We're traveling abroad this week and next so we switch gears and continue with some blogging of La Politica's past...

When it comes to Election Night coverage our first one will never be topped for sheer craziness. It was 1974. I was all of 19 and anchoring coverage on KUNM-FM with the idea that at the end of the night I would sit down and pound out the lead story for the next day's UNM Daily Lobo, a photo of which we posted on the Thursday blog.) What could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot. First and foremost, this historically close election could not be called at the usual time of 10:30 or 11 p.m. or even Midnight. It was so close we had to wait for the Northern New Mexico returns to trickle in to determine who would become the next Governor. And back in those days they were notoriously slow.

But wait we did. Republican Joe Skeen was ahead because the Bernalillo County and Southeast NM results were all in and showed him with a slim lead. But we knew he was in jeopardy as Democrat Jerry Apodoca was sure to beat Joe in the Spanish North. That he did, but we could not call the race and leave the airwaves until the wee morning hours as the excruciatingly slow results dribbled in over the wire service.

Skeen decided to give a late-night speech, firing up his supporters and refusing to concede. That made the stakes even higher for an accurate call on the victor. Meanwhile, the Daily Lobo deadline was fast approaching. Finally, the AP must have called it at something like 1:00 A.M. I was relieved it was over so I could get going on my newspaper story, but was dog-tired, not having had much sleep because of the excitement of the previous 24 hours. Unfortunately, there was plenty of excitement to come.

Leaving the microphone behind and sitting down behind an old behemoth gray typewriter in the basement of the Student Union Building where the radio station was then housed, I jammed in some copy paper and began nervously typing while anxiously eyeing the big newsroom clock. I pounded out my lead:

"Democrat Jerry Apodaca edged out Republican Joe Skeen in Tuesday's election...."

I was about half way through when something happened that still brings a painful smile to my face--I fell asleep! A decrepit gray IBM typewriter serving as my harsh pillow.

DAYS OF DEADLINES

How long I was out, I can't remember. But I do remember that Lobo editor Mike Minturn appeared out of nowhere, awakening me by literally shaking me and yelling at the same time about the now nearly missed deadline for the paper. We were pretty freaked out. How could you have a newspaper without the results of the election? Was this a nightmare? Where was I? I looked down at the incomplete copy and reality resurfaced in the form of impending doom. The spelling was a mess. Not that it was badly written but typos were everywhere and I still had at least several hundred words to go to wrap Election Night. Minturn wasn't about to leave without his story. It was as if he was perched on my shoulder like a berating parrot, literally grabbing the sheets of paper as they came off the typewriter. Talk about drama.

Somehow I finished, but when I read the story in the paper hours later, it was riddled with typos. There was no time to edit so they must have just thrown it on the presses or however they did it back in that dinosaur age. Still, that it had gotten done at all seemed like magic and it marked the start of my long and sometimes messy love affair with news and politics.

After that groggy night of simultaneous agony and joy, defined by heart-in-the-mouth deadline pressure, I never again feared a deadline. I sometimes worried, but knew deep down it couldn't get any worse. But from then on I developed another life long affection--for coffee. Especially on Election Nights.

The year was 1974. I was there. And that's the way I remember it.

I'm Joe Monahan, reporting to you this week from Venice and Florence, Italy.

E-mail your news and comments. Interested in advertising here? Drop us a line.

While traveling abroad this week and next, we flash back to 1974 to bring you a memory sparked by the events of today...

Memories came rushing back when the shocking news of the arrest of Dr. Chris Garcia on charges of promoting prostitution blazed across the Net this summer. The 71 year old former UNM president, poly sci professor, author and political analyst of nearly 40 years has touched the lives of literally tens of thousands of New Mexicans, including ours. Allow me to share with you a political tale of long ago.

The year was 1974. I was covering my first political campaign, writing of the Governor contest between Democrat Jerry Apodaca and Republican Joe Skeen. And it was also the year I covered the first "Zia Poll" authored by none other than UNM political science professors Chris Garcia and Paul Hain.

The '74 Governor's race turned out to be one of the tightest in state history. Jerry Apodca beat Joe Skeen. by polling164,172 (49.9 percent) to Skeen's 160,430 (48.8 percent). The trouble for the Zia Poll was not its prediction that Apodaca would score a victory, but that the poll had Jerry ahead by 16 points in the final survey. That's a far cry from the mere one percent squeaker Apodaca came away with.

