New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan

No matter what our political persuasion we can all agree that we are some of the luckiest people alive because we call New Mexico home. The breathtaking beauty of this land is ours to experience each and every day. That's a gift of a lifetime and one we pause to acknowledge on Thanksgiving 2003.

AFTER THE TURKEY, JOIN ME ON THE RADIO
Friday at 9 a.m. ABQ City Councilor Greg Payne will pinch-hit for Larry Ahrens on KKOB-AM and host lobbyist Scott Scanland and me for an hour of post-holiday political chatter. As always, you're invited. Have a relaxing holiday weekend and we'll see you back here Monday with more New Mexico politics.

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS FROM BARBARA WALSH AT THE DEMING HEADLIGHT
http://www.demingheadlight.com/artman/publish/article_1146.shtml

Like Senator Bingaman before him, Senator Pete also could not get over the goal line when it came to passing a national energy bill. The measure died a very public death this week as Energy Committee Chairman Domenici threw in the towel and said the measure would have to wait until next year. Bingaman, chair of Energy before the GOP took over the Senate, also failed in his efforts to pass a remake of energy law. This time opponents successfully attacked the proposal as a giveaway to the major energy companies.

But New Mexicans aren't going to get too upset with NM's longest-ever serving U.S. Senator because where it counts he delivered. And then some. The budget for Sandia Labs, ushered through the Congress by Domenici, provides for over 8000 jobs at the ABQ facility and some of the highest-paying in the state. The total Sandia budget for the next fiscal year is a stunning $2.2 billion, the largest in Sandia history and one reason you see million dollar homes going up in the foothills. The $2.2 billion is on top of over $40 million Domenici secured for military construction projects for NM. Domenici is totally unfazed by critics who say New Mexico is too dependent on federal largesse for nuclear weapons programs and that a lot of the money is plain old pork. Sure. But thousands of New Mexican families will sit down to turkey dinners tomorrow courtesy of the "pork barrel" politics practiced without equal by the senior senator. And that fellow gobblers is how you become the longest-serving senator in state history. Any questions?

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Any story discussing TV or radio ratings drives those involved crazy. They live and die by the numbers and are truly obsessed. So it's no suprise that our reports about the local ratings in light of Nelson Martinez signing up with KOB-TV drew quite a reaction. From deep inside 7, sources took issue with those saying that the news race is close at 5 and 6 p.m. Here's how our 7 source put it: "Over the past year our 5 p.m. show has a strong lead over Channel 4, the widest in years. The 6 p.m. show also has a sizable lead over Ch 4, the biggest gap in about 3 to 5 years."

Our source with access to the ratings book does admit that the early news race was indeed very close up until this past year. The most important point stands though: the 10 p.m. news is the one that matters most and that is a three way nip-and tuck race for first place. But our 7 source points out that KOAT's years of dominance began to erode while Martinez was anchor. We reported here that TV insiders consider him a big draw in hispanic households and that by putting him on at noon and 5 p.m. KOB may make a dent in that audience.

It's interesting to note how TV folks use the term "show" when discussing the news. They used to call them broadcasts. It's an important distinction but the ratings obsession has made TV news subservient to the entertainment factor. That's why you get news being called a "show" as if its main goal was to entertain, not inform. Perhaps it's just an honest declaration of what it has become and we shouldn't nitpick because we probably encourage it by writing about it. In any event, there are many fine journalists at 4, 7, and 13 who often rise above the entertainment-driven pressure. I watch them all to get a flavor for our community and I urge you to do the same.

How does a candidate for Congress spend his time? It's nothing glamorous, that's for sure. Take State Senator Richard Romero, seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Rep. Heather Wilson in 04'. Richard, who is favored over two opponents to win the right to take on Heather for a second time, tells friends he is "working the phones six hours a day." That means asking people for money. And no wonder. It takes a couple of million just to get in the congressional game. The candidate will do six hours a day of cash calling until mid-December. Romero is giving up his Downtown/Barelas/North Valley senate seat to make the bid. And that brings us to liberal Democrat Jerry Ortiz y Pino who was first to announce for the Romero seat (via this web site) and is also busy chasing campaign cash.

A well-run senate campaign can cost upwards of $50,000. Friends say Jerry raised $4,000 of it at a weekend announcement party held at his downtown home. A couple of hundred relatives and supporters passed the hat for the candidate who is running as a "progressive." To that end, he has hired Eli Lee and his Soltari consulting firm which is coming off of a couple of wins in the recent ABQ election, including defeat of the street bonds and the election of Martin Heinrich to the city council. As it happens, Heinrich was in attendance at the Pino party as was Bobbie Baca, wife of former ABQ Mayor Baca who Ortiz once worked under. Romero was also on hand, but is staying neutral. Remember, the winner of the June Democratic primary for Romero's seat is just about guaranteed election to the state senate since the area is heavily Dem. Former state rep. and city councilor Adele Baca Hundley is another possible candidate for the seat, along with several others.

