It was interesting to see the Guv's office pop his proposed budget on one of the slowest news days of the year--New Year's Eve. The measure is going to cause heartburn for Big Bill with liberals in his own party, rather than the Republicans. Those 'revenue enhancements' for Medicaid users is what will especially draw liberal ire. Obviously, the Guv did not want a big deal made out of it thus the holiday budget release. But Bill does not have a deaf political ear, and to no one's surprise, did not propose any major tax increases--unless the Medicaid service hikes are called that. And, of course, I have already received emails calling them that. The state's fiscal problems may not be front and center in election year 04', but the vast sums being consumed are going to be the party spoiler in 05' and beyond--but that's not an election year.

MY MAILBAG

My report this week on the Edwards presidential campaign mentioned Marsha Hardeman, the African-American former director of The ABQ Convention Center who was fired by Mayor Baca and his then top aide Theresa Trujeque, who is now working for Edwards here. I reported that Hardeman won a $4 million dollar suit discrimination suit against the city. She did win the award but I am told the amount of that award is now pending before a federal appeals court and nothing, as of this writing, has been paid out.

Supporters of Bernalillo County GOP Chair and noted car dealer Ken Zangara were quick to point out that I fouled up when I said Ken supported AG Patsy Madrid in 98'. Ken did not support Patsy. He supported her challenger Republican David Iglesias. (Now U.S. attorney in NM) Zangara's name came up in a campaign controversy in the AG race, but I had Zangara on the wrong side of the battle. It would be a bit strange for a guy who gave $100,000 to President Bush to support a liberal Democrat. Thanks to those who pointed out the error.

Another e mailer wanted to let me know that all 112 members of the Legislature are up for election in 04', not just the 70 house members I mentioned in one of my reports. How could I forget Manny and the gang? By the way, I am working on an exclusive report for you dealing with Manny's re-election so keep in touch.

ONCE A JUNKIE...ALWAYS A JUNKIE

And finally, this first weekend of the brand new year, links to two fellow political junkies who are still going strong in semi-retired status. Arthur Alpert, the founder of the monthly ABQ magazine for seniors, Primetime, is pontificating again with a decidedly liberal slant. This time he's joined all of us on the web. Check him out at: Alperts Truth Keep it up Arthur, Roosevelt lives!


Most of my readers are aware of veteran NM political writer Larry Calloway. But you might not know he has a web site where he provides in-depth analysis on key issues. Calloway has got to be the longest running political writer in NM, going back to the AP in the mid 60's. If he isn't, Ned Cantwell, or another oldtimer, will surely correct me. In any event, Calloway still offers crisp writing leavened with his unique experience at LarryCalloway

Enjoy the weekend and see you back here Monday.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Sure, we could look back and reminisce about what was, but what is to be is even more interesting, especially in an upcoming election year where New Mexicans will have a loud say in the presidential race, a Legislative session laden with fiscal intrigue, a primary election that promises some intense intraparty warfare and a General Election campaign that will no doubt provide us with several upsets. Here's a look at where some of the above stands on this cusp of a brand new year.

HE'S THE MAN

Presiding over all this will be chief political conductor Big Bill. One keen observer put it to me this way: "Joe, we are watching a politician of major proportion reach full political maturity. New Mexico seems barely big enough to contain him. It's like his personal clubhouse."

Certainly the Guv casts a long shadow and only the intensity of the national stage seems enough to quench his thirst for the political power game. He continues to reject any possibility of becoming the VP nominee in 04', but hardly any political pros take that seriously. "If they build it, he will come," our observer reflected. "It would be a once in a lifetime chance, and that's not something you say no to." No, it isn't.

In all my years of covering and participating in New Mexico politics, I have never seen a political figure here with a longer reach than this one. Former State Senator Aubrey Dunn and Manny and Ray have exercised immense power in the Legislature, but they were confined to their respective chambers. What we are seeing in this modern era is a governor completely unleashed with the system of checks and balances stretched like polyester. Will 2004 be the year Bill begins to walk that long road down the popularity charts other chief executives have traveled? Will worthy opponents, so far meek as mice, emerge and provide a counterweight?

Only if Bill starts torching his political capital, and he has a lot to burn. The afterglow of his low-turnout landslide election is still warm. People wanted a change here. And they are getting it. That's why his mistakes are overlooked. The big picture is his pledge to get New Mexico out of its 50th in everything ranking. As long as voters feel he is pulling in that direction, he will not tank.

Governor Johnson knew New Mexicans were tired of politics as usual. So does Governor Bill. The difference is that Big Bill knows that it takes a politician to change the 'politics as usual.'

