New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Still Getting Slammed: ABQ Gas Price Shock & Its Impact, Plus: Navajo Politics Updated, And: Heinrich Video Draws Spoofers

Gas prices in the ABQ metro have sliced through $3.50 a gallon like a hot knife through butter, jolting anew consumer confidence in an area where the jobless rate is stubbornly stuck at 9.0 percent, above the national and statewide rates.

The oil price soaring past $108 a barrel means some extra royalty cash flowing to state coffers (not as much as higher natural gas prices would bring in) but the high pump prices will mean less spending at restaurants and retail stores depriving the state and city of gross receipts income. Gas was going for around $3.59 a gallon at most stations we surveyed Wednesday. The question is how long will these high prices last and how high will they go? If they last for more than a couple of months they threaten to tear another hole in the economy.

Look at this way. A lot of the jobs around here pay $10 or $15 an hour. A gallon of gas at $4.00 can be a life-changing event for many thousands.

ON THE JOB

Speaking of jobs, we were peeling the onion on the state's February unemployment report and noticed that there was an appreciable rise in joblessness among those providing "professional services." We asked just what services those were and were told they include lawyers, accountants, scientific research organizations, employment services (temp agencies), business support services (call centers). And here's the grim news on this sector in the ABQ metro which includes Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance Counties:

Professional & business services again registered the largest numeric decline of any industry, down 2,000 jobs or 3.5 percent from its February 2010 level. At 54,700, total employment has fallen to its lowest level since February 1999 and is off 11,400 jobs from a series high of 66,100 in August 2008....

So the Great Recession--receding in other parts of the USA--still lingers here, and it is taking a bite out of the hides of the professional classes, not just construction workers.

The stats on the lawyers and accountants dovetails with anecdotal evidence we've been hearing that small and medium-sized businesses in the city have been laying off workers or reducing hours.

NAVAJO LA POLITICA

We ran this pic Tuesday of the Guv in Shiprock, but a reader in Indian Country says we did not quite get the description right when we referenced the Navajos "in their full ceremonial garb."

It should be noted the "Navajo Indians in their full ceremonial garb," are actually Navajos wearing Northern Plains style costumes, otherwise known as "grass" & "fancy" dance outfits. These outfits are not traditional to the Diné people (Navajo). The ceremonial part is debatable. In Indian Country, we call these photo ops "the show" for visitors.

Well, it was quite a show.....

And now its Alligator vs. Alligator out in Indian Country. One of the Gators there speculated that State Sen. Lynda Lovejoy may have had some influence in picking the new secretary of Indian Affairs, Navajo Arthur Allison. But another Alligator in good standing says that's not the way it came down and we think he's got it nailed:

Sen. Lynda Lovejoy had nothing to do with the selection of Arthur Allison as the new Secretary of Indian Affairs. She was never in the loop on the selection process. In fact, it was Lovejoy's nemesis, State Rep. Sandra Jeff, who played a key role in Allison's selection.

As you may recall, Sandra Jeff broke ranks with Democrats on several positions and supported the Governor's positions on several high profile issues in the recent legislative session. I was also on the stage during the bill signing when Art Allison's nomination was announced and Lovejoy had a "deer in the headlights" look on her face, because she had no idea or role in Art Allison's pick. Lovejoy also had no idea that her nemesis--Rep. Sandra Jeff--was going to be on stage at the bill signing. Lovejoy very likely thought that the event was just going to be about her. Here's a story that also provides more clarification...

The Governor is definitely being smart and making inroads into the Navajo Nation. She probably also realizes that the numbers also make it in her best interest to court Navajo votes, because they far outnumber all the other 21 tribes/pueblos in the state combines....

That Farmington Times story linked to does report that Rep. Jeff played a role in the search for the new secretary. And here's a New Mexican story on how Jeff and Lovejoy, both Navajos, clashed during the final minutes of the legislative session. We ran a story on Jeff breaking with Dem Speaker Lujan this past session and no doubt that put her in good stead with the Fourth Floor. We also mentioned that former Gallup Mayor Bob Rosebrough is weighing a primary challenge to Jeff, depending on what the NW NM district looks like after the redistricting session later this year.

In any event, being a gringo from Pennsylvania, the often complex politics of Indian Country proves on occasion to be above our pay grade--and even an Alligator or two out there sometimes goes astray.

