It was a long holiday weekend of indigestion for Big Bill as news hit that his gold-plated resume had a turkey in it--he was not drafted by a major league baseball team as his bio has stated all these years. That was enough for the national media to clear their holiday plates and get back to work and cast the Guv's quest for the White House in a new light.

"The good news is the mishap came early and the bad news is that it came early," explained one Big Bill watcher. "The campaign has a long way to go so getting this out now gives him a chance to recover. At the same time, the national press which has been fairly glowing in their approach, now have reason to be tougher on him, not to mention the other contenders for the nomination."

The Guv's admission of resume inflation was released on Thanksgiving, giving hope to his numerous spinmeisters that its impact would be minimal. But in a perverse sort of way it got even more attention because there was nothing else going on in politics.

"It's the credibility issue that has to concern them," offered a Big Bill sympathizer. "It won't be dubbed 'Baseballgate,' but now the microscopes are on high power and everything he says, at least in the short term, is going to be greeted more skeptically. The presidential elimination process is fickle. At this level of politics, it's the little things that can can cause the most grief. He needs to circle the wagons and get his campaign running at a more disciplined level."

FEW HITS, LOTS OF ERRORS

Not that there was a lot he could do about this mishap. He has been saying he was drafted for over twenty years. But the news came on the heels of several other campaign misfires, according to yet another Big Bill examiner.

"He flew to New Hampshire the same day it was revealed that the state was buying an expensive jet plane for his use. That was hit number one. Then his first TV spot for his re-election campaign had faulty information. Now this. Do you see Hillary Clinton with these problems?"

Some Santa Fe wall-leaners were saying its time for the Guv's chief of staff, Dave Contarino, to move over to the campaign full-time as is his widely expected. Others said Big Bill also needs a national political operative who can be charged with looking at the big picture and heading off trouble.

"Someone with national experience could be placed on the Guv's re-elect staff, someone he will actually listen to. It's like that old saying: When you decide to be your own lawyer, you have a fool for a client." Declared the insider.

TIMING YOUR PITCHES

Still, Big Bill remains blessed with ineffective opponents, at least when it comes to his re-election bid. "The R's are still on Sominex. If they have any hope of making a game of this they need to be out on the field now. But they are not and that gives Bill breathing room." Commented a GOP operative.

But politics is is a fast-paced biz these days and some R's were clamoring for action when they heard of Big Bill's bean ball. "Let me pile on, Joe. He won't release records on how he uses state airplanes; he was recently hit for not releasing records of a California fundraiser and now the resume incident. Is it a pattern of deception? There's a case to be made, but do we have the talent and drive to do it?" Wondered our frustrated GOP operative.

The Big Bill persona still dominates and the river of goodwill among New Mexicans runs deep. But the chinks in the armor--the incidents mentioned here and the balky Legislature he had during the recent special session--are now laid bare.

"It's giant chessboard and you have to be looking at all the pieces all the time before you make a move. What they have not understood is that behind every move is a countermove and you have to watch out for it. You've got to think about what can go wrong, not what can go right." Said another longtime Dem observer of high-level politics.

And so it goes on the brightly lit stage of La Politica where the stakes are the glory and the power. Every pitch you throw is seen by millions. Even a wild one thrown those many years ago.

MORE PREZ BUZZ

And there's more from the Prez trail. The Guv is starting to move a bit on the Iraq war. Instead of 'staying the course,' he's now saying: "It is now time for the military commanders to design a phased, definitive withdrawal plan." Hey, is Hillary Clinton saying that? Not yet. And is wanna be Congresswoman Patricia Madrid? Inquiring minds would like to know.

LET'S PARTY BLOG

Having a holiday bash featuring your favorite politicos? Don't forget your blog. Let me know where and when and we'll tag along and feature some of the highlights right here. Don't worry, no embarrassing photos of politicos kissing strangers under the Mistletoe, not without your permission anyway. And we work for food, so no added expense either. Just drop me an e-mail and lets celebrate the season ala La Politica.

E-mail me your news and comments and help keep the politics coming. There's link at the top of the page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2005
Not for reproduction without permission of the author