• McCain VP pick is a surprise--Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska
  

Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the USA at an overflowing stadium in Denver Thursday, putting the importance of the Rocky Mountain West in the 2008 election squarely before the American nation as it was introduced to the new standard bearer, the first African-American to secure the presidential nomination of a major political party. (AP report here. Transcript here. Complete video here.)

The Illinois Senator, 47, is a largely unfamiliar figure in the American West, including New Mexico, but his campaign believes Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada could supply the key electoral votes to capture the White House. He is expected to commit considerable time here in the two months remaining before the election.

Obama will assiduously court NM Hispanics who polls indicate are on the Obama bandwagon, but with local observers still analyzing how much a role race will play in the balloting. Obama's liberalism is also a question in a largely middle-of-the-road to conservative state that has voted for the popular vote winner in every presidential election, save one, since achieving statehood in 1912.

Obama's candidacy in NM will focus on the urban centers of ABQ, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. He will try to cut down his margins of defeat in rural areas where President Bush landslided John Kerry four years ago and narrowly won the state.

Supporters of Hillary Clinton, who won the NM Feb. Prez caucus, need to be brought aboard Obama's campaign. NM Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish chaired the New York Senator's NM effort.

The Obama campaign is counting on NM Governor Richardson, himself an '08 presidential candidate, to help them carry this state and its five electoral votes, a task he was also called on for in 2004 but disappointed when Bush narrowly won. This time the Governor has more at stake--a possible job in an Obama administration.

Recent polling shows NM still in play and expected to remain a battleground state until the end. Millions of dollars are being pumped into local TV and radio stations. Experts consulted here expect a heavy turnout for the election. The low guess being about 70% of registered voters and 80% on the high side. A 70% turnout would be 725,000.

BILL RICHARDSON'S BEST

If the Bill Richardson who showed up in Denver last night had put in a couple of appearances during his presidential campaign, who knows where it may have led. The New Mexico Governor picked up the bat at Mile High Stadium and scored an impressive inside-the-park home run, rousing the crowd of over 80,000 and vindicating himself of a year of uneven performances on the national stage.

If Big Bill's disastrous appearance on Meet the Press earlier in the year was the first bookend of his presidential campaign, last night the second bookend--solid and satisfying--was put into place.

By getting bumped to the final night of the convention after Bill Clinton spoke too long Wednesday, Richardson was able to deliver a new speech, rather than a somewhat dry foreign policy missive that he had planned for Wednesday. The second talk, in which he played to the hilt the role of attack dog, melded nicely with his love of the political game.

The speech itself was pretty much standard boilerplate, but it was delivered with passion, relish and joy. Big Bill grabbed the crowd early in the nearly 9-minute talk and led them in rapturous condemnation of Republican John McCain. If only momentarily, he was the high priest of American Democratic politics. Richardson will now take to the road for Obama for two months. The Bill Richardson who showed up in Denver last night needs to go along.


MORE PEARCE SUPPORT

Bill Richardson can't seem to escape the grip of Bill Clinton. Late Wednesday night news spread that New Mexico's Governor was bumped from the speaking schedule at the Denver Democratic National Convention because of time concerns. Namely, that notoriously long-winded ex-President Bill Clinton had gone over time. (Okay, a lot of time was taken away from Bill by an adoring hall that would not stop cheering.) Clinton's fondness for the microphone appeared to pave the way for a better opportunity for Richardson. It was announced that Bill will give a speech tonight before the 75,000 who will be gathered at Denver's Invesco Stadium to hear the acceptance speech of Dem Prez nominee Obama. It will be the largest crowd ever addressed by the Guv, and whether it makes much TV or not, it will be a memorable event. And he could owe it all to Bill Clinton, the guy the Guv said still won't speak to him because he failed to endorse Hillary's candidacy. Politics is indeed all about timing. (Richardson is scheduled to speak between 5 and 6 p.m.)

