Let's wrap the week with a couple of letters of interest. First, here's the letter sent to 10,000 undocumented immigrants ordering them to report to a Las Cruces or ABQ location to verify their residency in the state.

Dear Mr./Ms. Public: The public safety of New Mexico requires that State authorities identify and cancel the driver’s licenses and identification cards of Foreign Nationals who presented fraudulent documents or have moved out of state...This compliance effort requires that you provide proof of your identity and residency to ensure that we have correct and current information. This process is not optional...This is notice that the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) will take steps to cancel your license or identification card if you fail to comply with the appointment process within thirty (30) days....

You wonder how many of the 10,000 will comply after reading that tough talk.

Governor Martinez is absorbed in the illegal driver's license issue, seemingly like no other. Some news:

An Albuquerque woman...is now facing over 300 counts of felony charges for creating fake residency documents so illegal immigrants could obtain a New Mexico drivers’ licenses. A grand jury in Bernalillo County returned an indictment against Ana Hernandez...

“This is yet another egregious case that shows we’re attracting criminal elements to our state for the sole purpose of obtaining driver’s licenses,” Governor Martinez said. "New Mexicans overwhelmingly agree that we must put an end to this dangerous system and that is why I’m calling on the legislature to repeal the driver’s license law during next month’s special legislative session...

Democratic Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg was also quoted in the release. Her office brought the indictment with help from the state. Kari is up for re-election next year. It appears she just acquired some immunity on this hot button issue that the R's are determined to make their Holy Grail in 2012.

SUSANA'S HERITAGE

Meantime, readers continue to weigh in on the heritage of Martinez whose grandparents on her father's side were determined to have entered the USA illegally. Norm Shatkin opines of another reader who said there is no inconsistency with Susana's illegal grandparents and her tough-as-nails approach on immigration:

I've seldom read a lamer apologia than his remarks on Martinez and her illegal alien ancestors. The point is that Martinez has pressed hard on immigration by depicting illegal aliens as dangerous and a threat to public safety, when her own family background should inform her that most illegals are peaceable, hard-working folks trying to feed their families. Instead she enables reader McCaughey to describe her grandparents as "something in (her) history that (she's) not too proud of," like a heroin-addicted brother, and she's thus justified in smearing others like them today.

This isn't a partisan opinion--(2010 GOP ABQ congressional candidate) Jon Barela refused to condemn illegals last year even as his party was doing so from coast to coast. It is bad enough that those with Latino heritage have to endure insults like the Arizona racist laws, but to have one of their own join the crowd for her own political advancement is obscene.

DAYS OF DARREN (CONT.)

Now to our second letter. It was sent to the ABQ city council by the city's inspector general confirming that he has decided to launch a formal investigation of the scandal over former Public Safety Director Darren White:

I met with the Accountability in Government Oversight Committee to discusses the merits of conducting this investigation...we concluded that this would be an investigation that the Inspector General could and should conduct. I am officially advising the City that Council that he Office of Inspector General will conduct this investigation into the accident of July 6, 2011, involving Kathleen White (wife of Darren White).

Unlike the independent review officer report done on the accident under the mayor's office, the IG will have subpoena power to get at the truth. How aggressive will he be? Stay tuned.

FREE RIDE?

Steve Pearce is still not faced with a serious Dem challenger for his southern congressional seat and soon he could have none. The Sunland Park mayor may withdraw his candidacy after admitting to signing city contracts while drunk.

Hmm. Drunk politicians signing contracts. There's got to be a lot of punch lines to that one.

INTEL AND YOU

A reader writes of our frustration that Intel is not planning any expansion at its Rio Rancho plant and its warnings that the state's financial incentives don't stack up favorably with others:

For Intel to expand further in NM, it needs an educated and available workforce that's willing to work. We fail all three. However, if we can show Intel that we have enough of these workers, Intel may reconsider. But, who is making the pitch and providing data to support it?

High school dropout rates and the need for remedial courses at the college and community-college level work against us. We're in a situation that may take massive efforts (not necessarily financial) to struggle out of. First, get parents involved in and supporting education. Second, recognize that all work is productive even if it's an entry-level job at McDonalds. It teaches responsibility, dependability and occasionally sacrificing individual pleasures in order to fulfill a previous commitment....

