What better place to kick off our clippings from the newsroom floor than from an actual newsroom. The advertising recession and changing technology has brought the one man band concept to New Mexico television news. KRQE-TV 's recent newsroom hires are of the "one man band" variety or, if you will, the "one woman band. That word confirmed by KRQE news director Forest Carr.

The new reporters are known as "VJ's" and instead of just doing writing and reporting, they do it all. They report, write, shoot, and record sound, then edit the video on a laptop computer and transmit the story back to the station--typically using a broadband cellular modem rather than a traditional microwave truck.

Stations are able to save money by eliminating cameramen and maybe other newsroom positions. Other ABQ TV stations are expected to follow suit, if hey aren't already. Will loading up one person with all these duties mean a decline in the quality of the news broadcast? Probably not, but what will and is hurting TV news is simply fewer people being around to report the news. The same problem the newspapers are having. But a leaner era will also bring a new breed of young reporters who are trained to multi-task from the start of their careers.

Meanwhile, for all of you laid off reporters, have we got a job for you. Sandia Labs in ABQ is looking for a communications specialist. That sounds like a rare opening and a high paying one at that. Here's the link to apply. Good luck.

CARLOS AND JEROME

Quite a bit of e-mail on the statements we carried Thursday from Dem State Senator Carlos Cisneros regarding the prosecution of Dem NM Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block on eight felony counts. First, what Cisneros said:

Several legislators...are questioning whether the eight felony counts contained in the indictment against Block are warranted, since he already paid an $11,700 fine to the Secretary of State's Office for improper public campaign expenditures.

“You can't convict a person twice,” said Sen. Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa. “If it's the same (allegation), he should not have to defend himself again. Whether he gets convicted or not, I think it needs to be addressed.

Attorney Helen Laura Lopez was one of several who responded and who said Block can be prosecuted for both civil and criminal violations and gave examples:

A person can be convicted and penalized for DWI in criminal court and still lose his driver's license in an administrative process and additionally have his car forfeited in another proceeding....A drug dealer can be convicted and punished for drug offenses in criminal court and have cash and car forfeited in administrative proceedings. A candidate can be fined in an administrative proceeding and still be prosecuted in a criminal proceeding. Courts say it is not double jeopardy because one is civil and one is criminal....

BLOGGING WITH VAL--OR NOT

We could have wisely joined the ABQ Journal's Bruce Daniels and taken his "no Val Kilmer coverage pledge" until Val actually says something consequential about running or not running for the 2010 Dem Guv nomination, but we like living on the edge. Thursday we fell off the no-Kilmer-coverage wagon and blogged of a blog that we said was "apparently" authored by Kilmer. It turns out it is the blog of ardent Kilmer fan Shelli Carlisle who has in the past helped promote Kilmer's work, but not on a paid basis according to e-mail we received from Val's Webmaster, Jacque Talboy. And Shellie also e-mailed:

"Hi Joe, there has been a misconception that Val Kilmer--The Real Deal is Val's blog. I am so sorry for the confusion, it is not Val's blog, it is my blog. Val has absolutely nothing to do with it, the quotes are from various past interviews. Please pass that along to your readers...

Shelli's blog is affiliated with a lifestyle magazine called, Living Life...Boomer Style." We thought we might be be getting baby boomer eyes because right there on the blog is a disclaimer saying it is not Kilmer's, but Shelli says she added that note only after we identified it as a possible Kilmer authored blog.

Thanks to reporter Heath Haussamen for helping track this one down. We regret that the New Mexican's Steve Terrell picked up from us the "Not Val Kilmer Blog." Now he is demanding we buy him a double order of enchiladas at The Shed to appease him. But fear not, the Val watch will go on! Why? Now that's an existential question.

THE BOTTOM LINES

The week started out here with the news that Big Bill was spotted at a Lt. Gov. Diane Denish fund-raiser, not something you expect to see everyday considering the frosty relationship they have had. Tuesday we came with the fresh news that allies of Senate Majority Leader Sanchez do not want him counted out as a possible 2010 Guv candidate and on Wednesday we received confirmation of our sports exclusive from a week or so ago that cyclist Lance Armstrong would be in New Mexico for the Gila racing event. Quite a bit of La Politica for the slow season....

