New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan

Bush & Pete
Two Presidential visits in just 10 days? It looks that way as a Senior Alligator passes word that President Bush will visit NM on primary election day, June 6th, to discuss "comprehensive immigration reform." The Prez, as first reported here, will make a campaign stop in downtown ABQ June 16th for GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson at which she hopes to persuade folks to line up and pay $5,000 for a pic with the Prez.

Some politicos might say Mr. Bush will be raining on New Mexico's primary parade, but with few key contests and a record low voter turnout predicted, they probably needn't worry much. Rather, it would seem the President would pick an area of NM to visit, like ABQ, where his immigration plan will get a sympathetic hearing. Conservatives are up in arms over what they consider to be an amnesty provision for illegals in the Bush favored bill.

Still, the timing seems odd. Maybe the White House felt it was unseemly to just drop in on the 16th and swoop up dollars for Heather, so they are adding another visit to "meet the people." Or, more likely, NM would be part of a White House road show on behalf of the immigration measure. The fact that our congressional delegation largely supports him on this one is an added factor.

The visit has yet to be confirmed, but our Senior Gator is a guy in the know, and we would be surprised if he didn't have this one nailed. But, if necessary, I can eat my share of crow with the best of them.

ANOTHER RACE "IN PLAY?"
Gonzales
The Democratic race for the secretary of state nod started out with Stephanie Gonzales as the clear frontrunner. Now, it has turned into a barnburner, according to top political analysts checking in here. Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Herrera says she has been throwing significant resources at the contest and even Gonzales insiders are acknowledging that the race is in play.

One of those analysts, Dem pollster and consultant Harry Pavlides, (in the game since 68') says Stephanie's campaign has not been very visible and that Herrera could win the contest if "she blows out Bernalillo county," a scenario he sees as possible. Herrera is on statewide cable TV and radio, is mailing 80,000 Democratic households and will soon hit with a series of newspaper ads. Her second cousin is a printer and has made in-kind contributions for the direct mail.

Gonzales is mailing twice to 35,000 key Dem households. She is a former two term secretary of state with high name ID, but Herrera is well-known in the vote laden Rio Grande Valley and can make inroads in the the important Spanish North. The other two contenders, Santa Fe's Letitia Montoya and former secretary of state Shirley Hooper, are seen as lagging by Pavlides and my other experts.

The political pros, still very cautious on picking a winner in the unpredictable, record low-turnout primary atmosphere, wonder if Stephanie has spent enough money to get her over the top. ABQ Mayor Martin Chavez Tuesday was raising additional funds for Herrera at a downtown lunch. Campaign finance reports will tell more of the tale this week. Meanwhile, Herrera has to wonder if anyone is paying attention out there. If they are, she has a shot, so if you took it off, add this one back on your must-watch list.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

An anticipated primary battle between ABQ NE Heights GOP State Rep. Justine Fox-Young and former State Rep. Bob White failed to get off the ground. And with good reason. White, who lost the seat to Justine in 04', has been in and out of the hospital since early May. The print shop owner told me as he recovered at home that he had gall bladder surgery and has been sidelined. Fox-Young has put together a sizable campaign kitty and the race tips in her favor. The Dem candidate in the heavy R district is John McWaters. White, still in the fighting spirit, says he will vote for McWaters in November if he loses to Young on Tuesday.

Another contested R primary is in the ABQ Far NE Heights District 20, including Four Hills. It also features a candidate by the name of White, but no relation to Bob. State Rep and House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs is retiring and hopes to pass the torch to Jim White, a former state GOP treasurer and Air Force retiree. Politicos from the area say Hobbs may get his wish, but White will have to work it as two other hopefuls, Kevin Dixon and Richard Berry, are also out knocking doors. The R nomination is tantamount to election in the Republican dominated area.

SILLY SEASON

It's getting a bit crazy around here, but we wouldn't have it any other way. And we want you along for the ride in this final week of Primary 06'. Join top NM lobbyist Scott Scanland and me today at 4 p.m. on 50,000 watt talk radio 770 KKOB-AM for a rundown of the key primary races. Then, on Monday, June 5th at 5 p.m., join Scott and me again, along with ABQ South Valley Dem State Senator James Taylor, ABQ R State Senator John Ryan and former Big Bill spokesman Billy Sparks as we present a one hour Election Eve special on KANW 89.1 FM.

On Election Night, June 6, we'll bring the gang together to count the votes beginning at 6:30 p.m on KANW-FM, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1988.

As for your blog, look for special reports and breaking news every day between now and the election. You can take part by e-mailing your latest news and comments from the link at the top of the page.

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Zamora & Big Bill
Geno Zamora is going out with all guns blazing. The Santa Fe attorney and former chief legal counsel to Big Bill launched a pre-holiday attack against both of his rivals for the Dem attorney general nomination, hoping to close the gap between him and frontrunner Gary King and to hold down prosecutor Lemuel Martinez.

In a tough, well-produced TV spot, Zamora accuses Gary of voting against "victim's rights" and "tougher penalties for DWI offenders." And he adds fuel to the fire by charging Sandoval county District Attorney Martinez with angering "victim's families with plea bargains that let criminals go free...including a child molester."

King's camp was stirred, if not shaken. Friday night they unleashed their own TV attack implying that Zamora is anti-environment because as a private lawyer he had as a client giant copper producer Phelps Dodge which has a large presence in Silver City. But the fact that the King camp decided a response was in order told insiders all they needed to know: the race remains in play.

For his part, Martinez, 49, scored Zamora, 36, in a news release for being "a young, inexperienced attorney who has never submitted a case to a jury. He does not understand the criminal justice process. Indeed, in this case, he has not even bothered to look at the evidence. The people of New Mexico do not need that kind of inexperience." And in the continued battle for the Spanish North, Martinez put up this radio spot as well as a closing TV ad.

Zamora's campaign feels Lem could split enough of the Hispanic vote with Zamora to deny their man a late surge and a possible victory against Gary.

WHERE'S IT STAND?

"Zamora has momentum, but he has got to stop Gary and Lem from growing much, thus the negative TV," offered one of my Alligators, who said he has King getting 35 to 40% of the vote if the election were held today. "There's still enough undecided for Geno to catch Gary, but time is running out," he added. Another Gator said, "Geno can't afford for Lemuel to go above 20%. If he does, it will mean too much of a split in the Hispanic vote," leaving the victory to King.

Zamora could have laid down his arms and gone out positive and let the chips fall where they might, but with the numbers looking somewhat tantalizing he decided to go all in. His hit piece, however, renewed criticism from his foes that he would take orders as attorney general from Governor Big Bill, nullifying the constitutional independence of the AG. They also claim his campaign reports reveal large corporate contributions that make his pledge to be "tough on ethics" questionable.

Watching all this from the sidelines is unopposed GOP AG candidate Jim Bibb who will face the Dem winner In November. But who that winner will be remains an open question.

THE INK STAINED WEIGH IN

Meanwhile, on the newspaper endorsement front, Gary King answered Zamora's nod from the Las Cruces Sun-News with one of his own from the state's largest newspaper, the ABQ Journal. The Journal(Sunday circulation: 149,000) subtly referenced Geno's ties to the Guv as they praised King's "independence and integrity."

The Santa Fe New Mexican (Sunday circulation, 27,000) came through for Lem, also referencing his independence and the state Treasurer's scandal, calling the D.A. the "most likely candidate to to regain New Mexicans’ trust."

In other races, the Journal gave the nod to Ray Powell for state land commissioner and Tom Buckner for state auditor. The New Mexican endorsed Dem land commissioner contender Jim Baca and D secretary of state hopeful Shirley Hooper as well as Tom Buckner for auditor.

If newspapers could vote, Buckner would be an easy pick as his rival, Dem Jeff Armijo, has so far been shut out in the endorsements, mainly because he has been friends to indicted ex-Treasurer Vigil. But newspapers don't vote and my experts still call Armijo the frontrunner.

OUR BUSH EXCLUSIVE

Our Friday exclusive noting President Bush's upcoming June ABQ visit to campaign for ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson was picked up by a wide range of media, including KSFR 90.7 FM radio in Santa Fe where we gave news director Bill Dupuy some more analysis behind the big story....Also from the City Different, I spoke with the Santa Fe Reporter as they put together this piece on how it can be good, very good, to be a friend of Big Bill's.

JERRY McKINNEY

Jerry McKinney was a pleasure to be around, especially if you were a political junkie. His wry sense of humor, understanding of human foibles and his lifelong interest in the strange behavior of politicians made him a first rate rate reporter for the ABQ Tribune in the 70's, a trusted and reliable aide to the state's longest ever serving congressman, Joe Skeen, and a respected and
well-traveled journalist as a correspondent for the Voice of America in Washington, D.C.

Jerry, 68, lost his life in a a rafting accident on the Animas River near Farmington Friday. (Mass on Wednesday, May 31st, 10:00 AM, San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church, Old Town, ABQ.)

He retired to ABQ from D.C. a couple of years ago with wife Kay, also a former Trib reporter, but was soon called back into service to handle a mini media frenzy when Skeen was hospitalized and about to pass. As always, Jerry handled his duties with dignity and class.

I laughed and joked with Jerry when we were both reporters in the 70's as we worked the political beat. And we laughed again when I recently met up with Jerry and Kay at the local Starbucks. Jerry never did take too seriously the political antics, but he took quite seriously the trust placed in him throughout his long and fruitful career.

Jerry McKinney earned his pages in the never-ending book of his beloved La Politica. He did so humbly and with a twinkle in his eye. Thanks, Jerry.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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One of the nation's most closely watched races for the U.S. House of Representatives will get the personal attention of President Bush when he travels to ABQ June 16th to campaign for GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson who is locked in a heated battle with NM Democratic Attorney General Patricia Madrid.

