How about an edition of reader Vox Populi hot off the presses to take us into the holidays? You got it.

Reader Fred Moran writes of the outbreak of hostilities between the camps of Dem Guv contenders Jeff Apodaca and Rep. Lujan Grisham over sex harassment:

Leave it to Democrats to snatch defeat from the mouth of victory. After two terms of a brutal Martinez administration, I could finally feel the winds of change coming to NM's government. While Grishom and Apodaca battle over sex related issues, New Mexicans would rather hear how these candidates, if elected, would approach the serious problems we face day to day. 

Dem strategy seems to be to form a circle and fire at will. It makes me seriously wonder if being Governor is more about personal power than representation of the citizenry. Oh well, things just got a little brighter for Mr. Pearce.

One of the Dem Guv candidates has been busy talking about the issues, Fred. Under-the-radar hopeful Peter DeBenedittis came with this serving of meat and potatoes this week:

Dr. Peter DeBenedittis has made single-payer health care his gubernatorial campaign’s top priority. DeBenedittis’ People First Campaign has just released a short video demonstrating the need for single-payer health care.

Another disgruntled Dem of the Senior Alligator variety also unloaded on both Grisham and Apodaca:

Whoever is on the Lujan Gisham team that is advising her to unload her opposition research on Jeff Apodaca in December of 2017 is really missing the mark. All she had to do was cruise and ride the women's wave to victory in the Democratic primary. Instead, she jumped in the lagoon with Jeff the swamp creature. It's Christmas for God's sake and no one wants to read about alleged missed kisses at whiffleball games or offended intern disputes. Get over yourselves and try to act Gubernatorial. 

Tell us about your economic plan or why you are less of a hot mess than Susana Martinez (because you both are starting to make us wonder. . . ). If this is the tone throughout 2018 people are really going to get sick and tired of Jeff and Michelle.

JACK'S TRACKS

Our mention of the 45th anniversary this month of the moonwalk by astronaut and former NM GOP US Senator Harrison "Jack" Schmitt brought this comment from Jodi McGinnis Porter, his former PR staffer for his short-lived stint as the state's secretary for energy and minerals:

Senator Schmitt never refused a background check by the Senate Rules Committee. As a former United States astronaut he has had top secret government security clearances and is not new to background checks. He refused to sign a Release of Liability for the misuse of private his private information for the company doing the investigation.

We relied on news reports from 2011 in blogging about the background check.

Reader Alan Wagman checks in with an interesting Schmitt angle:

It is fitting that Harrison Schmitt became an astronaut, because he was born in space. In Grant County, people who were born in Santa Rita are referred to as having been born in space. This is because the site of the town of Santa Rita hovers in space over the open pit Chino Mine. Many of the houses in Santa Rita were moved to Silver City, fifteen miles away.

Talk bout learning something new every day, Alan. That sure fits.

And Reader George Richmond keeps us in the south with this comment on the NM Spaceport:

Recently, Virgin Galactic announced that its suborbital space trips are likely next year and will move many employees to the Las Cruces area. Then they announced a deal with the Italian Space Agency for launches from the NM Spaceport. So, it appears that Sir Richard Branson's venture into the space business is "taking wings and really starting to fly."

Perhaps the Martinez Administration might use this opportunity to sell the Spaceport to Branson's Virgin Galactic, or at least ask for bids and get this white Turkey out of our lives. Early childhood education could use the money.

"White Turkey," George? Didn't you mean "white elephant?" Or do we need to go hunting in Catron County?

This reader reacts to the misspelling of the word "gift" as "git" during our blogging of the Christmas gifts the politicos will be getting:

Is that supposed to be "gift"? Although, I kind of like "git." too. For some reason it seems to work: Git (slang) ... Git is a term of insult with origins in British English denoting an unpleasant, silly, incompetent, stupid, annoying, senile, elderly or childish person. As a mild oath it is roughly on a par with prat and marginally less pejorative than berk.

Okay, now we git it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This is our 15th Christmas on the blog and we're thankful for your continued interest today and through the years. We look forward to informing and entertaining you in 2018. Blogging will be light through January 1.

Enjoy this special time of year and. . .

Merry Christmas, New Mexico!

Okay Frank, take us outta here. . .

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2017