The crisis in the New Mexico Republican Party reached the breaking point Wednesday, leaving all to wonder who will pick up the pieces. The sudden resignation of Chair Ramsay Gorham after a ten month political melodrama that pitted her against the forces of John Dendahl, the chairman she ousted just last year, served only to heighten concerns that the party was hopelessly divided and, as a result, President Bush could be robbed of the state's precious five electoral votes in the coming election. I have the complete story with exclusive details from the very top sources in New Mexico.

GOODBYE RAMSAY, HELLO WHO?

As soon as Ramsay hit the exits speculation bordering on the ferocious began on who would succeed her. The names that bubbled to the top included former Light Guv Walter Bradley, Bernalillo County GOP Chair Ken Zangara, Ex-GOP Congressman Bill Redmond, real estate developer Tom Tinnin, Roswell oilman Mark Murphy and political fireman and longtime Domenici aide Lou Gallegos. Anyone who gets the top job will ask this question: "Will I be the next target, or will the impending presidential election deter any further coup attempts? One man who will not be seeking to regain the party chair is John Dendahl. In an e-mail to "NM Politics With Joe Monahan" he wrote:" She (Gorham) has acted courageously and in the best interest of the party. I am not the appropriate successor."

But that gracious response masked the no-holds-barred political warfare that has torn the party asunder and left a leadership vacuum that is unprecedented. "I don't know if anyone can unify this party now," worried one top Republican. "Events have simply spun out of control."

For now, GOP Vice-Chair Bill Humphries will man the gates, but will not seek the top post when the State Central Committee meets later this month to name the successor. State Executive Director Tom Carroll, fielding a deluge of phone calls from Republicans statewide, emerged briefly to tell me: "We need unity now. The party will continue to function, but we need unity,"

If chaos were unity the GOP would have it in abundance. The utter breakdown in the command structure has the fingers pointing from Raton to Roswell. Why hasn't Senator Domenici prevented this? What about the White House's vaunted political operation? And why could no one deal with Gorham?

DOMENICI: THE GODFATHER GIVES NO ORDERS

Pete Domenici holds a sacred place in the heart of the party faithful, but his inability, indifference or encouragement of the party strife has him taking heavy fire. "Pete had a chance to solve this years ago when Dendahl came out for drug legalization and Pete warned him it could cost him the chairmanship. But Dendahl was allowed to stay," said one embittered R. Another speculator said: "Pete lost control of Ramsay soon after she took over. The first sign was when she fired a fundraiser who was the wife of Pete's campaign manager. The second sign was her fight with the Republican National Committee over who would run the campaign here. He may have felt it best to have her taken out by the Dendahlites, rather than deal with it himself." Another R said: "Pete's staff could not stand Ramsay. He received no encouragement to resolve the differences between the factions, and he didn't."

It was a strange role for Domenici who, for nearly quarter a century, has been looked to for leadership on all key Republican issues in the state. Apparently that era has ended.

THE BLAME GAME

Others took aim at Republican National Committeeman, attorney/lobbyist and Dendahlite ringleader Mickey Barnett. "Mickey is a cancer on the party. Legalized drugs, legalized gambling and the primarying of Republicans; these all came from him and mean the slow but certain destruction of the party," said one Gorham backer in the heat of the moment.

As for Mickey, he was cool as a cucumber when I spoke with him from his ABQ law office. "I want to thank Ramsay and Frank for the countless hours they have devoted to the party," he murmured softly.

But Gorham wasn't sparing either Barnett or Dendahl. As she slammed the door she cited “lobbyists and special interests” as part of her undoing, and mentioning Dendahl by name, she said he and Barnett are "motivated by money," not the good of the party.

Insiders tell me Ramsay made her decision to get out over the weekend She “was worn out and felt the fight would never end,” said a friend who mentioned the call by the Dendahlites for a Central Committee meeting to oust her as the proverbial straw breaking the camel's back.

Those glad to see Gorham gone said she had a stubborn personality, could not work well with others and insulted the President's re-election staff. "Ramsay was clearly in over her head," said a Dendahlite sympathizer.

RAMSAY IN THE SENATE...STILL?

But Ramsay may not be gone completely. Party insiders were telling "NM Politics With Joe Monahan" late last night that Gorham, who announced she would not seek re-election to her state senate seat, should not be counted out completely. "Ramsay has to file a declaration of withdrawal with the Secretary of State. She has not done that yet, and some senators are urging her to stay in the race." If that happened, it would stymie the hopes of former Dendahlite GOP executive director John Ryan who helped force Gorham out when he challenged her right to run for the senate against him and still be party chair. Democrats John Hooker and Vic Raigoza, vying for the senate nomination, are watching it all from the wings. My experts in ABQ North Valley politics peg Gorham an easy re-election winner should she run, but Ryan a probable loser because of his move against Gorham and his past felony conviction for which he was pardoned by Governor Johnson.

CENSURE MOVE AGAINST DENDAHLITES?

Insiders close to the Dendahlites say they may have gotten more than they bargained for when Ramsay announced her resignation. "They wanted her senate seat for sure, but were surprised when she resigned as chair. That forces their hand. It could limit their influence with the new chair because if they make another power play the party rank and file will say enough is enough." Others deep on the inside told me there is talk of censuring Dendahl and State Senator Rod Adair and removing them from the Central Committee for their move against Gorham.

It's important to remember that the hardcore Dendahlite faction is today a relatively small percentage of the state GOP, but makes up with intensity what it lacks in numbers.

This turmoil and rancor takes place against the backdrop of a presidential election in which our five electoral votes could play a critical role. One Republican veteran said it may be time for the Bush White House to step up to the plate. "I think they will weigh heavily getting involved in the chairmanship issue, at least from behind-the-scenes. They must have someone who can keep this thing glued together for the next several months. It's the president who has the most at stake in this battle," commented a Bush backer. Scott Jennings, Bush re-election director here, was not returning phone calls.

MONAHAN'S TAKE

An old politico once told me: "Anytime you are arguing process, and the other side is arguing policy, you are going to lose." The process imbroglio that has engulfed the Republican party puts it on a losing path for November. The Bush White House may believe it can come in and create a unified party out of thin air with giant television buys, but the people on the ground and the party still matter and still make the difference in close races. Right now, the Republican Party is in need of major reconstructive surgery. The problem is there is no doctor in the house. Political surgeons like Colin McMillan, Joe Skeen and Edward and Manuel Lujan are either gone or retired. In years past they operated efficiently and put a damper on factional strife. Who will perform that role for this new generation? There's a patient in the emergency room who is in dire need of an answer.

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Karl Rove
Republican sources say the high-stakes battle over presidential power politics in New Mexico now has the full attention of the White House and GOP National Committee operatives and that "a truce is in the works." One operative close to the battle told me: "Five or six high-ranking Republicans outside New Mexico are making the phone calls to both sides, and I think in a few days this thing will be settled." I asked if any of those involved were from the White House and was told: "Yes." How do I spell K-A-R-L R-O-V-E? Yup. Him. He's the man, who along with John Dendahl, got John Sanchez to run against Big Bill and who presides over the Prez's political operation.

And why not Rove or a near-equal? New Mexico's five critical Electoral College votes could sway the outcome of the U.S. Presidential contest, and unless the infighting between GOP State Chair Ramsay Gorham, ousted Chairman John Dendahl and Senator Pete Domenici is ended, the Presidency could be lost. The stakes don't get any higher.

The "Gallegos Compromise," as I am dubbing it, is alive and well, according to sources. Said one: "Lou has done it all in politics and if he is appointed executive director for Bush in NM all sides to this bloody battle will be happy. "It's the smart thing to do, and usually people do the smart thing." A big factor working in Gorham's favor is the perception of regular Republicans that "outsiders" could be trying to dictate how New Mexicans should participate in the presidential election. A respected local voice who is not seen as a puppet would address that concern.

Meanwhile, Ramsay will up her public profile and take the "high road" in her effort to shore-up support of the Republican rank and file and show Senator Pete there is no hard feelings and also to show the Dendahl/Barnett/Adair forces she will not, as her supporters put it, rise to the bait. Her camp is determined, however, to send a message to the Dendahlites that if it is continued war they want, it is war they will get. Meanwhile, Domenici Chief of Staff Steve Bell was pushing buttons again late Monday making remarks that were interpreted by Gorham's camp as condescending. "Bell is playing with fire. I think Pete needs to put him back on his leash and let's get this thing done. There is no long-term threat to the Pete-Ramsay relationship, but Bell piling on has not helped. He is a brilliant guy. But he is not a public guy and he is not a diplomat," said one Gorham ally.