RUDY IN THE HOUSE

He was pretty quiet for a New Yorker. Former NYC mayor and GOP Prez candidate Rudy Giuliani attended a fundraiser for ABQ GOP congressional hopeful Darren White Wednesday afternoon without leaving much of a trace, if you exclude the stack of green bills placed in Darren's campaign coffers as a result of Rudy's visit. Our insiders report about 75 or so of the party faithful turned out at the home of contractor and '02 GOP Guv candidate John Sanchez to hear Rudy. He raised some eyebrows when he predicted that his former prez rival, Mitt Romney, will not be named as McCain's VP. Rudy also took a dig at Obama as well, saying he has never visited Latin America and lacks the experience needed to be president.

The White campaign raised big money from Rudy's brief stop---a roundtable discussion went for $2300.oo and photos for $1000.00 a pop. State Dems did take note of Rudy's ABQ arrival turning Rudy's law firm Latin America connection against him:

"Why did White invite a lobbyist for foreign oil to New Mexico?" asked Josh Geise, Executive Director of the NM Dems. At the fundraiser, as White stands with Giuliani, he is standing with Venezuelan oil and against New Mexico's oil industry and American independence from foreign oil. In 2005 and 2006, Giuliani's firm, Bracewell & Giuliani, lobbied for Citgo Petroleum Corporation, which is controlled by Venezuelan President Huge Chavez."

NO ROWDY RUDY?

Our Alligators speculated that it may have been Rudy's liberal views on abortion and gay marriage that inhibited Darren from showcasing the visit much, even though Darren endorsed Rudy's candidacy this year. Why risk alienating the pro-life crowd, the reasoning may have gone. The White campaign did offer the former mayor up to KOB-TV and the message was the prez race and Obama-bashing, not abortion or gay marriage. He also did a shot with the Journal. But Rudy got out of town without anyone contrasting his views with Darren's on the hot-button issues that in large part doomed him in Republican circles.

We're hearing that White will end up getting the National Right to Life endorsement after some initial hesitancy which we blogged about recently. White did not fill out the anti-abortion group's questionnaire. But now we're told White spoke with group reps over the phone and will be listed as an endorsed candidate on the group's campaign lit. It looks like a break for the sheriff as wording over the hot-button issue of abortion can be explosive, something he sidesteps if he doesn't have to state his views in detail on that questionnaire. And there's more developments in the ABQ congressional battle

MORE TV CONGRESS BUYS
White
It appears the national Dems will outspend the national R's in TV spending in the ABQ congressional race. Insiders are saying the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee will come with about $700,000 for R Darren White and put ads up starting around Oct. 10. The Dems announced earlier they will come with $1.3 million for Martin Heinrich. Our media mavens say the Dem buy is on the logbooks as starting around September 22.

White will have to make up the spending gap with his own campaign fund-raising and the help of other third party groups. But one top GOP finance expert says White could end up being "slightly" outspent when the final numbers are tallied. However, because White, a two term county sheriff, has so much more name ID than Heinrich, R's believe it will not give the Dem a significant advantage.

Heinrich and the Democrats put up no paid media over the summer, except a radio spot defending him from attacks on his energy stance. His relatively low name ID is significant because early voting begins October 7. Did the Dems make the right decision by not establishing Heinrich over the summer? That's the proverbial $64,000 question.

By the way, it's illegal for the candidates' campaigns to communicate in any way with third party groups about TV spots being made on their behalf. Sometimes we wonder if that rule is being strictly adhered to.

One other thing. Will the national R's come with TV money for southern congressional hopeful Ed Tinsley? They haven't said anything yet. The national congressional committee is pretty tapped out. Maybe they expect Ed to pick up the check. The Dems say they will come with $1.3 million for Tinsley foe Harry Teague. And speaking of Tinsley...

TURMOIL FOR TINSLEY
Tinsley
Chris Collins' stint as campaign manager for southern congressional candidate Tinsley was short-lived. The campaign tells Las Cruces reporter Heath Haussamen that Collins is out after just a month or so of service and that Grant Hewitt, who Collins replaced, is back as campaign manager after having been demoted to deputy campaign manger.

