We are now on the deciding territory of this campaign. Economic issues in troubled times often favor Democrats. Martinez has stumbled out of the gate, drawing criticism for not having any in-depth ideas to get the state moving. That's a common critique of R candidates who can get caught playing the same tax cutting record over and over again. If she continues to shy away from giving specifics, she could fritter away any advantage she has in this unsettled political climate.

Here's a newspaper quote from Martinez that sums up her problem:

Martinez estimates that she can cut at least 5 percent of the estimated $2 billion by which state government spending has increased since Richardson took office in 2003,

"This type of review is nearly impossible at the current time because the administration continues to play a shell game with state finances," Martinez said in the statement.

A review is nearly impossible? With information abounding from Republican lawmakers, the Legislative Finance Committee and the press, that seems like an excuse to avoid taking any controversial stand on budget cuts. Will she be able to maintain that stand during statewide TV debates?

Denish has gained the upper hand with the media, insiders and early campaign watchers by coming with specific economic proposals, including budget cuts that would make a dent in the shortfall, if not end it.

Dems like to use the government to solve economic problems and Republicans don't. Denish's obstacle is having been in office as Lt. Governor during the epic downturn. Will voters want to punish the incumbent, even if she comes out on top in handling the issue on the campaign trail?

HER HERO

We came first this week--courtesy of our reader/Alligators with the background of Martinez's father, Jake Martinez. He was a noted amateur boxer in El Paso who founded a security firm that eventually had a payroll "in the millions," according to articles tucked away on the web.

Interestingly, when asked for a state GOP newsletter who her personal hero is, Martinez replied: "My mother."

Her mother is identified in the articles we linked to as Paula Aguirre, but we've seen nothing else about her.

The Martinez campaign obviously has a personal narrative to tell about their candidate who would be the first Hispanic female governor in the nation's history. But they sure aren't telling it in these early stages. Neither is the press.

The newspapers are giving only spotty coverage to the campaign. This is due in part to reduced staffs as well as tradition. However, lengthy personal profiles of the GOP Guv primary contenders--a common write-up in the past--were nonexistent this year. Again, that's because of reduced staffing, particularly at the state's largest newspaper--the ABQ Journal. That has left readers (and voters) wanting.

We suppose in due time the in-depth personal profiles we all await and which will tell us more about the characters of the pair will be published and broadcast. But for the first Guv campaign featuring two female contestants and one that was hyped mightily following the June 1 primary, the state's media seems somewhat disinterested in these summer months.

BLOGGING LOBOLAND