HOW'S HEINRICH DOING?

Let's check in on ABQ Dem Congressman Martin Heinrich and see video of him in action on the House floor, giving one of those one minute speeches, this one on renewable energy. Any initial nervousness seems gone after nearly six months on the job, and Heinrich seems all business.

There was some understandable tentativeness when the new congressman recently faced Secretary of Defense Gates at a committee hearing where he questioned Gates over the future of the Air Force "Tacos" stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. Facing off with a cabinet heavy like Gates is where your freshman status stands out like a sore thumb, but the former ABQ city councilor seems to be finding his footing. History says Republicans will have their best chance to pick him off next year when he faces his first re-election bid, but with no major flubs (so far) and appearing to be on a steady growth curve, he doesn't appear to be easy pickings.

ALLIGATOR TALK

Some reaction from an ABQ South Valley Alligator on the outcome of the Mid Rio Grande Conservancy Board election Tuesday in which three incumbents lost their seats:

Hispanics built and maintained the ditches, acequias, and other infrastructure that became the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. Yet for the first time in history there will be no Hispanic on the Conservancy Board and the lack of representation for the South Valley continues.

From the State Capitol, another Alligator has this for us:

"Joe, greetings from way far away in Santa Fe's south side; new home office of NM Public Employees' Retirement Association. It is a nice building, but who in their right mind would want to do state business so far away from the the seat of state government? I find it ironic our neighbor out here is the State Investment Council.

Well, the Investment Council may be out of sight, but not out of mind and certainly not out of the news.

STREAMING JANET

Former Arizona Governor and now Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is in ABQ today (Friday) to talk border security and other matters. Her office provided this link for a live stream of Napolitano's NM activity starting at 10 a.m.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Dear Joe:

I've been reading your blog for some years now, and really appreciate the time and effort you spend on keeping the rest of us informed about New Mexico politics...I remember the days of Mark Acuff and his valliant effort in reporting...I didn't always agree with Mark's opinions, nor do I necessarily agree with all of yours, but I certainly appreciate your approach, and your no-holds-barred attitude at getting to the truth... Please keep us informed, and state your opinions, as you see fit. It's nice to see a somewhat clearer vision amidst all the muck and smog...Mike Kitts, Avid Reader

Oh, gosh. The late Mark Acuff, editor and publisher of the New Mexico Independent newspaper of the 70's and 80's, was one of the best. Don't think we hold a candle to him (just ask V.B. Price who worked with Mark) but we appreciate the mention along side of him.

Mark was a great critic. When I was all of 21 and did some analysis of Rio Arriba County politics for then KRKE-AM radio in ABQ, Mark labeled me "sophomoric" and said our ranting had disturbed his Sunday morning northern NM camping trip! But we were honored that we were even worthy of the criticism in his well-read weekly.

Thanks for the letter, Mike, and the memories. And thanks to you for making us New Mexico's #1 political web site.

From Albuquerque, NM, this is Joe Monahan reporting.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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