Confirmation of the trip comes from my top political sources, including a Senior Alligator. Big donor NM R's are receiving a copper-colored invitation asking for participation in a $5,000 photo opportunity with the President or attendance at a $1000 a person fundraising reception at which Bush will deliver remarks on behalf of Wilson. (View the invitation here.) Since individuals are limited to giving $4200 for a congressional candidate in the primary and general election, leftover funds will go to the NM GOP campaign committee.

The Prez's visit will come early in the election cycle, nearly five months before the November election. Analysts say the visit will accomplish several goals for Wilson who easily won re-election two years ago, but faces in 06' what even her allies call the sternest test of her political career.

First, they say, the visit will help Wilson nail down hard core Republican voters who are essential to her November victory and who have been seen as straying from the fold as Wilson casts more votes with the Democrats to reinforce her reputation as a "moderate" representative in her majority Democrat district. Second, Bush's unpopularity--he languishes in the low 30's in approval in national polls--will not ignite as much controversy or be as noticeable in June to swing voters as would a visit in the heat of the battle in October. Still, the pictures of Heather and Bush will not warm the hearts of independent voters.

WILL HE RETURN?
Heather
The visit does not mean that Bush will not return again, but it does give Heather insurance with the GOP base that she has embraced Bush whose last bastion of popularity is with registered Republicans. The early visit could also mean avoiding awkward questions about his absence in the fall if she fears Bush's unpopularity and opts not to have him return.

Earlier this year Wilson's campaign conducted a baseline poll on the congressional race. (Confirmed by federal election reports). Results have been tightly held, but one high-level Republican with Washington connections revealed that the poll showed Wilson's support among rank and file Republicans was soft. Any risk of alienating independent and conservative D's is secondary to the absolutely essential task of getting R's to close ranks which is why you will be seeing Air Force One at the ABQ Sunport.

BUSH'S NM HISTORY

The President also visited the state's largest city in 2005 when he conducted a town hall meeting on Social Security at the Kiva Auditorium in downtown Albuquerque, just across the street from the Hyatt Regency hotel where his June 16th visit will take place. (The Prez was also in Rio Rancho in February at Intel to talk about his competitiveness initiative.)

In 2004 Bush carried New Mexico by just a few thousand votes, but he lost the 1st Congressional District, which Wilson represents, by a couple of thousand.

The ABQ congressional contest continues to be featured in the national press as a key race to watch to determine whether Democrats are building momentum to capture a House Majority. Earlier this month we broke the news that Sen. Hillary Clinton will host a June New York City event for Madrid.

The Wilson campaign has been boosted recently by the headline grabbing trial of former NM Treasurer Robert Vigil and references to Madrid's role in investigating alleged corruption in his office. But Republicans, faced with their own widespread corruption allegations, remain uncertain of what voter sentiment will be five months from now. So is everyone else, including the President of the United States.

THE BOTTOM LINES

It was the February sweeps, not November's, in which KOAT-TV came out on top in the 10 p.m news race. And it was NBC that aired the Olympics coverage that month, not ABC.

And in the final numbers, KRQE ended up taking the 10 p.m news crown in the May sweeps with a 10.1 rating. Some of our early Thursday readers got the wrong info. Thanks to the TV mavens for the correction...

I'll have more exclusive political and media news right here next week. Until then, have a great weekend New Mexico.

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Powered by a surging CBS, ABQ's KRQE-TV is poised to score one of its biggest wins in the local TV news ratings. That word from the tube insiders who say with just one night left in the May sweeps KRQE-TV's 10 p.m. news was earning a 9.5 rating compared to 6.8 for KOAT-TV and 6.3 for NBC affiliate KOB-TV. With those kinds of numbers, NM politicos can expect to pay even more for their late news 30 second KRQE spots (now about a thousand a pop) and which will be inundating the airwaves come September.

KRQE will also take the 6 p.m. crown, but not with local news. The game show "Jeopardy" trounced the news broadcsts of both KOB and KOAT garnering a preliminary 8.1 rating to KOB's 6.2 and KOAT's 5.8. A rating represents a percentage of all households that have TV and that are tuned to a particular station.

NBC affiliate KOB is struggling as its national programming dwells in the cellar. The same goes for KOAT. It was hoping for some momentum after taking the 10 p.m. news crown last February, but that was influenced by late-running NBC Olympics coverage and the station has now fallen back in the ABQ market which covers nearly the entire state.

THE RONCHETTI RETURN

Despite its #1 position, KRQE will be making a major personality switch come July 1. Mark Ronchetti, a popular former KOAT personality, who left for Portland Oregon TV, is coming back to ABQ to serve as the chief weatherman for KRQE effective July 1. Media mavens report KOB was also wooing Ronchetti. Meteorologist Mike Hernandez, current 13 weather guru, may remain with the station but not on the main 5:30 and 10 p.m. newscasts.

RADIO RAY

Dem land commissoner candiate Ray Powell is not going to let his rival, former land boss Jim Baca, have the radio waves to himself this primary season. Ray put up this 60 second ad as this duel between the two political heavweights enters the final stretch of Primary 06'.

TO TV OR NOT TO TV?

You want some real insider baseball? Then follow along as veteran New Mexico pollster Brian Sanderoff and I bat the ball around over whether TV ads are justified when seeking the GOP U.S. Senate nomination for the right to take on Dem Jeff Bingaman in November, a subject we blogged about yesterday. Sanderoff is up first in the batting box.

"Joe, One third of the state’s adults are not registered. Among those who are registered, two-thirds are not Republicans, thus cannot vote in the Republican Primary. Among Republicans, 80% will not vote in the Republican Primary due to historical low turnout and a boring year. Thus, approximately 4% of the adults in the state will vote in the Republican Primary. Yet, on TV you pay for all of the adults.
With direct mail, the technology exists to target proven Republican Primary voters and hit them numerous times in the course of the campaign season."

OK BRIAN, NOW PLEASE PASS THE BAT

Brian, You are correct. TV is expensive and can be inefficient in an R primary. But what it lacks in efficiency it makes up for with psychological power. If you are the only one in your contest on TV you gain stature and credibility. It also scares the heck out of your
opponent which is always fun. Most important, if the R's have any hope to unseat Sen. Bingaman their candidate has to have deep name ID coming out of the primary. Only TV can do that. The ABQ TV and El Paso markets, sprawling as they do across the state and with a low cost per thousand residents, are some of the most efficient ad buys in the nation. Also, don't forget cable TV. About 70,000 Republicans will vote in the primary. Cable news channels are a good place to target them, although not as narrowly as direct mail.

I'll give Brian, who has decades-long ties to the ABQ Journal, the last at-bat. "Joe, I totally agree TV is most effective, despite the inefficiency of buying for the Republican Primary. They are having a hard time raising money for all of the obvious reasons. The real question is whether the Republicans in Washington are going to get behind the Republican nominee and raise millions of dollars for the General Election." Concludes the pollster.

Both Sanderoff and I agree on one thing: We want a major league ball game over the U.S. Senate seat, but we may have to settle for seats at an Isotopes home stand.

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Bingaman
One of the candidates for a New Mexico U.S. Senate seat is hitting the TV airwaves in a big way, but he needs to be there a lot less than his rivals. Dem U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman has gone up with a soft 60 second bio piece that you will be seeing quite a bit of between now and the June 6 primary. (20 spots a day in the ABQ market.) Trouble is, it's Jeff's Republican foes who need to be on the tube, according to campaign experts checking in here.

The three way contest for the GOP nomination to take on Bingaman in November has been featureless and apparently will stay that way as none of the candidates indicate they will be on the tube. Farmington urologist Allen McCulloch was the only one of the three hopefuls who raised enough money to make a decent TV buy, but R's report he has opted to spend his cash on direct mail. ABQ State Senator Joe Carraro and ex-city councilor David Pfeffer did not raise enough funds to hit the tube. Pfeffer earned good free media with a highly publicized walk of the U.S.-Mexico border and Carraro is counting on high name ID in vote-heavy Bernalillo county to push him over the top.

"It is a mistake for anyone who hopes to run a competitive race this year with a veteran U.S. Senator not to introduce himself now to the public. Television is the way you do that," offered one campaign vet.

He may be right, but you need money for those ads and, as we said, it hasn't been raining green on the R senate wannabes.

Bingaman's team decided on a relatively heavy TV buy even though he is unopposed for the Dem nomination because "the field is clear and Jeff's spots will stand out," as one of his aides put it. Bingaman's campaign consultant is The Campaign Group out of D.C. which did Big Bill's 02' Guv effort.

ON A SCREEN NEAR YOU

Gary King joins Lem Martinez in highlighting the NM meth problem in his latest TV ad. King's spot appears aimed at female voters. Geno Zamora is another Dem AG hopeful and he's celebrating his first round of newspaper endorsements. The Las Cruces Sun-News and the Hobbs News-Sun call Zamora "best qualified for the job." The Sun-News also gives the nod to Dem secretary of state candidate Stephanie Gonzales and land commission hopeful Jim Baca. Baca takes a bite out of the Bush administration in a radio ad airing on outlets in ABQ, Santa Fe and Taos. Baca is fighting it out with another former land commissioner, Ray Powell, for the Dem nomination.

HOUSE BATTLE TO TV

And how about this one. A state House candidate is up on TV. You don't see that very often. But Republican Mike Kakuska is throwing everything at his race with Nora Espinoza as they square off for their party's nomination for a Roswell area open House seat. Both candidates are tough. Lurking in the background is State Sen. "Lightning" Rod Adair who is vigorously supporting Espinoza. Oilman Mark Murphy, a possible future candidate for NM GOP party chairman, is helping the Kakuska cause. It will likely be the most expensive legislative primary this cycle.

Campaign junkies can send their news releases via the e-mail link at the top of the page, but be forewarned. All submissions are subjected to scrutiny by a congregation of Alligators who may insist on telling you what you really mean.