SPOOFING HEINRICH

That video Martin Heinrich came with to announce his US Senate bid Saturday--"The Decision"--has caught the attention of the cyberspace spoofers. They've got one up called "The Decider." It features an actor posing as the ABQ congressman and rehearsing his video appearance by exclaiming, "I'm Martin Heinrich, the sexiest man on Capitol Hill and I'm going to be your next Senator."

Taking it to the extreme, the three minute spoof has a picture of Karl Marx behind "Martin Heinrich." And they don't forget those elk steaks Martin was frying up for the family on the coming out video that portrayed him as an average Martin. The fake Martin Heinrich digs into an elk steak and says he "killed it himself," a reference to a report here that Heinrich killed and gutted the elk that he served up to his family in the form of elk fajitas.

All this, of course, is to call into question the sincerity and authenticity of the new Senate candidate. But Martin probably will snicker at it. Things promise to be much rougher if and when he faces off with the GOP Senate nominee.

REMEMBER THE HYPHEN

Republican columnist and legislative aide Brigette Russell comes with this rib-tickler from cabinet secretary Jon Barela who failed to win confirmation from the state senate:

Jon Barela, Economic Development Secretary-designate, quips that they are “the few, the proud, the hyphenated.”

Secretary of Education-designate Skandera also carries the hyphen in her title because she too failed to win senate confirmation. However, unconfirmed cabinet secretaries are still allowed to serve.

Barela may be leaving his hyphen behind if he decides to seek the GOP nomination for the ABQ House seat that Martin Heinrich is giving up to make a run for the US Senate. Barela was the 2010 GOP nominee, losing to Heinrich in a squeaker.

As for Skandera, what can you say? She is already knee deep in the politics of education in the state. The latest news is that her department underestimated the budget needs for the public schools and that means steeper public school cuts than the Legislature planned.

EXPLORING

Like Barela, former ABQ GOP State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones is weighing a bid for the nomination for the ABQ US House seat. She comes with her website Janice2012Explore.

And how about Democratic ABQ City Councilor Ken Sanchez running for the ABQ House seat? He's looking at it, say friends.

DEAD WRONG?

A reader in Washington reacts to our blog on the need for the city of ABQ to keep on board its $90,000 a year DC lobbyist:

Joe, You're dead wrong that ANY city, county, or school in New Mexico needs a DC lobbyist. My gosh, the delegation is only 5 members. I've worked in DC and know that the doors to every member of the NM delegation are always open to any constitutent. In addition, every member of the delegation spends considerable time in the state meeting directly with these entities...What DC lobbyists do offer that no one else does is a nice time in DC. Do we really need to spend $90,000 so that the mayor and city councilors can have a nice dinner twice a year at Capitol Grille, or Cafe Milano? I don't think so.

City Councilor Winter wants to abolish the DC lobbying post, but it doesn't appear he has the votes. Mayor Berry supports keeping the DC presence.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2011
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Thursday, April 07, 2011

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

From Downtown ABQ The Latest City Hall Action, Plus: UNM Update And The Spaceport Spaceship Revealed

Sandias (K. Borchardt)

We start things off this Wednesday from downtown ABQ and the latest news from the city beat....

A reader writes of Mayor Berry's proposal to switch all city employee health insurance coverage to Presbyterian from Blue Cross Blue Shield:

City employees have always had a choice between several health insurance plans. A few years ago, the city cut Lovelace from our choices. So I went with Blue Cross. Now we will have no choice--it's Presbyterian or nothing. It feels like a monopoly. But, of course, I will continue using my health insurance benefit as a city employee and, because I have no other choice, I will sign up for Presbyterian and will have to pay more to keep my same doctors who are not with Presbyterian --they call it 'going "outside of the plan." Maybe that is where I will spend my 1% raise?

City Councilor Ken Sanchez is raising questions about the health insurance switch which is part of the mayor's budget proposal.

Even though Berry is proposing a pay raise of only one percent for city employees making under $100,000, it could still be a flash point with conservative city councilors like Republican Dan Lewis. He's running for the ABQ US House seat and could take up tea party complaints that there should be no raises at all--even these tiny ones.

