the email link at the top of the page. Interested in advertising here? Just drop us a line.

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ABQ mayor and 2010 Dem Guv hopeful Marty Chavez scores high as a leader and for "getting things done," but is outdone in the "compassion and caring" department by rival and Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish. That's some of the insider info dribbling out from a March 22-25 conducted by Chavez who has formed a Guv exploratory committee while Denish has formally announced her entry.

Lady Di did a poll of her own earlier this year which showed her leading Marty by 18 points among Dem primary voters. Marty's head-to-head numbers against Denish show a much closer race (surprise!) and his intimates say the poll has encouraged him to stay in the race.

The mayor sent out a late April fund-raising letter in which he declares: "I need your vote, your help and your contribution to my Exploratory Committee, which I have formed with a clear eye toward the 2010 Governor's race."

He also includes a Web site to visit, but when you go there you get a notice that it is coming soon. In contrast, Denish has kept up her campaign site from last year, replete with details on her career.

One question that hovers over Chavez is whether voters have put a ceiling on his career, seeing him as a worthy mayor, but skeptical of placing him in higher office. His associates don't seem to think so. Only a campaign will answer the question

CITY ELECTION BEAT

Meantime, on the city election watch 34 year old Katherine Martinez, who is active in the mayor's ABQ Green initiative and is the government affairs director for the Central NM Homebuilders Association, has launched a campaign against City Council President Debbie O'Malley who has often clashed with His Honor over growth issues. Martinez also worked in government affairs for the ABQ Chamber of Commerce.

Martinez (Katherine Carroll), a Democrat like O'Malley, was born in North Carolina and moved to New Mexico eight years ago with her native New Mexican husband. She says she has lived in the ABQ North Valley district only two and a half years, but "it doesn't take long to get to know people."

Another councilor who has often been at odds with the mayor, Republican Brad Winter, also has an election rival. She is Paulette dé Pascal, 47, a New York native ("100 percent Italian") who has a PR background. She has worked for the movie industry, GOP politico Bob Schwartz and southern NM Congressional candidate Al Kissling. She told me she has lived in NM for 25 years and in the district four council seat she seeks for over a decade. "I want to help take the city to the next level," she said.

The campaigns of council candidates Martinez and dé Pascal are being consulted by Santa Fe's Victory Group which is also consulting Mayor Chavez's Guv bid.

Four of the nine council seats are up for election this year. Here's more on the campaign, including the latest candidates for the seat that Martin Heinrich is vacating to run for Congress.

WILSON WAR WATCH
Rep. Wilson
ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson is out with her update on the latest developments in the US House on the no-end-in-sight Iraq war. She baits the hook, but doesn't go fishing: "

"Iraq must not become a safe haven for Al Qaeda and it must not become a source of instability in the region. We all have great dreams for the Iraqi people; but they are the ones who must build their dreams. We can support them, but we cannot do for the Iraqis what they will not do for themselves."

But if the Iraqis continue to "not do for themselves," when does policy change? She doesn't say. Wilson opposed the House approved measure setting deadlines for a troop withdrawal which was vetoed by the President. Some GOP lawmakers have been warning that the patience of the American people is not unlimited. Wilson does not echo that view, at least not in her newsletter.

She also goes out of her way to annoy the majority D's by calling them the "Democrat" party, instead of the "Democratic" party. This in a district that has some 35,000 more D's than R's. How does that move the ball forward?

LOUISIANA'S ENVY

Our fair New Mexico is not always last, but not everyone is happy about it. A Louisiana state representative, lamenting the fact that his state is the last to permit cockfighting after NM's Legislature passed a ban this year, says: "We shouldn't be the last state. We should have beat New Mexico last year."

The good news for Louisianans tired of the blood sport came last week from a Louisiana state house committee which approved a cockfighting ban that would take effect in December 2008.

Email your latest news and comments from the link at the top of the page and help keep the New Mexico politics coming.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Nearing Gallup,NM
In our quest to bring you the latest La Politica from across our Enchanted Land, today we take you to ethnically diverse Gallup in western NM where a Senior Alligator gives us the lowdown on what is driving the politics of the city of 20,000.