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Vigil
Call him over-the-top, flamboyant, maybe even arrogant. But call him right. Because he was. In one of the most significant victories in recent years for a New Mexico defense attorney and his highest of high-profile clients, Slammin' Sam Bregman delivered. Sure, it was a mistrial, not an acquittal. And he only got one juror to go with him, but one is all you need. Did anyone who looked at the videotape of ex-Treasurer Robert Vigil taking 11 Grand in cash from an "investment adviser" really think this thing wasn't a done deal? That Robert from Ribera would not be sent up the Rio Grande for a long vacation? Hardly anyone.

The doubting Thomases could have filled the Pit when Bregman went all-in and defiantly called the government on the carpet by refusing to put on a defense and sending the case directly to the jury. But the Thomases turned into Sammies as news of Vigil's reprieve whisked across our Enchanted Land Monday afternoon faster than the 50 mph winds that simultaneously raked the state.

"Sam should be congratulated for a major victory," declared our Alligator attorney who told blog readers a week ago the no-defense decision was a bad call. "He obviously knew the jury. It was a major gamble, but it paid off and he deserves credit," said the private attorney with prosecutorial experience. "But," he continued, "he realizes it's not over. The fact that only one juror stopped a guilty verdict will encourage the government to go for a quick retrial."

But will it? Former U.S. Attorney Norman Bay told KRQE-TV last night that the pressure is now on for both sides to come to a plea agreement. But getting Vigil to agree to any jail time, the minimum required to save the government from the ultimate embarrassment, may be as tough as getting people excited about the upcoming primary election. Not easy.

THE VIGIL CAMPAIGN TRAIL

A lone male juror from Roswell refused to go for guilt, forcing U.S. Judge James Parker to throw in the towel and declare a mistrial after a week of on again off again deliberations. Republican U.S. Attorney David Iglesias signaled a retrial. When and if it will come was the second most discussed topic after Slammin' Sam's coup. And what about the political fallout?

"This is not good news for Democrats running for office. It means the scandal is going to continue to hang over their campaigns. It's like a cloud over their heads," offered a D ABQ South Valley Alligator.

Big Bill, never far behind the curve, also smelled danger and immediately released a statement that said despite the mistrial, the case has revealed significant corruption in New Mexico government that needs to be cleaned up.

R's, who all along have been making hay over Vigil and ex-Treasurer Michael Montoya, now get a new lease on life on the corruption issue, about the only one that seems to give them much traction these days.

Most of my Gators told me that they believe public opinion was reflected by the jury and its nearly unanimous opinion that Vigil was guilty on some of the counts. But in the political arena "reasonable doubt" does not apply as it does (and as it should) in the justice arena.

MORE ON THE BIG STORY

Not everyone was surprised by the jury deadlock. ABQ trial lawyer Marty Esquivel nailed it on your blog last week when he predicted jury selection would give Vigil and Bregman a big break. He expected more jurors to tilt Vigil's way but, again, one is enough. Insiders say Vigil paid a boatload of dough to professionally screen the jury picks. With each of the 24 corruption counts carrying a 20 year prison term, it turned out to be money well spent. Bregman and his tough-as-nails client are still one trial away from victory or ignominy, and it won't get any easier as the government now has a chance to close the loopholes if it goes for Trial of the Decade #2.

Our informed lawyer said a long delay before that next trial would benefit Vigil as "witnesses have more time to rethink or forget their original testimony." Also, finding a jury not exposed to the case could be difficult. If prosecutors to try to get another trial, he expects it within months. Yes, right in the thick of the election campaign.

There was some second guessing of Judge Parker and his decision not to keep the jury in longer, but not much. With the lone holdout determined not to change, keeping the panel around would have looked like a gang assault on the Vigil juror and not a very good example of American jurisprudence.

Defense supporters immediately scored the agreement that U.S. Attorney Iglesias struck with Michael Montoya which has him pleading to just one count for ripping off as much as $5 million. In exchange Montoya testified against Vigil. They argued that Montoya is the bigger fish to fry and trial evidence seemed to back them up.

Slammin' Sam and Ribera Robert have dodged the first bullet, but their mini-victory will do nothing to restore confidence in the New Mexican government. That will have to come from officeholders and candidates not under indictment.

THE BOTTOM LINE

NM Dem U.S. Rep. Tom Udall went to Congress in 1999 not 1997 as we blogged Monday when reporting on the power rankings of the state's delegation. Tom probably didn't mind us giving him the extra years of seniority, but only the voters can do that, not the bloggers.

E-mail your comments and news from the e-mail link at the top of the page.

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You would expect nothing less. NM GOP U.S. Senator Pete Domenici comes in at #6 in the category of "most powerful" senators in the 100 member body. That word comes from the nonpartisan site Congress.org which tracks such things. Pete in the top ten, they say, reflects his chairmanship of the energy committee and his membership on the powerful appropriations committee. The rankings are for 2005 and take into account if a member pushed through any legislation that year.

Domenici is the longest serving senator in state history, so if your NM group is seeking any federal assistance a trip to his Washington office is a good idea. If he says it will be tough satisfying your request, just tell him, "Hey, you're number six on the power list!"

And what about Dem Senator Bingaman? He's been in the senate since 83' and is seeking another term this year. But as a member of the minority, combined with his low-key ways, Jeff lands in the middle of the pack at #44 when it comes to power-playing in the "World's Most Exclusive Club."

HOUSE POWER

And how about our U.S. House members? After all, we don't send them back there to take photos of the cherry blossoms. Well, not too bad. Perhaps surprisingly, two-term southern NM Congressman Steve Pearce comes in at #145 in the House power rankings, inching out ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson who has been on Capitol Hill since 98' and is listed at #147 out of the 435 members. The rankers say she did not get any legislation thru Congress in 2005, the year used for the rankings and Pearce did.

And pity poor Tom Udall. Well, on second thought don't pity him. He's picking up $165,000 a year, has served comfortably in the House since 99' and is a cinch for another two years this year. But there's not much power where Udall is perched. As a minority Democrat and one who has an unabashed liberal slant, he doesn't get a chance to play many power games. His power ranking is the lowest of the NM House delegation at #384. But Tom, don't let your power muscles atrophy, you could be back in the game if the Dems take over the House in November as some pundits predict.

AG BATTLE HEATS UP

It was just a matter of time and that time has come. Santa Fe attorney Geno Zamora, trying to catch frontrunner Gary King in the three way race for the Dem nomination for attorney general, takes a bite out of King in his latest TV spot. "We don't need a politician attorney general. We need someone with the right experience," slams Geno as the clock ticks ever louder, counting off the critical days between now and Primary Day, June 6.

King is a former state rep who has twice unsuccessfully sought the Dem nomination for Governor and two years ago failed to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce. Geno's relatively mild slam is aimed squarely at that resume, but a supporter of King's returned the fire. "Geno is attacking Gary for being a politician, while Geno was the lawyer for the biggest politician of them all, Bill Richardson." Said the King fan. The reference to Big Bill is Geno's service as his legal counsel, a political position.

Prosecutor Lem Martinez is the third candidate in the race. While he has not said much about his opponents, the danger for Geno is that in a three way race some of those who peel off Gary could go to Lem, not Geno. But that's the chance you take as the days grow shorter and the scramble for admission to the highest levels of political power grows ever more intense.

SERNA'S SAYONARA

The resignation of state insurance superintendent Eric Serna came as no surprise to readers of "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan." We first reported the rumblings for Eric to go in late April. But while Serna will soon be gone, he won't be forgotten. He resigns under fire, but an investigation will continue. This editorial from the Santa Fe New Mexican sums up the matter well, especially the line on how all this will impact the hotly contested ABQ congressional race between Attorney General Madrid and GOP Rep. Wilson. "Can an AG running for Congress afford not to find corruption?"

THE BOTTOM LINES

Some early morning Thursday readers pointed out that there are two contested Dem legislative primaries this year in Bernalillo county, not just the one I reported. ABQ SE Heights State Rep. Gail Chasey is being challenged by UNM Grad student Joseph Garcia. I should have known that because I ran into Gail on ABQ's Nob Hill recently while visiting with Silver City reporter Ave Maestas. Chasey, wife of former NM attorney general David Norvell, is heavily favored.

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Lawyers waiting for a verdict is like politicans waiting for Election Night results. There's a feeling of helplessness. They just hope they have done all they can. In the case of ex-Treasurer Robert Vigil in which six men and six women have been weighing his fate this week, attorneys for both sides probably could use a dose of Pepto-Bismol as their stomachs churn with tension induced by hours of waiting. While they wait, New Mexico's legal and political community continues to assess the largest corruption case in state history. More analysis has come in to your blog on defense attorney Sam Bregman's roll-the-dice decision not to put on a defense for Vigil because he believed the federal government did not prove its case.

ABQ trial lawyer Marty Esquivel gives us some fat to chew on as we await the outcome of the high-stakes trial. He comments on the no-defense decision and has info on the closing arguments that has not been reported.

"Lawyers can sometimes read whether jurors are bored or disinterested. And, remember, Sam made his no-defense decision with Jason Bowles, a former federal prosecutor. Unless you’re a seasoned lawyer who has spent every day in that court room, you really can’t say it was a mistake..."

"Bregman's closing argument twice referenced Sen. Domenici getting campaign money from companies who do business with the Senate Energy Committee, and Gov. Richardson getting money from people who do business with the state which was unreported in both newspapers. He said, “You may not like it, but it’s not against the law.” Perhaps he could have put on evidence of several NM politicians (D's and R's) receiving campaign contributions through intermediaries and then getting state or federal business, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be anything new to the jurors. It’s politics.

"One of the other keys here is the make up of the jury which has gone unreported. It’s a very favorable jury for Vigil which appears to be made up of blue-collar, Democrats with a high percentage of minorities. As we learned in OJ, there is a science to picking juries, and this jury is very positive for the defense. That is a big factor in this case." So weighs in attorney Esquivel with a pro-defense stance.

We let Esquivel take the blog stand to balance commentary from another experienced lawyer who last week damned Bregman's no-defense call. It won't be long to see which of our legal heavyweights is right, unless we get a hung jury and have to go back to square one.

