NM Dems are sure to chortle over Gov. Martinez's latest fund-raising pitch. Take a look:

Did you get your “I’ll be damned…I’m a REPUBLICAN!” t-shirt yet?. . . As you know, I used to be a Democrat. In fact, I was raised in a family of Democrats. But 19 years ago, before I ran for District Attorney, my husband and I had lunch with two men where we discussed issues. After that lunch, I turned to my husband and said, “I’ll be damned, we’re Republicans!” I retold the story of that lunch in my RNC speech. Now, you can let all your friends know that you too are a Republican by contributing today and getting an “I’ll be damned…I’m a REPUBLICAN!” t-shirt.

Well, depending on your political persuasion you can take this two ways--"I'll be damned! I'm a Republican and damn glad I finally have had that soothing revelation."

Or, you could say: "Your damn right you're going to be damned for being a Republican!"

One other thing. Will the Christian Right, which has been on Martinez's tail and that of her chief political operative for not being aggressive enough on pro-life issues, take umbrage at her using the curse word "damned?  We're checking with the pastor on that one. . .

Well, Martinez may be a Republican, but she also prides herself on her ability to attract Northern Hispanic Dem votes. She'll be celebrating that this weekend as well as the Fourth of July. Not that her scheduled appearance in Las Vegas isn't setting off some pre-Fourth fireworks:

The decision to make Gov. Martinez the grand marshal in heavily-Democratic Las Vegas's fiesta parade Saturday isn't universally welcomed. Parade organizers had announced the selection of Martinez by saying she'd demonstrated a commitment to the community, including Las Vegas-area reservoir and hotel projects. However, the Las Vegas Optic reports that San Miguel County Democratic Chairman Martin Suazo says it's inappropriate to honor Martinez. Suazo says additional funding proposed by lawmakers for San Miguel County didn't make it into the final state budget approved by Martinez and the Legislature.

No doubt about it. The NM economic news has been damning throughout Martinez's tenure and there's no let up as we inch closer to the more intense stage of the '14 Guv campaign:

Albuquerque was the only major metropolitan region in the region to lose jobs in the 12 months that ended May 31, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The four-county region lost 2,700 jobs for a negative 0.7 percent growth rate. Denver gained the most jobs at 34,800, and Austin was second with 31,000. Those job losses for Albuquerque translated into $147.9 million in lost payroll, according to an analysis by Albuquerque Business First. 

HAPPY FOURTH

The long Independence Day weekend is upon us and that brings us to reader and film reviewer Eric Lucero:

The crop of films out this week is weak--but there are some worthy “holdovers." For example: "Jersey Boys" (3 out of 5 stars) is director Clint Eastwood’s sincere effort to bring the highly successful Broadway play to the Big Screen. Eastwood pays deserved homage to the iconic 1960’s rock ‘n roll foursome, the Four Seasons, who thrilled not only their generation, but influenced others to come. Actor/Singer John Lloyd Young reprises his Tony Award winning role as the brilliant and troubled crooner, Frankie Valli. This bio/musical strikes the right notes and will please. . .

If you still haven’t seen Tom Cruises actioner, "Edge of Tomorrow" (3.5 out of 5 stars), and/or it’s Sci-Fi post-apocalypse companion, "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (3.5 out of 5 stars), both are worth a peek in 2D.

For fans of the tearjerker, "The Fault in Our Stars" (3.5 out of 5 stars), which deals honestly with the reality of living with “dreaded” cancer, fits the bill. Not since "Love Story" (1970) or ABC TV’s "Brian’s Song" (1971) have audiences cried so much.

Film listings for the ABQ metro are here.

Happy Fourth of July, New Mexico.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

I'm Joe Monahan, reporting to you from Albuquerque

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2014. Not for reproduction without permission of the author