What's that New Mexico Democrats? You say you're not getting Halloween shivers up and down your spines from this imposing picture of Trump even though he's only hours away from touching down for his noon ABQ rally?
Well, you're a brave bunch but we bet a few D's watching a certain congressional race are feeling the fear today.
As for the NMGOP, they're trying to scare their opponents by going door-to-door disguised as pro-Trump political analysts and asking that votes be placed in their trick or treat bags.
It turns out it's mostly a trick.
Let's take a look at what the NMGOP is saying at voters' doorsteps:
New Mexico has been trending red in recent polling, leading to pollsters now labeling the state a toss-up.
No, it has not been trending red. The polls have VP Harris beating Trump here 50 to 41 percent. No high-quality surveys show the race to be anywhere near being a toss-up.
The GOP:
Between Trump gaining strong support from Hispanic voters and the top issues for New Mexicans being the economy and the border, New Mexico is now positioned as a key battleground state.
Some of that is true. Trump is polling near historic highs here among Hispanics, garnering 41 percent support in the Journal survey. If he hits that mark next Tuesday with Hispanic voters it would apparently be a modern day record for a GOP prez hopeful. And the economy and border are big issues for the overall electorate. However, we are currently not and have not been a "battleground state" since 2008.
President Trump is neck and neck with Harris in our state. His visit could ignite the spark needed to motivate our voters to hit the polls to flip New Mexico red.
Again there is no good evidence at all that the race here is neck and neck. However Trump's visit could "ignite" some support for GOP southern congressional district candidate Yvette Herrell who needs more votes in ABQ's South Valley and Westside if she is to upset Dem US Rep. Gabe Vasquez.
Finally, in the spirit of Halloween and one last try to scare the dickens out of the Harris backers, here's a final, unfiltered point from the R's:
New Mexicans are not happy with the state of the economy and the open border, and Kamala Harris represents more of the same failed policies. . . President Trump. . . wants to eliminate taxes on Social Security, tipped wages, and overtime. He will usher in true American energy independence, lowering gas prices and bringing down inflation. He will safeguard our daughters’ opportunities by ensuring they are not forced to compete against men and have men in their locker rooms.
So that's the big Boo! from the GOP to the Dems today.
(Hey, is that MLG shaking like a leaf over there?)
THE VISIT
The kerfuffle over parking for the Trump visit that took place between the GOP and the State Land Office has been resolved and the rally is on. Details for those going today:
Parking will be available in multiple locations off-site from the venue with shuttles providing transportation to the venue. Uber, Lyft, and ride-share services are encouraged. Ride-share drop-off location is at 2327 Clark Carr Road SE.
Parking locations: a private lot at 5441 Turing Drive SE; a lot near the Albuquerque International Sunport at 1501 Aircraft Ave. SE; and a lot at Montage at Mesa del Sol, 2702 Stryker Road SE.
Parking will open at 5:00 a.m. Shuttles begin operating at 5:30 a.m. and doors at the event venue, CSI Aviation, open at 8 a.m. Event programming will begin promptly at 10 a.m., and remarks will begin at noon.
We'll update the blog this afternoon following Trump's ABQ speech.
JERRY SANDEL
Sandel made a fortune in the oil and gas business and was known for his financial acumen during his time in Santa Fe. Details of his passing were not immediately available.
Sandel was 82.
OUR ELECTION COVERAGE
We're as excited to get going as we were when we started the tradition for the station back in 1988 and even when we did our very first radio election night coverage in 1974. Yikes!
We're back with our live pre-game show this year and that will tip off at 5 p.m. Monday with top experts like Dem state Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil and veteran ABQ Journal capitol reporter Dan Boyd and others.
Then it's on to Election Night with a 6:30 p.m. start for live, continuous coverage all night long. Among the experts at our table will be longtime Republican consultant Jamie Estrada who is on those legislative races like white on rice.
We'll have more details of our coverage next week.
KANW is once again where it's at for the inside story of Election Night with up to the minute results, the best expert analysis and the most fun. As always, we invite you to join us and thank you for doing so.
This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