CHINO'S CHALLENGE

As a well-known TV news investigative reporter Conroy Chino watchdogged those in charge of your tax dollars. But for the past three years he has been on the other side of the microphone as secretary of the NM Department of Labor, an agency that has always been fraught with political intrigue as various governors deposited political supporters there. It's no different for Chino who, as we see in this Santa Fe Reporter article, is now under fire from a group of Hispanic employees who claim they are not getting a fair shake from their Native American boss.

If Big Bill is re-elected the drumbeat will grow louder over Chino. Second terms are often a time for major cabinet changes, but so far Conroy has proven himself worthy of the "Survivor" series.

BATTLE OF THE GRANDPAS

One of the most frequent questions I'm getting this primary season is who will win the four way battle for the Dem State House nomination in District 16 on ABQ's West side. It's just one of two contested Dem legislative primaries in the state's largest county, so that's part of the reason, but the cast of characters has also fascinated the Alligators.

What I can report is that I have met with each of the candidates and all of them are on the ball when it comes to the issues. They all have signs up, all are mailing and all have raised enough money to campaign.

The two best know names in he group are Dominic Aragon, grandson of ex-state Rep. Bennie Aragon, and Pat Baca, Jr., son of former ABQ city councilor Pat Baca. But Dan Serrano is well known among the neighborhood groups and attorney Moe Maestas has a familiar name too.

Maestas and Baca are both Democratic liberals with Serrano and Aragon more middle of the road. But the race is not going to be decided on ideology, but on one-on-one contact. Only about 2100 votes are expected to be cast. This is truly a horse race to replace outgoing Rep. Harriet Ruiz. Maybe someone will win big June 6th, but we won't know it until it happens. Whoever wins will face an R opponent, but this is a big Dem district so the primary nod will be tantamount to election.

THE BOTTOM LINES

From the expenditure report of ABQ Public Regulation Commission candidate Andrew Leo Lopez: "Candy canes for senior citizens--$9.89." That should help the Geritol go down....And from the report of ABQ GOP State Rep. Justine Fox-Young, we note a donation of $150.00 from favorite Big Bill lobbyist Butch Maki whose "Victory Group" provides campaign consulting for Democratic legislative candidates. Are you branching out, Butch?

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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Sue Wilson-Beffort
It's ladies first in the 2006 race for the Roundhouse. GOP Lieutenant Governor contender Sue Wilson-Beffort has fired the opening paid media volley at Big Bill and Light Guv Diane Denish calling in a thirty second radio spot for "open, honest and ethically run government." And on your TV screen, Lt. Guv Denish says New Mexico "is on the move" and we can have more of the same if we are just kind enough to re-elect her and Big Bill.

The radio ad is the first we have heard from ABQ GOP State Senator Wilson-Beffort since she agreed at the last minute to become the running mate of Santa Fe radiologist J.R. Damron. Her message is not surprising as New Mexico has been ablaze with various ethical lapses featuring prominent Dem politicos, not the least of which being two state Treasurers indicted by the Feds.

The ethics angle is perhaps the GOP's best hope to make some headway against the heavily favored Dem ticket. The scandals even have the D's shaking their heads in grief. If nothing else, Sue's tough tone on ethics may get some of the R's off their couches and into the voting booths June 6th to cast ballots for their mostly unopposed candidates.

DI'S WONDERFUL WORLD

But it's all sunshine in Lady Di's world. No mention of those nasty scandals as she strolls toward the camera and asserts that things have been pretty darn good around these parts the past four years--thank you very much--and you just gotta believe with Big Bill and her at the helm things are going to get even better. But have things really gotten better? Or is it the smoke and mirrors that have been improved? That's for voters to decide.

Denish's 06' tube debut is apt for modern politics; it looks nice and doesn't say anything very ear catching (stronger economy, better jobs). But she looks pretty snappy in her off-white suit. (Is that Ann Taylor, ladies, or a cut above?) She closes out with a comfortable smile during which you can almost hear her say, "Sue, who?"

THE ELEPHANT STING

As much as you and I would relish seeing head-to-head TV combat, the R's continue their low budget radio hits on Big Bill that are entertaining, but kind of like a bee stinging an elephant. They stung with another one this week, faulting the Big Guy for opposing the Prez's plan to place National Guard troops on the border to turn back illegal immigrants. Here's an excerpt.

MALE: Richardson says he needs the National Guard for other things….

FEMALE: Other things… like what?

MALE: I guess like flying him around the state to go horseback riding.

FEMALE: (Laughter) Are you serious?

MALE: Yeah, Bill Richardson used the National Guard helicopter to fly him to Chama, to go horseback riding with one of his big campaign contributors...

FEMALE: Let me get this straight. Bill Richardson opposes using National Guard troops to secure the border. But supports using them to fly him around the state for weekend getaways with political cronies?

MALE: Looks that way…

FEMALE: Sounds to me like the real state of emergency in New Mexico has to has to do with Bill Richardson's hypocrisy.

Kind of cute, huh? But the real state of emergency is going to be in the Republican party when Big Bill unleashes a Tsunami of media from his ever-growing $5.5 million campaign kitty. The most underfinanced GOP ticket in modern history may be heading to the life rafts--never mind the helicopters--when that thing hits.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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Hillary
Move over Heather and Laura. Make room for the Dem glam team of Hillary and Patsy. The campaign of ABQ Dem congressional hopeful Patricia Madrid confirmed Monday that New York Senator, former First Lady and probable Prez hopeful Hillary Clinton will host a June 23 fundraising reception for Madrid in New York City. The news comes a month after ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson hosted her own First Lady, Laura Bush, to raise money for her campaign and try to have some of Laura's popularity brush off.

Hillary's popularity is more complicated, of course. Take Patsy's comments from earlier this year about her gal pal.

"In her stump speeches, she (Heather Wilson) does attempt to partner me up with Hillary Clinton. They are always going to attack Hillary Clinton. They throw in Hillary gratuitously. They have always tried to paint her as an out-of-the-mainstream liberal. I think they are trying to say that I am liberal just like Hillary Clinton."

Well, if Madrid is not a liberal, I don't wear blogging pajamas. But if Heather plans on calling Hillary liberal, she is going to have a tougher time as the senator, unlike Patsy, has held back on calling for a troop withdrawal from Iraq and has warmed up to some conservative types in an effort to soften her polarizing image.

This won't be the first financial help Madrid has received from Hillary. The senator's PAC gave her $2500 this year and, as we recently blogged, she also gave Big Bill, a possible rival for the 08' Prez nod, a $5,00o HILL PAC check. The Madrid camp did not release how much the Hillary fundraiser will set you back, but you can bet it'll be more more than dinner and a movie.

Patsy is a longtime backer of ex-Senator John Edwards who will seek the 08' Prez nomination and she's expected to stay with him, but if he falters...Well, you get the picture. So besides talking about hair and make-up, when the the gals get together for their summer fun they can also dish the dirt on how they and their party can best take over the White House and the rest of the American government. Sounds like a tea party to me.

ALBUQUERQUE ON IRAQ

I've been tracking the Madrid-Wilson race with Los Angeles Times national political correspondent Mark Barabak who was back in town to highlight the differences between the pair on the Iraq war. While Heather has moved to the center or the outright Dem position on a number of issues, on Iraq there is a stark contrast between the two. It could be the issue the race comes down to in November.

THE SANCHEZ BASH

The big GOP social event for the primary season will be a May 20 "tribute" to NM Senator Pete Domenici at the newly built and expansive far ABQ NE Heights home of John and Debra Sanchez. John was the R' 02 Guv candidate, but is best remembered for ousting Dem House Speaker Raymond Sanchez in 2000.

High rollers can pony up $2500 each to meet privately with Pete for a "State of the Senate" Roundtable. The reception to follow will go for $150 a pop. The money is going to the state GOP and its "Victory 2006" fund.

AG TV

Then there were three. All three Dem attorney general hopefuls are now airing TV spots with Gary King joining the fray Monday with a thirty second spot aimed squarely at the female vote. He posted the spot on his Web site. (The spot of Geno Zamora is here. Lem Martinez's ad is not on the Net, but you can visit his site for video clips by clicking on the ad at the top of the page.)

But hold on. Wasn't that prominent Republican and former ABQ police chief Bob Stover I spotted on Gary's spot? What's an R doing in a D primary spot? Or has Bob switched party affiliation? Or is Gary counting on Stover's cop appeal to Dem conservatives? Will prosecutor Martinez investigate this matter? Will Zamora report this infraction to Big Bill? Egads! The drama of it all.

MY BOTTOM LINES

This is pretty late, but I promised to include some opposing voices when I blogged that the increase in the ABQ minimum wage wasn't very controversial. Steve Rogers chimes in. "You wrote that, "There is broad consensus on this point (raising the minimum wage). In last year's ABQ Journal poll even a majority of Republicans were in favor of a minimum of over $7 an hour." Yet there is no mention that in last year's election the minimum wage was defeated."

Well, Steve has a point. The minimum was indeed narrowly defeated, but only after a controversial workplace access issue was added. And the recent action of the ABQ city council raising the minimum, I think, bears out my opinion that chronic low wages in New Mexico has become a bipartisan issue, but perhaps, as Steve says, raising the minimum is not as popular as I implied.

And blog reader Marcus Wilson piles on: "I can't wait to see the day when you have to pay $10 for a Big Mac at McDonald's because they have to pay their low-skilled, low-education employees a "fair wage."

Well, bully for you Marcus. But I don't eat Big Macs! But if they raise the price of my caffeine, you may win me over.

FOR THE RECORD

In our blog on the death of former ABQ Mayor Harry Kinney we said Jim Baca was elected mayor of ABQ in 1993. Baca was elected in 1997. Martin Chavez won his first term in 93'.