Insiders have informed that Hewitt was more closely aligned with Tinsley's general consultant, Walt Klein, than Collins who previously managed the unsuccessful GOP US Senate campaign of Heather Wilson. Tinsley is off to a shaky start, with a case of foot in the mouth disease that made national TV and now the second campaign shake-up since the primary. Democrats are watching, and watching closely. Tinsely gave no official reason for Collins' departure.

POLL MANIA

It looks as though there's a New Mexico Obama convention bounce in at least one poll. A CNN-Time survey released Wednesday shows Obama getting 53% and McCain only 40% in our battleground state. The poll previous to that one and taken before the Dem convention had McCain leading Obama by five points. The numbers will start to settle down following the GOP convention. Most analysts we speak with expect Obama to enter the final stretch with a slight lead and that NM can safely be called a "lean Obama" state.

LOWER TIER TV

Here's a change of pace. A TV spot for one of the races way down the ballot. It's from Democrat and Public Regulation Commission Chairman Jason Marks who is in a stiff battle for re-election. His opponent is well-known Bernalillo County Commissioner Tim Cummins. The spot crams a lot into 30 seconds, maybe a bit too much, but Marks is making the right move going up early. Marks is taking public financing for his campaign, giving him about $57,000 to spend. Cummins is not taking public financing, but Marks will be eligible for matching funds if and when Cummins goes beyond the 57K. Here's Marks' TV:

E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2008
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Hillary Clinton's speech before the Democratic National Convention in Denver last night may have been too good. It could cause some buyer's remorse over Obama. Clinton, in a powerful, confident stemwinder "hit a huge home run--a five hundred foot home run," analyzed Big Bill on national cable. It was hard to argue with him.

The essential appeal of Clinton--the toughness and steeliness of character that has brought her to the summit of the American political experience--was emotionally summarized as she recounted the Underground Railroad of slavery days.

On that path to freedom, Harriet Tubman had one piece of advice. If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If they're shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going. And even in the darkest of moments, that is what Americans have done. We have found the faith to keep going.

If that didn't send a tingle up your leg as Obama did for Chris Matthews, it surely sent a chill up your All-American spine.

Hill's full-throated endorsement of Obama had the Pepsi Center roof rattling and Republican knees knocking. It was just what the doctor ordered for a party that too often goes vegetarian when red meat is required. This is one gal who likes her steak and knows how to cook it.

How important was Hillary's speech for Obama? We were speaking last night before a small group of New Mexico independent bankers--over half of whom were probably Republican women. Prior to our talk, the MC requested that I not go past a particular time. "They want to see Hillary's speech," he advised. Hillary may be a partisan Democrat, but her candidacy became much bigger than her. Maybe the stepping stone to the next chapter of our politics in which women become routine occupants of the nation's highest office.

BILL AND BILL

One of our insiders noted that Big Bill told national TV last night that he and former President Clinton have yet to talk. Bill said something to the effect that Hillary has been much quicker to forgive him for not endorsing her in NM's prez caucus. He said it takes the former president, who he described as a friend, longer to come around and let the peace be made.

THE WASTED SUMMER
Slow Starters: White & Heinrich
Call it the wasted summer. What was expected to be a lively scrap between two candidates poles apart turned into a bust. We speak of the contest for the ABQ US House seat featuring Democrat Martin Heinrich and Republican Darren White. Why has this campaign for a rare open US House seat turned out to be the Big Bore of the summer of Campaign '08? And what does it mean when the action finally gets underway in earnest next month?

The lack of notable activity has been a detriment more for Dem Heinrich. The R's have held the ABQ congressional seat since its inception. It is up to the Dem contender to take it to the R, in this case Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. But Heinrich has done little, if anything, so far to puncture White's law and order image.