This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

They say it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and how New Mexico's dominant politician finishes his second four year gubernatorial term is more than a parlor game. If his approval rating continues to languish, it could taint the campaign of his would-be Democratic successor and give the down and out Republicans a chance to get in the game. For now, Big Bill remains below the important 50 per cent mark, but it appears his bout of unpopularity has bottomed out. In the latest SurveyUSA poll taken Tuesday, April 28, the governor wins the approval of 46 percent of those polled, up from 42 percent in a March survey. Oh, for the heady days of 60 percent plus love fests!

The margin of error in the survey is about four percent so we won't read too much into the bounce, other than that he appears to have reached his low point. Richardson has been busy traveling the state and his media profile has been higher in recent weeks, including a well-publicized meeting with the pope in Rome, perhaps bumping his numbers.

While Democrats want to see the Guv above 50 percent so the 2010 campaign doesn't become a referendum on Richardson's pay to play problems, the governor is looking even further down the line--to history and his legacy. If the generation of New Mexicans who experienced the Richardson years do not give him a thumbs up, it could influence what is thought of him by future generations.

OBAMA APPROVAL

The President comes with a 63 percent NM approval rating in the April SurveyUSA, a solid number after three months on the job. Independents, a key group, give Obama a 61 percent approval rating.

STATE INVESTMENT QUESTIONS

The Guv took some action Wednesday regarding the State Investment Council ethics issues that he hopes will show him getting ahead of the curve.

THE VAL BLOG THAT WASN'T

Zanetti in Uniform
It can be the hottest of hot button issues--a candidate's military service or their comments about the military. Take, for example, the scalding actor Val Kilmer took over his comments on Vietnam veterans, or the ongoing debate in presidential campaigns over a contender's military service or lack thereof. Here in New Mexico, the issue has already popped up in a roundabout way, even though the gubernatorial campaign trail has only started to simmer.

Potential 2010 Republican Guv candidate Greg Zanetti is also a Brigadier General in the New Mexico Army National Guard. It is his wearing of his uniform at public events now that he has formed an official exploratory committee for the Guv race that has prompted comments heard here. On Tuesday's blog we wrote:

"GOP Guv hopeful Greg Zanetti makes a point of showing up at events in the uniform he wears as a Brigadier General in the NM National Guard."

Zanetti, a stockbroker in civilian life, and husband of former GOP State Rep. Teresa Zanetti, was more than irked by the inference, so we gave him the opportunity to explain:

...Part of my NM Guard job is to tell the Guantanamo story. When I do, I am in uniform and do not discuss politics...In February...the Santa Fe Republican Party sent an invitation for a Lincoln Day dinner with a picture of me in uniform. My jaw dropped and I called the NM Guard immediately. The invitation was done without my knowledge...I gave that speech in civilian clothes, even though I spoke of Guantanamo...Since then, I have been very careful to give civilian speeches in civilian clothes...on civilian topics.

I spoke with the NM Guard's Staff Judge Advocate before the campaign started and he researched the Regulations...I also signed a document that required me to keep the military and political sides separate. I am adhering to the regulations and to the agreement. I would not risk the campaign, or the Guard's reputation, by mixing the two....I do not discuss the Governor's race when in uniform...I have never shown up at a political event in uniform...

As we recall, the ABQ Journal showed a photo of Zanetti in his uniform attending a public event and identified him as a potential Guv candidate. (They don't run their photos on their Web site much, so we can't confirm that, but it's based on our memory of reading the dead-tree edition.)

Zanetti was also pictured in military uniform by the Roswell Daily Record when they identified him as a potential 2010 Guv candidate and ran a story and interview with him about the race. The photograph the paper ran appeared to be an official photo taken by the national guard, not one snapped while he was interviewed. It is posted with this story today.