CLERK CEBALLOS
Considering the election problems of recent years, being a county clerk in New Mexico might not be the most popular profession, but Dona Ana County has no shortage of applicants for the positon. Clerk Ruben Ceballos was recently found guily of five criminal counts of violating the state election code and will be removed next month. Meanwhile, Dona Ana County Commission Chair Paul Curry reports receving over a dozen calls for the job while at lunch in Cruces the other day. The new clerk gets $50,000 a year and will be appointed by the commission. To qualify for the job you just have to be 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. Nice work, if you can get it.

And, from the NM Secretary of State, who oversees elections, we get this novel proposal: keep all the results secret until they are all counted! The Journal's Loie Fecteau has a report for us from the City Different. http://abqjournal.com/news/state/114173nm11-25-03.htm

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and and visit regularly for updates.

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Reliable sources report anchorman Nelson Martinez will join the Eyewitness News team at KOB-TV in January as anchor of the noon and 5 p.m. news. The veteran TV personality was apparently negotiating a comeback with his alma mater, KOAT-TV, but a deal could not be struck. Martinez earlier confirmed to me "that a deal has been struck and I could not be happier." But he would not divulge any details.

TV insiders say the Martinez hiring at KOB will especially be be a boost for them in Hispanic households where Martinez has a loyal folllowing. "The ratings for these broadcasts are so tight that a few thousand households can tip the balance," said one source. "For that reason alone hiring Martinez is the smart move." Nelson left TV a year ago to concentrate on music and acting, but Hollywood was apparently not calling, so he is back to his first calling--anchoring the news. Martinez is a native of Chimayo and a recording artist whose mariachi music is marketed from his own web site. Martinez joins fellow native New Mexican, the popular Carla Aragon, at 4. Carla and Tom Joles languished for years behind KOAT, but in 2000 the station got a kick-start from the big Los Alamos fires and has found itself atop the heap, or tied for top of the heap with 7. KRQE is hot on their trail.

The Martinez news comes on the heels of Larry Barker's departure from 7 and his hiring by KRQE. And all of this comes during the crucial November "sweeps" when ratings are underway from which advertising rates will be set. With advertising still in somewhat of a slump, each rating point becomes critical to keep the ad dollars flowing.

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.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and and visit regularly for updates.

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REP. WHITE
A new, young face on the GOP scene may be thrust into the middle of the ongoing battle for the heart and soul of the Grand Old Party. State Rep. Bob White of the Northeast Heights of ABQ is out and out declaring that 24 year old Justine Young is going to run against him in the GOP primary next June and that he is preparing for battle. Justine Young is a former Legislative Finance Committee staffer and currently secretary to lawyer and Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, associate of former GOP Chair Dendahl and a leader of the hard right of the GOP. The obvious take by White is that the young Ms. Young would be a tool of Barnett in the Legislature.

But Justine demurs when asked if she is about to enter the intraparty fray by taking on the 61 year old White. "I'm considering a lot of things, running for political office is one of them," she tells me. But tellingly she would not rule herself out of a race against White, who was elected two years ago to replace retiring GOP Rep. Pauline Gubbels. White, owner of The Print Shop, which does a lot of business from political candidates, says he is ready to take on the forces of Barnett and that "I can outprint them, that's for sure. I will raise the necessary funds and will fight to keep my seat because I have a good voting record. I will take on all comers."

That's fighting language and he better be prepared to fight because Republican sources tell me White's vote FOR Gov. Bill's road tax package in the House Taxation Committee may be the weapon used against him by any primary foe that does surface. White did vote NO on the road tax when it went before the full House. Running opponents against Republicans who were not seen as "conservative" enough was a feature of the Dendahl years and a feature new GOP Chair Gorham vows to do away with. But she does not have full control of the party and what will be, will be. It all seems self-destructive to neutral observers since it is so hard to elect ANY Republican to the Legislature, never mind a "conservative" or "moderate" one, but still the family war goes on.

Ms. Young is a graduate of Brown University and not without some politics in her background. Her father is Democrat Charlie Young, one of the leading healthcare lobbyists in the state. He also was a top aide to former ABQ Mayor Ken Schultz back in the 80's and has since been a fixture on the state political scene. Trying to pin down his daughter on her political plans proved difficult with her telling me: "This is turning into a full-time job for you, isn't it?" Justine, full-time doesn't come close to describing the wonderful world of la politica. It's not a job; it's a life. They don't teach that at school, but you learn fast when you enter the fray. Just ask your dad, or Bob White.