Heinrich's press operation has gone through changes, which explains some, but not all of the lack of aggressiveness that has plagued the Dem effort. It has to be presumed that the style reflects the personality of the candidate. White has struck twice with direct mail pieces to the West Side, but not much else. He took a hit for misrepresenting a photo op with UNM Lobo basketball coach Steve Alford, but the Dems and Heinrich let it slide.

Some key reasons for the too quiet congressional campaign:

---Heinrich and White have both been hamstrung by a lack of money. The big bucks that poured into the ABQ seat in '06 are not here this time because majority control of the US House is not at stake. The Dems have it and are not going to lose it whether Heinrich or White is elected. That dampens enthusiasm among the monied interest groups.

---Both Heinrich and White seem tentative. While both have been elected to office, they are now on a much larger stage. It shows. Both candidates seem frozen, unwilling to do anything bold, or even colorful.

---Heinrich is unknown. The Democrats did not do anything from June to August to boost his name ID. That could be a fateful decision.

Heinrich and White will be plenty known come October. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will be up with a $1.3 million TV buy for Heinrich starting, say my media insiders, around September 22. White and the R's won't be left behind. But the groundwork for taking out a semi-incumbent like White was not laid in the summer months. And White lost an opportunity to solidify his standing.

The lack of gusto by these congressional campaigns contradicts the electorate's desire for new faces and change. They want leadership, but instead they are getting players seemingly fearful of taking shots or risks. The summer can't be over soon enough.

POSTSCRIPT

Interestingly, on Tuesday, perhaps addressing the campaign drift we and others are seeing in this race, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee came with this cable TV ad for Heinrich. It is a mild rejoinder of White's association with Bush. But cable TV is to spin those of us who handicap the races plus hardcore supporters. DC Democrats seem to be hearing what we're hearing. As for Martin and Darren, maybe they should watch some tapes of '06 combatants Patsy and Heather. Those two knew how to get it done.

RALPH'S DAY

Ralph Nader spent Tuesday in ABQ and Santa Fe, hunting for votes for his fifth run at the White House. His money quote: "As long as young people are subjected to the Obama snare and delusion, they'll continue to have a ring in their nose and will provide the Democratic Party with the tether." Nader said.

RINGING BELL ON NOEL
Sec. Herrera
We didn't expect GOP complaints about the hiring of Tom Udall's son-in-law to have much legs, but KOB-TV called us late in the day for reaction to the R's filing of a Freedom of Information Act request seeking information from Secretary of State Herrera on Jim Noel's hiring as elections director. R's said they want to see any communications Mary had with Big Bill about hiring Noel, an attorney who is married to Tom Udall's stepdaughter and Senate campaign manager Amanda Cooper. The R's also threw in the name of Eli Lee, he of political nonprofit fame, asking if he ws involved in the hiring.

"We are requesting the Secretary of State release all documents pertaining to his hiring including letters of recommendation, resume and references. Tom Udall claims to be for a new change in Washington, but with the hiring of his close family member to count Election Day votes, he has proven he has nothing new to offer voters.”

Even if the hiring is proven political and guided by the Fourth Floor, it's hard to see any legal issue. But in the fight for the power of the US Senate seat, any chink in a candidate's armor is going to be filled with lead. State R's are doing the firing for Udall Senate opponent Steve Pearce who is laying low on this one. Also, the R's keep saying Noel will be counting Election Day votes. But the Election Night count is conducted by individual county clerks. Noel could play a role in supervising or assisting with the certification of the results or a recount.

We were interviewed on this story with KOB-TV for their 10 p.m Tuesday newscast.

GOP INCONSISTENT?

Reader Luciano Baca in Santa Fe has a response to GOP criticism of the hiring of Noel:

GOP leaders are aghast at the hiring of Noel by the secretary of state. Were any of them concerned in 2000 when the Florida Secretary of State headed the Bush campaign in that state? Or 2004 when the Ohio served as campaign chairman of the Bush bid for reelection? Ironic, isn't it?

FIRED UP

They need to put a medical warning on this video before allowing any Republican to view it. Onetime Prez contender and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich knows how to deliver an old fashioned barnburner. You have the floor, Dennis. R's consult your doctors before viewing. You have been warned.