Zanetti is understandably sensitive about the uniform issue, but when the bright lights of La Politica begin to shine, everything is caught under their glare. Zanetti says he is likely to retire from military service at the end of the year which would dim the lights on the uniform issue. But don't worry. There will be plenty of others.

THERE WILL BE THREE

No surprises. Three candidates have filed the needed petition signatures to qualify as ABQ mayoral candidates. The deadline was Tuesday. Mayor Chavez, who has not officially announced his candidacy, Republican RJ Berry and Dem Richard Romero all submitted more than 6,500 signatures needed to qualify for the October 6 election.The first mayoral forum is tonight. Details here.

FOUR DOWN; FIVE TO GO
Chavez
The first four months of mayoral Campaign '09 have done nothing to up end the conventional wisdom that the race is Chavez's to lose. Dem Romero has taken some potshots at Chavez, but location of a soccer field and whether the mayor sought a discount for his plane travel when he sought the US Senate nomination last year, are not big picture issues. They are unlikely to dent the sturdy armor that Chavez wears as he goes into the race. Not that there isn't time.

Romero has plenty of time to prod and poke and see if something sticks. Ditto for late-starting Republican hopeful RJ Berry. But each day the news cycle does not deliver a blow is a good day for the incumbent. It means he will be at near-peak strength when the more serious hits start in late August and September.

Chavez was interviewed on KKOB-AM radio Tuesday. We listened closely as he bantered with veteran talk host Jim Villanucci. We did not hear anything amiss. Chavez, 57, parried questions for ten minutes over the aforementioned soccer field and demonstrated comprehensive knowledge. He reminded us of former Mayor Harry Kinney who seemed to be a walking encyclopedia when it came to the city.

Being mayor may be old hat to Chavez and maybe he is even a little bored, but his radio appearance reinforced the view that Chavez brings his "A" game to his political campaigns. His foes have a shot, but the bar is high. Debates with a Chavez firing on all cylinders and backed up with an incumbent's command of the issues could be filled with more treachery than opportunity if a challenger doesn't do his homework. Berry and Romero will need time in the gym to build up their political muscles. Chavez seems as ready as ever (and we've watched him for 20 years) to field their punches and then some.

And an aside: Villanucci, who has clashed with the mayor over the red-light camera program, told his audience he is still open to supporting Chavez. Republicans, hoping Villanucci will help rally the GOP base around State Rep. Berry, could not have been happy to hear that.

CADIGAN CHANGES MIND
Cadigan Vs. Lewis
Chavez has a way of getting under the skin of his opponents, sometimes to their lasting detriment. Which brings us to the case of City Councilor Michael Cadigan. The two term West Side lawmaker earlier announced he would not seek re-election to his council seat even if his bid to become mayor failed. Well, Cadigan withdrew from the mayor's race when he could not garner enough support, but now he has reversed himself and says he will seek a third term to the council.

The attorney and former Marine has an intellectual streak that has elevated the city political debate, but observers--and even some friends of Cadigan--warn that what seems to be a deep personal animosity toward Chavez could sidetrack him as he seeks another council term. And the third time may not be as easy as the first two. Already in the race is political newcomer and Republican Dan Lewis who is working the district and showing determination. The small businessman and teacher came with this hit on Cadigan when he learned of the councilor's change of heart:

Just last week, during a lunch meeting I had with Mike Cadigan...He told me, and I quote: “I’ve become jaded. I’m too cynical. I’m done with being a city councilor. I’m going to go to Colorado and ski, do some fly-fishing.” Encouraging me, he stated “This job needs someone who can see with a new set of eyes.” So I am a bit puzzled to hear that Mr. Cadigan says he is running for re-election. That is his prerogative. I thought he would retire on a high note, but it looks like he wants to run again, jaded and all.

Well, game on for the West Side. If Michael responds to that opening Lewis volley, we'll be sure to bring it to you. (Democrat Jeremy Toulouse also says he will try to qualify for this council race.)