"In Gallup, we have an “old guard’ that is an effective combination of longtime Hispanic and Italian activists that work on a classic patronage model. They have long-standing ties with Gallup’s liquor dealers. We also have a large progressive population created by the influx of educators, medical professionals, religious missionaries and assorted do-gooders. It’s a pretty even split, although on balance the old guard generally wins because politics is a blood sport to them...The in-town Navajos (Gallup is 34% Native, 33% Hispanic, 29% Anglo and 4% Other) could tip the balance toward the progressives, but Navajo's are under registered and politically inactive. Many maintain their voting registration out in the county at their Chapter of origin.

"...The Governor is able to pull off a task that is comparable to holding a ball of shifting mercury in the palm of his hand. He keeps progressives happy by promoting progressive public policy while at the same time keeping the old guard patronage politicians happy by the appointments and the administrative decisions he makes..."

Harry Mendoza, the former chairman of the McKinley County Commission, was elected as mayor of Gallup in a runoff election in March. And in case you didn't know, Gallup and McKinley county are longtime Democratic strongholds.

Have an update on your city's politics? Share it with us.

PAT'S PROBLEMS
Pat Lyons
NM Land Commissioner Pat Lyons has sometimes been mentioned as a possible 2010 GOP Guv nominee, but he isn't helping himself any in the way he has handled a Las Cruces land deal involving his office. After being accused of doing a sweetheart deal with a land developer, Lyons on Monday admitted he made a mistake in awarding the developer a deal before the published deadline for proposals to be submitted. He also claims not to know that the developer contributed a bunch of money to a political action committee which right away turned around and donated the cash to Lyons' 2006 campaign.

If Lyons ever does run for Guv one thing is certain--he can forget about accusing Big Bill and the Dems of "pay to play" politics.

POWELL PERCHED

Watching all of this from the sidelines is former Dem Land Commissioner Ray Powell, Jr. who
tells me he is ready to tell you that he is planning another run at the office in '10. Lyons can't seek a third term, so it will be an open race. Powell served over 10 years in the land office. He sought the Dem nomination last year, but was defeated by Jim Baca who went on to lose to Lyons.

Veternarian Powell now works for the Jane Goodall Institute which "empowers people to make a difference for all living things."

THE PRESS & PETE: TAKE TWO

We blogged Monday that in contrast to the national press, we see the NM press as largely ignoring the political fortunes of Senator Domenici, while ably covering the US attorney scandal. Some of the print scribes answered back that there has been political coverage. For example, they pointed to this March piece by the ABQ Journal's Michael Coleman in which he hits upon Pete's re-election prospects while also covering the outlook for ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

We're political junkies, but my instincts tell me there should be more. Also, what of the non-coverage of the Survey USA poll showing Pete dropping to an historically low approval rating of 54%? Does that go unreported because the poll is "non-scientific" or because it is done for a TV station and no one in the NM press wants to quote another news source? Or are we, as our friend Bruce Daniels at the ABQ Journal might say, "congenitally conspiratorial?" We're just asking...

THE END IS NEAR?

Yes, it is a depressing no-end-in-sight war in Iraq, but is the end finally coming into view? We think so as top Republicans realize they face another electoral drubbing in '08 if they fail to follow the will of those who put them in power. The system works, but often slowly.

NO TOUCH-UP TO THIS PHOTO

Big Bill says he is a "hands-on"guy, and this photo snapped at Drake University in Iowa by the Des Moines Register continues to prove the point. Please Alligators, hold the ribald comments.

Keep us posted. Send your political news and comments via the email link at the top of the page, and drop in again soon. This is the home of New Mexico politics--www.joemonahan.com

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Pete Domenici
By ordinary measures he's doing very well indeed. First and foremost, at 75, he's above ground, not a small accomplishment if you've been around long enough to see what life can dish out. He has a large and supportive family, a laundry list of friends from D.C. to Deming and a satisfying and challenging job. If this was the guy next door, they would be handing him a gold watch, a fishing pole and a Holland Cruise certificate. But Pete Domenici is not Ralph Kramden. He's...well...Pete V. Domenici--living legend. Ordinary measures do not apply.

At a time of expected placidness, the political career of New Mexico's longest ever serving United States Senator (1973-?) has never seen more turmoil. His health is sometimes frail. There's whispering that it may be time to finally come down from the pedestal. But Domenici still holds a high hand when it comes to determining the future of New Mexico politics. Barring the unforeseen, the ABQ native is not about to cash in his chips for the retirement rocker. But his path to a seventh term, assumed to be as smooth as a baby's backside, will now be strewn with some pebbles, if not boulders.