THE 112 CLUB

That's how many men and women populate our Legislature. The 70 House members are all up for re-election his year, providing the Guv with additional leverage. What lawmaker wants to risk getting cut off from campaign funds and field troops by incurring his wrath? None that I know. Senator Manny Aragon is one of the few at the Roundhouse who can take the field with Big Bill. But it seems of late what Manny wants Manny gets. And what Bill wants from Manny he gets. Aragon, a master of the rules and keeper of a generation of knowledge of state government, has the ability to throw monkey wrenches into the Guv's path, but why would he? Even the Guv's plan to cut off some of the 'pork' outlay to the lawmakers is not dead on arrival, according to my Legislative experts. Surely these are the salad days of the young Richardson administration.

CONGRESS OR BUST

Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce are all sitting pretty entering the election year. Not that it is all their doing. Redistricting has given them safe seats and it takes a couple of million bucks to challenge any incumbent. No wonder just about all of them get re-elected. But for all the safety they are provided, they owe us a bit more. Heather will have six years under her belt this year, her party is in the House majority and she has the contacts to start moving up the ladder and giving New Mexico more power in the House. Her national TV appearances have been tentative. If she hopes to ascend to the Senate some day she needs to show some of the same political muscle in the Congress that she uses so effectively on the campaign trail. Perhaps 2004 will be the year.

Tom Udall could also step it up a notch. He comes from a family that has made its mark on national politics. Now it's his turn. True, his party is in the House minority, but like Heather, he will soon have half a dozen years in seniority. He has the role model to pull it off. His uncle, Mo Udall, rose to national prominence from our neighbor Arizona. Udall also has a shot at the U.S. Senate down the road. A streak of boldness in 04' might make that more likely.

Steve Pearce is the newbie on the Congressional block and rightfully concerned about protecting his seat in this vulnerable time. But he represents a large, diverse district, not just hard-right Republicans. A move to the center on occasion would be a breath of fresh air in the new year.

SENATORS FOR LIFE

Senators Pete and Jeff have over a half-century of service between them. They have done yeoman's work in protecting New Mexico's many military installations, but the social problems of our state remain intransigent.,The challenge ahead for this duo is to look beyond the immediate and use up political capital to tackle the issues that face the generations behind them, such as Social Security and Medicare. Pete is in his last term. Maybe Jeff is too. They have the protection to rock the boat and they have the experience. Maybe they will set sail in 04'.

So let the games begin! Happy New Year to you my loyal readers. Please e mail me with your thoughts, news and comments. I too will try to 'step it up a notch' as we watch that gleaming ball usher in 2004 and a new chapter in the never ending saga of La Politica. Again, Happy New Year, and I will see you back here in 04.'

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and and send a link to interested friends.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

To be charitable, the presidential campaigns of Governor Dean's opponents here have been tepid. Of course, they don't have the money he does. But now some of the campaigns are coming out of their comas and enlisting warriors for the February 3 caucuses at which NM Dems will choose their presidential picks.

North Carolina Senator John Edwards is making a bid for the Hispanic vote with his hiring of veteran political operative Theresa Trujeque, a former top aide to ABQ Mayor Jim Baca, former U. S. Interior deputy assistant secretary for human resources and former executive director of the ABQ National Hispanic Cultural Center. Trujeque will coordinate the North for Edwards, who knocked the ball out of the park in a recent "60 Minutes" TV interview, but apart from getting the support of Attorney General Patsy Madrid, hasn't made much noise here. Patsy's campaign manager from 2000, Caroline Buerkle, is managing his statewide effort.

TRUJEQUE
Trujeque raised a lot of money for the Hispanic Center and is no stranger to hardball politics. While serving Baca she was named with him in a discrimination lawsuit brought against the city by African-American Convention Center Director Marsha Hardeman who was fired by Baca. Hardeman won over $4 million. The case is on appeal. Trujeque has also been an associate of Roy Soto, another veteran NM politico who also worked with Baca. Soto's friends say he recently landed a contract with the Richardson administration at the state Department of Labor.

If there is any weakness to the Dean effort here it is the Hispanic vote. Trujeque and Madrid can help Edwards with that, but it appears they will have limited resources unless the Senator can make a strong showing in Iowa and New Hampshire whose contests take place in just a few weeks.

DEAN: HEAR NO GOOD, SPEAK NO GOOD

Meanwhile, at the ABQ home of the "Dean Machine," campaign manager Francisco Castillo is shaking his head in wonderment at how he has had a clear playing field in the nine way prez combat. Castillo is now warning his many volunteers and over 12 paid staff not to be complacent. "I tell them not to read the polls or the newspapers about how well we are doing." At the same time, Castillo is smiling that Dean has been given such a comfortable head start in New Mexico. He is confident of victory, but knows that Iowa and New Hampshire will have an impact on how New Mexico goes. However, many of the NM votes will be cast by absentee ballot and that gives Dean another edge. His organization is banking votes now, so even if he disappoints in the early states he will live to fight another day in our Land of Enchantment, something that cannot be said for the other contenders.