MORE ON THIS RACE

Besides not letting Chavez (or Lewis) get the better of his emotions, Cadigan also has to be careful not to associate himself too closely with Democrat Richard Romero. There is a little problem there. When he withdrew from the mayoral race, Cadigan immediately endorsed the mayoral bid of the former state senator. Insiders expect Romero to turn in a weak performance in the West Side district where Chavez remains popular. A recent poll conducted for a prospective council candidate showed Chavez scoring 41 per cent of the vote in Cadigan's district, with Romero and Berry getting 17 percent each.

Romero's appeal to the environmental community is not a big selling point for him on the West Side nor for the re-election of Cadigan. The critics have rapped Cadigan as too liberal for the district. Lewis could try to put that theory to the test.

While the incumbency and his name ID probably give Cadigan the front runner position at the start, this could turn into a heated battle. Keep this one on your watch list.

COUNTING THE CASUALTIES

The new manager of the Isleta Casino and Resort is trying to knock down a report from KOAT-TV and picked up here that 200 of the resort's 1,200 employees are being laid off because of lousy business. Isleta CEO Ron Wilson, on the job for a month, won't confirm how many workers are losing their jobs, but claims the 200 figure is too high. He also won't confirm the total number of employees at Isleta. It's not like Ron isn't used to hearing about layoffs. He comes here from Michigan which has the highest state unemployment rate in the nation.

Why should the number of New Mexico citizens losing their jobs from casinos that operate under state-sanctioned compacts be secret? Come on Ron, stop that Michigan two-step and give us some New Mexico straight talk.

LANCE IN NM

One of our Alligators reported here April 20 that famed cyclist Lance Armstrong would appear at the Tour of the Gila race this week in Silver City. That set off a back and forth, with the media attempting to nail it down. Now it is nailed down. Lance will be in the NM race, helping to provide a needed economic boost to struggling Grant County. Maybe we should recruit some sports Alligators to continue to keep us in the loop? Applications are available at Barelas Coffeehouse.

THE BOTTOM LINES

We mentioned Republican Jay Howard Deme Tuesday as seeking the guv's appointment to Democrat Deanna Archuleta's Bernalillo County Commission seat. Deme says he's actually interested in filling a vacancy for another seat on the commission, if there is one. Talk about getting in early....

This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

With only days to go before she departs, speculation is reaching a fever pitch over who will replace Democratic Bernalillo County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta. She is taking a job with the Interior Department in D.C., leaving three and a half years of her term to be filled by an appointment from Big Bill. Here's some informed speculation from a politico who has a definite idea on what is about to come down:

Two inside sources tell me that the nod goes to Judith Espinosa (former NM Expo manager)... The decision was based on three factors: 1) the Governor wants to avoid any more Democratic character flaw scandals 2) he wants to replace a Hispanic Female with a Hispanic Female. 3) Deanna approves of Espinosa...

Other names mentioned as possibles include former commissioners Lenton Malry and Tom Rutherford, former state Senator Shannon Robinson and flood control board member Danny Hernandez. But it appears the arrow is pointing in Espinosa's direction. What a plum appointment. You serve almost a full term before having to run in 2012.

ON ALLIGATOR ALLEY

That political speculation is sourced anonymously and it's a lot of fun. But it sends the journalistic purists into fits of apoplexy. We were asked about it recently while being interviewed by veteran NM newsman Wally Gordon of The Independent, a newspaper for the East Mountains. We explained that we mainly use anonymous sources to reveal insider political machinations, not big news stories that have widespread societal impact. For those, we usually get our stuff on the record. Anonymous info on the political process greases its wheels. It always has, and it even makes a small contribution to government transparency.

Not that anonymous sourcing in reporting big news does not also have a role. Many of today's reporters and bloggers don't remember what was arguably the biggest political story of the last 100 years--Watergate. It was built almost entirely on the prudent use of anonymous sources.