Comments, criticisms and your news are always welcome. E-mail them from the link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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It could be coincidence, but local radio mavens are pointing to the cellar-dwelling ratings of President Bush as one of the chief reasons for a recent precipitous decline in the ratings of New Mexico's leading news-talk radio station. 50,000 watt 770 KKOB-AM has shed over 21 percent of its audience in the last few months, and while it still remains the most listened to station in the ABQ market among those aged 12 plus, it now earns a 7.6 share of the audience compared to a 9.7 share late last year. Also, KAGM 106.3 FM talk, another voice of the conservative gospel, has been unable to gain traction after more than a year on the air. It scores just a 0.9 share of ABQ area listeners.

All this is occurring against the backdrop of the President's dramatic decline in public approval with polls now showing him around 30 percent, the worst of his presidency and among the lowest for any president ever.

New Mexico is no exception. Bush has fallen off the charts here. Perhaps because we are a swing state--the Prez won here in 04' by just a couple of thousands votes--his unpopularity is hurting the stations that still trumpet his cause as the public tunes him out. KKOB insiders say they are confident the station will be back to its old self, but point to the Bush decline as one of the reasons for their bad times.

KAGM says it is in the talk radio game for the "long-term" but without the history and financial stability of the state's largest station, radio insiders say times could get tougher for the fledgling operation unless it starts turning the corner quickly.

And it's not as though talk listeners are flocking to liberal talk radio. KABQ-AM 1350, which carries the tough-on-Bush Air America network, commands a respectable 2.0 share of the radio audience, but has not jumped as its right-wing rivals decline.

MORE RATINGS REASONS

One of the more interesting developments is the growing popularity of non-commercial National Public Radio. In recent ratings NPR affiliate KUNM 89.9 FM was the number two ranked ABQ station in the critical 7 a.m. "drive time" hour during which KUNM carries the critically acclaimed NPR news.

Former KKOB general manager and veteran radio executive Art Schreiber says other reasons for the talk radio ratings ramp down here include the advent of satellite radio, the heavy commercialism of all "terrestrial" radio, the decision by the ratings company to "weight" more Hispanic listeners and increased media offerings on the Internet.

Whatever the reasons, radio is confronting the same issue the newspapers have been--declining audiences as the multiplicity of choices eats away at all mass media. And it doesn't help when you are singing the praises of a politician who each week grows increasingly unpopular.

MILLS MEDIA
Lorene Mills
Speaking of media choices, we don't have Ernie Mills anymore. The legendary Santa Fe reporter passed away three years ago. But did you know Ernie's wife, Lorene, continues the tradition? Sure does. I checked in with here recently and asked her to update us on all things Mills.

"I am busy carrying on Ernie's work, and loving it! I am still writing The Mills Capitol Observer, producing "Dateline New Mexico" the statewide syndicated radio broadcast and presenting weekly television interviews on "Report from Santa Fe" on the statewide PBS network.

A recent interview was a rare half hour with Stewart Udall, Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and Congressman Tom Udall, of New Mexico's Third Congressional District. The father and son have never been interviewed together for New Mexico television.

"Report from Santa Fe" airs Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. on Channel 3, KENW-TV, the PBS station in Portales. In ABQ and Santa Fe we are on KNME-Tv, channel 5 Sunday mornings at 6:00 a.m. and at 1 p.m. on KCHF-TV, channel 11. Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. we air in Las Cruces on KRWG-TV."

Thanks Lorene. Tune in if you get a chance as it is one of the last outlets for the long-form political interview. And, as Ernie would say: "Don't say we didn't tell you!"

MY MEDIA BOTTOM LINES

The number of choices on the Net in our Enchanted Land continues to grow. Former ABQ Journal reporter Diane Velasco has started a site called "The Citizen" to involve the public, she says, in the news that matters to them....Heath Haussamen has left the Las Cruces Sun-News to blog on Dona Ana county and southern NM. Heath fans will be able to hear him in ABQ as he will be my Las Cruces correspondent for our live, continuos coverage of the June 6 primary on KANW 89.1 FM in Albuquerque. I will anchor and top NM Lobbyist Scott Scanland will, as usual, also be on hand for the festivities, along with a bunch of the other usual suspects. If you are interested in sponsoring this public radio event drop me an e-mail. We have a limited number of slots available...

It may be one of the more low-key primaries, but that hasn't stopped the ABQ Trib from putting out a comprehensive voters guide that covers all the key races. Check it out here. Absentee voting is already underway....The campaign of Dem attorney general candidate Gary King never did hit the TV airwaves last week as a campaign spokesman told us would happen, but the spots are apparently done and will, the campaign says, come this week. Meantime, Geno Zamora and Lem Martinez--mainly Zamora--have had the airwaves to themselves for a couple of weeks.

That's it for today. See you later, Gator.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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I haven't seen anything like it in my 30 years of practicing law." So declared a veteran NM attorney with government and private experience as he reacted to the stunning news that state Treasurer Robert Vigil will not present a defense at his federal corruption trial and that the case could go to the jury as soon as Monday.

"It's remarkable and I think a big mistake," our legal Alligator analyzed. "They are giving the prosecution the last word. Why are they not recalling some of the government witnesses who were not that strong and again impeaching their credibility before the jury? I am absolutely floored that in the biggest corruption trial in state history that there will be no defense."

The no-defense news was delivered by flamboyant Vigil lawyer Sam Bregman, also a veteran Democratic Party politico. No one knows how the Vigil jury will react to the shocker, but if it's the same way the legal community is, Vigil ought to prepare for bad news.

"Sam is a not a top-tier NM trial attorney like a Charley Daniels or Randi McGinn, If it came from them you might say the federal case was just terrible. While the case appears to have holes, it does not appear to be so bad that putting on no defense is an option," our attorney analyzed.

I asked him if the other lawyers in his office shared his position. "When the news came down they all did a double-take. None of them, all trial lawyers, could offer a reasonable explanation on why Bregman did what he did." He reported.

ON SAM'S SIDE

Another trial attorney more sympathetic to Bregman's decision said Sam "must feel he has good rapport with the jury, that they have bought into his argument that the feds case is just not there and that he did all the impeaching he needed to do during cross-examination. He's betting that the witnesses, most of whom have cut deals to avoid jail, simply have no credibility." He offered.

Vigil faces 28 counts of extortion and other charges. If Bregman craps out on his roll of the dice the 51 year old Ribera, NM native could face many years in prison.

Bregman, in a standard procedure, has asked the judge in the case to dismiss the charges. If he does not throw all of them out, closing arguments start Monday morning and the jury will get the case that afternoon.

"Watch how long they are out. If it goes beyond two days, I think that will be good news for the defense, but I don't expect it to. I expect Vigil to be convicted, especially in light of this defense decision," offered our longtime legal mouthpiece.

But if Bregman pulls off the miracle, he will join the ranks of top-tier trial lawyers here. "If he gets Robert Vigil off, maybe he will get to defend Eric Serna," joked our attorney Gator.

State insurance boss Serna is under investigation by the attorney general. We are sure he is not laughing at the joke

Maybe it's appropriate that the Vigil trial climaxed with a gamble. If the United States government loses it will set back NM government corruption prosecutions for years. If Bregman fails, Robert Vigil loses his freedom and Bregman his credibility. The stakes don't get any higher.

A DONE DEAL?

Some national reaction to Big Bill's Monday money report that he has raised nearly $7 million for his re-elect this year, and it is predictable. Congressional Quarterly's watchers have caught up with the conventional wisdom here and are now calling the race a lead-pipe cinch for the Guv.

In a way, this is good news for GOP nominee-to-be J.R. Damron. Expectations are no so low, he won't have to do much to get a sympathetic ear from the public and press. Hey, you gotta start somewhere.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Not to be outdone by Jim Baca and his "Jerry the Cat" and two beagles, Baca's foe for the Dem nod for the land commission seat, Ray Powell, announces "Avians for Powell." "We were visited this Spring by a yellow grosbeak from Central America. It gave us the nod. He also ate a lot of bird seed at our feeders." Reports veterinarian Ray. I hope Jerry the Cat doesn't mount an attack....There was a bunch of birdseed and other matter flying through the NM air Tuesday night when a windstorm packing 60 mph gusts hit. The storm was cursed by most New Mexicans but welcomed by Dem state House candidate Moe Maestas. "I did not have any of my signs up yet and my opponents' signs were all blown away. I am now even with them," crowed Moe who faces a primary battle with Dan Serrano, Pat Baca Jr. and Dominic Aragon for a Westside legislative spot.

Stir up some political winds by e-mailing your latest political news and comments. There's a link at the top of the page.

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Mayor Kinney
Harry Kinney was nothing if not persistent. From 1974 through 1993 his name appeared on every mayoral election ballot in the city of Albuquerque. He won two and lost four. When I received word of Kinney's passing late Tuesday from KOB-TV's Stuart Dyson, I wondered if Harry, 81, had, in a final act of persistence, willed himself to finish up just days after the city commemorated its 300th birthday. I don't doubt it because no one was more enamored with the history of the Duke City and no one knew its every nook and cranny as he did.

Kinney certainly earned his place in the storied political history of the state's largest city. It was 1974 when Dyson and I were cub reporters at KUNM-FM radio, just weeks before Richard Nixon resigned as President. That June Kinney was chosen as the city's first mayor under the new nonpartisan mayor-council form of government. The times were not dissimilar to today. The national government was beset with ethical problems and the first energy crisis was in full swing, but Albuquerque got lucky.

Kinney, a low-key, pragmatic civil engineer relished making the trains run on time and watching the infant government take shape and grow roots. There would be no sweeping changes; normalcy would be the watchword as the nation recovered from its national shock; Albuquerque's journey to become a major American city would proceed uninterrupted.

"He was a key transitional figure in the city's history," declared former NM Governor Dave Cargo. "He made the new system work, and there was no guarantee that it would."

THE KINNEY YEARS

The balding and semi-portly Kinney resembled everyone's image of their favorite uncle, but his avuncular surface belied a tough and sometimes tempermental personality that could play hardball with the best of them.