The big gap was enough for me to mention it in the Lobo Election Night story, saying: "One election eve poll had predicted a 16 point win for Apodaca..." For whatever reason--perhaps in an effort to spare the new Zia Poll any embarrassment--I did not mention it by name. I wrapped the story up in the wee morning hours (more on that later), got some sleep and awoke a few hours later to retrieve a fresh paper. I knew right away there was trouble around the bend as I took in the headline that blared:

"Apodaca wins Close Gov. Race; Zia Poll Was Off."

Hey, I didn't even mention the Zia Poll in the body of the story. How did that get in there? Well, I don't recall asking him later, but am almost certain Lob editor Mike Minturn took the opportunity to settle whatever score he had with Chris. I do recall that Minturn got an earful about it from Garcia who was outraged that his errant poll was in the main headline for the newspaper that all of his friends, colleagues and family read.

I did not see Garcia much over the years, but when I did talk to him over the phone or via email, we never did speak of that Election Night or the Lobo headline. He probably knew from the copy I wrote that I had nothing to do with sticking the needle in him. He went on to big things later that decade, serving as a TV political analyst and conducting numerous "Zia Polls" that always made news.

We should add that those later polls were more accurate than the controversial one that started the political ball rolling for F. Chris Garcia and the one that gave me one of my first and most lasting memories of La Politica.

Tomorrow: An Election Night To Remember.

Mayor Berry had a rough election night Tuesday as voters delivered a stern rebuke to his effort to win approval of $50 million in special bonds, and also gave a thumbs down to the controversial red light camera program. The one bright spot for Berry was the defeat of Greg Payne who was landslided in his atempt to defeat incumbent City Councilor Trudy Jones.

Berry couldn't have been too surprised that nearly 70 percent of the electorate nixed his "Berry Bonds." They blew up in his face when the opposition pointed out that you could not vote separately on the Paseo improvement bond and the sportsplex bond. Still, this is a hit to the Mayor's prestige and power as he begins the second half of his 4-year term.

Voters, however, were not in an anti-bond mood across the board. They gave overwhelming approval to $164 million in other bonds.

Payne's defeat was as important to political consultant Jay McCleskey as it was to Councilor Jones. Her campaign successfully spiked voter turnout in the far Northeast Heights district, and that spelled a second four-year term for Jones and doom for the intrepid Payne. Trudy scored over 60 percent of the vote.

That's all for now as we begin our break. Reporting to you from Venezia; I'm Joe Monahan.

Will there be a taxpayer rebellion or will voters routinely approve the many bond issues on today's city election ballot? We'll find that out tonight as well as what Mr. & Mrs. Albuquerque think about continuing those controversial red light cameras.

Reports show that Redflex, the company that runs the program, came with over $140,000 to win public support for the cameras. But it will be Mayor Berry's two special bond requests that will be most in the spotlight. That's $25 million to rebuild the Paso Del Norte/I-25 interchange and another $25 million to build a controversial sportsplex. Was Berry forceful enough in convincing the public to vote for his "ABQ: The Plan"? Did the opposition do enough to get the word out against the plan?

There are also two contested city council races on the ballot today that will keep election watchers tuned in.

The polls close at 7 p.m., although it appears that well over half the vote has already been cast early or absentee.

BLOGGING FROM WHERE?

As timing would have it we'll be traveling overseas when the city election results come in this evening. The plan is to blog the results and provide some analysis for you from the Venice, Italy airport. We'll get in there Wednesday morning so you should be hearing from us. If not, our Gondola took the wrong turn.

We'll be in Europe this week and next and out of the breaking news loop. But we'll provide you with some pre-cooked daily blogging to satisfy your political cravings. Now, before we say "Ciao," let's get to the latest action....

THE CONGRESS BATTLE
Lujan Grisham
The conventional wisdom on the three way race for the Dem nomination for the ABQ congressional seat is that Bernalillo County Commissioner Michelle Lujan Grisham is running third and that the front runners are former ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez and State Senator Eric Griego. If that's the case--and Lujan Grisham would disagree mightily--who does she hurt the most? Judging by this early endorsement from liberal ABQ State Rep. Gail Chasey Beam, Michelle may take votes away from Eric Griego:

Not only was Michelle an early and vocal supporter of the repeal of the death penalty, she has inspired me and other lawmakers to improve the economic future for New Mexico. I cannot imagine a better person than Michelle Lujan Grisham to fight for us and represent New Mexico families in Congress.

But Lujan Grisham is not defined as a down-the-line liberal like Greigo. She has pull with senior citizens, for example. That appeal could slow down Marty Chavez.