WHAT WE ARE

This is our personal blog, not a journalistic organ like a daily newspaper. But if we did not get our information right most of the time, we wouldn't have many readers and our stories would not be reproduced, as they often are, in a wide variety of other media.

It's understandable that some want to place us in a journalistic cubbyhole. We've received considerable notice over the years for breaking a lot of news with our "unorthodox" methods. But we didn't start a blog in 2003 to adhere to someone else's ideas; we're here to break the rules, and maybe conceive some of our own. In fact, we'll be rebelling until they throw dirt on us. We're glad to have you along for the ride. Each day we write we work to earn your trust.

Thanks for the question, Wally. Now, it's back to the action....

ALLIGATOR CONFIRMATION

Speaking of our Alligators, they broke the news here last week that the city's chief financial officer, Anna Lamberson, was leaving to take a job in Iraq helping to rebuild local governments there. The ABQ Journal confirms the news and comes with details.

DON'T COUNT HIM OUT

We're getting push back on the notion that State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez is unlikely to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010 if Diane Denish remains the only Anglo candidate. An operative of Sanchez's insists the senator is likely to form an exploratory committee soon and a formal announcement of a run could follow. So far, Denish is the only announced candidate, with actor Val Kilmer still mentioned as a possible, but not quite as loudly in recent weeks.

Sanchez would not have to give up his Belen area senate seat to run. He is not up for re-election until 2012. However, financing a guv run remains an issue, as does his low name ID. Supporters argue that Sanchez would likely be the only Hispanic candidate in the race, positioning him for major gains. They say they see Denish as a candidate who still has not sealed the deal. But Sanchez may have start putting out some stronger signals if he is going to be treated as anything more than a spoiler. Stay tuned.

CHANGING HANDS

Here's a story about newspapers that doesn't involve someone losing their job. It was little noticed, but the Rio Rancho Observer has been sold by Wick Communications to Dave McCollum the owner of the weekly Las Cruces Bulletin.

MONEY TRAIL

The AP has been going over the latest candidate financial reports. Here's their report on Big Bill's presidential campaign account and how it is now debt free.

This Bloomberg report is also making the rounds. It is about how the Guv's various political committees raised nearly $200,000 from brokers hired by money managers seeking to handle $11.7 billion in state trust funds.

GARY KING SCORCHED

The Wall Street Journal editorial page likes a good fight, and they've picked one with NM Attorney General Gary King over his campaign contributions. The latest in this editorial from the 2 million circulation paper. Is this the end of the scrap? We're standing by.

DEM LEFTOVERS

Some leftovers from the Saturday Democratic Party State Central Committee meeting from Stephanie Dubois:

I won my re-election as Congressional District Two Vice-Chair, my fourth term. I thought I would be unopposed. But an 11th hour candidate in Michelle Mares challenged me. But I was able to survive because I had done my homework and got my letters and e-mails out early...Competition is good and Michelle has always been a supporter of mine..

RECESSION BEAT

If you live in ABQ, your home is likely worth less than it was a year ago--about 2.5 percent less on average when you compare February 2009 with Feb. 2008. During the bubble, ABQ housing prices did not soar into the stratosphere as they did in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix, so we are not landing as hard. But they are still falling, meaning many folks who were taking loans against their houses can't do it anymore and that means less money being spent around here. Not that you didn't already know that.

SWINE FLU WATCH

Readers along the New Mexico-Mexico border wonder if they are going to see Mexican citizens trying to get into NM hospitals in their areas as the swine flu spreads. That's just one of the possible implications. This soft economy doesn't need a scare that keeps people out of the restaurants and movie theaters or engaging in other public activities. Senator Jeff Bingaman comes with this:

The Border Influenza Sentinel Surveillance Network, a program created with funding from Bingaman’s U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission and established to improve bi-national health emergency preparedness and surveillance of pandemic flu, is expanding their surveillance and preparedness in response to Swine Influenza outbreak.

THE BOTTOM LINES

There is one member of the NM congressional delegation who is also a veteran. Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman served in the Army Reserves from 1968 to 1974. In the first draft of our blog Monday, we said no members of the delegation had served in the military...