The point is taken and it's another reason why many of us have been generally supportive of the Governor's education initiatives.

THE PERFECT STORM

Doug Antoon, a consultant for ABQ GOP congressional candidate and City Councilor Dan Lewis called it "the perfect storm" and he's probably right. We called an "Alligator strike" on Lewis when the web site of the church he is pastor of--SoulRio Church on the city's West Side--went down shortly after we posted the church's link. We did so with our Wednesday story on how Mayor Berry is bleeding support from the religious right. It appeared that the site had been taken down to avoid any political discomfort. We did not hear back from a campaign aide before we posted, buttressing that belief. But Lewis says that is not the case.

He delivered a stream of emails to us confirming that the site had been hacked before we came with our report, dismissing any conspiracy theories. Still, when we originally went to the site it did look bare bones, but did not say anything about being under construction. Later it did. Lewis said the site will be restored with all its original content.

Lewis said he understands how the foul-up could occur, but it's a reminder to all the candidates that their web sites--personal and political--are on the playing field when they seek public office. It pays to have a crack Web team watching after them.

As for hacking, the day we posted the blog on the religious right, our Twitter account was hacked. Maybe we should have seen this one coming.

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Thanks for joining us this week. Reporting from Albuquerque, I'm Joe Monahan.

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"Softie Susana?"
Political reporter Steve Terrell wonders how the national press can do a long piece on the "softer touch" of Governor Martinez and not once mention that one of Martinez's premier public issues has been repealing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. That debate has been nasty, divisive and anything but "soft." There was also no mention of the round-up of 10,000 randomly selected immigrants to prove that they still live in the state.

That's pretty good work by Susana's spin machine on two veteran national reporters.

Martinez is polling at 52% approval. Not bad in comparison to other GOP Governors who have gone overboard with hard-right rhetoric and programs. But Martinez preserved her polling honeymoon because of what she did not do, not because of what she has done.

This paragraph of praise from reporters Ben Smith and Byron Tau just plain befuddles:

...Soon after her election, she made a point of building relationships with the Democrats who controlled the Legislature in a series of private meetings and outreach sessions...Martinez won her crucial legislative fight, a budget with no new taxes.

What Democrats were those? Surely not the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate President Pro Tem, the House Speaker or the House Majority Leader who barely know her and rarely meet with her. The last we looked they were among those who "controlled" the Legislature.

And as far as winning a "crucial legislative fight," well, it didn't happen. There was no fight. In fact, outside of the frenzy over driver's licenses which Martinez lost, the session was dismissed by political analysts on both sides of the aisle as one of the most uneventful in decades.

The Susana spin doctors may have the presiders of the Potomac in their pocket, but in the Alligator infested waters around here, you gotta play some hands to win. Bluffing doesn't count.

NEVADA PUSH BACK

Nevada GOP Governor Brian Sandoval was also given a fuzzy bear hug in that same national write-up, but like here it was met with push back. With lines like this, no wonder:

Sandoval and Martinez have fought to keep their heads down and the ideological stakes low. In a nation clamoring for compromise and political civility, theirs is a model to watch.

A model to watch? Hello, Washington? Martinez activated her political arm only days after taking office to launch robocall attacks into the districts of legislators who fought her on illegal driver's licenses. She used it as a wedge issue because, as she never tires of saying, a poll shows 72% of the public in favor of the repeal. The attacks during a session were quite unprecedented and led not to compromise and civility but rancor and legislative failure.

Well, guess you had to be here. And that's why we do what we do.

DATELINE CLOVIS

Speaking of those driver's licenses for illegals, Susana was pounding it again in Clovis this week:

Martinez spent Wednesday in Clovis, meeting with leaders at Cannon Air Force Base and area communities and to address her push to change the state’s driver’s license law. The governor spoke to about 70 people in a press conference at the Clovis Civic Center about the issue.

“New Mexico has become a magnet for people seeking valid U.S. IDs and for people who traffic humans,” she said during the press conference.