"Domenici's people are like the rest of us--waiting for a strong Democratic candidate. None has emerged. They are betting that despite the (US Attorney) scandal and the longevity question, in the end he will get no serious competition," informs a political veteran along the banks of the Potomac.

The expectation may not be unreasonable. While D.C. Democrats think Pete is vulnerable as never before, there is a disconnect with NM D's who voice little optimism.

"We need a young energetic candidate," newly installed NM Dem party chairman Brian Colón told me recently. And who is that contender? Colón and company is stumped.

THE WILD CARD

There is a wild card. It belongs to Big Bill. The NM Governor has reshaped the landscape, replacing Domenici as the state's dominant political figure. But Bill, who could easily meet all the deadlines for a senate run if his Prez campaign folds in early February '08, would be more prone to run if Domenici steps down. Still, the tension over this scenario is palpable and will be with us until the Dems put a strong player on the field--not one Bill could push aside--or until February of next year.

THE HEALTH ANGLE

Domenici's health and stamina has been the subject of intense interest. It appears to be a mixed bag. For example, on his Web site a late-April video clip shows an engaged and robust Domenici discussing electric cars, but in a TV public service blurb on mental health now running on NM TV, he reads his lines haltingly and in weak voice, appearing to be a very old 75. His health care is the best, but this, like the Big Bill factor, will be scrutinized as Pete starts his march toward his 76th birthday.

THE PROBE

The startling news that the senior senator had been forced to hire a criminal defense attorney to represent him in a preliminary Senate Ethics Committee probe over the US Attorney scandal was a jaw-dropper. It signaled a problem had turned into a crisis. And it's just beginning. How Domenici maneuvers and how tough the Capitol Hill Dems will be on him will be a major factor for his 2008 political health.

THE POLLS
Pete (circa 1970)
We need in-depth numbers. We don't have them yet. We do have the mid-April Survey USA automatic phone survey that has Pete's approval rating plummeting from 64% to 54% in the wake of the scandal in which former NM US Attorney Iglesias contends Domenici tried to pressure him into speeding up indictments of Democrats to benefit the re-election campaign of Pete protégé, ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson. This is a notable decline and one his advisers must take seriously. In this poll, the senator has dipped below 50% with Dems and Independents. The luster on Saint Pete's halo is tarnished. The effort by the GOP to demonize Iglesias has failed.

Domenici is also facing a new generation of voters raised in a youth culture. They are not as forgiving of their elders. Domenici will need political surgery in the form of paid media to get his numbers back up. If the ethics probe fizzles, the task will be easier. If it becomes a "drip-drip" of bad news, Domenici could have a hard time recapturing the magic 60% mark.

THE CAMPAIGN

If Pete draws no significant opponent, his campaign will be able to control his appearances and mold public perception to their liking. The nightmare scenario is a strong challenger who raises millions, has credibility in the polls and starts demanding live TV debates. How would voters react to a prolonged view of a much-slower Pete than the one they are accustomed to? They are getting it in snippets now, not in contrast with a young vigorous opponent holding the same stage. How would the Domenici camp respond to the debate demand? Could they get away with ignoring it as in past years? These questions will never arise as long as the Dems remain unsuccessful in recruiting a first-tier foe.

THE PRESS

As with the disconnect on Pete's standing among national Dems and local Dems, there is also a disconnect in the press. The national media has churned out copious copy analyzing Domenici's political fortunes in the wake of the US attorney mess. But the New Mexico press has remained largely silent, ably covering the scandal, but so far ignoring the impact it has on his re-election bid.

Domenici's constant news releases are the stuff of newsroom legend and wisecracks. His proven ability to deliver has made not only the electorate protective of him, but also the printed press. Still, a contested campaign would make this a non-factor as such a race would be largely decided on the paid and unpaid airwaves. There would be no restraining the TV newsers, where a competitive race would spark a frenzy of coverage. There also might be no restraining broadcasters' demand for TV debates if the polls showed a race in-play.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Fighting Father Time is the real battle here. The electorate, out of deep respect for his accomplishments, had been willing to gloss over any age related issues, but the US attorney scandal, the sour mood created by the no-end-in-sight Iraq war, the senator's firm support of that war and an unpopular President, has cost him that luxury. When he blows out his birthday candles today, Senator Domenici will be making more wishes than he did when he turned 74.