For Lujan Grisham the job is to post some solid fund-raising numbers and get the pundits thinking she is no longer running in third.

GOP ACTION

On the GOP side prominent Republican Tom Tinnin recently held a fund-raiser for City Councilor Dan Lewis. That was taken as a sign in some quarters that Jon Barela will not make a late entry into the contest.

Lewis and former State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones are the two GOP contenders so far. It's not too late for Barela, the 2010 GOP nominee and current economic development secretary, to get in the race but it would have been much easier a couple of months ago. The side bets still have Barela staying on the sidelines. We'll see...

Speaking of the economic development department, here's a news tip from one of our Alligators in the vicinity:

I was just informed about what I see as the Economic Development Department's poorly veiled efforts to circumvent the Governor's ban on salary increases and promotions for classified employees. The department has asked the State Personnel Office to analyze the work of its employees to determine if their increased workloads and/or new assignments warrant pay increases.

You won't be hearing complaints about economic development from many Democratic legislators since State Representative Bobbie Gonzales' son and a couple other family members are employed in that small department...

Interesting stuff. There is a great partisan divide in Santa Fe, but when it comes to packing the state payroll, it's business as usual--a bipartisan party. Speaking of which..

BARING SOME TEETH

The ABQ Journal is starting to show some teeth--albeit maybe baby teeth--when it comes to covering the Martinez administration, now nine months old. The ink-stained wretches came with a front-pager questioning fund-raising on behalf of the Guv during the recent special legislative session and then came with another headline grabber that questions the hiring of Stephanie Gardner at the Public Education Department. She's the wife of Martinez chief of staff Keith Gardner, a former Roswell state representative..

The Gardners are trying their best to battle back, but the perception is often the reality. The story details what could easily be taken for a wire job in getting Stephanie's gig. How could you expect charges of nepotism not to arise in a case like this? The difference is that it is now receiving coverage.

The lessons here? You're not going to sell fishwrappers if the pages drip with honey for those in power. And if your pillow mate is going on the state payroll, don't be surprised to see punches get thrown.

THAT'S IT?

They can splash it on the front page, they can have the town crier yell it out and they can put it above the urinals at the local bars for everyone to read. But it all amounts to the same thing--the judicial bribery case against Las Cruces District Court Judge Michael Murphy is a sorry mess. Need proof? Look at this recent anti-climatic news lead:

The Las Cruces judge whose secret recordings helped trigger bribery charges against a fellow jurist also recorded the local chief judge, other court personnel and a woman who said she had spoken to Gov. Bill Richardson about a judicial misconduct complaint.

As Peggy Lee crooned, "Is that all there is?" A judge has already dismissed most of the charges against Murphy. It looks as if Clovis area District Attorney and Special Prosecutor Matt Chandler is throwing the long ball here to try to salvage something. He has the press on his side, but apparently not the law. Former Big Bill spokesman Gilbert Gallegos unloads:

“This is total lunacy from a discredited and moribund investigation trying to revive itself with rumors and innuendo."

Well, we won't be that hard on Matt, but his case looks about as meaty as a vegetarian buffet.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.



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

What happened to the red light cameras? In an interesting twist, what analysts thought would be a major driver of City Election '11 has been relegated to the back seat. Instead, it is the $25 million sportsplex proposal--not the cameras--that has turned out to be the hot button issue and is providing the emotional punch on this election eve.

Redflex, the company that operates the red light camera program, has pumped in over $140,000 to convince voters to allow them to keep snapping pics of red light runners at busy intersections. It has hardly raised an eyebrow even though that appears to be the most money spent on any issue or candidate in tomorrow's election.

Anti-red light fever went into remission some when the program was suspended for a time and resumed with fewer intersections monitored by the square shaped cameras that have an Orwellian feel.

The city is no longer making big money from the red light runners the cameras catch. GOP City Councilor Dan Lewis calls it the biggest scam" the city has ever seen.

The vote on the cameras is "advisory," meaning even if voters say they want the cameras taken down, the city council and Mayor would not have to comply.

With over $140,000 in campaign lit being dropped and the $25 million sportsplex bond sucking up most voter rage this cycle, will the once hyper-controversial cameras fly under the radar and get a green light?

HOW WE VOTED

We don't endorse candidates in this corner, but we do take a public stand on bond issues and other ballot issues for our city and state. We cast an early vote Friday afternoon at the busy Juan Tabo and Montgomery voting site.