The policy analyst for GOP City Councilor Trudy Jones has left that post after being picked up for DWI last month. Jones is preparing an October re-election bid for a second term. Former ABQ GOP Councilor Greg Payne says he is undecided on whether he will seek to oust Jones from her far NE Heights seat.

Councilor Rey Garduno, a Dem, and Republican Brad Winter are expected to seek re-election this year. Four of the nine council seats are up for grabs. The R's control the panel five to four. That partisan balance is unlikely to change, but if Payne were to run and beat Jones, insiders say he would be the swing vote on the council, sometimes siding with Berry and other times not.

DUMP THE LOBBYIST?

Councilor Winter is questioning the need to keep a $90,000 city of ABQ lobbyist in Washington, but it is unlikely he will carry the day. The mayor and six councilors recently met with Congressman Heinrich and Senator Bingaman to discuss city needs. They were told that budget cutbacks proposed by US House Republicans could put in jeopardy federal grant money coming into the city. Lobbying is needed more than ever to protect the city's needs. Berry trimmed back on city lobbyists when he took over. Lobbyist and former ABQ GOP State Rep. Joe Thompson is the main man for ABQ when the Legislature is in session. John O'Donnell has the DC contract.

TEXAS GAMBLING

We've told you how some in Texas want to go the New Mexico route and expand gambling in a big way. Now we can tell you the chances of that happening are about as good as Susana Martinez hiring an illegal immigrant:

While many in the investment community believe Texas casinos are untapped oil gushers, conservative Gov. Rick Perry and influential Republican state Sen. John Carona of Dallas have said candidly gaming will not pass in this session of the Legislature.

The onerous process to change the Texas constitution -- a two-thirds majority vote in the Legislature plus passage of a statewide voter referendum -- also makes affirmation of a gaming bill unlikely.

AT UNM...

A UNM reader updates it on the latest action:

As expected, Suzanne Ortega is departing as provost, the senior academic officer of the university. She has been offered a top job at another university, which is probably best for both her and UNM. President Schimdly's contract runs through the summer of 2012, and rumor has it that he wants to extend it by a year or two. That would be bad for progress at UNM, since we will have an interim provost until a new president is found. The Regents need to start looking for a new president who can step in the day after Schmidly's contract ends.

On a positive note, relations between faculty and administration have improved lately. Faculty Senate Prez Rich Wood should get much of the credit. In contrast with his recent predecessors, he is not just interested in giving the administration hell. It is somewhat ironic that relations are so much better now that the budget crisis is so much worse. Schmidly has learned that any cuts to the academic core should be made by allowing the deans to figure out the details. And he just might find a VP position or two to eliminate, which would be welcome by all...

Thanks to that reader for the news. Eliminating vice-presidents at UNM has become the worst case of political constipation in the state.

JOHNSON WATCH

Why Gary Johnson will not win the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. From his Twitter account:

Had a good weekend speaking at both Hash Bash in Michigan & the High Times Cannabis Cup in Denver on marijuana legalization.

Well, winning isn't everything for the former Guv anymore. (But remember Gary, don't bogart that joint.)

SPACEPORT UPDATE

The Spaceship

The BBC gives us the scoop and first video of the spaceship being built by Virgin Galactic that will take tourists into suborbital space from the NM Spaceport:

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Albuquerque Still The Place To Be For The Retired & Carefree, Plus: "Steaking" Out Martin Heinrich, And: Insiders Report On Susana In Indian Country

ABQ remains a great place to live--especially if you are aren't looking for a high paying job right now. The city has been named by Forbes as one of the best places in the USA to make a retirement home. Here's how they put it:

Fast Fact: Home of world's largest hot-air balloon event; Pros: Terrific weather, low taxes, lot of doctors, modest cost of living; Cons: Crime, difficult environment for driving

The high ranking should please Mayor Berry, but not too much. You can't build a thriving economy solely on the backs of retirees who don't create jobs, but they are certainly welcome,

According to Berry's budget proposal for the city for the year starting July 1, he doesn't see the city returning to boom times anytime soon. He predicts revenues will grow a mere two percent. With inflation running at about that level, that basically means no growth while the metro area still struggles with an historically high 9 percent jobless rate.