WHY WE'RE NOT THERE

From the Dem national convention in Denver and reporter Jeff Jones: "Sorta weird: Many of these reporters traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to catch the big show--only to catch most of it from closed-circuit TVs inside the press center."

WHY WE SHOULD BE THERE

Some of the press boys are having fun.

PHOTO CONVENTION BLOGGING

ABQ Dem State Rep. Moe Maestas gives us this cool floor shot from the Denver confab. Rep. Udall, Speaker Ben Lujan and his wife, and tucked in the corner is Lady Di. Is that political consultant Mark Fleisher barely noticeable behind Tom? Sure is. If he's in Denver, you know the party is on.

THE BOTTOM LINES

So who was that lady whose head appeared glued to the shoulder of Senator Bingaman in our recent photo caption contest? Well, it turns out she reads your blog:

I just saw the picture and want to identify myself and assure your faithful readers that I was sitting a respectable distance behind Senator Bingaman and other distinguished Democrats at the Obama event last week. Appearing on your blog has given me the big head. Thanks for the recognition. Marg Elliston.

We're glad to have the "heads up," Marg...Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks is up with cable TV ads in the ABQ market. The Dem is going for a second four year term on the PRC and faces a tough battle in the GOP leaning district with challenger and Bernalillo County Commissioner Tim Cummins.

Thanks for tuning in. E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2008
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Jim Noel
Tom Udall might have had mixed feelings when he heard that his son-in-law, Jim Noel, was about to be named state elections director in the secretary of state's office. No matter how competent Noel may be--and he has a good track record of public service--Udall foes were sure to cast a wary eye. And some did. The state GOP's new spokeswoman, Shira Rawlinson, pounced on the appointment, firing off this statement: "The hiring of Tom Udall's son in law as state elections director is a stunning conflict of interest. During an election that will be extremely competitive, it is entirely inappropriate that a close family member of one of the candidates be in charge of counting the votes." Scored the GOP. But the SOS's office rebuffed that notion: ""We have a fair and equitable agency up here and everybody is treated fairly. ... This is nonpartisan," argued James Flores from the hot seat at the SOS office.

Noel is the husband of Udall stepdaughter Amanda Cooper. She in turn is the campaign manger for her father's US Senate campaign. Noel won't actually be counting the votes. That job is reserved for each county clerk who report results to the secretary of state. But Noel, an attorney who leaves the NM Judicial Standards Commission for the secretary's office, will have a hand in administering election laws and overseeing the final Election Night count.

Having worked with Secretary Herrera over the years in media and PR, we know the Black Helicopter crowd is amiss if trying to see a vote-fixing conspiracy afoot. But did the appointment of Noel originate with the SOS, or did Big Bill, who Cooper has also served as a campaign manager, have a hand in the appointment?

Whatever the genesis of his appointment Noel, who will be paid $105,000 a year, has plenty of incentive to shoot straight and narrow. His days as an obscure state government bureaucrat are over. The harsh spotlight of La Politica will now shine on his performance, giving him the chance to prove his critics wrong and improve an election system sorely in need of improvement.

NONPROFITS FUNDING NON PROFITS

So, readers ask, what about the nonprofit foundations funding the political nonprofits that are being charged by the attorney general and secretary of state with violating their nonprofit status by mailing hit campaign literature? NM Youth Organized, an arm of the nonprofit Center for Civic Policy, has been ordered to report its donations and expenditures to the state, just like a regular political committee. The Center says it will go to court to avoid reporting.

The foundations giving big money to the Center, which is administered by political consultant Eli Lee, also benefit from their federally approved nonprofit status. They receive tax deductible donations. We asked Michael Chamberlain, chief operating officer for the NM Community Foundation, about their $52,000 donation to the Center for Civic Policy and whether, in light of the state's legal action, it presents any problems.