Also Tuesday, a spokesman for Gorham told me she "did not have a chance to connect" with Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie. Monday I was told a phone meeting was being pursued. Maybe both sides at this delicate stage are like lawyers: neither wants to ask questions they don't already know the answers to.

The tell-tale sign will be the Bush executive director job. From the Dendahl faction young and aggressive Jay McCleskey is on the short list, but unacceptable to the Gorham camp. Former Gov. Johnson's favored PR man, Doug Turner, is Ramsay's choice, and above them towers the veteran Gallegos who can deal with both camps. It seems obvious that Gallegos, or a similar figure, is the way out of the mess. But egos need to be massaged at this point and Gorham wants assurances that any peacemakers tell the ousted Dendahlites to cool it, that she is the Chair and she needs to be dealt in.

Wild rumors have circulated that Pete would go toe-to-toe with Ramsay and move for her ouster. No one is taking that seriously, and equally bizarre rumors of having the State Central Committee meet to oust her can be readily dismissed as emotion driven. Pete was wounded by the closeness of the Permanent Fund election in September, a measure he supported and Ramsay opposed. And an additional wound was administered when the wife of his campaign manager lost her fundraising contract under Gorham. His support of moving the Bush re-elect away from Ramsay is seen by observers close to the battle as more of his long-established desire to control the party, not a lashing out personally at Gorham. One operative told me: "I think what happened here is that the RNC and Pete expected Ramsay to simply accept whatever was laid out. They did not account for her suspicion that Dendahl was behind it all and trying to pull off a coup. Whether that is true or not is incidental, but I don't think it was presented to her in the proper way."

On the other side of the coin a longtime associate of Dendahl let loose to me: "Ramsay has had huge turnover in the party staff, she has tried to micromanage the place and the RNC was justifiably worried that her involvement in the Bush campaign would be disruptive."

Of course, having the state party chair outside the tent would be far more disruptive than having some of her people get some of the presidential goodies that will be passed out in the next year. Insiders tell me the executive director of the Bush NM campaign will be named "in a couple of weeks;" that love and peace will be expressd in public between Pete and Ramsay (but not Dendahl) and "in a couple of days" this whole thing will be chuckled over. Republicans better hope so or it could be the Democratic Party that is laughing come November 2004.

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Bush Chair Racicot


The ongoing battle over presidential power politics in the NM GOP, first reported here, (see below) continued Monday with the General Chairman of the Bush re-election effort, former Montana Governor Marc Racicot, presiding over a high-level strategy meeting that included ousted GOP State Chairman John Dendahl, but excluded current State Chair Ramsay Gorham. Sources in the know about the meeting, conducted at the Albuquerque Hilton Inn, tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" that Bush Regional Chair John Sanchez was on hand, but neither Gorham nor an official representative from the State GOP headquarters was there. Exclusion of the State GOP from a presidential campaign is next to unheard of and highlights the battle between Dendahl and Gorham over the future of the party.

Even though Dendhal was soundly beaten by Gorham for the top job in May, he is exercising his political muscle to keep his power alive via the Bush campaign, and because the Bushies have had success with him in the past, they apparently are none to worried about excluding Gorham who has been painted with the brush of incomeptence by the Dendahlites. But Gorham backers say hogwash; Bush lost to Gore here in 2000 and during the last couple of years of Dendahl's reign the GOP lost Legislative seats.

Also on hand at the high-level Bush strategy pow-wow was Ramsay supporter and Bush finance chair Ken Zangara, State Rep. Larry Larranaga, Senator Kent Cravens and GOP financier Anna Muller.

GOP operatives tell me they are now awaiting a move from Ramsay. "If she just sits there and takes this kind of treatment, she will be Chair in name only and the forces most rank and file Republicans wanted out of control will effectively be back. Ramsay needs to gather her forces now and strike back." Gorham certainly has cards to play in her deck. She DID win support from the GOP grassroots, She DID conduct a nearly winning campaign in the Permanent Fund election in September, and she IS perhaps one of the most prominent Republican women in the nation right now. On top of that she could hurt Bush money-raising efforts here.

Her trouble began when she began canceling lucrative deals held by the Dendahl faction and even one of a Senator Pete ally. She said the party was more than $250,000 in debt when she took over and had to do it. Those urging Gorham to fight wonder if the contracts and jobs that go with a presidential campaign are all kept under the former chair and his cohorts, how will she react? Will she just brush it aside and cave for the "good of the party." If she does, they argue, what is the point of electing anyone Chair?

The Bush snub Monday morning of Gorham is the first round in what could turn out to be a several round battle. Or, according to sources deep on the inside, it could be the beginning of the end of her. Said one GOP operative: "I think she's going to have to organize support and put pressure on the White House and Congressional delegation to turn this thing around. Otherwise, she is marginalized and threatened with Dendahl or his associates coming back. We are a small party and infighting is no stranger to us, but now the stakes are too high. NM could be decisive in the Electoral College. I think as that reality weighs-in, the White House may change its tune. If not, we are headed into unknown territory."

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Lightning Rod
State Senator "Lightning Rod" Adair has thrown another firebomb at the state GOP saying Chair Ramsay Gorham must cease her state senate re-election bid or else be in violation of her party's own rules. In his latest newsletter, Adair, a leader of the Dendahl wing of the GOP, cites this rule: "Party officers shall not publicly endorse one Republican candidate over another Republican candidate."

Adair and a few of his allies on the state GOP Rules Committee, say since former state GOP Executive Director John Ryan is challenging Ramsay, she is in violation of the rule. Gorham backers claim the rule only applies to statewide office seekers, not legislative contenders. Adair and his supporters are calling for a special meeting of the GOP State Central Committee Monday night in Roswell to get Gorham to back off of her senate bid, but sources said Ramsay was set to issue an opinion today that the request for the special meeting was not legitimate. What does this all mean? Here's what my insiders say:

"In any other year the chair would have been given a pass on this, but because Dendahl and his allies have not given up on taking back power they are going to squeeze this for all it's worth. They probably won't get much more than some articles in the press. Gorham has the votes on the Rules Committee, and she who has the votes rules."

"I wonder what the White House and Bush are thinking? They have been asking both sides to cool it as the campaign heats up. For this to be out there in the middle of a presidential visit was terrible timing and does not bode well in getting this thing settled." opined another observer

CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG?

So, is Gorham's ABQ senate seat at risk? Highly unlikely, says a consensus of my insiders. "The only way she goes is on her own. Adair and his group are hoping the pressure buckles her, that she resigns the seat and Ryan gets the GOP nomination," says one player.

Lightning Rod of Roswell also says Judy Vanderstar Russell, a close ally of Ramsay's, will challenge NM Republican National Committeewoman Rosie Tripp, a Dendahlite, at the June GOP convention. No official word from Judy yet. Committeeman Barnett, head of the Dendahlite brain trust, is being challenged by another Gorham ally, former ABQ State Rep. George Buffett.

Unless both warring GOP factions can be persuaded that Bush's re-election is more important than their own turf fights, the Dems are going to take advantage. Inside sources say the White House ordered the brawl to stop. But the Prez is having better luck with the war in Iraq than with the war that threatens his re-election bid in New Mexico.

DINNER, BUT NO DANCING
Gingrich
Meanwhile, at the annual NM GOP Lincoln Day dinner at the Sheraton Old Town in ABQ, it was chocolate on chocolate brownies with raspberry sauce for dessert, but we'll go right to the dirt that was also being dished last night. First, the rumor that Senator Pete will back Mickey Barnett in his battle with George Buffett for GOP National Committeeman. "I heard rumblings,” said one of our insider dinner sources. He explained that James Fuller, Domenici campaign manager, is close with Mickey and former NM Attorney General Hal Stratton. Also, Fuller'’s wife, Heidi, a top fundraiser for the state GOP, was ousted by Ramsay. And, Domenici is known to be none to happy with Gorham's criticism of the Prez's NM re-election campaign. Again, our insider reported, "it was just a rumbling, but definitely noteworthy."

Ex-State Rep. Marty Lambert was also sharing stuffed rubber chicken with keynoter Newt Gingrich, former U.S. House Speaker, but local concerns were also on her mind. Word was circulating that Lambert was out with a hit piece on Ramsay opponent John Ryan highlighting Ryan’s felony conviction for breaking and entering. Ryan was pardoned for the youthful crime by Governor Gary, but it's the first sign of how rough that North Valley senate battle is going to be.