Former University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera is gone but not forgotten. He screwed up in his new job as Director of the White House Military Office and we got a bunch of reader e-mail about it.

From David Letterman: "Exxon Mobil was atop the Fortune 500 list with a profit last year" of "$45 billion...Second place? The company that makes those foreclosure signs."

E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
Not for reproduction without permission of the autho

Bill & Di--Warming Up?
News of note from one of our Alligators who last week attended a $1000 a pop fundraiser for Light Guv Diane Denish at Yanni's in ABQ. He informs that among those in attendance was Big Bill who he described as being in "good spirits." Another insider reports that, "The Governor spent a couple of minutes shaking hands and then left."

Richardson and Denish have had a frosty relationship and there's even been speculation that Bill has been encouraging actor Val Kilmer who has toyed with the idea of challenging Denish for the 2010 Dem Guv nomination. In that context, Richardson's appearance at a Di fund-raiser is of more than passing interest. Also, Bill has been working to get his approval ratings off their historic lows in the low 40's. Planned or not, warming to Di can't hurt. Her polls are pretty good and she looks like a frontrunner, attributes that are always appealing to the state's #1.

According to our Gator, Denish described the 2010 Dem primary as a "non-primary," apparently meaning she is the only one running, and perhaps also meaning she expects it to stay that way. Kilmer has been quiet, not making any headlines and not--to our knowledge--raising any money. Of course, a late start by a celebrity can't be ruled out, but Bill's appearance at the Di fundraiser and her description of the primary are tea leaves that will have insiders continuing to lower the odds on a Kilmer run.

But never mind Kilmer. There are no other Dem politicians making a serious move for the Dem nod. What about Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, you ask? Well, my experts say Sanchez is unlikely to pull the trigger unless another Anglo gets in the race. That would likely position him as the sole Hispanic contender and able to take advantage of an Anglo split. But if it is Di alone, Sanchez is not going to go near this thing.

What about ABQ Marty Chavez? Well, he could launch a bid if he is re-elected mayor in October. But Marty faces a glass ceiling--he's already bowed out of a Dem guv fight with Denish last year to launch a US Senate campaign and he had to abandon that because polling showed him getting trounced by Tom Udall. If Kilmer got in that could make a Chavez run more realistic, but under any circumstance the odds of Chavez winning statewide would remain low. Also, Denish is working it hard to get her fund-raising total near the $2 million level. She appears to be at about $1.8 million now. There was that Yanni's fundraiser and a number of others in the works.

THE FATIGUE FACTOR

It is still early in the cycle and after the epic 2008 election year, there is political fatigue. An invite to a Denish fund-raiser this Thursday at the home of advertising executive Steve Wedeen and wife Linda alludes to it:

It seems like the election season just ended, and the 2010 campaign for our next Governor is still a ways off. The fact is, Diane needs our help now. We know that our Lieutenant Governor will be outstanding in the leadership position of our state...

The Wedeen party has a "suggested donation" of $250, but they will take less. We may see more events at this relatively low level as donors recover from last year and also take stock of the sour economy that has upset the balance sheets of even the fattest of cats.

ANY VETS OUT THERE?

The Guv run may be in the early stages, but the heart of the cycle for the October 6, 2009 ABQ mayor's race is fast approaching. Insiders point out that Mayor Chavez has been making more after-hours public appearances as he seeks an unprecedented third term in a row and a fourth overall. His foes are also on the trail. Republican RJ Berry spent a couple of hours Saturday volunteering at the Veterans Integration Center which provides support and residences to homeless military families. Which got us to thinking...

For a state heavy with military bases and retirees--over 200,000 of them at last count--there sure are few vets in top political offices here. Richard Romero is the only one of the three mayoral candidates with military service (Air National Guard), Only Senator Bingman in our state's five member congressional delegation has served in the armed forces (army reserves) and only one of our governors of the past forty years (Bruce King) has been a vet. Not that the vets don't have political stroke. A move by the Obama administration to to cut back some of their health care benefits was met with stern opposition--especially from Congressman Ben Ray Lujan--a non veteran who represents a district where a fair share of his constituents have served in the military and where patriotism runs deep.

