It is somewhat surprising that this Catholic state has apparently tipped in favor of gay marriage. At least that's what the latest polling from Dem firm PPP says:

When PPP last polled the state in June, voters were against legalizing it by a 42-48 margin. In the intervening half-year, opinion has moved eight points, with 45% now wanting gay couples to be able to legally marry in the state, and 43% still against it. The reason for the shift is that Democrats (from 34% to 28%) and independents (44% to 37%) have lowered their opposition by six or seven points.

Republican ABQ Mayor RJ Berry, who rode into office with strong support from the evangelical community, has into some trouble from them for his even-handed approach toward the gay community, but he was only reflecting the city's overall attitude. On the Dem side, former ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez and ex-Guv Bill Richardson were early backers of gay rights and are credited with setting the standard for their party.

Speaking of Chavez and Richardson, several of Marty's supporters pointed out that the two are not the best of political friends. They did so after we blogged about Big Bill's latest legal troubles and how they might impact the political fortunes of the Dems in 2012. Chavez is seeking the nomination for the ABQ congressional seat and there are scores of photos of Bill and Marty together when they they were both previously in power. But over the years the relationship went downhill for a variety of reasons. One of the big ones? Marty's backers cite Bill's support of stripping the city's authority over the water department and handing much of it to Bernalillo County.

This is inside baseball. If Richardson is indicted and is in the news next year, the R's are not going to make any distinction as to who is or isn't a Friend of Bill. They are going to try to tie him to the Dems like a Siamese twin. But if it helps Chavez sleep better at night knowing he has a a degree of separation, so be it.

THE HOLIDAY KITCHEN

Allen Weh is back. No, we don't mean back on the campaign trail. The onetime NM GOP chairman and '10 Guv candidate is back in his favorite spot-- the kitchen. He puts up this video on YouTube for the holiday season in which he prepares a dish called "Caldo Gallego." It features chorizo sausage from Spain.

Allen never did make it to the Guv's Mansion, but, with the first family still chomping down on those baloney sandwiches they're so fond of and with the Guv's chef long since dismissed, we wonder if gourmet/gourmand Allen might want to help Susana out in the kitchen. we haven't tasted his cooking, but, after being in the eye of New Mexico politics for so long, we do know he can stand the heat in there.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

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