Gingrich said in his speech that the GOP faces the “perfect storm” this election year because the issues favor the Prez. What about the “perfect storm” facing the embattled GOP here? On that, Newt was uncharacteristically quiet.

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Domenici at Opening
The Bush-Cheney campaign kickoff in ABQ last night landed another kick on the backside of State GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham. She was noticeably absent as Sen. Domenici, Nat'l Bush Chair Marc Racicot, NM GOP National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, ex-State GOP Chair Dendahl and other Repub heavyweights officially opened the Bush re-elect headquarters. It was the second blow to Gorham this week, with the GOP's John Ryan, exec director of the GOP under Dendahl, landing the other roundhouse announcing he will challenge Gorham for her state senate seat and calling on her to resign while she seeks another senate term.

The knockdown, drag-out fight over what role Gorham and the state party will play in the Bush re-elect has apparently been won by the Barnett-Domenici forces who have the inside track with the Republican National committee. On top of all this, sources tell me former Light Guv Walter Bradley is waffling on his previous declaration that he would seek to oust Barnett from his committeeman's post this June. Former State Rep. George Buffet has announced he will take on Barnett, but Bradley is seen as the stronger candidate to take down attorney-lobbyist Barnett, and pave the way for the Gorham forces to take full control.

Ramsay's wing is saying she was invited to the event last night, but that her son's baseball game interfered, and that things have settled down between the state party chair and the Bush campaign.

But the failure to bring Gorham fully aboard leaves the Prez with a potentially divided GOP in a state he lost in 2000 by a handful of votes. Ramsay and her husband Frank (also not on hand last night) will have to sit back and watch events from the sidelines. If this election is as close as pundits predict and Bush runs into trouble in NM, she will have the option of pointing fingers at the
Dendahlites. The fight, as we have long reported, was not so much about ideology as personality conflicts, power and money; who gets the juicy contracts from that multimillion dollar Bush war chest.

Meanwhile, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has been named chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign in Bernalillo County. County GOP Chair Ken Zangara, a Gorham groupie, has also apparently been squeezed out as the Bush team consolidates. The Bushies blame it all on Ramsay, saying she was unreasonable and hard to work with. But she continues to see Barnett and Dendahl as threats to her chairmanship. It seems this is a transition time for the state GOP. If Bush wins big here those who ran his campaign will bask in the glow, but if they blow it, Gorham stands to benefit, albeit, unintentionally. It's a heck of a way to run a railroad, not to mention a big time presidential campaign in a key swing state upon which the presidency could be won or lost.

ANOTHER ANCHOR ADIEU

It was just last month (see my Feb. archives) that KOAT-TV's Craig Nigrelli left his longtime anchor perch, and now, the chief competitor of Nigrelli's, KRQE-TV anchor Kathy Wyatt, is also exiting the stage. Kathy went up against Nigrelli as they both anchored the noon news in a tight battle for the number one position. In addition, Wyatt, a 13 year veteran of 13, spent the last couple of year co-anchoring the 4 p.m. hour with NM TV news dean Dick Knipfing. She tells me that will end in May when she moves to Tucson, AZ where her husband Andy has landed a top sales job at ABC affiliate KGUN-TV. Wyatt is "weighing her options" when it comes to staying in the news biz, but if the Purdue University grad stays out she will still have plenty to do. Her other "job" is raising two youngsters aged 6 and 10.

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(FIRST POSTED THURSDAY, NOV. 6)
They just won't let her have it. State GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham is going to have to fight for every inch of territory. Word now is that delicate negotiations are underway between Ramsay and Bush re-election operatives on just what the party role will be in the Bush effort. There is money and power at stake--lucrative consulting contracts and Gorham's future stature. She ousted once powerful GOP Chair John Dendahl but he and his acolytes are back, trying to pry the presidential campaign out of her orbit and no doubt laying the ground work to get one of "theirs" back in the top job.

Dendahl was GOP chair longer than anyone in NM history. His web of contacts with the Republican National Committee runs deep. He delivered many wins and is trusted back East. On the list of guests at any Dendahl dinner party is GOP National Committeeman Mickey Barnett and Roswell State Sen. Rod Adair. They are tough, hardened veterans of political trench warfare who, sources say, are painting a picture of Ramsay in Washington as not up to the rough and tumble of a presidential battle and arguing the re-elect be kept in the hands of Dendahl operatives. Ramsay supporters say there are laws governing the financial relationship between the Bush committee and the state GOP and she wants to make sure the law is followed. Deciphered that means she doesn't want all that presidential manna going to the camp of her archenemy. Gorham, who is also a GOP State Senator, won two campaigns for senate and is coming off an unexpected near win in September on the permanent fund constitutional amendment. Still, she gets no respect from the dejected Dendahl wing. In turn they get no money.

Senator Domenici, who parted ways with Gorham over Conny 2, has been quiet. Ramsay has solid support from the GOP Legislative leadership and central committee Republicans. But there are issues even with the moderate GOP'ers.The Dendhalites were not the only ones who had their plates pulled away. Sources tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" that the wife of a prominent Domenici campaign official lost a lucrative fundraising contract with the party when Ramsay took over and began her drive to get the party out of debt. Is that a factor? Maybe, maybe not. Domenici's staff, rather than Pete himself, will be more involved in deciding how the White House should proceed out here. Longtime Domenici Chief of Staff Steve Bell is near the action. The right moves have to be made. If Ramsay is dealt out, a public split in the state GOP would hurt Bush in NM which he only lost by a couple of hundred votes to Al Gore in 2000. Meanwhile, Gorham has sent a message by hiring former Democrat Tom Carroll, a wartime counselor, as Executive Director of the party.

Bottom Line: While the chase for presidential power and spoils is a bloody battleground, Gorham's willingness to fight may have been underestimated. The out-of-power brigade formed against her could be forced to bring in heavier artillery, or else consider a peace treaty. That job may have to fall to Pete, who might be thinking like Al Pacino in Godfather III: "Everytime I try to get out, they pull me back in!"

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Embattled New Mexico Republican Party Chairwoman Ramsay Gorham threw in the towel today and resigned the chairmanship and also announced she will not seek reelection to her ABQ North Valley State Senate she has held for eight years. The resignation comes on the heels of increased pressure on Gorham who has been embroiled in a bitter battle with the forces of former State Chair John Dendahl who recently called on her to withdraw from her senate seat because she had a Republican challenger.

Bill Humphries, former state land commissioner and first vice chair of the state GOP will serve as acting chair until the GOP State Central Committee meets to name a permanent chair. The Gorham departure does not necessarily mean the party's deep wounds will be healed. Observers were saying Wednesday that the Gorham resignation could set off another full-fledged battle for control between the Dendahlites and their opposition.

Ramsay went out with a bang, saying in an email: "Recently, a few discontented members of the State Central Committee have issued a Call for a meeting in Roswell. This improperly issued “Official Call” is a total disenfranchisement of the State Central Committee’s vote for Chairman. A year ago, we waged a strong campaign and the Central Committee voters chose me to be Chairman, knowing beforehand of my Senate responsibilities. This once again is an example of the kind of tactics used by a small minority of people to hurt the party. This continuous subterfuge by people who profited by the party under former Chairman John Dendahl has hurt the party because their actions were based on money."

The Gorham resignation was prompted by "her being tired of the whole mess," said a source close to her. Her departure will not be mourned by the Republican National Committee and the Bush re-election campaign in NM, which has been at odds with her for months on how the Prez's re-election bd should be run here and what role the state party should have in it.

Also, Democrats were licking their chops saying that Gorham's senate seat, considered safe Republican, is now in play and they think they can take it back.

The Republican Party of New Mexico is in a state of crisis with no apparent leadership poised to come forward and fill the vacuum.
The crisis was not resolved by the Bush White House which now has the most riding on the eventual outcome. Will someone finally step forward and exercise the leadership so desperately needed to bring peace? Stay tuned.

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CHAIR RACICOT
Did you miss them? They've been off the radar for a month due to the Dems Prez caucus, but now that the candidates have all left town the GOP is back with us for a visit, and as is customary these days, the conversation continues to center on just who is running what in the Bush campaign here.

While visiting Channel 13 this week to discuss the caucus, I ran into Bush Reelect Chairman Marc Racioct, Bush campaign honcho John Sanchez and the just named executive director of the Bush-Cheney NM campaign, Scott Jennings of Kentucky. I wasn't much on the social graces with the GOP boss and former Montana governor. I just asked straight out if there is "peace" in the Republican party here? "There will be peace," he responded mildly. OK. If that's the case, who will be the executive director of the "Victory" campaign for Bush--the one that has been causing all the trouble between current State Chair Ramsay Gorham and supporters of her rival, former Chair John Dendahl?