We appreciate the effort behind Mayor Berry's "ABQ the Plan" but believe it was the victim of rushed thinking and political machinations. It should be sent back to the drawing board.

Our main objection is not the $25 million bond issue to rebuild Paseo Del Norte/I-25 or even the $25 million for the controversial sportsplex. It is the arrogance of the city fathers that forces us to vote on these bonds together when they are in no way connected.

We're adults out here, not children to be told they must eat their spinach to get their dessert. Voters deserve the opportunity to vote separately on bond issues of this magnitude but the administration and its council supporters have been too clever by half.

We also question the financial projections the $50 million in Berry Bonds rely on. The Mayor assumes a 3% increase in city gross receipts tax for the fiscal year that began July 1. But gross receipts tax collections have not risen to that level for the first two months. Not to say they won't, but these are hardly the plush times that merit a bond issue based on gross receipts instead of the traditional property tax.

We urge a "No" vote on Bond #12.

TEA PARTY: NO SPORTSPLEX

It's pretty late, but the ABQ Tea Party has finally made its stance known on Mayor Berry's controversial sportsplex bond--they are against it:

The Albuquerque Tea Party (ATP) stands for Fiscal Responsibility: ...The bond issue to fund the Paseo del Norte interchange and the sports complex does not meet this standard. A reasonable city council and mayor would have allowed the voters to approve or disapprove each proposal separately. Therefore, we recommend that voters reject the bond issue as notice to the governing officials of the City of Albuquerque that the citizens will not stand for this kind of disgraceful manipulation. The interchange project does need the full attention of city government, but our elected officials would rather play Russian Roulette with the voters: take it all or leave it!....

Earlier the conservative Rio Grande Foundation also came out against the sportsplex bond. The conservative groups find themselves aligned with the labor unions on this one. Labor is opposed to the Sportsplex/Paseo bonds because they don't like the idea of taking money out of the city's general fund to finance the bonds. They argue the money could go for city employee salaries and other operating expenses in a time when budgets have been cut back.

INSIDE PASEO

As for rebuilding Paseo, that $25 million in bond money, if approved, would need to await matching funds from the state and/or federal governments But the recent special session of the Legislature refused to appropriate $50 million for Paseo. We need more exacting leadership and better planning in what will ultimately be a rebuild costing over $300 million. Governor Martinez, Mayor Berry and other key policy makers need to sit down and come with something that resembles something more than a wing and a prayer. They need to build rural NM political support and also more fully involve the state's congressional delegation. We need a team effort not the current scatter shot approach that will keep traffic backed up and motorists fuming amid the gasoline fumes.

THE SPORTING LIFE

As for the sportsplex, the problem for the Mayor is timing. He has made some good arguments about how this facility could attract regional events that could spark tourism. This deep recession is not the time for the city to be taking this kind of risk or putting up this kind of cash for a nonessential project.

Where are the market studies backing up the Mayor's contention that a sportsplex would mean more tourism? He gives other cities as examples of where these sportsplexes have been successful, but there has been little concrete marketing info circulating during this campaign to assure us that this project doesn't represent a long-shot gamble.

On the $164 million in other bonds on the ballot, we were supportive--but not entirely. We voted "no" on the $11 million senior and community center bonds. The idea being that we should pause to catch our breath with these centers. But in the main these bonds are going to improve the city, put people to work and spark some badly needed economic activity.

JONES VS. PAYNE

The Alligators weren't kidding when they reported that the campaign of Trudy Jones was working mightily to spike turnout in her far ABQ NE Heights city council district. Stats compiled courtesy of political consultant Neri Holguin show a whopping 27 percent of the voters in Jones' District 8 cast early or absentee ballots (not counting Friday's early turnout).

Jones is being challenged by fellow Republican and former City Councilor Greg Payne. It has been an often vicious campaign, featuring Payne's rivalry with Jones political consultant Jay McCleskey who is putting well over $60,000 to work on behalf of Trudy. Conventional wisdom has it that a lower turnout would benefit Payne, thus the big get-out-the-vote drive by his rival.

With a big turnout and big money working against him, a win by Payne would now qualify as a major upset. No polling has been released on the race, but insiders say Jones has put out 11 mailers.

In city council District 4 in the NE Heights, which also features a competitive council race, early and absentee turnout is running at 19 percent of those eligible. In council District 1 on the city's west side it's as though there is hardly an election. Only 4% of eligible voters had cast early or absentee ballots through Thursday.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. Interested in advertising here? Drop us a line.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2011

Not for reproduction without permission of the author