HORNER TRUMPETING FOR CHANNEL 4---AGAIN

TV news veteran Mark Horner popped back up on TV screens Monday night. Mark tells me he has signed a two year deal with KOB-TV where he will combine his investigative skills with daily reporting. Horner was a weekend anchor and reporter at KRQE from 95' to 00'. It's a return stint for him at channel 4 where he previously worked three years. Horner's biggest claim to fame is his intrepid reporting on the notorious 1999 Girly Hossencofft murder case. He has been hard at work on a book about it for Kensington Publishing and says it will hit bookstores in late 04'. The working title is "September Sacrifice." His work has earned Horner appearances on NBC's "Dateline" as well as Court TV. He also has a web site on the grizzly Hossencofft murder at www.markhorner.com

TV RATINGS: SHARING THE PIE

Also on the TV news scene, the ratings from the November sweeps are out, but they are more of the same. Channel 7 again wins at 5 and 6 p.m. and KOB takes the 10 p.m. slot in a tight three way race. The usual intense spin from the stations has each of them winning in some category. The bottom line for those of us in the political community: Spread your time buys among all three because there is no dominant TV news leader in the New Mexico market.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and and send a link to interested friends.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Former ABQ City Councilor Greg Payne is rested and ready. Just a month off the Council the controversial conservative is running hard for the District 31 state house seat in ABQ's far NE Heights. It's now held by Joe Thompson who is giving it up to run for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC). Payne, an ABQ native, was at the center of some of the hottest episodes in city political history, including a near fist fight with Council rival Eric Griego and battles with fellow GOP Councilors Sally Mayer and Tina Cummins. (Payne trounced Tina's brother Tim to get on the Council in 99'. Tim Cummins is now a GOP Bernalillo County Commissioner up for re-election in 04'.) But, in what may be a surprise to some, observers in the Heights tell me Payne is positioned for victory. Former State Senator Michael Weiner, also no stranger to controversy, is another Republican looking at the house race, but if no others emerge, the observers say, the hard-driving Payne may find himself exchanging pleasentries, or something else, with Governor Bill at the Roundhouse.

Greg will emphasize his conservative credentials in the campaign in the solidly GOP district. He has been criticized by some GOP members who did not like him warming up to Mayor Marty while on the Council. Payne argues he supported Marty's efforts to get spending under control, not liberal programs, and besides, their political love fest is long over. Payne tells me he has "mellowed" in recent months with the arrival of his first child and a second on the way. He is busy selling insurance at the Jack Daniels Agency, run by prominent Democrat and UNM Regent Jamie Koch. If elected, would that "mellow" Greg in the direction of the Dems? It could be an issue. Meanwhile, Payne will do what he does best--making sure he outworks any opponents he encounters.

DADDY BUSH TO NM
NM fans of President Bush have had plenty to worry about with the ongoing fight between the forces of former GOP Chair Dendahl and his Dendahlites and current Chair Ramsay Gorham over who will control the President's campaign here. That dispute remains unresolved, but the Bush campaign will hoist the flag here January 18 with former President George Bush headlining an evening of money raising at Santa Fe's Eldorado Hotel. Tickets are going for $500.00 a pop or, if you want to get your picture with the ex- Prez, $2000 a couple.

Despite the GOP infighting here, the current Prez is still positioned well because of his rich campaign coffers. And while the Dems battle it out for a nominee, NM Republicans have not let out a peep of dissent over W or his policies, just over who gets the campaign goodies. If the GOP can get its power struggle resolved, the field will be cleared for the Prez, who we will be seeing several times as he tries to put the state back in his column after losing here by just a couple of hundred votes four years ago. By the way, no Dendahlites, including National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, are included as hosts on the invitation making the rounds for the Daddy Bush visit. Car dealer Ken Zangara, current GOP Bernalillo County Chair, is shaking the money tree for the elder Bush affair. He gave a whopping $100,000 to Bush junior in 2000 and is rumored to be eyeing the National Committeeman seat held by Barnett. (See my November 12 report in my archives).

SAY HELLO TO HILLARY


She will be at the Page One bookstore in ABQ Tuesday, January 6 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 for a tightly orchestrated 90 minute visit to promote her book "Living History." Insiders tell me a total of 900 people will be allowed into the event to get their books signed. You must buy Hillary's book at Page One prior to January 6 ($28 a pop). The Secret Service will supervise her visit and only allow 50 people at a time in Page One while Hillary does her signing. It's doubtful she will speak at the occasion, but may squeeze in some time to visit politicos while here (Governor Bill and Barbara?). The former First Lady and U.S. Senator from New York remains at the center of Democratic politics. The New York Times recently reported she is speaking out more than usual on key issues, leading to a new round of speculation about her political plans and whether they include a run for the presidency.

Hillary electrifies the Democratic base and her appearance is a guaranteed sell out for Page One which has been struggling to fight off competition from major bookstore chains here. The Hillary event is a major coup for the locally owned Page One. You can order the book by phone (505-294-2026) and get a ticket to attend the signing or visit the store at 11018 Montgomery NE.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and and send a link to interested friends.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
Not for reproduction without permission of the author