This is where New Mexico's political conversation begins--www.joemonahan.com. Send your news and comments via email from the link at the top of the page. Interested in advertising here? Drop an email line.

Let's get the downer stuff out of the way first as we head into the weekend. Could there be even more Intel Rio Rancho layoffs in 2007? The company's CEO says more layoffs for Intel are indeed coming next year. He did not specify if there would be more at Rio Rancho where 1,000 are to be given their walking papers this summer. Let's hope our first hit was out last.

Now on to the mailbag. Several readers alert us to the buzz on the Dem left about the beating Big Bill is taking. His comments about tax cuts, among others, are setting them off as seen here.

An ABQ reader, reacting to the fun speculation over Mayor Marty, makes it clear His Honor is running for Governor, at least right now:

"I received a letter, contribution envelope and a little wallet card complete with Marty’s qualifications for Governor yesterday in the mail at home. His logo even says Marty for New Mexico."

DON'T BE TOUCHY

Quinn McCord, state editor of the National Journal's "The Hotline," blogs in from D.C. with this rib tickler:

SHOT . . ."In my campaign today, I touched students, I touched senior citizens, activists" -- NM Gov. Bill Richardson (Reno Gazette Journal, 5/1/07).. . .

CHASER"I try not to put myself in that situation, trying not to stand or sit next to him" -- NM LG Diane Denish (Albuquerque Journal, 12/17/05).

GRIEF OVER GREER

Coleen Greer, wife of T or C realtor Earl Greer who lost his challenge of Allen Weh for the state GOP chairmanship last weekend, was none to happy with our characterization of Earl as "weak candidate." She aimed both barrels and fired: "

"I disagree with you that my husband was a weak challenger. You might do well to spend some time in person speaking to him and then compare that with other individuals before making your assessment of him. I have lived in NM all my life and am amazed at the continued stupidity of people who will not open their eyes and see what is going on and get involved!"

I have spoken with Earl since his defeat. We had a good conversation, but he stands behind his wife's comments. You better, Earl, or the couch is waiting.

LAMB'S LAMENT

Former NM elections bureau chief Denise Lamb, now with the Santa Fe county clerk's office, reacted to our report on the latest media appearance of ex- NM US Attorney David Igelesias on HBO:

"(In 2004) Iglesias convened a “Voter Fraud” Task Force. I was a member, representing the secretary of state. We looked at a couple of UNM students that had registered twice (because the county clerk was so inundated with registrations, they didn’t get a card and assumed their registration was lost, so they registered again), some voter registrations that were stolen (maybe) from the office of a group doing registration, and other minor allegations (Voter fraud is a misnomer here; it should be called registration fraud, because the perpetrators never actually vote. But voter fraud sounds more serious and is, I think, chosen to arouse suspicion). The group concluded there were no crimes to prosecute." Wrote Lamb.

THE BOTTOM LINES

And finally from the e-mail bag, one of my sisters, Leigh Anne, blogs in from Oklahoma City rejecting my suggestion that she buy me dinner at Yanni's because she has just made $350 at her garage sale. "I'm cheap. How about Mickey D's?" She asks.

McDonald's?? Is that my Karma, or what?

New Mexico's political conversation starts here--at www.joemonahan.com. Thanks for your news, comments and criticism. Keep it coming via the e-mail link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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It appears Big Bill's Iowa TV buy and his personal campaigning there bounced him in the polling in the key early Dem prez primary state. The Guv is now garnering 5 percent of likely Dem caucus goers, up from one percent for most of this year. However, he is still in fifth place in the Iowa ARG Poll conducted at the end of April because Senator Joe Biden grew from two percent to six percent. Senator Edwards continues to lead the pack in the Iowa poll, with 27% supporting his candidacy.

What would Big Bill most like to have if stranded on a desert island? A Blackberry and a Davidoff cigar. What, no members of the New Mexico Legislature?

MARTY'S OPTIONS

No, ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez is not going to seek the ABQ congressional seat, but if he ever needs to change his mind, he's been given ten good reasons. Chavez's political boat is full of speculation these days--a run for Governor, a run for U.S. Senate if a vacancy should occur. And last, but not least, even a third in a row term as Mayor.

