Monday, November 09, 2020Biden Clinches Presidency Now The NM Waiting Game Begins: Two Cabinet Posts Seen As Possibly Going To State It's unusual for New Mexico to be mentioned for one cabinet post never mind two. Is that one too many? We'll soon find out, but for now both MLG and Udall top the list for their rumored cabinet slots, according to various national media. Axios points to MLG's Hispanic background as key to her possible appointment: After Joe Biden whiffed with Hispanic voters in some states, Democrats are urging the president-elect to nominate several Latinos to high-profile Cabinet positions. Among those in contention: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for Homeland Security, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for Health and Human Services, and Rep. Filemon Vela for Commerce or Transportation. Becerra and Grisham have quietly conveyed their interest to Biden’s team. What's new there is that MLG "conveyed" her interest to the Biden team personally. That's a step up from a NYT report several months ago that said people close to her were letting it be known she was interested in joining the cabinet. MLG is a co-chair of the Biden transition team and her Chief of Staff John Bingaman is taking a leave of absence to help with the transition. That's quite high on the poltical food chain. Politico also reports Lujan Grisham is a top possible for HHS and that Sen. Udall for Interior is a good bet: . . . Udall of New Mexico is the top contender to be secretary of Interior. His father, Stewart Udall, was Interior secretary from 1961 to 1969 and is credited with a major expansion in federal land protection, including the creation of dozens of wildlife refuges, national parks and recreation areas. Udall, who says conservation is in his DNA, has laid out plans to enlist federal lands in the fight against climate change and has driven efforts to block drilling near the sandstone mesas and ruins of northwest New Mexico’s Greater Chaco region. Udall is a liberal but getting Senate confirmation is seen as a plus for him, even if the R's continue to control the chamber. MLG is seen as a centrist--not a progressive--thus her confirmation chances are also seen as good in a GOP Senate, barring any unexpected surprises. Dem Senator Maritn Heinrich has also been mentioned a possible Interior pick, but not with as much emphasis as Udall. Heinrich, who has been living in Maryland, recently registered his kids with ABQ Public Schools and is said to be quietly eying a possible run for the 2022 Dem nomination for Governor, if Lt. Morales ends up in the Governor's chair. Attorney General Balderas is doing the same. If history is a guide Biden will fill out his cabinet by mid-December. Meantime, the waiting room to watch this waiting game is overflowing with interested onlookers. THE BOTTOM LINES Just how popular was early voting in Tuesday's election? This popular: 90 percent of Bernalillo County's vote was cast early. The total turnout was 319,510 with 141,340 absentee ballots and 145,289 in person early votes. Only 32,881 BernCo voters went to the polls on the actual Election Day. This is the home of New Mexico politics.
Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.  
|
|