"We'll have a press release on that in a couple of weeks," said Sanchez, the GOP Governor nominee in 02', who also told me he is NOT running for ABQ Mayor in 05'. But wasn't there just an announcement saying that the Bush Victory campaign will be run under the authority of Bernalillo County GOP Chair and Ramsay supporter Ken Zangara? Chairman Racicot diplomatically demurred, but the fact remains that who is executive director of "Victory' is an essential ingredient to any peace pact. All this is a bit confusing because to comply with finance laws there are two Bush re-elect campaigns here, "Bush-Cheney" and "Victory," which is the one that runs the grassroots campaign and the get-out-the vote-effort. It passes out contracts to operatives to get those chores done. Lots of folks want those contracts, including supporters of Dendahl and Gorham.

JOHN SANCHEZ
So while the "Bush-Cheney" campaign is settling in with a new director, Victory's leadership, said to have been settled under the previously announced Zangara peace pact, remains up-in-the-air. That says to me that there is still a behind-the-scenes power struggle being played out. A high-level GOP source told me the RNC remains livid at Gorham for "sticking her finger in the eye of the president" when she demanded a prominent role in the Victory committee. This same high-level source called me "misinformed" about what was going on; that it was Gorham's attitude that got her into trouble and "it had nothing to do with the Dendahlites" and their purported desire to dethrone Gorham. Please. Both sides in the GOP mess have been stubborn and unyielding. If I am misinformed, how come the reports on this web site sparked news stories across the state and nation regarding the infighting? That's a lot of "misinformation."

It does seem tentative steps are being taken to heal the wounds in time for Bush's Fall effort. Racicot was here in part to make a final peace between the warring factions, and an upcoming visit by VP Cheney to ABQ is being sponsored by both Dendahl and Gorham, at least their names are together on the official invitation. And all parties realize it is getting late in the game. But Gorham played hardball with the RNC, and these are not guys who take anything lying down.

The bottom line: Racicot's RNC is run by veteran operatives who have a hint of arrogance and the State GOP run by Gorham has a hint of paranoia induced by the Dendahlites. Both will have to stand down a bit to get the job done for the Prez, who needs all the help he can get these days.

Who will be the Victory executive director, and whether the choice is acceptable to both sides, remains the litmus test. New Mexico Republicans await the decision, as do the Democrats. The RNC has the stroke to deal Ramsay out and move forward. Will they? Meanwhile, nice to see you Mr. Chairman, and welcome to New Mexico director Jennings. Peace be with you.

BRUCE KING IN ABQ HOSPITAL

Former Governor King is in an ABQ hospital, but I am told his condition is not life-threatening. Here is an AP Report

(Albuquerque-AP) -- Former Governor Bruce King is a patient at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico in Albuquerque. A hospital spokeswoman says King’s family has asked that no information be given about his condition. The 80-year-old King had a heart attack in 1997. The damage caused a hole to open in the wall that separates the left and right chambers of the heart. That hole was repaired at the time, and King recovered. King lives on a ranch in Stanley with his wife, Alice. He served three terms a governor.

FOCUS ON THE CAUCUS ON 'IN FOCUS' ON CHANNEL 5

Want some more insight on what happened during Tuesday's NM Prez caucus? Join me on KNME-TV Channel 5 Friday at 8:30 p.m. and again Sunday at 9:00 a.m. as Kate Nelson hosts me and other guests to discuss the 2004 NM campaign.

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ZANGARA
It's shaping up as one of the wildest weeks in the history of the New Mexico Republican Party. And the hits just keep coming. Sources now tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" that ABQ's Ken Zangara, finance chairman for the Bush re-election drive here, is seriously contemplating a challenge to Republican National Committeman Mickey Barnett. It's a continuation of the battle that went public this week between the forces of ousted chairman John Dendahl and current Chair Ramsay Gorham.

Lawyer-lobbyist Barnett and Dendahl have been fric and frac for years and are credited with resurrecting the state GOP by electing a governor, increasing Republican representation in the state legislature and protecting the GOP members on the state's Congressional delegation; accomplishments that are nothing to sneeze at. But, sources say, their continued desire to keep power, even though Dendahl was voted out, has the Gorham camp going into war mode. And auto dealer Ken Zangara has been anointed a general.

"The fight over who will control the president's re-election campaign is going to be solved, but the war between the Dendahlites and Gorham will go on until there's no blood left to spill. If Gorham is going to be anything more than a transitional chair, she will have to clean house. She has put a target on Barnett because he is the ringleader of the Dendahlites--bright, successful and determined. If the Dendahl forces are to make a comeback, it would fall to Mickey to organize it. You stop him and you have just cut off the head." That brutal assessment according to a GOP insider close to the action.

The news of the possible Zangara challenge of Barnett comes amid a whirlwind of developments this week in the state GOP that kicked up dust from Tucumcari to the Potomac. The White House was tuned in again Wednesday (to this web site, among other places) looking for the latest and apparently encouraging peacemaking talks that sources told us yesterday are underway. (see below for full details)

BARNETT
The election for the National Committeeman post (Rosie Tripp is NM Nat'l Committeewoman) won't be held for a while, but the possible Zangara candidacy is a clear message: Gorham is looking to consolidate power under her chairmanship and that a policy of accommodation is not in the cards. "Why should it be?" asks one of her supporters. "It's not like she stole anything. She was elected fair and square but they are making her fight for the power she should naturally have as a duly elected chair."

Ramsay knows what others know about Dendahl, Barnett and company: They are major league political operatives who don't know the meaning of losing. Their never give up attitude stunned the Democratic Party establishment in this state in the 90's, but times change and the old luster is gone. The loss of the chairmanship, as hard as it is for them to accept, was indeed lost. Gorham, as the Dendahlites assert, may be a "lightweight" but she has stunned her opponents by standing up to the national party. Some observers, including Dan Houck who resigned from the GOP Executive Committee this week, say she has buried herself by doing so and is finished as chair.

Don't count on it.

Here's how a Roundhouse insider reminded me of Gorham's two ABQ North Valley State Senate wins over Democrat Janice Paster: "Janice was one of the toughest, meanest candidates I've ever seen and I'm a fellow Democrat. When Janice lashed out, we used to say, 'You've just been Pasteurized.' That's how tough she was. But Gorham beat her twice. Not many people saw those fights. Now they are getting the flavor. Gorham may not have graduated with honors, but she's one tough gal who doesn't have a lot of quit in her."

A state convention, made up of top GOP'ers from around the Land of Enchantment, will make the Committeeman decision next May. Barnett ousted former Congressman and Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan from the position a couple of years ago, but if the turmoil of today extends into the future it's anyone's guess if he can win again.

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I guess it depends where you are sitting when it comes to seeing how GOP State Chair Ramsay Gorham came out on the battle of constitutional amendment #2. I said after the tight fight she lost that her stock went up because the expectations of her were cleverly set low and she nearly upset the Governor in spite of Senator Domenici's's opposition to her position, as well as a slew of other Republicans. But my position is not shared in all quarters of the Republican Party.

State Senator Rod Adair, running mate to losing governor candidate John Sanchez, is a witty and bright guy who writes that Gorham could have and should have won the fight and that her stock is pointing down, not up, after the Conny 2 battle. He says Republican Congressman Steve Pearce offered to do radio spots for the GOP opposing the amendment but never did get a response from state headquarters. That's an allegation and Pearce, who was against the amendment, has yet to respond. Rod goes on to say that Ramsay may bolt her senate seat and try to turn it over to former State Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell of Sandoval County, while Ramsay "seeks higher office.' Well, Rod if Ramsay is thinking of seeking higher office, someone is telling her she did pretty darn good Election Night!

I remain unmoved. Ramsay looked like a deer in the headlights when she took over and was placed in a very tough position when Senator Pete said no to Conny two and she had to lead the party in the opposite direction. She handled it with class and aplomb. Not one, I repeat, not one, respected political analyst came out and said the election would be as close as it was. Most said it was a done deal FOR the amendment. If Ramsay Gorham doesn't get credit for pulling out a near win no one expected, who does?

Case closed.

As for her seeking higher office, certainly John Sanchez should not count on automatic renomination as the GOP governor nominee in 2006, but then he could be running for mayor of Albuquerque well before that.