AND THAT REMINDS US...
Sen. Cutting
Of Senator Bronson Cutting who in the years before 1920 went across Northern New Mexico and elsewhere and helped organize 30 chapters of what was then a new organization called the American Legion. These veterans, of which Cutting was one, formed a base for his future political campaigns which included a successful run for the US Senate. The courting of veterans continues to this day. For example, GOP Guv hopeful Greg Zanetti makes a point of showing up at events in the uniform he wears as a Brigadier General in the NM National Guard.

DEM DOINGS

Folks don't often grumble when their bellies are full and so it was with the NM Democratic Party Central Committee as it held its annual session in downtown ABQ Saturday. The party has rarely been stronger here in terms of holding the major elective offices. The historic sweep of the state's entire congressional delegation, it's renewed domination of the Legislature and Obama's big statewide win left the Dems too stuffed to start any major fights. They unanimously re-elected Brian Colon to another two year term as party chairman.

But it wouldn't be a gathering of Democrats without a skirmish or two. One came when Taos attorney Helen Laura Lopez beat out incumbent Conny Maki for vice chair of the Third Congressional District. And there was some to and fro over the gay marriage issue which we covered with KOB-TV.

While the Dems are strong, insiders express concern about the continuous flow of state corruption stories. They wonder if that could provide the outnumbered Republicans with an opening in 2010.

THE LIGHT GUV RUN
Brian Colon
ABQ Dem State Senator Linda Lopez was among those on hand for the weekend Dem meeting and in full campaign mode, according to one of our Alligators:

Linda is off and running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. She had a table set up and passed out campaign stickers.

Lopez is not up for re-election to her senate seat until 2012 so she does not have to give it up to make the light guv run. A number of others are toying with the race, but some of them would have to give up legislative seats, private sector jobs or make other sacrifices. So far, that is keeping the race pretty much wide open. State Auditor Hector Balderas was seen as a possible, but is staying put and seeking re-election as Auditor.

Chairman Colon, 39, could make the light guv run, say his friends, but as we have blogged previously, they point out he is tied so closely to Big Bill that only resolution of the pay to play allegations being investigated by the federal grand jury would make a Colon run realistic.

The Denish camp has got to be nervous about Lopez. Years ago, Denish thwarted a light guv run by Lopez by keeping her off the Dem primary ballot. Now, Lopez is chair of the Senate Rules Committee where all gubernatorial appointments go for confirmation. Lopez will keep that position even if her run for light guv comes up short. A Governor Denish would have to work closely with her, or end up fighting with her as has happened with Big Bill.

THE JOBS BEAT

Back to the Guv run for a moment. Some e-mailers dissented with Denish's assessment, carried here Friday, that healthcare jobs are resistant to layoffs in a down economy. Reader Alan Schwartz pointed to national problems with HMO's and added:

Anecdotally, my nephew's wife is a maternity ward nurse at UNMH and she has had her hours cut back with more reductions possible. People aren't expanding their families during the current uncertainty.

Also, big ABQ area healthcare provider Presbyterian Healthcare has shrunk its work force during this downturn. Still, Denish has a point. Healthcare is not experiencing the massive layoffs we are getting in the mining and manufacturing sectors, or even the tourist economy here. Speaking of which...

MORE JOB HITS

The recession has now hit the large New Mexico Indian casino industry. KOAT-TV reports Isleta Casino and Resort south of Albuquerque is laying off 200 of its 1200 employees and there will likely be more layoffs in the future. The 200 layoffs represent about 17 percent of the workforce there. Isleta is the state's second largest grossing casino after Sandia Casino. The net win at Isleta for the final quarter of 2008 was about $24 million. The pueblo recently opened a hotel next to the casino and hired many to run it, but some of them will now be let go.