Still on the city beat, City Council Prez Debbie O'Malley is gearing up for her re-election bid, announcing she will utilize the new public financing method which means she will spend in the area of $30,000 to $35,000, according to her campaign. She is an unabashed liberal Dem who has clashed with more conservative minded Mayor Marty, but they have been getting along better as the October election approaches.

Councilor Brad Winter, like O'Malley, a city native, is out campaigning for a third term on the council. Unlike O'Malley, Winter's relationship with the mayor has never recovered from the bitter '05 mayoral campaign they waged against one another. There are rumblings that Chavezistas are working on getting a candidate to run against Brad, but no names have surfaced publicly. Winter, a Republican, is favored in District four which admires him for his dedication. But it would be good for the city if Marty and Brad could bury the hatchet.

TARGETED AGAIN

No surprise, but it is duly noted that ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson is listed at #8 on the top ten list of GOP U.S. Reps that national Dems plan on targeting for defeat in '08. That from the Evans-Novak Political Report which adds:

"One could argue that 2006 was a Republican low point, and therefore many of these districts will not be competitive again in 2008. However, a continued sour mood over the Iraq War could produce another massive Republican defeat in 2008 that makes 2006 look tame by comparison."

Heather, a perennial Dem target, is still hanging with Bush on the unpopular Iraq war,. She has a couple of months to see if the "surge" starts turning things around there. If not, she and others on the targeted list could start to back away from the war. The same goes for GOP Senator Domenici who has been getting a pass from the overwhelmingly anti-war electorate, but having been weakened by the US Attorney political scandal, he too may come under pressure if the surge fails.

THE BOTTOM LINES

I don't think Big Bill served lox and bagels to this guest...

She's not raising money and she won't be raising money anytime soon. That's what the political pros took note of from the news here Wednesday that former attorney general Madrid has a new law firm job. "If you are going to raise $5 million to run against (GOP Senator) Domenici, you better start now." Said one seasoned strategist. The pro says Patsy could be a contender if Pete steps down, but if she was really serious about taking him on, she would be raising money, not hopes. Dems, he declared, are best advised to keep looking. Hard to argue with that...

Did you know that Fred Mondragon, head of the ABQ economic development office who was named by Big Bill Wednesday as the new state economic development chief, is the brother of former NM Light Guv Roberto Mondragon? Big Bill is sure doing right by the brothers. Roberto was given a big state job in 2005. I don't know if he still has it, but if he doesn't, he could call Fred and ask: "Brother, can you spare a dime?"

Keep us posted. Send your political news and comments from the email link at the top of the page.

c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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Patricia Madrid
Are the thrills and spills of political life a thing of the past for Patricia Madrid now that she has landed a plum consulting job with a major Washington D.C. law firm? The odds of again seeing the name of the diminutive but never demure former NM attorney general on your ballot have dropped significantly as she confirms to us news of her new gig but, knowing that anything can happen in La Politica, she quips: "Never say never. Don't count me out."

Her new job will be in governmental relations and litigation, dealing with state attorneys general, many of whom she knows personally. The job will have her traveling across the continent, but "I will be able to keep New Mexico as my home,” she says.

The only race that would make sense for Madrid would be a run against NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici and only if he was clearly vulnerable. She points out that the money needed to run a competitive race is daunting for anyone seeking the senate seat or the ABQ Congressional seat of Heather Wilson who Madrid lost to in '06 by under 900 votes. Besides his standing in the state, Madrid says no well-known Dem has yet surfaced to challenge Pete because "the Democrats have to face the issue of money. The candidate has to have the ability to raise it.” She said.

Madrid believes polling on Domenici, likely to be conducted in the coming months by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, will give the political community a better understanding of where Pete stands. Yesterday we blogged of that mid-April automatic phone poll by Survey USA that has the US attorney scandal dropping the senator's approval rating to an historic low of 54%, but does not probe into crucial questions such as matching him against prospective opponents.

DISHIN' WITH PATSY

It was the first time I had spoken with Madrid since her November defeat. As one would expect from a political pro who has been through the grinder, she showed not a hint of bitterness or remorse over her cliffhanger loss to Heather and reacted dispassionately when asked for analysis.