The New Mexico Community Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) organization. One of the requirements...is that the Foundation neither directly nor indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign. Accordingly, when the New Mexico Community Foundation makes a grant to another organization, the Foundation conditions the acceptance of the grant on the grantee agreeing to not using any of the grant funds received from the New Mexico Community Foundation in any way, directly or indirectly, to intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective office or for or against any political party.

Does the Foundation's indirect financing of NMYO which the AG says is engaging in illicit in campaign activity, jeopardize the nonprofit status of the NM Community Foundation and the other big non profits who have given tax-deductible donations? Chamberlain seems to think not, but we are entering uncharted territory, and who knows where this will eventually lead.

Here's more in this recent ABQ Journal editorial.

THE NUMBERS GAME

August polls are about as predictive as that seven day forecast Mark Ronchetti or Joe Diaz put out with a wink and a nod, so we don't put too much stock in the Mason-Dixon poll out this week that for the first time has McCain ahead in NM. It's 45% to 41%. Not that we don't believe it; we just don't believe much of anything right now, except that the prez race here is close. Rasmussen's latest has Obama ahead by six points 47% to 41%. Take your pick. There will be plenty more of them to come.

We would be remiss not to mention that the Mason-Dixon survey, conducted among 400 likely voters August 13-15, does show Governor Big Bill getting a higher favorable rating--56%--than the 49% Rasmussen gave him in an Aug. 20 poll and which we blogged on Monday. The average of the two is around 53%. The salient point remains: Bill's approval rating has plunged from its lofty levels, most likely because of his prez campaign that kept him out of the state, and the new economic realities facing voters and which are making them increasingly grumpy.

DOES RALPH MATTER?

We haven't talked much about the third party presidential candidates in our state this year, but now that Ralph Nader has scheduled a visit for ABQ and Santa Fe today, the topic is again timely. First the news, then the analysis.

"...The New Mexico Independent Party nominated Nader at a national convention in Los Angeles on August 16 ensuring that the candidates will be on the ballot in New Mexico. At 1:30 p.m., Mr. Nader...will speak at a "Nader for President 2008 Rally" in the UNM Student Union, Ballroom C. At 5:00 p. m. the candidate will host a Santa Fe news conference, followed by a rally at The Forum at the College of Santa Fe (between the Greer Garson Theater and the Library).

Nader scored 3.55% of the NM vote in 2000, but fell to 0.54% in 2004, when he managed only 4,053 votes. Dem Obama has attracted intense support in the cities of ABQ and Santa Fe where Nader derived much of his support. Unless something dramatic happens, there's no reason to expect a big third party vote for either Nader or Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, a former GOP congressman from Georgia. The Libs took 0.31% of the vote here in 2000. Barr, with a national following, will probably improve on that.

SECRETARY BILL?

What do you mean you're not campaigning for Secretary of State in an Obama administration, Guv? Let's not be too humble about this. Not that we want those yummy government contracts that you coud steer New Mexico's way if you were SOS and not to mention other goodies we don't even know about. And not to mention it would be the highest cabinet level post ever achieved by a New Mexican. Somebody call Dave Contarino. The Guv has another campaign to run.

THEY'RE DOIN' DENVER

Here come the photos from the big doings in Denver. First up, is a NM delegate's snap of the state's place on the Dem convention floor. And then there is the leggy photo of a news anchor that the delegate captioned: "This one is for you, Joe." Well, with advance apologizes to the feminists, we put that one up as well. What's going on in that town, anyway?

E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2008
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

White & Lujan
As the campaign days grow shorter we're going higher up the food chain when it comes to those national surrogates coming to NM to pump up their favorite congressional contenders. And the politics of the visits is also getting more interesting. For example, on Wednesday former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani comes to ABQ for GOP congressional hopeful Darren White. Rudy will hold a "Roundtable Discussion." It won't be cheap talk, either. Ticks go for $2300 a pop. A photo with Rudy is on sale for $1000.00. Darren should not run into trouble over that, as he did in July when Lobo basketball Coach Alford busted White's campaign for promoting photo ops with him--without his knowledge. Rudy will fete Darren at the spacious digs of contractor John Sanchez. Remember him? Sure you do. He fell to Big Bill while carrying the '02 GOP Guv banner. The affable Sanchez, now more tested, may yet have another run left in him.