President Bush sets down in Airforce One in Roswell today just as a new round of infighting breaks out in the state Republican party. The GOP has been torn asunder by an ongoing battle between allies of former state chair John Dendahl and current chair Ramsay Gorham, who ousted Dendahl. Now word comes to us that Gorham and Bernalillo County Republican Party Chair and Bush NM finance chair, Ken Zangara, are at odds with Republican National Committee (RNC) operative Rich Beeson, who is heading up the Bush campaign in the Southwest.

Sources say the peace pact that was brokered this month between Gorham and the RNC calling for the president's re-election effort here to be placed under the umbrella of the county party and Zangara is in danger of coming undone. The crowning blow is that Beeson, who Gorham sees as an ally of her archrival Dendahl, has placed a political operative for the Bush campaign in the law offices of Dendahlite ringleader Mickey Barnett. Barnett is GOP National Committeeman from NM and has close ties to the RNC. Gorham and Zangara also reportedly complain that voter information needed to launch the re-elect has not been forthcoming from the national party and that Gorham was excluded from a conference call with the Bush campaign while Dendahl was included. Gorham and Zangara are saying Beeson is making an end run around them, despite the compromise deal that called for Zangara to run the show.

"Does the RNC plan on running the campaign out of Mickey's law office?" pondered one insider. "That's not the deal and if it continues we may have a resumption of the war over the President's campaign."

Also, the infighting may be holding up an announcement on who will serve as executive director of the Bush effort here, a key role as money and personnel are pumped into the state to capture New Mexico's precious five electoral votes that Bush lost to Al Gore in 2000 by under 400 votes. One of the names being bandied about for the post is Kathy Leyendecker, a longtime GOP operative with ties to Senator Domenici. Others are also being mentioned. Leyendecker was considering a run against Dem State Rep. Al Park, but insiders now say those plans are off.

Ramsay's bad blood with Beeson goes back to when she took over and asked RNC boss Ed Gillespie to fire Beeson after Beeson, according to Gorham allies, played a heavy-hand with her. So while peace was at hand just a short week ago, today it appears the GOP is going to have to re-light the peace pipe and try again. If not, the ongoing turmoil can only threaten Bush's already tenuous hold on a state that could spell all the difference come November. Welcome to the Land of Disenchantment, Mr. President.


PRC: IT'S A MANIA

This Race for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) seat up North reminds me of the internet stock bubble; everyone wants in. No sooner did I relay the news that Johnny Montoya, husband of State Rep. Rhonda King, will be diving into the pack, came word of yet another Dem contender. Carlos Fierro, a former analyst to the leadership in the NM House, and most recently senior counsel to Senator John McCain on the US Senate Commerce Committee, is also being tempted by the 90k a year job. Candidate Ben Ray Lujan, son of the House Speaker, earlier told me (stories below) that he was trying to convince the other Hispanics to bow out so the nomination would not be tossed to an Anglo contender like Bob Perls. Ever since, Hispanic candidates are coming out of the woodwork. Ben Ray better have a sit-down with dad.

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Lou "The Fireman" Gallegos

Desperate to end infighting that threatens a Bush re-election victory in NM, sources close to the White House tell me that Lou Gallegos, former Gov. Johnson Chief of Staff and right-hand fireman to Senator Domenici for over 25 years, may be brought in to extinguish the blaze that has engulfed the party. Under this scenario, Gallegos would be tapped to be the executive director of the Bush re-elect drive in the state and responsible for dealing everyone in. But the Dendahl faction is pushing for GOP consultant Jay McCleskey to get the job, even though McCleskey is coming off a losing city campaign for which he took heat for going too negative on behalf of the Citizens for Greater ABQ (CGA). As word spread that ousted former GOP Chair John Dendahl and other prominent GOP'ers were invited to a strategy session with Bush General Chair Marc Racicot Monday, but current GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham was excluded, (our exclusive, full story is just below) Republican elders looked for a way out.

Said one: "Both sides are out of control and the fight must stop. Lou Gallegos is respected by both factions, and he is the one able to end it." The bloodletting here has caught the eye of the White House and the Republican National Committee (RNC) which Gorham supporters see as being brainwashed by the Dendahl forces into believing she doesn't have the savvy to play presidential politics. But Gorham proponents continue to hammer Dendahl's faction as a bunch of "money-grabbers" who are upset that Ramsay has cut them out of lucrative consulting deals while she stems a flood of red ink at GOP Headquarters.

Another Republican who has seen it all told me: "Joe, this is one of the hottest party battles we've had. When Steve Bell, (Domenici Chief of Staff) publicly said there was a breach, but did not hold out an olive branch, Ramsay's supporters hit the roof. Now this meeting excluding her has turned this thing into a bonfire. They have to move Bell out and Lou in to protect the interests of the White House and Pete, and at the same time cut Ramsay into the action and put this thing behind us."

Ramsay is awaiting a phone confab with Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie during which I am told she will tell him that the RNC must make clear to the Dendahlites that she is first in line on the re-elect. Said our source: "Ramsay is going to make it clear that it will not be possible to bring her into the fold, unless the Dendahl supporters are told that they have lost and she is preeminent. Once that is done we can deal." It was made clear to me that Ramsay CAN work with Gallegos.

Sources in Washington said late Monday the road map to peace is clear and that they believe the Gallegos compromise is the best bet; that Ramsay will be dealt in because her public withdrawal from the Bush effort would do incalculable damage with rank and file Republicans in New Mexico. "As the White House gathers intelligence it's becoming clear that continued warfare will endanger the President. The next stop after Gillespie is Karl Rove (White House political director). That's taking it too close to the President, so they are going to move this week to end it all."

As we have reported, presidential power politics isn't all about ideas. Consulting contracts, jobs and vendor business are all part of the big-time White House chase, and in a key swing state like ours a lot of money is going to be spent. But for Mr. Bush the treasure is New Mexico's five precious electoral votes, narrowly lost to Gore four years ago. They hang in the balance as the warfare here escalates and so may the Presidency of the United States.

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State GOP chair Ramsay Gorham has apparently put to bed once and for all the speculation about her state senate reelection plans. In a cryptic email to "NM Politics With Joe Monahan," Ramsay says: "Looks like I'm running." She did not elaborate.

Sources close to her told me in November that she probably would NOT seek reelection to the ABQ North Valley seat she has held for eight years, and that Rio Rancho's Judy Vanderstar Russell was a top contender to replace Gorham. But the state chair may feel leaving the senate could make her look a bit timid in the face of the continuing challenge from the forces of former State Chair John Dendahl. Some of her Republican supporters feel she would be better off to take on the state party job full-time and leave the legislative battling to someone else. But Gorham, who engaged in two fierce face-offs for her senate seat with Democrat Janice Paster, is not one to let go easily. And besides, she may feel she's finally getting a handle on the party. The Dendahlites make a lot of noise, but it is Gorham signing off on the contracts and hiring the personnel. And while they have fielded several candidates in the June primary against Gorham allies, they are not heavy hitters.

As for who will run the Bush reelect campaign here, the big point of contention in the state GOP war, I am hearing rumblings of an impending deal, but nothing firm yet. We'll keep you posted.

REAL OLDIES RADIO

Politicos looking for crucial senior citizen votes this election year are bending an ear in the direction of KKJY-AM 1550 radio in ABQ, where one of the last locally owned stations in the big city has made a modest name for itself by broadcasting the hits of the past to seniors of the moment. Don Davis, a veteran radio man, is the only sole proprietor of a radio station in ABQ that gets any meaningful ratings.

He's playing on a stage dominated by radio giants like Citadel and Clear Channel that own hundreds of stations across the nation and at least a half a dozen each in the ABQ market. But Davis, who put "KJOY" on the air almost four years ago, is defying the odds. He's up to four full-time employees and three part-timers. The ratings show him at about 15th in an over saturated market of over 50 signals beamed into the city. It's the 50 plus audience that Don caters to, and with about 30,000 listeners a week he says are tuning in, he may have the station with the highest percentage of definite voters in ABQ radio.

"We actually have tried to skew a little younger this past year. We were losing audience because our programming was a bit too old. We also added hourly news updates. My next goal is to make this a top ten station." Davis told me. A top ten for the 5,000 watt KJOY would be a major coup, but with an aging population, Davis, who says he is successful today because he learned from past "terrible mistakes," may be poised for his own golden age of radio.

TOUGH SESSION AHEAD FOR THE GUV?