"I know you and others believe my debate performance was the reason for the loss. That was a factor, but she outspent me by at least several million dollars--maybe more when you count all the independent expenditures. She began the negative attacks in July and did not let up. That spending was as big a reason as any for the defeat," reflected Madrid who in the sole TV debate with Wilson froze before the camera in a moment that is now frozen in state political history.

Madrid was damaged by her congressional defeat and the stars would have to align just right for her to reenter the unforgiving political arena. While she monitors the action, she is preparing to share her experience with those who are considering picking up where she left off, revealing that she will meet soon with prospective Wilson challengers.

Madrid rues the fact that no woman is being mentioned for the run, but maintains Wilson remains "extremely vulnerable," citing her continued support of the Iraq war. If Madrid's campaign accomplished anything it was, she contends, "disabusing the electorate of the notion that Heather Wilson is a moderate.”

MADRID TODAY

Her political cause today is the Dem presidential candidacy of John Edwards. "I am very close to John and Elizabeth and am on his finance committee.” Several staffers from her congressional campaign are working for him. “I will be campaigning for him, especially in Nevada," she informed.

For now, Madrid, 60, with two terms as AG on her resume, as well as the '94 run for lieutenant governor and the epic ‘06 congressional race, looks forward to "an amazing job" that will have her traveling widely, making a private sector salary and allow her to remain close not only to her political family, but her real one.

“You know, Joe, I have six grandchildren," she said, sounding as surprised and as happy as if she had just won a seat in the U.S. Congress.

BECKY STILL BOUNCING

Another well-known politico, former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron, is finding it hard to give up the limelight, looking to the 2010 election for Light Guv, despite being snagged in multiple webs of controversy. And it turns out that the insiders who predicted here in February that Vigil-Giron would end up getting some kind of job from Big Bill even as his attempt to name her the head of the film office disintegrated, may turn out to be right. And our analysis from back in February on whether financial controversy in the secretary of state's office would damn her hopes to be Light Guv is also more relevant as she makes her candidacy official.

And just for today, we will give you a break and not mention the more than half-dozen other prospective 2010 Dem Lt. Gov. candidates. We can only hope that we'll be around in 2046 when KRQE-TV weatherman Mark Ronchetti, mocking the early start of the Guv and Light Guv races, says he will launch his own gubernatorial campaign. You have my vote Ronchetti, if I make it.

THE BOTTOM LINES

This isn't good news as the tourist season gets underway in Santa Fe. If Mayor Coss can't get things in order with his city police department, maybe he should call on Sheriff Solano for some help. The City Different biz community, not to mention burglarized homeowners, might approve...

Rio Rancho politicians can start worrying now. In one fell swoop, Intel announced the lay-offs of 1,000 well paid employees. The booming city Northwest of ABQ will feel the pain the most with all the new small businesses that have sprouted up there in the last few years. Governor Richardson tried to put a positive spin on the economic blow: "New Mexico is well positioned to absorb Intel’s displaced employees. The state’s unemployment rate is at a record low." He's right, but that doesn't take away the pain of those about to join the unemployment line, albeit a shorter one than years past.

This is the home of New Mexico politics. Send your news and comments via email from the link at the top of the page, and stop by again soon.

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

David Iglesias
You might think former NM US Attorney David Iglesias had run out of media outlets on which to appear and tell his story of alleged political interference in his office by ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson and GOP US Senator Pete Domenici. Far from it. His latest stop was on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher." As you an see in this tape, Iglesias' performance is getting more polished as he continues the drumbeat that is damaging the eardrums of two of our state's most prominent R's. He is also more precise in detailing why he believes he was wrongfully fired at the urging of Pete and his fellow R's.

"What they wanted me to do was come up with some bogus prosecutions with no evidence of voter fraud..that's number one. Number two, they wanted me to rush indictments against Democrats who were engaging in corrupt activities. I couldn't do that because the case wasn't ready. It was that simple...I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, not the Republican party of New Mexico.." Iglesias told Maher and his liberal audience which cheered him on.

This is the tightest explanation I have seen from Iglesias. It's important politically because the charges, if they are to be effectively used against Domenici and Wilson next year in short paid media ads, will have to make sense to a general audience. Iglesias has honed his message and in doing so is laying the groundwork for the Dem consultants who will ultimately market this story to the electorate.