We wondered here recently if Berry could do something about easing the city's budget woes by playing tough with vendors that are asking for price increases. That's how it's being played in the private sector. Well, in his proposed budget the Mayor says he saves nearly $4.7 million a year by switching the city's health insurance plan to Presbyterian Hospital from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Not a bad day's work.

The Mayor and city council cut most city employee salaries this budget year by a couple of percent. For next year the Mayor proposes a one percent pay hike for city workers making under $100,000. And to that we say: "Don't spend it all in one place."

STEAK OUT

For those of you who missed our follow-up, Martin Heinrich is not declaring, "Let them eat steak!" Several readers emailed in about the congressman's US Senate announcement video in which he is seen cooking up steak for his family while maintaining he is fighting for the average guy and gal. They wondered how he could be so out of sync. Well, it turns out those were elk steaks that hunter Heinrich himself brought back to the family hearth. From a friend of his:

The fajitas were made with elk meat Martin hunted and butchered with his own hands. His wife told me that he stayed up one evening until midnight butchering the elk before jumping on a plane back to DC for votes. Hunting the state's healthy elk and deer herds provides high-quality meat and recreation for thousands of working New Mexicans...

Readers (and us) heard Heinrich in the video clearly say to his son "Want some steak? We and the others did not catch his earlier reference to "elk fajitas" probably because the audio was more off-mike while the steak reference was much more distinct.

The reader who thought Heinrich should have kept it simple and stuck to spaghetti or meatloaf probably had it right. Folks are pretty sensitive these days about their political leaders trying to empathize with them.

Heinrich makes a salary of $174,000 and his wife's government salary puts their household income in the $250,000 area. That is way, way above average. Nothing wrong with that. It's just that things get tricky when such a candidate tries to use his own personal life to mimic that of his middle-class constituents.

Heinrich has never reeked of insincerity or lacked authenticity. In this case, his arranged "dinner" video struck some as being a bit too clever and putting that image at risk when folks are paying nearly $4 bucks a gallon for gas and are hard-pressed to buy extra hamburger--never mind elk steaks. Image consultants love the young family stuff and it's usually not given a second look, but in this environment even the benign can quickly turn politically toxic.

A little more fun with this from reader Alan Schwartz:

Maybe Heinrich should have placed the bloody carcass on the kitchen floor so there would be no mis-steakin...

Thanks, Alan, but only conservative Congressman Steve Pearce is allowed to throw red meat around like that.

And a final note on the Heinrich announcement. The photo we ran from his Facebook page featuring him at his Saturday announcement was snapped by Mary Ellen Broderick of DFNM.

CARVING IT UP

They'll have their carving knifes out soon in Santa Fe when they undertake redistricting. From the AP:

The once-a-decade exercise of legislative redistricting will produce winners and losers, and Albuquerque's west side is as close as it comes to a guaranteed winner of more political clout. Because of rapid population growth during the past decade in the city's sprawling areas west of the Rio Grande, residents will almost certainly gain seats in the House and Senate.

The special redistricting session is expected to take place in September.

GOING NATIVE

Here's a pretty cool photo of Governor Martinez. It was sent by one of our readers when the Guv was in Shiprock for the signing of a bill aimed at reducing Indian suicides.

Martinez looks genuinely smitten. Most NM Governors quickly learn their special role (as do our US Senators) in representing the Navajo Nation.

There's also some politics here. The Indian Pueblos up and down the Rio Grande--apart from the Navajo's in NW NM--were not supportive of Martinez's gubernatorial bid. One of our Alligators versed in such affairs tells us:

State Senator Linda Lovejoy, a Navajo, was there when Susana made her Shiprock stop. She sponsored the suicide prevention bill. I know she was none to happy with the continuing practice of people from the Pueblos being nominated as Secretary of the Indian Affairs Department. My guess is she pushed hard for Arthur Allison, a Navajo from Farmington, to be put at the helm. Look for the Guv to lean on Lovejoy a bit next session to push some legislation.

A Republican Alligator in Indian Country (now that's a rare species) adds this:

Allison will be the first Navajo to hold the position, which has previously gone to members of one of the Pueblos. The Pueblos fought bitterly against Martinez in the November election, but the Navajo voting block is larger. Navajo voters frequently complain that although they vote 70-80% for the Democrat ticket, they only see elected officials at election time.