"One day in the mid 70's I was criticizing him on the air and an official city car pulls up to the station. Out jumps Harry. He storms into the studio and yells, 'Let me on the air, God dammit!' Well, he was already on the air, so I said: "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the mayor of Albuquerque!" So recalled Mike Santullo, Albuquerque talk radio pioneer who ran for mayor in 74' with Kinney and 31 others. (Yes, 33 mayoral candidates!)

Kinney, a middle of the road Republican, saw his most severe test as mayor come in 1975 when Albuquerque police staged their one and only strike. "He was in Europe with his wife, Carol, and they had to fly all night to get back. It was as tense as it gets," remembered Jim Baca who was then Kinney's press aide and who would become mayor himself in 97'.

Despite resolving the strike, Kinney became the first in a long line of mayor's rejected for second terms, a record that stood until 2005 when Martin Chavez finally secured a second, consecutive four years.

But mayor was the job Kinney coveted and he could not let go. Losing in 77' to David Rusk, he recaptured the office from him in 81'. It was to be the end of his political career, but not of his love affair with the city.

HARRY'S FINAL FARE

It was a quintessential Albuquerque moment in the 90's when news broke that the former mayor had taken a job driving a taxi, toting passengers to and from the airport and describing the attributes of Albuquerque to all of them. If it were New York, they may have laughed, but here, where career is what you say it is, affection for him grew.

“He wasn't flamboyant nor egotistical. He wasn't constantly trying to further his political career. He just cared about Albuquerque and the people who lived here." Eulogized Baca.

Albuquerque is a hodgepodge of a city where the working poor rub shoulders with the well-off; where unpretentiousness is the order of the day, and where persistence is often needed to stay around. Harry Kinney figured out Albuquerque, loved and nurtured it and never let go.

MY BOTTOM LINES

Quite a bit of feedback and insight on our blog Monday on the financial reports for the major state candidates. Here's an example.

"Joe, doesn't $20,000 seem a bit much (for Governor Richardson) to research a guy (J.R. Damron) he's not worried about? I know its done, but I wonder if the money was also spent doing 'self' research. Maybe clear up anything that might get in the way in 2008, say, exaggerated claims about one's prospects for playing major league ball, for instance?"

Maybe so. And don't put it past the operatives to get out bad press stories well before the election, like the Guv's baseball problems....Another sharp-eyed reader gave us a chuckle when he pointed this one out from the Big Bill finance report.

"Did you see the $5,000 Richardson got from Senator Clinton’s Leadership PAC, HILL PAC? I thought that was pretty interesting."

So did I, but who knows how the chips will fall in 08.' Everyone needs all the friends they can get....And finally, this non-political item is late and from Easter Sunday, but too funny not to pass on.

"Archbishop Sheehan asked parishioners during the 10:00 am Easter service at the Cathedral in Santa Fe Sunday morning if they had heard that the Pope had come down with a case of bird flu. Apparently the Cardinals gave it to him."

Send your e-mail from the link at the top of the page. And thanks for tuning in today. Back tomorrow. Same time, same station.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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Big Dollar Bill
We call him Big Bill. But today it's Dollar Bill. Despite a cakewalk of a re-elect, the incumbent Guv appears to be on his way to raising the astonishing sum of $10 million for his campaign, reporting Monday that he has already hit the $6.9 million mark and has over $5.5 million in cash. He raised $8 million in 02'. The news for the R's was equally dramatic, but in the opposite direction. Their Guv nominee-to-be, Santa Fe M.D. J.R. Damron, raised only $285,000 during the past year, and most of that he loaned himself. If you're doing the math, that's about a 24 to 1 spending advantage for Dollar Bill.

The reports covered the period May 1, 2005 through May 1 of this year. Here is the list of filings from the secretary of state. There will be one more report for the month of May on June 1, before the June 6 primary.

The Guv's big contributions came from a wide assortment. Presbyterian Health Plan gave a whopping $75,000. Los Alamitos Racetrack in California put up $10,000. The teachers union, NEA, gave $10.000. Major Friend of Bill Paul Blanchard, operator of the Downs at ABQ, kicked in $5,000. Lovelace Sandia hospital came through with another $10,000 and Texas insurance exec Mark McAndrew did them one better, writing a check for $20,000. Hollywood producer Norman Lear gave $4,000 and Don Henley of Eagles fame, $5,000.

The Guv also received $10 Grand in tobacco money from UST and more from other tobacco interests. Trial lawyer Turner Branch is in for at least $13,000. My Alligators counted at least $125,000 in contributions from booming energy related businesses in Lea county in the SE. Guess Big Bill's tough talk on oil companies hasn't stopped his personal oil gusher. (The Guv's complete report of donations and expenditures is on the sec. of state site linked above.)

STOP THE FIGHT!

Like a stoic soldier, Damron put up $190,000 of his own money to kick-start his campaign, but the overwhelming financial advantage of the Guv had the Alligators pleading for mercy. "Someone stop the fight," yelped one.

And where is Big Bill spending his largesse? Of the $1.2 million in expenditures, $37,500 went for polling and his campaign manager, Amanda Cooper, took in what appears to be about $10,000 a month. The Guv also spent well over $20,000 for an opposition research outfit, apparently to look into Damron's background. Maybe they found something, but I'm still looking for a heartbeat.

The Guv also wrote nearly $5,000 in checks to ABQ private investigator and onetime state House hopeful Michael Corwin. Did he find J.R? Of course, Damron could turn the tables and start connecting the dots between campaign contributions received and legislation introduced or passed. Oh, I forgot. One has nothing to do with the other. Sorry.

Here's a fun one. The NM Dental Association PAC gave Big Bill $14,000. That association's executive is none other than ABQ GOP State Senator Kent Cravens. Politics can be an awkward dance, Kent.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

The hotly contested three way race for the Dem nod for attorney general had the trio reporting respectable totals with Santa Fe's Geno Zamora topping the list for the twelve months raising over $430,000. Gary King recevied $300,000 and prosecutor Lem Martinez, $200,000. Zamora's report revealed his close ties to many of the same donors who have been backers of Big Bill.

Martinez's camp tried to slip Zamora up by claiming he did not return a $5,000 donation from securities broker Guy Riordan who was implicated in the Treasurer scandal by ex-treasurer Michael Montoya. But Zamora said Martinez had jumped the gun and that the money had been donated to the NM Coalition Against Domestic Violence and was clearly listed on the report. Martinez's campaign issued a retraction. Riordan asserts his innocence.

Gary King's camp had computer trouble and will file late, but we got the totals, along with this tidbit--their latest poll in the AG's race which, predictably enough, has him well ahead. But so did a poll released by Zamora a month or so ago and King remains the man to beat. King will start his TV ads this week. Lem and Geno are already up.

BATTLE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHTS

That heavyweight battle for Dem land commissioner seems close and the finance reports reflect that. Ray Powell has raised $98,000, but $45,000 of that was a loan. He has $69,000 in cash. Jim Baca raised about $77,000 and has $29,000 in cash. It will be interesting to see if the ex land bosses buy TV.

Meanwhile, incumbent R Land Commissioner Pat Lyons reports raising over $433,000. And he will need that and more to do a repeat in the seat traditionally held by the Dems.

SECRETARY STATE

Mary Herrera and Stephanie Gonzales each have raised $43,000 in the battle for the Dem nod for secretary of state, but Stephanie loaned herself most of hers while Mary did not. Letitia Montoya topped the list with $61,000, but like Stephanie, most came from her own pocket. Shirley Hooper came in with $25,000, but only about $5,000 out of her own pocket.

BOTTOM LINES

To his credit, the Guv released a complete list of his contributions and expenditures in a form we can let you browse. The NM secretary of state's office was only able to post limited info from the dozens of candidates required to file Monday because of computer problems. When, oh when, will Mr. & Mrs. New Mexico get the services they are paying for?....

Lieutenant Guv Diane Denish has said she would try to raise a million bucks for her re-elect and she has, minus the $10,000 she received from stockbroker Riordan and gave to charity. GOP Light Guv candidate Sue Wilson Beffert raised about $23,000.

And we'll pick thru a few of the more interesting reports and update you tomorrow. In the meantime, if you run into Big Bill the Starbucks is definitely on him.

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What by most measures has been a snoozer of a primary could be laying the groundwork for significant change in the NM Republican party. Roswell oilman Mark Murphy, who is financing a key primary battle against the forces of State Senator "Lightning" Rod Adair and State Rep. Dan Foley, has met with NM GOP Chairman Allen Weh and discussed the possibility of taking over the party when Weh completes his term next year. That word comes from top sources of "NM Politics with Joe Monahan" who also report that Murphy's potential chairmanship bid is not being greeted with displeasure in the camp of NM Senator Pete Domenici, the titular head of the party.

"Murphy met with Weh and they talked about it. Mark is interested and is giving it serious thought," said a source close to Murphy.

I know that source is right. A month ago I saw Weh and Murphy sipping caffeine at my local Starbucks. That was apparently the day they talked of Murphy's potential candidacy. So much for my nose for news, but who needs one when you have Alligators?

MURPHY MATTERS

Murphy (Strata Production Co. President) and his wife Susan are major supporters, financial and otherwise, of Roswell schools assistant superintendent Mike Kakuska who is battling the Adair-Foley supported Nora Espinoza for a House seat in the June 6 primary. Both sides are giving it their all, with reports of emotional and combative campaigning circulating throughout Chaves county.

Murphy is being encouraged to go for chair by opponents of Adair and lawyer-lobbyist Mickey Barnett and others who formed a breakaway faction of the GOP and ran candidates against fellow R's in 04'. They were also behind the 04' ouster of GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham. Bitterness reached a high point when former GOP State Rep. Greg Payne likened the Barnett faction to an "out-of-control cancer."