HEATHER'S HOPE
Heather
No, there is still no word on who, if anyone, in the US House will file a formal ethics complaint against Wilson for her role in the US attorney political scandal. In contrast to the Senate where a "preliminary ethics" probe is underway on Pete, the House requires someone to step forward and point the finger before the House ethics panel investigates. Since the mid-90's there's been a truce among the Hill denizens not to file against each other. That continues to enrage ethics watchdogs. Will the 'truce' be Heather's saving grace? Not conducting a formal investigation would certainly help her, but the story is to big to not be a major part of the narrative of Campaign '08.

PETE'S POLLING DROP

Last month we told you about Senator Domenici dipping below 60% approval, to 57%, in the Survey USA poll conducted for KOB-TV. This month, it's worse. He is now at 54% approval, his lowest ever in this survey which is based on automatic phone polling. (MOE +-4.1%) That number has got to be cause for concern. His approval among Independents, a critical voting bloc for him, crashes to just 38% in the survey conducted April 13-15, but not released until Friday. Among Democrats, Domenici has dropped below the magic 50% mark, to 49%. Pete has been falling from 62% since US attorney political scandal broke.

Professionals are not crazy about this survey, preferring a call-out survey with a voter registration list. Still, the automatic survey shows the trend. Will the latest results encourage a prominent Dem to take on the senior senator? And where are the NM newspaper stories on this polling and the reaction in Washington?

THE BIG BILL BEAT

Our Guv's utterances are getting more scrutiny than ever as the Dem prez race heats up. NBC leads us to the LA Times for a report on a possible Bill blooper.

The Los Angeles Times writes about Richardson’s response that Byron “Whizzer” White, who dissented in Roe v. Wade, is his model Supreme Court justice. "Richardson was asked Sunday to square that response with his support for abortion rights. He fumbled at first, questioning whether White was on the court at the time of the 1973 decision. He then explained he had been ‘thinking really fast during the debate’ and had chosen White because White was appointed by Richardson's hero, President Kennedy, and ‘was an All-American football player besides being a legal scholar.’

Also from Bill: Speaking to CA Dems Sunday, Richardson joked "that when he told his mother he was running for president, she asked: 'President of what?'

"That's exactly where I am," Richardson said. "I can't even count on my mother."

AT THE RACES

More candidate news as the positioning begins for the fast approaching October ABQ election. From the UNM Daily Lobo: (registration required):

"Graduate student Joseph Garcia said he will run in the October election for Albuquerque City Council. A Thursday post on the blog New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan stated that Garcia, president of GPSA, was a possible replacement for City Councilor Martin Heinrich.

It was a surprise for me to see that post," Garcia said. "I was going to take a slower approach to entering the race. Now it's out there for the whole state to see."

Garcia said he would try to keep his position in GPSA."

Garcia joins advertising firm owner Joan Griffin in vying for the District six ABQ SE Heights seat being vacated by Councilor Heinrich who plans on running for Congress. Look for more contenders in this one.

FAR HEIGHTS ACTION
Trudy Jones
Up in the far NE Heights, freshman Councilor Craig Loy will not seek re-election to the District eight seat, according to sources there. Real estate broker Trudy Jones, described as a conservative Republican businesswoman, has emerged as a likely candidate, say my reliables. Loy, a former APD officer, ran unopposed four years ago. Jones appears similar in philosophy to R Loy. Will she, like him, get a free ride? Stay tuned.

VINDICATION OF AN ALLIGATOR

It's back! Attention ink-stained wretches and other press flack hopefuls, get your resumes updated and up to the state economic development department. Our Alligator, who we threw back into the pond for the alleged crime of giving us bad info, has been partially vindicated. It turns out that his original tip that Melissa Milam will be vacating the PIO post is indeed correct, even though she had told us she was staying put. But, as we earlier corrected, she is not going to a PIO post at the Spaceport Authority. She says she is going into private public relations. There will be no Spaceport PIO, not yet anyway.

Why didn't Melissa tell us (and you) she was leaving and instead shoot our poor Gator full of holes, denying there was any opening. Heck, On April 26th we ran a correction to our first post which we took down. "I did not know until April 27th that I was leaving for sure," she tells us.

Ah, the word parsing of La Politica. Well, gotta run. I've got to rescue my discarded Alligator and get him back on the job.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007
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