White was one of the few prominent NM politicos to publicly endorse Rudy when he sought the GOP presidential nomination. He said he did so because of his affinity for Rudy's stance on terrorism. That sidestepped questions on Rudy's liberal record on abortion and gay rights--two sore points with GOP cultural conservatives. Now that he is in the general election, his association with Rudy might be more helpful. White is going to be hit hard for being in bed with Bush, whose campaign he chaired in Bernalillo County in 2004. He also has a hard-right image among many swing Democrats, some of whom remember when he ran for the Legislature years ago fashioning himself as a "conservative Christian."

When it comes to running in the hard-to-peg ABQ congressional district, repackaging and refashioning politicos has been the order of the day, and now on the menu for White.

DEM HEAVY HERE

And then there's the NM march of the big name Dems. Add US House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to the list. He'll hit the hustings in ABQ September 3, not for ABQ Dem House hopeful Martin Heinrich, but for northern congressional hopeful Ben Ray Lujan. Big Bill, who served with Steny in the House in the 90's, will co-host the high-dollar event ($4600 for a host). It will be held at the home of businesswoman Nerissa Whittington, a major contributor to Bill.

There are a few Bernalillo County precincts in the sprawling northern congressional district, but Steny may want to add a Heinrich event--if he hasn't already--to smooth over any bumps for giving his attentions to Ben Ray. Then again, there will be plenty of surrogates left for Heinrich to tap. (By the way, we are hearing plenty of grumbling about the lackluster campaigns run thus far by both White and Heinrich. Come on fellas, step on the gas.)

Lujan, son of NM House Speaker Ben Lujan, should handily win the northern seat, becoming the state's first Hispanic congressional member since Big Bill left the House in '97. At this point, Ben Ray is the only sure thing for the Dems. The rap on him is that he lacks intellectual firepower, a charge we tried and failed to document by grilling the 36 year old for nearly an hour in a caffeinated session during the primary. We walked away scrapping our plans for a "Ben Ray for Dummies" book. No, his problem isn't knowing what's going on; it is the expectations that are going to be placed on him to build power for us in D.C. and not let the Alligators suck him into the swamp of northern NM politics. Bill shepherding Ben Ray toward Leader Hoyer is good politics. More important, it could mean good policy if Lujan the Younger proves to have the stuff it takes to play this game of ours.

BILL BY THE NUMBERS

The recent special session of the NM Legislature apparently did little to help or hurt Big Bill politically. He is still below 50% in the latest Rasmussen survey taken August 20, right after the session ended. Says the polling firm: "Richardson's given good or excellent marks for his job performance by 49% of voters...Twenty-four percent (24%) say he is doing a poor job. These numbers have been relatively stable for the past two months."

The remaining 27% of those rate Bill's performance as fair or have no opinion.

We've talked about why the governor--who owns the record for the most sweeping election victory in state history---in 2006 he carried 32 of 33 counties--finds himself below majority support. Part of it is the difficult climate for all incumbents. Bill also continues to pay the price for much out-of-state prez campaigning. There is also a sense that the state scene is stagnating, after several years of peripatetic activity led by our hard-charging chief executive. The recent round of massive layoffs at Eclipse Aviation, a company embraced wholeheartedly by the state's political elite, emphasizes the general malaise that NM has come under.

Talking with a range of business folk, we find many of them unable to post numbers comparable to last year. Throw in scary energy prices and you have voters with plenty to worry about. While NM is usually protected from severe downturns by its huge base of government employment, the economy has become more diversified and vulnerable in recent years. Also, we did not escape the housing bubble and subsequent crash. New Mexico feels the economic pain of the nation more these days and it is showing in the approval ratings of even high-level political players like Bill Richardson.