RATTLED IN RIO RANCHO

That decision this month by Rio Rancho voters turning down a $22 million bond issue for city roads sent leaders there reeling. The new frugality of penny-pinched voters snuck up on them. A Rio Rancho reader writes:

My wife are two of the 6% that did vote. When Rio Rancho decides to do something for the existing property taxpayers we might give our support. Roads thru nowhere, repaving existing streets that do not need it; hospitals and colleges that should be paid for by the State and County, not solely by Rio Rancho residents and the inability to grade and maintain unpaved streets so our cars do not fall apart in two years are our reasons for a NO vote. The City of Vision needs to drop its blinders and add a rear view mirror.

We think Mayor Swisstack and the City Council there got the message.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2011
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Monday, April 04, 2011

R's Line Up For Heinrich Seat; Dems Not So Much, Plus: Our Comprehensive Coverage & Analysis Of The Race For Senate, And: Latest From Javier Vs. Sam

Barela, Lewis & Arnold-Jones

Now that Martin Heinrich has made it official and decided to give up his ABQ US House seat to run for the US Senate, Republicans are salivating over their prospects of taking his seat back in 2012.

They have some good reasons.

Running against an incumbent is almost always more difficult, the Dems do not have an obvious strong contender to succeed Heinrich and the GOP already has three possible first-tier candidates who political pros see as plausible winners.

Sunday afternoon ABQ GOP City Councilor Dan Lewis made his official entry into what could be a spirited battle for the GOP nomination for the ABQ House seat. But even as he took to podium at the Hotel ABQ, speculation was flying that Jon Barela, the 2010 GOP ABQ congressional nominee who came close to beating Heinrich, is taking a very serious look at giving it a second try. Adding fuel to the fire was confirmation that Barela, appointed by Governor Martinez as Secretary of Economic Development, would be attending a high-profile Rio Rancho tea party event tonight. Also looking at the race is moderate Republican Janice Arnold-Jones. If two conservatives--Barela and Lewis--went after each other her supporters feel she would have a shot at the nomination.

On the Dem side, confusion reigns. Freshman ABQ Dem State Senator Eric Griego and three-term ABQ State Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas have both announced "exploratory" committees for the House run. Both were immediately labeled by Republican analysts as too liberal to keep the seat in the Dem column--a fear shared by some Dem strategists. A centrist Dem or a liberal Dem who can disguise himself as Heinrich did in 2008 is urgently needed. Could either Griego or Maestas do that or would they even care to? Maybe, but in making his announcement Griego stuck to his left-wing guns:

We need a candidate who will unapologetically stand up for working families and take on those who would put large corporate interests ahead of our children, our environment and our local businesses.

Still, if Griego can turn left-wing politics into populism, it could get interesting.

The conundrum, as is often the case, is getting a candidate who appeals to the party's liberal nominating wing without having them so far out there that they can't take the general election.

Numerous other possible Dem candidates--none of them household names--continue to weigh the race--but the early muscle coming from the R's shows that keeping the Heinrich seat in the Dem column is going to be a major challenge for the state's majority party no matter who they make their nominee.

THE HEINRICH ENTRY

Heinrich's expected entry into the Dem race for the US Senate nomination was as laid-back as Senator Jeff Bingaman, the guy who is retiring and who Heinrich hopes to replace. Heinrich met reporters Saturday afternoon outside the National Hispanic Cultural Center where locals were celebrating The César Chávez Day March and Festival. Heinrich is most vulnerable to a primary challenge from a Hispanic Dem and will need solid Hispanic support if he is to take the seat in a general election so the setting was a natural.

The congressman, a Missouri native who moved to NM in the 90's, quieted some of the misgivings about him among Hispanics by opening up a South Valley office last year. He is also an ardent supporter of President Obama who retains popularity among Dem Hispanics.

Before his brief meeting with the press, Heinrich, 39, released official word of his run on his Facebook page and campaign website where he released a a 90 second video that shows the jeans-clad congressman at home with his family preparing dinner and talking about the race. But several viewers pointed out that Heinrich, while saying he can empathize with the plight of the working man, was cooking steak for dinner. From the email:

If he was trying to convey a sense of the economic struggle so many individuals and families are facing this ad isn't the vehicle. Steak for dinner? The menu for this ad should have been meatloaf or spaghetti...The perception problem is that all the candidates (at least in the Senate race) want voters to believe they feel the average person's economic pain and suffering, but it doesn't appear they're actually suffering financially the way their constituents are.