Veteran New Mexico newspaperman, and now syndicated columnist, Ned Cantwell, writes in the Carlsbad Current Argus that he sees a rocky legislative session ahead for Big Bill, or as Ned calls him, "The Bill." Here's his take.
Ned Cantwell

122 MILLION AND COUNTING!

A bizarre news release from the state Department of Tourism says 122 million visitors 'passed through" our fair state in 2003. That's right 122 million! Hey, only 175 million or so before the whole country comes here in one year! Tourism departments and convention bureaus are notorious for putting out this kind of stuff. Where do they get the numbers? And what does it have to do with just how the state is doing in getting money out of those tourist pockets? Maybe they have people with clickers at the state borders counting each car. Was it that billboard of Big Bill in New York's Times Square that got all those 'visitors' here? Maybe next time they can break the 122 million down by party registration.

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DEAN & BILL--04' TEAM?
Washington contacts make sure the politically astute readers of "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" are aware of Sunday's Washington Post article reporting that Big Bill is playing coy, but is indeed angling for a place on the 2004 Democratic ticket. Bill's almost-endorsement of Vermont Gov. Howard Dean last week now puts him front and center on the rumored VP wanna-be list. The Post quotes an "informed source" that the Guv all along wanted the position of chairman of the 2004 Dem convention so he could maintain neutrality towards all the contenders and stay on everyone's VP list. Now with Dean breaking from the pack the Post says Bill is making his move. Here's the full story

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7255-2003Nov22.html

Friends of the Guv tell me they think some of his advisers may be too far ahead of the curve if they are advising a 'stay-out' role in 04' and an all-out Prez run in 08'. One puts it this way: "Who knows what happens in five years, let alone five months. He'd be crazy not to go after VP now because win or lose it's the gateway to the White House. Contrary to what some think his national name ID is not that high and selection as VP would catapult him to the top of American politics. How's he going to get there as NM Governor if he's not the VP candidate? Also, his popularity here could seriously erode as he makes more decisions that draw opposition."

Pretty insightful stuff that you have to believe Big Bill is considering. Ask Senator Pete about this level of politics. Domenici lost out to Dan Quayle in 88' for the VP spot under Bush the Elder, and the chance never came again.

RAMSAY: WAR ON TWO FRONTS IS TOO MUCH

GOP sources report the chances of State Chair Ramsay Gorham seeking a third term to her North Valley Senate seat next year are "slim to "none." But Ramsay isn't ready to make it official. She e mails me "that no meetings have taken place on that yet." The new party chair, who is locked in a life and death struggle with the forces of former chair Dendahl, is NOT being driven from the senate race, our sources emphasize. "She is fully aware that the chairmanship is a full-time affair, and that serving as a state senator and trying to rebuild the party is taking on way too much." Full-time to say the least.

Gorham shocked the hard-right of the GOP this month (many stories below) when she threw down the gauntlet and demanded a role for the state party with the Bush re-elect committee, which the national GOP, in concert with the Dendahlites, was trying to exclude her from. That demonstration of moxy will probably win her a seat at that table. Also, over the weekend 32 of the about 38 members of the GOP Executive Committee gave her a big vote of confidence. These developments come in the wake of her controversial hiring of former Democrat Tom Carroll as Ex. Director of the GOP. Gorham has been attacked for not knowing how to use staff, but she apparently knows how to run Carroll.

Ramsay's opponents have underestimated her throughout her political career but her fight is far from over. She will have to finalize a decent role for herself with the Bush campaign and also have a good showing for the Prez and the GOP legislative brigade next November, if she is to be more than a transitory leader.

OK. So if Ramsay is a no-go, who is in line to replace her? The names I am hearing are former State. Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell, who gave up her House seat for an unsuccessful run for the GOP Lt . Gov. nomination in 04' and State Rep. Teresa Zanetti, a moderate Republican, who replaced John Sanchez when he left that North Valley seat after one term to take on Big Bill. Democrat Janice Paster held the senate seat and was beaten by Ramsay in 96' and again in 2000. Word is that Janice no longer lives in the district so the Dems will have to find someone else.

NEWS ANCHOR MARTINEZ COMING BACK
Veteran TV anchorman Nelson Martinez says he's coming back. Nelson e mails us with late word that "a deal has been struck and I could not be happier." He did not say where he would be working or what the nature of the deal was, but that an announcement would be forthcoming, perhaps as soon as today. Martinez has been the subject of intense speculation since longtime investigative reporter Larry Barker was deposed from 7 and set up shop at KRQE-TV (see story below). Martinez left KOAT-TV a year ago to pursue music and acting, but the Barker departure led to speculation that 7 was freeing up money to bring back Martinez, perhaps starting him off as a morning and/or noon news anchor. Strictly speculation, of course, and Nelson's announcement will answer the question. KOAT, once the dominant news force in NM, is now locked in a three way battle for that title with KOB-TV and KRQE-TV.

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Ramsay Gorham

With the hotly contested City Council races headed into the final stretch, New Mexico Republican Party Chairwoman Ramsay Gorham emails "NM Politics with Joe Monahan" to say the GOP will NOT be getting involved. She also took time to separate the GOP from the Citizens for Greater Albuquerque Committee (CGA) which has come under the microscope for conducting negative phone calling against candidates not on their favorites list--Martin Heinrich in District Six, Debbie O'Malley in Two and incumbent Brad Winter in Four. Here is is a portion of her email:

"When I was elected Chairwoman, I wanted to set a new tone for our party, our candidates and our incumbents. I stated that the party would not be involved in primaries involving other incumbent Republicans. I will not participate in Citizens for Greater ABQ because they have chosen to recruit and run against an incumbent. This is not a front organization for New Mexico's Republican Party."

Thanks for the news Ramsay.

ANALYSIS: The incumbent Republican seeking a council seat is Winter, opposed by fellow Republican and CGA endorsed candidate Pat Milligan. Johanna Tigue in District Six is the only other Republican running for council in a contested race. We assume Ramsay's GOP non-involvement pledge extends to all council races, the bond issues and quarter-cent sales tax increase. The city charter mandates non-involvement by the political parties in city elections, which should be reason enough for the parties to keep their hands off, either directly or through a committee.

I first raised the question of possible GOP involvement a couple of weeks ago when I went over the contribution list of Greater ABQ Committee and found many names who have also donated substantially to the GOP. Also, top GOP consultant Jay McCleskey is working for Greater ABQ. Ramsay's pledge to not get the GOP involved is also noteworthy because four years ago her predecessor, John Dendahl, rocked city politics when he unleashed funds to finance attack literature on two incumbent councilors in what by city charter are supposed to be non-partisan contests. That's why I raised the issue this election cycle.

OK. So the GOP and as far as we know, the Democrats, are not in these Council fights. But Mr. and Mrs. Albuquerque are still holding their breath waiting to see the final lit pieces and hear the final phone calls from Greater ABQ committee which has raised over $90,000 to promote pro-business and "pro-jobs" candidates. Will they be "pit bull" attacks or "soft soap"? Well, a piece CGA put out in District Four today supporting Pat Milligan is NOT a below-the-belt attack. It touts Milligan's support of jobs, but does not mention Winter. Milligan promises the lit HIS campaign is sponsoring is not going to go negative. "We're going to talk about Brad's support of tax increases, (six votes to raise water and garbage rates) that's his record," Milligan told me while door-knocking in the northeast heights district. The candidate says he has lost 14 pounds and claims to have knocked on 3,000 doors. I am waiting to hear from Brad.

I will monitor CGA activity in the other districts and let you know what I hear. I am also keeping an eye on the other side. Professional politico Dan Houck is questioning 'misleading" phone calls by "liberal" groups and thinks we need to keep our eye on them, not just CGA. He's right. Misrepresentation by any side needs to be brought to the voters' attention. But the pattern has been for misrepresentation and gutter-level attacks to come on the final weekend of the campaign, making it hard for the opponent to respond.

While Milligan and CGA have yet to hit Winter hard, former GOP State Rep. Frank Bird is not holding back. He sent a letter into the district today saying, "I put my name on the line for Brand Winter in 1999...and I was wrong." Bird faults Winter on the tax issue and says Milligan has pledged to vote "against all tax and fee increases." Every one, guys? That's a pledge that will be closely watched, if Winter, the favored incumbent, is upset by Milligan. The District Four race is pitting moderate Republicans against conservative GOP'ers. It's a war that's been going on in the party for many years. Ramsay, in the midst of an intraparty meltdown, is wise to stay out of the council battles. She's going to have a lot of fence mending to do whichever way the race goes.

The usual lines have been drawn in the latest Republican showdown. In one corner are the advocates of ex-GOP Chair Dendahl and soon-to-be ex-GOP National Committeman Mickey Barnett. In the other are the backers of ex-GOP Chair Gorham.
Both sides have a favorite candidate to replace ABQ GOP NE Heights State Rep. Rory Ogle on the ballot. The decision will be made at a GOP central committee meeting Saturday.