CANDIDATES BEWARE

How many times do the candidates have to be told not to mess with the ABQ Journal questionnaire? Year after year they are nabbed for not disclosing, disclosing incorrectly or simply not telling the story. Even an old pro like Dem state Senate candidate and former Bernalillo County Treasurer Tim Eichenberg has been caught in the questionnaire web. Says the paper:

"Eichenberg was charged with a misdemeanor for illegally carrying a firearm in Austin in 1994, according to Travis County Clerk's Office officials. The charge was dropped a year later for insufficient evidence. Eichenberg said that he didn't know the incident qualified as being charged with a crime."

That's an omission that earned him front page of the paper's Metro section. Bad for Tim, but a boost for ABQ GOP State Senator Diane Snyder who Eichenberg is trying to unseat. "I should have disclosed the incident on the Journal questionnaire. It was my mistake to have not done so," Eichenberg said. If history is any guide, the Journal questionnaire could trip up a couple of more politicos between now and Election Day.

PEARCE PATRON

We didn't realize it was that much, but this ABQ Journal report says the conservative Club for Growth, a D.C. based third party group, spent over $800,000 to help Steve Pearce beat Heather Wilson in the GOP US Senate primary. Over $560,000 was for TV ads. As we've blogged, they are back for the general with a recent $150,000 TV buy for Pearce. They are expected to come with more.

FOLLOWING FOLEY
Foley
The Roswell Daily Record hits with a piece asking just where State Rep. Dan Foley is living and if he is not living in his district, as required by the NM Constitution, just what is being done about it?

The House Minority Whip, according to the AP and other reliable sources, has relocated to Rio Rancho and is selling insurance. However, the paper says his Roswell insurance business is still open. A state rep is required to live in the district in which he represents, but the requirement has been rarely enforced. Foley says he will resign his position after the November election. He was defeated for re-election by Dennis Kintigh in the GOP primary. Foley won't answer the paper's questions.

The rumor mill continues to swirl around Foley. For example, will he try to get back in the Legislature by running for a Rio Rancho area legislative seat? Is he trying to line up a lobbying gig? The Roswell county clerk says she is not required to check to see if Foley's current address is correct, and with Foley set to quit in November, there is little incentive for Foley's foes to follow-up.

DEMS IN DENVER

The party is underway in Denver. Hillary says she won't spoil it. NM Dems say they will enjoy it. Here's a report from one of them as they settled into the Mile High City for the festivities to come.

...We checked into our hotel right next to the convention site. We share it with the Virginia delegation, highlighting our importance as a delegation...Security is tight, but a carnival like atmosphere with advocacy groups roaming the pedestrian mall...Souvenior vendors hawking everything Obama prevail. The first night, the delegation was whisked to the old train station where Union Pacific railroad schmoozed us with two luxury trains, free finger food and most importantly, free booze! Lt. Gov Denish, Ben Ray Lujan and former NM House speaker Sanchez made the rounds. The lonliest New Mexicans were (newspaper reporter) Steve Terrell and others in the New Mexico press relegated to the bar car, avoided by everyone. We are now making our way to the chairman's cigar reception. Everyone is upbeat and excited about he week to come.

Thanks for that update, delegate. But Terrell and company lonely in the bar car? Not when old pals Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker are sitting next to them.

PEARCE PROBLEM

In one of the most conservative NM cities in one of its most conservative counties, GOP US Senate nominee and southern NM congressman Steve Pearce has run into trouble--with the mayor of Alamogordo.

Introducing Dem US Senate nominee Tom Udall at the restaurant he owns, Alamogordo Mayor Steve Brockett said this is "no country for Republican bald men."

We're told Brockett is a Republican. What did Steve do to get his goat?

THE BOTTOM LINES

From D.C and out of the blue we hear from a reader at the National Association of Manufacturers. Why? A link we put up regarding the American Energy Alliance and their political ads in NM said NAM was involved with the nonprofit group. The NAM says it has not connection to the alliance...

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2008
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