Well, it turns out it wasn't the kind of steak several readers thought. We are informed by a Heinrich friend it was elk steak for fajitas:

The fajitas were made with elk meat Martin hunted and butchered with his own hands. His wife told me that he stayed up one evening until midnight butchering the elk before jumping on a plane back to DC for votes. Hunting the state's healthy elk and deer herds provides high-quality meat and recreation for thousands of working New Mexicans....

Well, that's not stuff you can put in a 90 second video. Maybe it's best to stick with hamburger when talking about economic hard times

To other critics the video seemed a bit under produced and perhaps rushed. The overall impression Heinrich made was one of competence, but lacking zest or a personality larger than that of your next door neighbor. That's fine for a Senator Bingaman and if no primary opposition materializes it will work for Heinrich, but it will be a much different story when he faces the eventual GOP nominee.

FLASHBACK

Heather Wilson's entry into the GOP Senate race last month also drew critical reviews. One Alligator opined:

Heather had about 40 people in the audience at her announcement. 90% of the people on the stage with her were eligible for the Early Bird Special at Shoney's.

On the other hand, Wilson had excellent pre-publicity for her announcement, milking it for several news cycles.

SANCHEZ AND PEARCE

Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez is expected to soon get in the GOP Senate race. Maybe he can give the contest that it has so far lacked on both sides. Chances may be pretty good for that. Southern GOP Congressman Steve Pearce, who is not expected to run for the Senate, but is expected to support Sanchez, went to work right away on defining Heinrich as too "extreme" for the state:

Martin Heinrich's extreme agenda would cripple America and throw tens of thousands of New Mexicans out of work. Heinrich's support for the liberal, out of control spending spree in Washington as well as his support for the job killing Cap and Trade legislation are clear indicators that he does not put New Mexican families first. (They) deserve a Senator who will....fight to create jobs and get our economy moving. In Heinrich, they will only get someone fighting for special interests and the extreme agendas of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

And don't think that punch didn't hurt Martin with conservative Dems in Hobbs and Roswell. He is going to need millions in media to overcome what will be a relentless onslaught from the hard right as exemplified by accomplished tacticians such as Pearce and the national conservatives soon expected to rally around the John Sanchez flag.

Wilson, presuming it will be Heinrich she will face if she wins the GOP nod, piled on:

So, let's get this straight. Martin Heinrich goes to Washington in 2009, spends 2 years supporting the agenda that is taking our country in the wrong direction, and now he wants us to promote him?

Sanchez is emerging as a dangerous opponent for Wilson. David Montoya, the outgoing chairman of the Sandoval County Democratic Party has some thoughts on why:

If the Republicans stick to their successful play book you will probably see a strong push to ally the conservative values of the tea party along with Hispanic votes. This strategy worked in the Senate race in Florida, and governor's races in Nevada and here in New Mexico. I don't see them straying from this formula. That's bad news for Heather who is neither conservative nor appeals to northern NM Hispanics. It's good news for Lt. Gov Sanchez, if he can get out of the primary.

Sanchez's pre-publicity is solid but he has a high competence bar to jump. If he trips early, the Wilson fatigue in the GOP could fade.

NEW VS. OLD MEDIA

Heinrich's campaign tried to make his announcement appear novel by placing it on social media like Facebook and his website, but in reality it was decidedly old school media that he relied on to get his message out.

First, the campaign leaked the impending announcement to the ABQ Journal Thursday night which published it in Friday's editions. Late Friday they leaked the news to the AP which then went with a story of the impending announcement. Then Heinrich holds his formal announcement on Saturday--a lousy day for TV news coverage---but a good day to get the front page of the Sunday Journal which he did.

The leak to the paper which has been much more conservative in recent years was seen as part of a peace making campaign by the candidate to at least get them to move to a neutral corner.

"New" media was given a ceremonial nod by Heinrich, but in reality the action was all old school.

(Reporter Peter St. Cyr posted Heinrich's six minute news conference on YouTube as well as the Dan Lewis announcement.)

WHAT'S NEXT?