Republicans were dispirited by the infighting and even ousted Barnett from his GOP national committeeman spot, replacing him with George Buffet. But now opponents of the faction are looking to clean the slate completely and sap the faction of its remaining power. They believe independent oil and gas company owner and multimillionaire Murphy is their man.

Murphy has been an important contributor to the R's, giving thousands to the GOP nationally, the campaigns of U.S. Reps Wilson and Pearce and also Senator Domenici. At the Senator's urging, Murphy spearheaded the Bush 04' NM get out the vote effort. Still, the faction, probably aware of Murphy's ambitions, are slamming him for supporting Dem Senator Bingaman over R Colin McMillan in 94'.

If Kakuska beats Espinoza it could move Murphy closer to a play for the GOP power spot. A loss might dampen his enthusiasm. Whichever way it goes, the Kakuska-Espinoza battle has outgrown Roswell and now demands the attention of the statewide political community as a possible bellwether on the future of the NM GOP.

BLOGGIN' THE PRESS

I hung with New Mexico's top political reporters and editors over the weekend, courtesy of an invite from the NM Associated Press managing editors who gathered in conference to prepare for this year's election mayhem.

There was a healthy dose of Big Bill fatigue among the ink-stained wretches who, for over three years, have been on the receiving end of every possible type of Guv press pronouncement, TV gimmick and spin doctor prescription in the known world.

Also, now that the day of judgment nears for Big Bill there was much lamenting among the panel of pundits I sat on over the lack of competitiveness in his race and others. This surfaced via queries posed by AP Santa Fe Bureau Chief Barry Massey.

Walt Rubel, capitol reporter for MediaNews Group's southern NM papers, sees numerous chances for the R's to score against the incumbent Dem Governor, but J.R. Damron, the putative R nominee, has thus far failed to take advantage. Steve Terrell of the New Mexican noted that Damron campaign manager Greg Graves is out, the first casualty of the Santa Fe doctor's candidacy and that without a campaign manager it's kind of hard to conduct a campaign.

AP Washington D.C. editor Jennifer (sorry, forgot her last name) offered the "conventional wisdom" of the capital which she says has Big Bill really seeking the vice-president slot.

KATE'S TAKE
Kate Nelson
ABQ Trib Managing Editor Kate Nelson said the primary campaign is not just missing in action, but there is no action. "We have a four way Democratic race for secretary of state and no campaigning," she gave as one example.

But Terrell and the others, including political reporter Jeff Jones, say the Dem race for attorney general is the one non-snoozer in the primary bunch and that while Gary King is the acknowledged frontrunner, Geno Zamora and Lem Martinez are not out of it.

"Gary has never won a statewide primary," informed Terrell. He still has some proving to do."

Jones noted an interesting new trend. "Sometimes a candidate will choose not to respond to a negative attack from an opponent. I have to bang the receiver to make sure it is working," He joked.

The panel agreed that candidates are more sensitive to TV coverage and if an attack is not playing there, they may decide to let it pass and take the hit in the less circulated printed pages.

Still, it is the work of these veteran reporters and editors that will set the agenda for the TV and other NM campaign coverage to come. The Associated Press remains the gateway source for everyone; The Journal and Trib dominate coverage in the state's major media market; the New Mexican is pivotal in the important Capitol City and Media News Group penetrates the fast-growing southern NM market.

BLOGGIN' WITH ROLL CALL

I also spent time recently with the national press and Josh Kurtz of Roll Call, the newspaper of Capitol Hill in D.C. Topic A was how the state corruption scandals are impacting the must-watch ABQ congressional race featuring incumbent GOP Rep. Heather Wilson and Dem challenger Patricia Madrid. You can read all about it, including my analysis, in Kurtz's piece.

BOTTOM LINE

Tuesday is the deadline to register to vote in this year’s June 6 primary election.

E-mail your news and comments from the link at the top of the page and come back tomorrow for more New Mexico politics.

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Heather
If the ship goes down there will be no survivors. That's the moral of the Movida that unfolded on Capitol Hill Wednesday and vaulted ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson into the national headlines. The House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman, Rep. Joe Barton (TX), who just two years tried to have Heather thrown off his panel, closed ranks behind her. Barton let Heather be the chief sponsor of an anti-gouging bill on gas prices, delivering a coup for her in her hotly contested Congressional race with NM Dem Attorney General Patricia Madrid.

An Alligator with D.C. experience, but on the ground in NM, bottom lined it. "If the House goes to the D's, there will be no Republican committee chairmen. As they say, politics makes for strange bedfellows. With his power ultimately on the line in November, Barton saw the wisdom of helping Heather, despite her past wayward ways."

Wilson introduced the anti-gouging bill just days ago. It was fast-tracked by Republican leaders who continue to shudder under the threat of a voter rebellion at the ballot boxes. The measure passed overwhelmingly. The Senate still has to agree.

It was in 2004 that Chairman Barton threatened to toss Wilson to the wind when she broke ranks over the Medicare prescription drug bill, demanding that more information on the costs of the program which was ultimately approved by the Congress.

The Hill newspaper supplies more details on the Heather-Barton reunion.

PATSY ON STAND-BY
Patsy
As for Madrid, it was the second time this year she had to stand by while Heather burst onto the national scene as she pulls out all the stops to position herself as an "independent Republican." In February she split with the Prez over the Administration's surveillance of American citizens, news that was flashed nationwide.

Doing what they could, the Madrid campaign lashed out at the Wilson-Barton Movida calling it an "obvious political ploy" and said in the past Heather voted three times against anti-gouging legislation. They also said she has picked up $800,000 in energy campaign money since going to the Hill in 98.' Madrid does have a hole card. If gas prices continue to soar, Wilson may need more than an anti-gouging bill for cover.

But it was the power of the majority party and their now stark fear of losing that power that was on full display Wednesday. With the future of the American government on the line, the R's fired a cannon over the bow of New Mexico Democrats signaling that their leaky ship is still sail-worthy and not going down without a fight.

COURT BRAKES THE GOP BREAKAWAYS

That breakaway faction of the NM GOP, so active in Republican primaries two years ago, has concentrated its 06' efforts in southeastern NM, but Wednesday the NM Supreme Court handed them a defeat. The court ruled that Lucy Tucker will be allowed on the June primary ballot to challenge GOP State Rep. Keith Gardner. Gardner's lawyer is lobbyist Mickey Barnett who spearheaded the primarying of fellow Republicans in 04'.

Gardner ousted GOP State Rep. Earlene Roberts two years ago in a bitter primary battle. Roberts is now helping Tucker. The breakaway faction also includes Roswell's State Senator Rod Adair and State Rep. Dan Foley. Ex-GOP Chair John Dendahl is also aligned with the faction.

Foley escaped a primary challenge when Steven Gavi did not file proper petitions. Gavi will run as a write-in candidate against Foley in the general. Tucker and Gavi are renewing charges that Barnett and Adair are more interested in their private business interests and candidates who can help them, rather than the interests of the GOP.

Gardner is favored to win over Tucker, but the faction is in a much tougher fight with Mike Kakuska who is seeking the GOP nomination for a Roswell House seat against Nora Espinoza who has served as Adair's Legislative secretary. The seat is being vacated by Avon Wilson.

BACA'S FIRE RETURNED

The oil industry was quick to react to a blog hit delivered against them Wednesday by Dem land commissioner hopeful Jim Baca who pledged not to take "a single penny" in campaign money from Big Oil. Firing back, an industry higher-up e-mailed this entertaining volley.

"The real story is that Baca is not getting any money from big, little or medium size oil. He has in the past and continues to this day to whine and whine about our industry and has catered to anti-development groups. His life cycle goes like this. When he was born he was a NIMBY; Not in my back yard. As he grew up he became a BANANA; Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything; then he became a CAVE; citizens against virtually everything."

Of course, liberal enviro Baca will wear that oil and gas attack as a badge of honor. He also responded to my tongue-in-cheek joshing that he lost an animal protection group endorsement to primary foe Ray Powell because he complained that his pet, "Jerry the Cat," was not sufficient company when his wife was away.

"I love my cat. And my two beagles." He responded. Which brings to mind that old saw, slightly revised, "If you want a friend in politics, get a dog." Or, in Baca's case, a cat and two Beagles.

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Is it an endorsement? Play political analyst with me as we take a gander at this photo from the Rio Grande Sun with Governor Big Bill embracing Rio Arriba Dem State House candidate Moises Morales who is challenging incumbent Rep. Debbie Rodella in the June primary. Debbie and hubby Tommy Rodella have been a thorn in the gubernatorial side. But anyone can push for a pic with a Guv, and determining with certainty what is going on in the Byzantine world of Rio Arriba county poltiics is even sometimes beyond the skills of your Gringo blogger from Pennsylvania.

Big Bill's appointment of Tommy as a Rio Arriba judge blew up in his face, and the Guv lost his state police chief when a relationship between the chief and Debbie got Tommy hot under the collar and forced the chief's resignation.

This is not just not just soap opera. With State Rep. Fred Luna retiring, the chairmanship of the House Business and Industry Committee will get a new chair next year. Debbie is vice-chair of that committee and in line for the chairmanship and a key policy making role in New Mexico politics.

IN BILL'S FOOTPRINTS

A Big Bill fundraiser (yes, another one!) held Friday night at a Santa Fe art gallery had the wall-leaners noting that land commissioner candidate Jim Baca and attorney general Dem contender Geno Zamora were on hand for the thousand a pop event, but their opponents in the June primary were not. Both Baca and Geno held positions in the Big Bill administration and while the Guv has not been public in showing affection for the duo, it doesn't take a Los Alamos Ph.D. to figure out that the Guv would not mind keeping them around.

It could become an issue if Zamora or Baca are the nominees. While affiliation with the powerful Guv may sit fine with hardcore Dem partisans, the general electorate may have questions on how these offices would maintain their independence if populated by Bib Bill acolytes.