Dems point out that Martinez could have advanced a bill in the last session of the Legislature that severely restricted the licenses and given her much of what else she wanted, but she wants the whole enchilada or nothing--a complete repeal and a complete political victory. She will try again in the special redistricting session that insiders expect to be called for Sept. 6. Will she prevail this time?

The Guv thinks the overwhelming public support for repeal will eventually wear out the Dems, but it could also wear out the public if the redistricting session degenerates into another divisive spectacle at a cost of $50,000 a day.

Why doesn't the Governor simply wait until the 30 day session of the Legislature in January and try again there? Is the matter really that urgent or are we trying to make political hay here? You don't need a Ph.D in poly sci to figure that one out...

So what about the other stuff Susana is planning on adding to the special session agenda? Can't all of it wait until January? We'd say yes--with one exception. The $150 million capital outlay bill that will kick-start construction jobs is needed now. Martinez will find bipartisan support for the measure which was delayed in the last session.

If Martinez stuck to redistricting and the capital outlay bill for the special session, it would spotlight that "softer touch" she was described as having, but this is a Governor who enjoys a good fight. That's what she liked as a district attorney and that's what she still likes. And that's what we're going to get come September. In other words, don't look for the nickname "Softie Susana" to pop up anytime soon.

SITE PROBLEMS
Dan Lewis
Well, how about that? We put up a link Wednesday to the web site of ABQ's SoulRio Church--the one that congressional candidate Dan Lewis is pastor of--and a few hours after the blog hits the streets we noticed site is taken down. It was replaced with a note about the site "undergoing some changes and repairs."

Was there something on there that might have made Dan politically uncomfortable? We pointed out that his positions on creationism, abortion and gay rights could be problematic if he becomes the GOP nominee for the ABQ House seat.

No, according to Lewis. He says the site has had ongoing problems and was hacked. There was no conspiracy to hide anything and the site will be reposted with all of its original content. He sent us a stream of trouble-shooting emails to confirm that the problems arose before we posted the Wednesday blog on how some of the religious right were peeling away from ABQ Mayor Berry.

PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS

Mayor Berry appears to be positioning himself to veto a city council measure that calls for a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation of the numerous fatal police shootings the city has suffered. He says APD should be given a chance to change and cites a study that suggested 58 recommendations for change. But the natives are restless and this reader email frames it well:

The mayor only seems focused on the 19 police shootings and DOJ request. What about the tens of millions of dollars Albuquerque residents have paid out in police related lawsuits since Ray Schultz became chief? To me that is the issue that needs to be addressed now. The city is broke and yet we have already paid out $5,000,000 just this year in police lawsuits.

The study the mayor had done only addresses some of the issues at APD. Many of the lawsuits have nothing to do with police shootings--they deal with violation of civil rights for knowingly arresting the wrong people and then leaving them in jail for months. They deal with bad searches. They deal with police officers suing Schultz for civil rights violations. What has the mayor done to address this? What can he do? Other than terminate Schultz and move APD forward with new leadership?

Fair questions. DOJ says it is reviewing whether to launch a full-scale investigation into APD. It could happen even if Berry vetoes the council measure and it is sustained.

As usual, we welcome any comments from the mayor or police chief. But we doubt we are going to get one. Berry is killing himself. Take a look:

KOB-TV requested for a response from Mayor Berry Wednesday concerning the DOJ's review into the shootings, but was told the mayor was booked with appointments and was unavailable for comment.

That reminds you of "stealth" Mayor Louis Saavedra back in the early 90's. The city aches for forceful leadership during this crisis. The god-awful political and media advice Berry is getting and following is breathtaking. Won't some elder-Republican statesman types help him out? Or can't they find the bunker?

THE BOTTOM LINES

A reader reporting here Wednesday on the death of Margaret Larragoite, 84, identified her as "secretary"of the state senate. She was the chief clerk....Sandoval County Commissioner Donnie Leonard, 66, has received a new liver and is recovering in a Phoenix hospital....And from the Roundhouse:

A bronze bust of former New Mexico Governor David Cargo will be unveiled at the State Capitol's Halls of History in a celebration in which both current Governor Susana Martinez and former Governor Cargo will speak. The unveiling ceremony, which commemorates the man who served as governor of New Mexico from 1967 through 1970, takes place on Thursday, August 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the State Capitol. Paula Tackett, former Legislative Council Service director, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

Knowing Dave, he will try to whisper policy advice in Susana's ear. She could do worse.