Heinrich's average performance over the weekend is not as relevant as it would be if he had a major primary challenger, but there is none on the horizon who is seen as being able to raise the $2 million or so it would take to derail him. That includes State Auditor Hector Balderas who has made noise about running, but is now going to fall quickly behind as the Heinrich vacuum cleaner starts scooping up the cash. That could keep Balderas and other putative challengers sidelined.

Northern Congressman Ben Ray Lujan is capable of mounting a well-financed challenge as could a wealthy private businessman with political ambitions. But neither of those scenarios is yet coming into view. For now, Heinrich is free to take to the open road in these early campaign months with little outside pressure.

VALLEY SENATE SCRAMBLE?

So if State Sen. Eric Griego does indeed opt to give up his seat after only one term to run for the ABQ congressional seat, who will line up for that senate seat in the 2012 election? We asked one of our South Valley Alligators for some names:

Based on the 2010 census data that seat could actually be absorbed in the legislative redistricting that will take place this fall. State Senators Lopez and Ortiz both need the population in their districts. Having said that the front runners for the Griego seat right now are:

Dely Alcantara--Griego's choice; Republican Bill Paiz, former Senator James Taylor who Griego beat in 2008 and Jacob Candelaria, grandson of Jack Candelaria, heir to Aragon family supporters who have traditionally played a role in Valley politics.

That's just a start, of course. If Griego leaps, the Dem race to replace him could look like a crowded elevator.

JAVIER VS. SAM

There is one election that is not in far off 2012. It's the race for state Dem Party chair on April 30. Combatants Javier Gonzales, the incumbent, and attorney Sam Bregman continue their search for support among the fewer than 500 Dem central committee members who will make the selection. Javier comes with a volley against Governor Martinez as he works to fire up his troops:

Susana Martínez has proven to be a very good study practitioner of the politics of division. Put divisive and wedge issues on the front of the debate, cut government funding to education, health care and workforce training all in the name of keeping taxes low for the wealthiest 1 percent. Attack environmental regulations in the name of job creation. Govern by creating fear among those you lead.

Bregman has fired numerous rounds at Gonzales, faulting him for the Dems poor performance in 2010 and saying they can expect more of the same if he is re-elected party leader. But Sam has his own baggage--his legal clients--as seen in this email:

Did you see this article Friday? For a guy who is running for Democratic Party Chairman, every once in a while it's okay to say no to taking a case. I can the see radio ads and mailers next year: "Democratic Party Chairman represents child molester." Geez.

From the article:

A Tijeras man accused of raping an 8-year old boy and filming it while the child tried to get away is one step closer to freedom. (ABQ) Judge Denise Barela Shepherd ruled that Bernalillo County sheriff's deputies had gone too far in searching the Tijeras home of Joseph Martinez in April 2009. Because the search was illegal, the evidence seized by deputies cannot be used at trial, the judge ruled, seriously undermining the state's ability to continue prosecuting the case against the 52-year-old Martinez....

"This is a great victory for the Constitution and specifically for the Fourth Amendment," Martinez attorney Sam Bregman said. "Again, it reflects the fact that the Constitution does not bend based on the seriousness of the allegations."

Gonzales has been given front runner status by party insiders, but the fact that his supporters are hitting back hard at Bregman shows that the flamboyant trial lawyer is making an impact.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2011

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Monday, April 04, 2011

Friday, April 01, 2011

The 2011 April Fools' Day Headline News Fresh from The Printing Presses Of La Politica

US Rep. Martin Heinrich Saturday was making his formal entry into the race for the 2012 Democratic Senate nomination for the seat being vacated By Sen. Bingaman. The AP previewed the announcement and Heinrich was scheduled to put it up on his campaign website at 11 a.m.

Here they are--Our 2011 April Fools' Day top New Mexico political stories:

--Governor Susana Martinez has hired an illegal immigrant couple from Guadalajara to clean the Governor's Mansion. They will only be allowed to drive the lawn mower.

--The Governor was briefly taken hostage at her Santa Fe office by her political adviser Jay McCleskey and ABQ Public Safety Director Darren White. They released her only after she agreed to view the Manchurian Candidate three times. ABQ Mayor RJ Berry will also attend the viewings.

