<$BlogRSDUrl$>

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Clippings From Our Newsroom Floor And Some Reader Vox Populi  

The clippings piled up on our newsroom floor this week as several major stories took over but New Mexico's 50th ranking in child well-being in the 2022 Annie Casey Kids Count Data Book merits attention. 

There was an odd angle to the national report when it was released locally by NM Voices for Children, a group that has done yeoman's work in advancing the well-being of children. This year the advocacy group bent over backwards to explain that much of the data was from the pandemic years (2020-21) and that New Mexico since has made major progress in child well-being that they claim is not reflected in the report. 

But that seemed like the Dem-friendly group was throwing a lifeline to MLG who is seeking re-election. Why not instead take the opportunity to push for voter approval of the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would increase funding for very early childhood education? Maybe we're not 50th in child well-being because of recent programs, but 49th or 48th isn't much of a difference (which is where we've been since 2012). Much work remains. 

GOP  hopeful Mark Ronchetti is taking advantage of that faux pax wherein MLG put out a digital ad that erroneously accused him of advocating for defunding the police. But his new ad seems more oriented for a conservative GOP primary not a general election. It features four tough-talking county sheriffs backing up his crime fighting plan. The spot does, however, answer that long-running ad from MLG featuring a former sheriff of Bernalillo ridiculing Ronchetti's crime fighting credentials because of his former occupation as a TV weatherman. 

(The RGA PAC piled on with an ad of its own attacking MLG for misrepresenting Ronchetti's defunding position which has broader appeal than the candidate's. Not that the candidate and the PAC are coordinating anything. Nah, that's not allowed.)

READER VOX POPULI 

After getting roasted this week for dissing the ABQ nickname of "Burque" as we vented frustration over the serial killings of four Muslim men and the dismal overall crime picture in the city, we believe we're entitled to at least one enthusiastic supporter of our view and it comes from Jo Martin: 

Dear Mr. Monahan, Thank you for addressing the "Burque" nickname issue and calling it what it is: a "nauseating nickname"! I am proud to be 4th generation Albuquerque resident whose family has lived and worked here, owned businesses, coached and taught in high school, and participated in other areas of Albuquerque life throughout each generation. I hate very few things in life - it's not worth the time and energy it takes to hate. But, that said: I hate Burque! And on my side is everyone I've ever asked who thinks it's "terrible", "disrespectful" and other terms I won't repeat. Thank you for speaking, as I see it: truth to power! 

Well, there is a lot of power in the pro-Burque contingent but being contrarian never stopped us. 

GABE AND YVETTE

Reader Cynthia Baughman writes in reference to the reticence of the national Dems over the campaign of Gabe Vasquez who is seeking to oust GOP Rep. Yvette Herrell:

Your July 27 post on the Gabe Vasquez campaign illustrated why I never give to the DCCC but rather to individual candidates and grassroots organizations. Is the DCCC really neglecting this race, while squandering money on the risky and distasteful strategy of boosting the Trumpiest candidates in Republican primaries, gambling that these will be the weakest opponents in November? 

That strikes me as such a short-term, craven, looserish strategy. Why not test the advantages the Dems gained in the re-districting of CD 2 and support an excellent young candidate who could be a great match for this district? I've heard Gabe Vasquez speak--he strikes me as super-smart about border issues, including the economic potential of the border region. His support for reproductive rights was eloquent and passionate. He framed environmental issues, support for schools and healthcare and good wages as family concerns. He comes across as full of energy and ideas and a real son of the region. 

I was happy to read your post on August 2, reporting on support for Gabe, including the local grassroots group BlueCD2NM. I immediately sent off a contribution to them (I've maxed out for Gabe).  

Got it, Cynthia. We'll keep you posted in the weeks ahead. The first two months have been way too below the radar for such an important contest. 

Thanks for stopping by this week. 

Reporting from Albuquerque, I'm Joe Monahan and. . . 

This is the home of New Mexico Politics. 

E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.  

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2022

 
website design by limwebdesign