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Berry Prays (Journal)& Pastor Smotherman
Mayor Berry makes no secret of his Christan faith, even joining a prayer group on ABQ's Civic Plaza last year as shown in the accompanying photo. So it is with more than passing interest that two prominent ABQ area pastors have emerged as thorns in Berry's side.

First, there is GOP ABQ City Councilor Dan Lewis, the pastor and a founder of the SoulRio Church on the city's West Side who this week broke with Berry and supported a Department of Justice probe into the numerous fatal police shootings in the city. Then there's Pastor Steve Smotherman, leader of ABQ's Legacy Church which attracts thousands to its services and is a city political force on the right.

Smotherman recently waded directly into city politics with a call for the resignation of Public Safety Director Darren White, prompting talk that Smotherman, like fellow pastor Lewis, could find his way from the evangelical to the secular world and eye a run for public office. From his News and Views web site:

Steve also called for the resignation of NM Atty General Gary King and Albuquerque Public Safety Director Darren White. Enough of the monkey business of these two. King is just plain incompetent and White has seen the Police Dept. disintegrate right before his eye’s with all the Police shootings of civilians and now this whole mess with his wife’s accident and him driving her away…..leaves a dark cloud that we may never know the truth of what has happened.

The time has come for a Federal Investigation of the Albuquerque Police Dept with all the shootings. Councilman Dan Lewis has suggested that. And then there is the Officer Levi Chavez case--the killing of his wife and the cover-up involving APD and the Chavez family’s involvement in stolen cars!!!

This is a very dark and deep sewer that can no longer be ignored by Christians! Pastor Steve called for Governor Martinez and Mayor Berry to be more involved with the King and the White situations.

White has since resigned as public safety director because of the controversy that ensued over his involvement in the scene of his wife's July 6 one car accident.

Also, the city council voted Monday to ask the Department of Justice to investigate the police shootings. Lewis was the only council Republican supporting the probe.

It's usually the left of the political spectrum that is most watchful of police power, but in this case conservative Christians Lewis and Smotherman are with them, going as far as calling out Berry and Martinez to be more engaged.

Could Smotherman make a run for mayor and make Berry bleed on the right and thus endanger his chances for re-election? It's too early to size up the Oct. 2013 city election, but it's safe to say while Berry's spiritual health may be in good shape, his political soul appears increasingly in danger--from both the right and left.

LEWIS AND RELIGION

Looking over that SoulRio church web site leads to thorny questions for Councilor Lewis who hopes to become the GOP nominee for the ABQ congressional seat being vacated by Dem Martin Heinrich.

His vote Monday to have a federal probe of the police shootings added dimension to his political character, breaking him free from the hard-right of the GOP. But opposition researchers for the Dems are sure to try to trap Lewis on the far right and press him on his views on creationism, abortion, gay rights and other hot button issues that are always tricky to handle in the moderate ABQ district.

DOJ COMING?

On the heels of Monday's city council vote asking for a Department of Justice investigation into fatal police shootings comes this reaction from the department:

The Department of Justice said Tuesday it is reviewing allegations against the Albuquerque police department to determine if it should launch an investigation into the recent escalation in police shootings.

A spokesman for the department confirmed the review is under way a day after the city council — under increasing pressure from civil rights advocates and the families of some of the 13 people killed by Albuquerque police in recent months — narrowly agreed to ask the city to request an independent DOJ probe.

Mayor Berry's office declined to say whether he would sign or veto the measure. But his approval is not needed. The DOJ can open an investigation on its own if it finds a pattern of potential civil rights abuses.

Do you get the feeling that the lid is about to be blown off? We know APD Chief Ray Schultz must feel that way.

UNION POWER

On the Dem side of the ABQ congressional race, State Senator Eric Griego has received a major boost in his campaign against former ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez. The AFSCME union announced it will back his candidacy:

"Eric is a true believer. He has never been afraid to stand up for those that do not have a voice, for hard-working, middle class families who are struggling every day. Eric is exactly what we need..."