--A puppet show at the Capitol Rotunda had spectators laughing with delight. The show featured Rep. Steve Pearce manipulating a John Sanchez doll.

--ABQ Mayor RJ Berry has discovered a potion that makes him nearly invisible to the public and press. He plans on marketing it to help solve the city budget shortfall.

--All three ABQ TV weathermen were arrested by the FBI this week on charges of promoting terrorism. "They have scared the state shitless long enough," said the agent in charge.

--Heather Wilson denied today she is the illegitimate daughter of former US Senator Pete Domenici. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

--Breaking News: Attorney Sam Bregman, running for Dem Party chairman, says if elected he will defend for free all Democratic politicians charged with corruption. He said this will total $6 million in free legal services.

--Congressman Martin Heinrich announced he will take Spanish lessons, eat enchiladas for dinner for a month and sponsor a cock fight in Los Lunas if no Hispanic candidate challenges him for the US Senate nomination.

--The NM Oil and Gas Association released its annual report today, revealing its membership owns 1,218 oil wells, 843 natural gas sites, 11 state senators, 18 state representatives and one Governor.

--Congressman Ben Ray Lujan said that his father, House Speaker Ben Lujan, will not seek re-election in 2012. He later clarified the statement, saying, "Okay, maybe he is, but a guy can hope, can't he?"

--Congressman Steve Pearce has called for the elimination of the federal government. Reporters were fact-checking to see if that was an April Fool's joke or not.

--The ABQ Journal has been purchased by the New Mexico Republican Party. No major changes are planned and current GOP Chairman Monty Newman will remain as editor.

--Senator Tom Udall, freshly appointed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says he will conduct his first round of hearings in Hobbs and Roswell.

--Breaking News: NM Dem Party Chairman Javier Gonzales is alive, Brian Colon has moved to Texas and Diane Denish has become a mid-wife.

--Senator Jeff Bingaman, retiring next year, introduced a resolution to completely defund Los Alamos and Sandia Labs as well as all of the state's military bases. "It's how I have really felt all these years, but couldn't say it. Good riddance to you all!"

--First Gentleman Chuck Franco enjoyed his favorite past time of hunting in southern NM this week. He bagged three illegals with state driver's licenses and 486 pounds of baloney being smuggled across the border.

--State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez is proposing a constitutional amendment to have northern New Mexico secede from the south. The measure was immediately endorsed by GOP Sen. "Lightning" Rod Adair. Sen Eric Griego introduced an amendment that would permit illegal immigrants to have driver's licenses in the new southern state.

--More breaking news: Governor Martinez has reduced her meeting schedule with state legislators from once every six months to once a year. However, she will stay play in the weekly poker game put on by Rep. Joe Cervantes and Hanna Skandera.

--State Auditor Hector Balderas announced today he is considering running for the US Senate, the US House, attorney general, governor, lieutenant governor, mayor of ABQ, president of the Santa Fe Kiwanis Club and leader of Boy Scout Troop #47 in Mora County.

--The nine ABQ city councilors were reported missing today. ABQ police say they have been on the case for more than a year.

--Darren White today climbed to the roof of ABQ City Hall, waved his arms in the air and exclaimed, "Top of the world, Ma!" He was talked down by Chief Ray Schultz who White then fired.

--More breaking news: Former GOP Guv candidate Allen Weh has successfully completed a 13 week anger management course, former Governor Gary Johnson has again been admitted to the Betty Ford Center and all Democrats in the state legislature are undergoing identity crisis therapy.

--Defying his critics, UNM President David Schmidly has hired the following individuals as executive vice-presidents at salaries of $250,000 each: his son, his wife, former Board of Regents Chairman Raymond Sanchez and APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. Schmidly also said he will a unveil new slogan for the university--"The Wal-Mart on the Rio Grande."

--Former Governor Bill Richardson visited rebels in Libya this week. He was accompanied by the Penthouse Pet of the Month. He introduced her by saying, "Boys, this is what you're fighting for." Richardson then made a visit to Paris where he visited investment adviser Marc Correa who donated $3 million to the ex-Guv's new charitable foundation.

This is the home of New Mexico politics. Thanks for stopping by this week and for making this New Mexico's #1 political website.

Reporting to you from Albuquerque, I'm Joe Monahan.

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