The frontrunners to replace Ogle, who resigned as a candidate after wife-beating charges, are Jimmy Hall, a retired agricultural banker and Nick Maniatis, an associate in Barnett's lobbying firm. Political newcomer David Robbins and Rory Ogle's father, John Ogle, are also going for the seat. The candidacy of Anita Ogle, wife of Rory, has gone nowhere since she threatened to run against her husband just before he decided to throw in the towel.

Insiders say Hall could have an edge because the members of the central committee are mostly allies of Gorham and Hall is apparently their favored fellow. There is no Dem on the ballot in he solid R district.

GORHAM MOVE, BUT NOT IN POLITICS

Speaking of Ramsay Gorham, her North Valley house is on the market for $1.5 million. She and her husband Frank Gorham, former Bernalillo County GOP chair, spend a lot of time in her home state of North Carolina these days, but are expected to maintain a NM residence. Since resigning under pressure from the Dendahlites earlier this year, Ramsay has totally withdrawn from the political arena.

AN ALL DAY PREZ PARTY

Big crowds are expected as President Bush makes a three city sweep of our state today. It's wheels down in Las Cruces this morning where a crowd of up to 14,000 is expected. Next, it's on to Farmington where the Prez is expected to draw a double digit audience and then on to the ABQ Convention Center where planners say 10,000 will be on had for W. Soon after his visit, Republicans will begin to head for New York for their national convention. They'll get a little flavor of that today as former New York City Mayor Rudy Guliani will travel with the Bush caravan. We'll have the analysis on the big trip tomorrow.

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ABQ North Valley State Senate candidate John Ryan may be trying to put his mistakes of the past behind him by writing an open letter about his troubles to prospective voters, but the political pros don't think you have heard the last of Ryan's youthful escapades.

The 42 year old Republican, seeking the seat being vacated by Ramsay Gorham, sent a letter to 10,000 households explaining his breaking and entering felony conviction when he was 18 years old and asked voters not to hold it against him; that he had learned from his errant ways and was suitable for Roundhouse service.

But Ryan did not mention in his letter that it was the home of prominent ABQ North Valley Republican Shirley Leslie that he broke into and that it was pictures of her dead husband and son that he stole and tried to use to extract ransom from Leslie.

One political pro asks: "What about Shirley? Is she ready to forgive him? Or will she write a letter to counter Ryan's? It's an important question because if the victim of the crime is not ready to forgive him, it could influence whether the voters will."

Another politico with extensive campaign years said it's possible "a third party" such as a victims rights group could still take on Ryan. "Obviously, Ryan was going for a preemptive strike to dilute any future attacks, but I don't think his letter means he has bought immunity, especially because of the blackmail over the photos. Most voters there aren't aware of that part of the story and in his letter he doesn't mention it. I think it leaves him vulnerable to renewed attack."

RAMSAY'S REVENGE?

John Hooker, former Los Ranchos Mayor and Ryan's Democratic Senate rival, has so far let the media carry the load. He calls the whole saga "interesting." Ryan has the support of Senator Domenici who he once worked for, but not of former GOP Party Chair Gorham, who fired Ryan as executive director of the state GOP when she took over from John Dendahl. State Dem Party Chair Wertheim ripped Ryan's letter, but State GOP Chair Allen Weh has been quiet.

Gorham has been out of the state much of the time since being ousted by the Dendahlites from the party boss spot. One source says her home in the North Valley is for sale. But my panel of pros also wonders if Gorham will take on Ryan.

"Ramsay could cause him some serious heartburn if she wrote a letter or did a phone call to Republicans in the district saying they would be better off without him. After all, she has had that senate seat for eight years," declared one strategist.

WHO WINS THIS ONE?

Ryan, who is a lobbyist/consultant with Washington connections, has raised over $30,000 for the contest while Hooker has just 3 grand in the bank. Hooker has not said whether Big Bill's PAC will come thru with cash. The district is 43% Democrat and 41% Republican, but my experts say they expect the district's "voting performance" to be about 54% GOP.

Without his past problems, Ryan would be a shoo-in, but some R's worry that Ryan hit too soon with his preemptive strike and that the Dems may have a shot at the seat. "No one knew who John was. He could have laid some groundwork before announcing to the world his felony conviction. Voters would have had something to compare it with," analyzed one GOP insider.

Still, most smart money gives Ryan the edge in the race. But they are waiting to see polling numbers before making the call. They also want to see what Hooker comes with against Ryan, if anything, and if Big Bill makes a play.

Ryan was pardoned for his youthful crime by GOP Governor Johnson. He is about to find out if the court of public opinion is as forgiving.

ALL BILL, ALL THE TIME

Not Again! Yes, Big Bill's ever-expanding Santa Fe news bureau now has a sports division. Dennis Latta, a 24 year veteran of the ABQ Journal, will pack his bags and head North to head-up Bill's NM Sports Authority, aimed at attracting professional sports exhibitions and the like. Latta's salary was not disclosed when the appointment was announced, but the concept of a sports office is sure to be fodder for the talk-show hosts as NM lacks any major professional sports franchises and already generates a lot of attention and money from the Lobos, Aggies, Isotopes etc.

Latta joins a long line of news reporters who have taken jobs with Big Bill including the Journal's Bill Hume and Loie Fecteau. A bunch of TV news guys are also flacking for the PR heavy Guv. Maybe we should add Editor-in Chief to his job description.

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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Bradley
The moderate wing of the state Republican Party is pinning its hopes on former Light Guv Walter Bradley who told me Tuesday he will challenge NM GOP National Committeeman Mickey Barnett for the position at the GOP state convention in June. Bradley, who toyed with the idea of running for the Public Regulation Commission but decided against it, said he is '"fully committed" to taking on Barnett because "I want the job." Bradley, now an assistant state land commissioner, says the race might not turn out to be a showdown between him and Mickey. "I talked to him (Barnett) a couple of months ago and he said he was tired. But I am in the race regardless of what Mickey does."

Mickey may be tired of being Committeeman but it has not stopped him and other allies of former GOP chair Dendahl from fielding candidates against moderate Republicans in the June 1 primary. And that, his detractors say, could be his undoing. Said one high-level Republican: "This fielding of opponents by Mickey has Republicans upset. It really is a loyalty issue and I think it could cost him support."

The unpaid national committeeman serves as the liaison with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and would work closely with the President's re-election committee. Barnett and Dendahl have been at odds with current GOP Chair Gorham over what role the state party will play for the Prez, and the Gorham supporters think Bradley in the committeeman post just might put the party back on her track. Gorham is need of a win over the Dendahl forces to assert her primacy. If Barnett backed out of the race and Bradley won that might deprive her of a big win, but she could still claim she is making progress in asserting control. Meanwhile, those conservative primary challengers to incumbent legislators are not going away. If any of them win their primaries the June GOP convention could be a real bruiser.

DATELINE SANTA FE

Romero
It was left to State Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero last night to inject a note of sanity into the even more frenzied than usual closing hours of the Legislature. The ABQ Democrat calmly fielded questions on Big Bill's threat to call the lawmakers into a Special Session if he did not get what he wanted. Romero quietly noted that the major business of this, and any other 30 day session, is to pass a budget. "We will get a budget, and if we have time for a few more bills that would be nice,' said Romero who is leaving the Roundhouse to run against GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson for a second time. But Romero also told KOB-TV's Neil Simon that perhaps a Special would at least give the politicos a chance to slow down and give the remaining legislation the consideration it deserves.

Romero hit the proverbial nail on the head. There is simply too much on the table for a thirty day session. As Romero points out, that's why we have 60 day sessions every other year. The Guv needs a Special because he 'flooded the zone' with so much stuff and wants it all. Makes you wonder if he plans to be around for any of those future sixty day sessions.

THE MEDIA IS TIRED TOO

Pity the poor reporters who have to cover the hyperactivity at the Capitol. One newspaper reported that the capital outlay funds, commonly known as "pork" would henceforth be divided 50-50 between the Guv and the Legislature. Another newspaper reports nothing has changed; that the pork will be divided in thirds--between the house, senate and Guv--as it always has been. What's the truth? "Nothing significant has changed," is the word from my well-informed sources. Legislators hung on to their cut. But it was one of a hundred items getting the Fourth Floor spin at yet another 'news conference' where reporters on deadline fight to make sense of it all.