With a strong liberal base Griego can lay claim to being the early front-runner for the nomination. That may stun some who see Chavez's superior name ID and fund-raising ability carrying the day. But the AFSCME endorsement--it means money and major manpower--and the closing of ranks behind Griego by liberal state lawmakers has him--for the time being--where he needs to be. Chavez, who has popularity issues in the Dem Party, will need to show some muscle soon to prevent a gradual closing of the ranks behind "true believer" Griego.

THE DISCONNECT

We opined that there was a "big disconnect" for Governor Martinez when it comes to issues surrounding illegal immigration because her grandparents on her father's side have been discovered to have entered the USA illegally, but her immigration positions are as tough as nails. Reader Jim McCaughey differs:

I am sure most families have something in their history that they are not too proud of. But, to follow your logic, if your brother is addicted to heroin, you should be in favor of legalizing heroin. Otherwise, it is a "big disconnect." If old Uncle Willie gave away $26 million in taxpayer dollars to his cronies, should we make that legal or find ways to stop it in the future? I don't see a big disconnect in doing that.

MARGARET LARRAGOITE

From Santa Fe, Joseph Montoya Jr., the son of the late Democratic US Senator Joe Montoya ('65-77), alerts us to this news:

Margaret Larragoite, 84, passed away July 31. If you recall, she was the manager of my Dad's office in Santa Fe for many years. She then went on to serve as chief clerk to the state senate for many more years until her retirement. Regards, Little Joe Montoya II

Thanks, Little Joe. Besides your Senator father, Margaret was a key player for State Senator Manny Aragon who for years held sway as the powerhouse of the upper chamber.

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NM's US Senators
New Mexico's economy could melt like a stick of butter in a hot Tucumcari parking lot if this veer to the right over federal spending extends over a period of years. Already, proposed budget increases for the big national labs--Los Alamos and Sandia Labs--are being called into question. And plans to take the cleaver to the national defense budget if future debt reduction fails strikes at the heart of the state.

Maybe we'll all stay oblivious and vote next year on how we feel about abortion or gay marriage, but the 2012 election--if screened through the prism of who can best protect us against a blood spattered budget--is as big as it gets. There are thousands of direct federal jobs here as well as thousands of jobs from federal contracts.

Senator Bingaman and all the seniority he brings to the table has only a year and a half left to use his muscle to secure funding for the national defense and security establishment here.

After that, we will be in the hands of one of the least powerful congressional delegations we've had since the late 70's. But back then there was a Cold War and hardly any debate over the national debt. Winning funding then was like skiing downhill. But in 2013 two freshmen US Senators and an ABQ freshman congressman will face a harsher atmosphere.

There is so much confusion now. New Mexicans want responsible federal spending, but they don't want their economy devastated by massive federal cuts or their personal security jeopardized by slashes to Social Security and Medicare.

We've got a pretty good crop of US Senate candidates to choose from on both sides of the aisle. We're going to be all ears when they talk about reconciling these disparate views.

HEADED OUT

Staffers for outgoing Dem Senator Bingaman are now making their plans for the future. Jeff's chief of staff-- Stephen Ward--is among them. He came with this email to friends and colleagues:

I have left Jeff and the Senate after seven and a half wonderful years...I have joined the small firm VH Strategies in DC and hope to build a practice helping clean tech and others with their business before the government. I can be reached via my new business email: stephenward@vhstrategies.com...Trudy Vincent, Jeff's great long-time legislative director, has agreed to take over as chief of staff, and Sunalei Stewart, our great staff counsel, has agreed to take over Trudy's L.D. position....I am grateful for your support...

And before long it will be the Senator with a similar message as he prepares to retire at the end of 2012.

ABQ City Council
If the headline writers delivered verdicts ex-ABQ Public Safety Director Darren White would be off the hook. Following the Friday release of the independent review officer's report on the auto accident involving White's wife, the headlines blazed with news of Darren's "exoneration." They screamed that he "didn't interfere" at the scene of that infamous July 6 one car accident involving Mrs. White and her black Porsche. But there are sure to be another round of headlines on this ongoing story and they are unlikely to be as favorable.