AG ACTION

The race for Dem attorney general is finally kicking in. Sandoval county District Attorney Lem Martinez will be first to break the ice with a couple of TV spots that will begin airing in the ABQ market tonight. One of them is a bio spot featuring his sister, Linda Alvarado, part owner of the Colorado Rockies baseball team and a key fundraiser for the hopeful. Martinez has a second spot in the can that will take on the methamphetamine issue.

Hours after Lem announced he was hitting the air, Geno Zamora dashed out a news release that he too will be on a TV screen near you this week. Geno might have been a bit too enthusiastic by saying his TV spots will be viewed by "millions of New Mexicans." Last we checked the state's population was about 1.9 million. But maybe they are counting the livestock.

Insiders tell me name ID is becoming critical at this point and that if Martinez and Zamora don't get going soon, Gary King is positioned for the win. The Martinez and Zamora camps hear them, thus the first strike. Now Gary will need to answer.

REVENGE OF JERRY THE CAT
"Jerry The Cat"
Back on the Dem land commissioner duel, Jim Baca e-mails that unlike the congressional reps we blogged about Tuesday, he is not "taking one penny" from Big Oil. His opponent and another former land commissioner, Ray Powell, hits the blog spin room with the news that he has been endorsed by the National Education Association of NM as well as the Animal Protection Voters of NM.

Baca recently complained that when his wife worked out-of-state there was no one around the house but their pet "Jerry the Cat." I warned Baca that this slight at Jerry could lead to dire political consequences. Now the Powell animal rights endorsement. Told you so.

Well, Powell is a veternarian which might have had something to do with it. Still, if I were Baca I would keep an eye on Jerry. Hey, vet Ray. Do you make house calls?

A CLOUDY PETE METER?

We blogged last week of NM GOP Senator Pete Domenici and how his "B.S. Meter" went red as pump prices soared and public outrage grew. But some enviornmental Alligators e-mail that the senior senators "bullshit meter" needs some fine tuning when it comes to listening to outsized public concern on another big issue.

"Despite the public outcry regarding the Valle Vidal, Sen. Domenici is not leading but standing in the way. The Forest Service has received nearly 70,000 comments opposing drilling in the Valle Vidal. 18 north-central New Mexico communities and county commissions have passed resolutions opposing drilling as have numerous Chambers of Commerce. Still, Domenici wont co-sponsor and push Sen. Bingaman's Valle Vidal Preservation Act. Where is the "acting with the public?" Hits one enviro leading the charge for no drilling.

The public wants more oil and lower gas prices. And they want scenic treasures like Valle Vidal protected too. Seems that's enough to cloud up Pete's B.S. Meter.

Your news and comments via e-mail are welcome. You can do it from the top of this page.

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New Mexico congressional reps seeking re-election this year won't have any trouble topping off their tanks as they take to the campaign trail and they can thank, in part, the oil and gas industry. A check of federal records shows that the campaign coffers of three of the four NM members seeking another term this year have benefited handsomely from energy concerns, a major employer in the state.

Not surprisingly, southern NM GOP Congressman Steve Pearce is the top oil and gas guy. In fact, out of 535 members of Congress Pearce ranks among the top 20 recipients of oil and gas money, coming in 18th. So far this cycle, Pearce has taken in $44,700 from the industry. His district is dotted with oil and gas exploration companies. The energy issue is a tightrope act for the two term congressman; many of his constituents make their living from oil and gas, but high pump prices in a district where an hour's drive is routine could cause a political pinch.

But Pearce has a lot of breathing room. His only opponent is Dem Al Kissling of Las Cruces who is not going to get any oil and gas money and not much from anywhere else either.

THE CAMPAIGN OIL GUSHER

There's not much, if any, oil and gas drilling in the ABQ congressional district, but incumbent GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson is a member of the powerful House Energy Committee, a plum spot for oil and gas contributions. So far, she has raked in over $36,000 from the industry. Her Dem challenger, Patricia Madrid, is not turning down their money either. She has collected $17,000 from the currently unpopular industry.

Democrat Tom Udall, a noted environmentalist, doesn't have the oil and gas barons banging at his door. Still, for his 06' re-elect he has managed to receive about $10,000 from the industry.

Governor Big Bill is an interesting study. We won't have his oil and gas totals for the 06' campaign until next week, but in 02' he benefited from over $200,000 in energy donations. Recently, he called for oil companies to donate $50 million to the state so it could be given to hard-hit consumers. In the past, he has also talked of raising taxes on the industry. On this one, the Big Guy has a good argument against the R's "pay to play" attack.

Dem Senator Jeff Bingaman, member of the Senate Energy Committee and seeking a fifth term in 06', is at $48,000 in oil and gas dough for this cycle, not a large percentage of his overall total of $2.4 million. But, as with Pearce, it shows the balancing act that our congressional folk are faced with as they represent a major oil and gas producing state and at the same time try not to be labeled favorites of Big Oil as those gas prices continue to hit home.

HEATHER'S SPRING FLING

In the latest edition of her ongoing series, "Why I am Really a Moderate," the GOP's Wilson is throwing political kisses to one of NM's old line Democratic families. Take a looksie at her latest newsletter missive.

"While we are from different parties, I have always liked the Kings. There's a hard, dry no-nonsense directness about them. They're honest men who work hard." Declared R Heather.

Hey, isn't Heather butting in on Patsy Madrid territory? After all, Madrid ran as Bruce King's running mate to form the 94' Guv ticket. Well, Spring is in the air, so what better time for Heather to romance the many D's she needs to retain her seat.

TOKYO TURNER

NM politico Doug Turner has gone Oriental. The ABQ PR operator is in Japan studying why minority political parties work there. He penned this piece for Time Mag's Asia edition.) His Japanese sojourn is courtesy of a fellowship with the Council on Foreign Relations. Turner, who managed Gary Johnson's NM Guv campaigns, is also developing clients for his business.

R Doug's CFR connection ought to get the conspiracy buffs going. But in our beloved La Politica it doesn't take much to do that, does it?

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The New Mexico primary campaign may be a snore, but hot-button issues are bursting forth like spring pollen, giving voters plenty to mull over when the campaigns finally do fully blossom later this year. Today is a something for everyone May Day 2006 with New Mexicans engrossed in the immigration debate, the national anthem singing controversy, gas price angst and state political corruption.

Our state has been pretty much live and let live when it comes to undocumented workers. An estimated 50,000 of them toil away quietly at restaurants, construction sites and in the big agribusiness fields of the south, or attend school. But their national boycott today to encourage a comprehensive immigration bill has the issue front and center in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. The politically powerful Roman Catholic church is also waving the flag.

None of the NM congressional delegation favors deporting those who are already here illegally, instead focusing on border enforcement. Unlike the rest of the nation, the issue here has not been extremely divisive.

OH SAY CAN YOU SING?

As for the national anthem brouhaha and whether it should be sung in Spanish, ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez hit the proverbial nail on the head when he pointed out that bilingualism is enshrined in the state Constitution and that singing the anthem in espanol is no big deal.

In fact, New Mexico has an official bilingual state song. Sure does. It was adopted by the Legislature In 95'. And if you want to sing it in English be our guest.

Here's the money quote on the Spanish language in New Mexico's founding document. "The right of any citizen of the state to vote, hold office or sit upon juries, shall never be restricted abridged or impaired on account of religion, race, language or color, or inability to speak, read or write the English or Spanish languages..."

Hispanic politicians I covered in the 70's and who grew up in the state's early years would tell of being disciplined to the point of physical punishment if they dared speak Spanish in the school room. Jerry Apodaca of Las Cruces was one of them. He was elected Governor in 74', one of five Hispanic Guvs in state history.

Governor Big Bill partedwith Mayor Marty on the singing of the anthem, saying he agrees with the Prez that the patriotic tune should be belted out in English. That's probably how most people around the nation feel, but in New Mexico the speaking of Spanish has special standing. As for Spanish NM singing, it's a tradition very much alive and well. Check out KANW 89.1 FM in ABQ where "ranchera" music rocks the airwaves around-the-clock.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Other news from down Mexico way makes the blog today. New Mexicans didn't listen when ex-GOP Guv Gary Johnson, ex-Dem Guv Toney Anaya, then-state GOP Chair John Dendahl and Republican lobbyist Mickey Barnett launched a full-fledged effort in the late 90's to legalize drugs here. But in Mexico City, that message has taken hold. The Mexican Congress has approved a bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and even Ecstasy. Mexico says it hopes the measure will help police focus on large drug trafficking, rather than minor drug busts.

The NM pro-drug message died a quiet death when Johnson & Company exited. No wonder. New Mexico's Rio Arriba county has the highest rate of heroin overdose deaths in America. (17 in 2004) If Mexico is going to concentrate on the big dealers they could start with the gangs that continue to flood Rio Arriba with deadly dope. Our own state and federal governments also need to do more.

MORE GAS PAINS

When it comes to those sky-high gas prices it doesn't matter what language you use, they hurt. The only thing funny about them is the way they make the politicians jump up and down in fear and sometimes frustration. Look at what happened to GOP U.S. Senator Pete Domenici on the senate floor the other day. His temper got the better of him as another senator filibustered the energy issue. It's high-stress time for Pete who is chair of Energy Committee which is being challenged to produce legislation that would solve the gas panic.

Pete's pal in the U.S. House, ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson, is also concerned about voter backlash from the pump prices. She, like Pete, is touting better auto fuel efficiency standards as she tries to stay ahead of the political curve on what could be a make or break issue come November. Her foe, Dem Patricia Madrid, was first out of the gate.

While Heather is on the defense on soaring pump prices, she is clearly on the offense when it comes to the state corruption issue. She was gifted another thirty second TV spot at the federal corruption trial of ex-Treasurer Robert Vigil when state taxation secretary Jan Goodwin testified that back in 02' she sent a letter to Attorney General Madrid asking for an investigation of the troubled Treasurer's office. At the time, Goodwin was on the State Board of Finance. Patsy says the letter never made it to her office. Unfortunately, for her, the political fallout will.

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