RYAN'S WORLD

Former state GOP ex. director John Ryan has been in the blog news because of speculation that he might take on state GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham for her senate seat. But Ryan emails to say he wants to quiet the speculation and has no plans to challenge Ramsay, who he met with recently. He told her he would only run if she did not. Ramsay is in, so apparently Ryan, appointed to his old job by John Dendahl, is out--for now.

ALL THE MALOOF'S THAT'S FIT TO PRINT

If you have been around NM politics any time at all, you know about the billionaire Maloof family and their roots in New Mexico. The family is now expanding its business empire and the New York Times Magazine (registration required) does a full-blown feature on the famous clan that contains information even seasoned veterans may not be aware of. Check it out.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? Email me or call 505-243-4059 for details.

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Heather Wilson's outburst (see yesterday's report) against CBS and Viacom for airing a racy half-time show at the Super Bowl has drawn some return fire. Local wags, mostly Dems, ask pointedly if Heather is willing to put her money where her mouth is and not put her campaign commercials on CBS affiliates? The wags also point out that the ABQ GOP congresswoman has over $750,000 in her ever-growing campaign kitty, big chunks of it from the pharmaceutical industry which some of her constituents find as profit-hungry as Viacom. Will she cease taking donations from that industry?

Of course, the answers are no and no. Politicos can blast greedy corporations all they want, but when you look in their own backyard, they are just as money driven, raising untold millions from just about anyone in their quest to get re-elected. Sounds a lot like trying to get those CBS ''ratings'' Heather is in a tizzy about, doesn't it?

And what of the politics of the nationally televised Wilson tongue-lashing? One observer recalled the response Heather received when she was introduced by the Prez at a recent Roswell rally. She basically got no response, while loud cheers were given to her fellow GOP Congressman Steve Pearce. Sure, Pearce represents the area, but, our observer reflects, the silence had to be deafening for Heather. "Her hit on Viacom will resonate most with conservative southeast NM Republicans who she would badly need to win any future GOP U.S. Senate primary against Pearce or another conservative," said our source who has worked at the highest levels of New Mexico politics.

MORE GOP BLOODLETTING?

And another reliable source comes to us with the news of yet another possible flare-up in the NM GOP. It's over State Senator and State GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham. Our source reports that the forces of former state chair John Dendahl, who Ramsay ousted last year, may be grooming a GOP primary opponent for Gorham. The name: Leland Gould. His game: lobbyist for energy firm Giant Industries. The problem: Gould is a registered lobbyist out of Scottsdale, AZ. Unless he has a home or apartment in Ramsay's district, or is about to get one, this may just be a rumor to give the state chair a scare. Previously, Dendahlite and former GOP executive director John Ryan has been mentioned as a possible primary opponent for the always-under-fire-Ramsay. Sources at the Roundhouse told me this week that Ryan is still a possible.

Ramsay e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago to say she was indeed running and not planning a last-minute withdrawal and a "hand-off' to a favored successor. We can only take her at her word. She would likely win any GOP contest, but it would further tear apart a party that has been putting itself through the shredder for months. Filing date for all the legislative candidates is mid-March. It will be constant speculating and jockeying for position right up till the deadline. I wonder if a big name Dem will file for the Gorham ABQ North Valley senate seat? Let me know if you hear anything.

GOOD TIMING, JEFF

Senator Kerry's possible relationship problems are not scaring off NM Dem U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman. He gave Kerry his go-ahead saying the Massachusetts senator is in the "best position' to unite the Dem Party. Just as Bingaman's Washington office was releasing the Kerry plug, the right-wing Drudge Report was screaming of an alleged relationship Kerry had with a 20 year old woman which Drudge said is the subject of "major" probes by several national news organizations. Drudge claims Kerry will respond to his report today.

It was a bizarre day in American politics with the Drudge Report as the topic of just about every talk-radio show in the country, but nary a peep out of the broadcast or cable TV networks, which say they have a higher bar to jump before they can air such allegations. (KRQE-TV's Dick Knipfing did quote the report on the 10 p.m. news) John Edward's is right. There are two America's these days. And no where is that more evident than in the world of media and politics. Millions of radio-listening and internet-reading Americans get a sensational report, that, if true, could impact the Prez race. The rest of America sits before it's TV's eating Doritos, completely oblivious to the firestorm raging outside their window. Is this an episode of the 'Twilight Zone' or what?

KATHY'S CURIOSITIES: THE GREAT CHOCOLATE WEEKEND IS HERE

Forrest Mars Sr. invented the recipe for M&M's during the Spanish Civil War. Mars saw soldiers eating pieces of chocolate covered with a hard sugary coating. The coating preventing the candy from melting in the hot sun. M&M's were first sold to the public in 1941, packaged in cardboard tubes. In 1948, the packaging changed from a tube to the brown plastic pouch known today. In 1954, "M&M's Peanut Chocolate Candies were introduced. That same year, the M&M's brand characters and the famous slogan "The milk chocolate melts in your mouth, not in your hand" were both trademarked.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? Email me or call 505-243-4059 for details.

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New Mexico was thrown into shock and confusion late Tuesday night when it was reported that venerable former Republican Congressman Joe Skeen had passed away at a Roswell hospital. But later reports said Skeen was alive, but in critical condition. The confusion started with a report on KRQE-TV where veteran anchorman Dick Knipfing took to the airwaves to report that State GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham had announced that Skeen had died. But at the top of the 10 p.m. news Knipfing announced that Gorham had called to retract the story and to report that the former eleven term Congressman was alive. The 10 p.m news broadcasts on KOB AND KOAT clarified Skeen's condition, making a point to say that Skeen had not passed away, but was seriously ill and had requested that close former staffers come see him at the Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. Skeen is afflicted with Parkinson's disease. He ended his service in the Congress in 2002 and was succeeded by fellow Republican Steve Pearce.

The series of events that led to the premature death announcement apparently began when Albuquerque Journal night editors were told that Skeen had died (By whom we do not know at this point). They put political correspondent Loie Fecteau into action and she started working the phones. One of those calls was to GOP Chair Gorham who tells friends she was told by Loie that Skeen had died and they were seeking reaction. When Knipfing got wind that Skeen was seriously ill he called Gorham for confimation and she told the anchor Skeen was dead, based on the information she was given by the Journal. Former Congressman Manuel Lujan, who served with Joe was also called by the Journal. Lujan was shocked by the news, but held off commenting until he could confirm it personally with Skeen family members. Lujan's decision proved prudent as the news came moments later that Gorham had committed what she told Channel 13 was "a terrible mistake." Sources say that the rumor of Skeen's death might have gained steam when a Lincoln County Republican Party official was told by a Skeen family member that Skeen would not be able to make a scheduled event, presumed the worst and the rumor began.

It's hard to fault 13 for going with the story considering their source of information. If you are talking to the head of the Republican Party and she says on the record the Congressman has died, you assume she has such serious news right and is speaking on behalf of the family. On the other hand, if you are talking to usually "reliable sources" who wish to remain anonymous, the "two source" rule comes into play: get two different sources to independently confirm before you go. Gorham has to be feeling pretty awful about her misstep, the Journal is sure to be looking at its role, and knowing Knipfing's obsession with accuracy, you can assume he too is not a happy camper.

Former Skeen legislative director Bruce Donisthorpe, working the phones with former colleagues throughout the evening, was relieved that the reports of Skeen's death were premature. "He's a wonderful man. Our staff was like family and no one wants to lose the leader of their family," said Donisthorpe while keeping a late-night vigil on the condition of his former boss.

Skeen made history and became a political legend when he won his seat in Congress in 1980 via a write-in campaign.

CAMPAIGN MANAGER ED ROMERO??
There was also media confusion Tuesday regarding former Ambassador to Spain and New Mexico political heavyweight Ed Romero and his role in the campaign of Democratic presidential contender General Wesley Clark. An Associated Press dispatch said Romero had been picked by Clark to "manage" his campaign. That had eyebrows arched as Romero is an elder statesman these days, not exactly prone to directing energetic twentysomethings in battleground states like Iowa and New Hampshire. A check of Clark's website had a different spin on the Romero story. It said the former Bernalillo County Democratic Party Chairman and big fundraiser for former President Clinton, was endorsing Clark's candidacy, along with several other prominent Hispanic leaders. Romero, a Korean war veteran, was also picked to chair the Clark NM presidential effort. However, Clark's release said nothing about Romero managing the campaign. The endorsement line is apparently the correct one, but if we see Romero manning the phones and barking orders in a campaign war room we'll be sure to let you know.

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Not for reproduction without permission of the author