The IRO report (complete copy here.) was immediately branded incomplete by the skeptics and a "white wash" by sterner critics. White, of course, claimed victory. He said the report, which asserted he did not use his powerful position to interfere with a criminal investigation, vindicated him. He then dismissed his recent forced resignation as a political event based on misinformation. But was it?

The IRO report, authored by retired Federal magistrate William Deaton, threw officer Al Walck under the bus. It said White's wife was clearly out of it and should have been tested for alcohol and drug abuse. But even though Deaton says Walck and other emergency responders were intimidated by White's presence at the scene, he concludes that that intimidation did not play a role in the failure to pursue the needed tests. In other words, it was Walck's fault. The report promises disciplinary action--not against White--but Walck.

The report drew this harsh assessment from a law enforcement source:

It is a cover up and it is the dumbest thing the (Mayor) Berry administration could have done. Now Walck will sue the city and everyone involved. Isn't it convenient that Darren White didn't testify? There are tapes and videos and the IRO purposefully directed questioning away from those issues, but with Walck's lawsuits that will all become public information. You can expect documents, tapes and videos to start popping up all over the place.

The report says everyone on the accident scene felt intimidated by Darren White being there. Of course, AFD and APD personnel did everything they could not to be the "one" who made sure Darren's wife was arrested. That's what people do when they are afraid their boss will seek vengeance on them for having his wife arrested. Darren White repeatedly stated he didn't drive lights and sirens to or from the scene but that was proven to be untrue. And, he doesn't even testify?

They just started a fight that is going to destroy City Hall.

We don't know about destroying City Hall, but the City Council meets today and is expected to give final approval to having the city's inspector general look at the controversial case. The argument being that Judge Deaton is a member of the executive branch and a truly independent probe is needed to get at the full truth. Deaton's report did nothing to change that perception.

As for videos and documents, we have not independently confirmed their existence, but if there are any, look out for more controversy.

And then there's that promised lawsuit from Officer Walck. That's not going away no matter what the legislative or executive branches of city government do.

BLOW-BY-BLOW

A web site put up by a group of ABQ firemen came with a blow-by-blow critique of the Deaton report which seems to lay the groundwork for the Inspector General to explore the many questions left unanswered.

A LEGAL BEAGLE INQUIRY
Darren White
We put one of our senior Legal Beagles to work on the IRO report and they came with this exclusive analysis of the Deaton report:

The released portion of the IRO report is an amazing exercise in "mental gymnastics" and will raise more questions than answers.

--The investigation found that the police officer did not do his job and violated police procedure by not administering a field sobriety test or calling for a drug recognition expert when there was an "overwhelming amount of evidence that was presented" of impairment. Then why did APD Chief Schulz say at a news conference there was no probable cause to make an arrest and the Administration attempted to keep the press from reporting, saying there was no story?

--The IRO report finds that the paramedics and police were intimidated by Darren White's presence. The IRO report finds that White merely violated City policy and procedure by improperly using a City vehicle's emergency lights and equipment. The paramedics were "intimidated" by White's presence at the scene but that they were still able to do their jobs because he did "not throw his weight around?" Really?

--If the woman was so impaired, why was White allowed to make the decision to take his wife to the hospital, rather than the paramedic unit demanding that they take her there?

--White arrived at the scene in a city vehicle and with emergency equipment engaged, therefore he was acting in an official capacity and not just as a concerned husband or citizen. White's mere physical presence at the scene and how he got there and then not allowing his wife to be taken to the hospital by the paramedics or ambulance were acts the IRO could have found to be interference and intimidation. What you have is an appearance of impropriety and undue influence.

--The IRO report makes an outlandish conclusion. He says that because the investigating officer asked, "What makes you think I am not going to charge her?" and "Do I need to call a drug recognition expert?" and asserted it was "his scene" that these statements somehow indicate that the officer was not intimidated to handle the case differently than usual.

--The IRO report finds that the Deputy Chief Beth Paiz did nothing wrong even though as Deputy of Field Services she did not know what violates HIPPAA (Federal privacy regulations) in police reports.

--Who ordered or threatened an Internal Affairs Investigation of the officer? Now the police officer may be disciplined for failure to conduct a field sobriety test and turning his report in late.

--The main point: The IRO gave Darren White and Deputy Chief Paiz a pass and came down hard on an experienced patrol officer for not doing his job. There is a clear need for an investigation by the City's Inspector General. The IRO report does not pass the "smell test."

Now there's a Legal Beagle who knows how to sniff out a case.

THE WHITE DIVIDE

On another level, we've heard complaints like this stemming from White's presence at the scene of his wife's accident:

If it was Hispanic Democrats pulling this crap--like former Mayor Chavez and his Hispanic police chief-- instead of Mayor Berry, White, Schultz and Chief Administrative Officer Rob Perry, the Republican Party would be screaming 'bloody murder' and yelling about what a corrupt banana republic New Mexico is. I guess as long as the "right" sort of people are doing it, it's okay.

DARREN AND DEATON

There is not much upside for Deaton here. His long legal career is coming to an end and this may be what he's remembered for. That he came with a report with so many holes does not help his legacy.

A reader dubbing themselves "Curious in ABQ" comes with this:

--If Deaton was concerned about the ethics of his position and being completely and honestly ‘independent’--why did he not recuse himself from any action as to the White ‘scandal’ to insure that a totally and unequivocally independent person was chosen to investigate? This would assure the public as to the integrity of the position of ‘Independent’ review officer.

--Why was there a 'proverbial ‘rush to judgment’ by Deaton as to get his ‘report’ in before Monday’s City Council meeting ?

--Why did White claim to be ‘exonerated’ when all that happened was that a report was issued by a very questionable party--Deaton--when there is no conclusive evidence as to either exoneration or guiltiness in that report?

--What qualifications--other then political connections--make Deaton eligible or trained as an ‘investigator’ as to police matters? Judging and policing are apples to oranges...

In the aftermath of the report's release, the charge that Deaton, a Democrat, was beholden to the GOP consulting machine that has ensnared Mayor Berry immediately resurfaced. His wife is retired Republican Judge Geraldine Rivera who swore Berry into office in December 2009. She is well-acquainted with the machine and its components, including Darren.

Deaton's report was released to the public by email.

DARREN'S FUTURE

White is trying to stay on the offensive, saying he plans to file "state and federal complaints" over his wife's medical information being released to the public. Insiders wonder if he will get a settlement. That would be kind of ironic after the millions the city has paid out over police shootings under Darren's watch.

If the city's IG inspector comes with a substantial report we could still see criminal charges involving the case. And then there's that promised lawsuit from police officer Walck that is going to keep Darren occupied.

He may be sounding like he is on the offensive, even refusing to rule out a future run for political office, but Darren's days ahead are filled with defense.

BALDERAS AND GAYS

Here's a development worth nothing. Dem US senate candidate Hector Balderas has announced he supports gay marriage. That will win him favor with many Democrats, but not all of them. Balderas has been courting Hispanic Dems, most of them Catholic, and that group, according to polls, remains opposed to gay marriage.

There was speculation that Balderas, who polls show is doing best against opponent Martin Heinrich with conservative and moderate Democrats, would shy away from a pro-gay marriage stance. That he didn't shows he is ready to do more romancing of the party's liberal wing which in the early going has lined up behind Martin.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Dianna Duran continues to play defense over her decision to launch a massive investigation into alleged voter fraud in the state. The LA Times took a look...

And then there's Governor Martinez's decision to have 10,000 undocumented immigrants who have state driver's licenses come to ABQ to prove they are still living in the state. That promises to create a bureaucratic mess, never mind the issue of forcing people to drive 300 miles to ABQ. And what if mistakes are made with these "random checks?" Well, look for the lawyers and the lawsuits and a bill for the taxpayers. Don't say we didn't tell you...

On another front, here's a long-form interview of state education secretary (designate) Hanna Skandera. She sat down with KOB-TV's Nicole Brady for Sunday's Eye on New Mexico. Skandera shied away from the dreary partisanship that has surrounded so much of the public debate here recently (i.e. driver's licenses for illegals etc.). Instead, she adopted the role of cheerleader and brought optimism and bipartisanship to the table. She said she senses some momentum in the state for real education progress. Setting the right tone can't hurt...

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