IN DEFENSE OF SENATOR PETE
Reaction was swift and sometimes furious to our report regarding Metro Court Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd and her prospects for a District Court judgeship. (See Story Below) A fan of Sen. Pete's emails in that the "Democratic losers" are "crazy" for saying Pete and Gov. Bill are in cahoots to promote the GOP's Shepherd and must be "smoking funny stuff in their pipes." Here's more: "Do they really think Pete (while negotiating national energy policy) has the time to deal with this level of politics? I sure wish he did, because if he did, they would feel the wrath of the St. Pete they so fear!"

And Republican Seth Heath hammered the Democratic sources who complained to me that Gov. Johnson appointed mostly Republicans to judgeships during his tenure. Emailing from UNM Heath says: "The former Dean of the Law School and former Chair of the judicial selection committee did a presentation for a class of mine that showed Johnson's appointments were dang near 50/50 between the parties. So tell your Dem sources to get their facts straight before making false accusations."

You just did Seth. I welcome comment and reaction to all sides of the stories we report here so keep the e mails coming. There's a link to do so at the top of the page.

THE GUV'S PERMANENT CAMPAIGN

Amanda Cooper is a top political operative for Big Bill and also the daughter of NM Congressman Tom Udall and his wife Jill Cooper. Jill was Director of the NM Cultural Afffairs Dept. back in the 80's. Amanda helped Bill with the constitutional amendment election in September. It narrowly passed. Now the talented politico has been tapped to run a campaign office for the Guv in downtown Santa Fe. A campaign office? Already? Yup. The Santa Fe New Mexican's chief political correspondent, Steve Terrell, has the story for us http://www.sfnewmexican.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=15&ArticleID=35900

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JUDGE SHEPHERD
What's the deal? That's what some Democratic lawyers are asking in the wake of Republican Bernalillo County Metro Court Judge Denise Barela Shepherd's climb up the judicial ladder, and possibly into a Bernalillo County District Court judge seat. Here's the scoop: The Judicial Nominating Commission sent four names to Governor Bill to fill the vacancy created by retiring Democrat District Judge Susan Conway. But, as is his privilege, he rejected the four with no explanation (Democrats among them) and asked for more names. What he got back on a 13 to 5 vote by the commission was the name of Judge Shepherd. And that's when Democrat attorneys hit the roof.

The lawyers claim the surfacing of the GOP's Barela-Shepherd is part of a political deal between the Guv and GOP Senator Pete Domenici. Said one: "Her husband is a trial lawyer and Republican who served as a State Fair Commissioner under Gov. Johnson and has ties to Pete. Some of us think the move toward Denise is part of a deal Bill cut with Pete to get his support for the constitutional amendment in September."

Quite a hit there and, of course, delivered under the cloak of anonymity. Political tongues have been wagging since Pete and Bill met before the September special election and then announced that Pete was reversing course and supporting the measure to increase distributions from the state permanent fund. It narrowly won voter approval. Bill and Pete were asked point-blank after the meeting if there had been any favors pledged for Pete's turnabout. Both men flatly denied the suggestion.

But not all are buying in. One of the disgruntled attorneys said, "it's our turn. For eight years we were in the desert. Johnson loaded up the judgeships with Republicans. Now we have a Democratic governor and we don't want more of the same. This thing isn't sitting well with a lot of us," he sniped.

The mystery continues over what, if any deal, Pete and Bill carved out. The possible appointment by Bill of Barela-Shepherd is the latest evidence the Pete-Bill deal theorists are offering up. Other theory's include the claim that Bill told Pete he would not get involved in efforts to oust Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

Another reason being offered for Big Bill possibly going with Shepherd, according to a source close to the action: "If Denise is removed from Metro Court, then Republican judge Judy Nakamura, the presiding judge, could lose her razor thin majority of metro judges. That would be a Democrat reason to get rid of one or two Republican Metro Court judges. There is budget money, the court administrator position, management of several projects and all the metro court contracts at stake."

The plot is indeed thick.

Richardson has 30 days to make the judge appointment or decline and leave it to the State Supreme Court. Meanwhile, all this and more will continue to be fodder for the alligators populating the rivers of La Politica.

GOVERNOR GARY 'NOT HAPPY' WITH GOP INFIGHTING
Close associates of former GOP NM Governor Johnson tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" he is "not happy" with the recent party infighting and is particularly disturbed by some of the sniper tactics that have been employed. Johnson has not publicly commented on the war raging in the GOP, but our sources say "he has bridges to both sides of the battle, and weighs in quietly with his opinions." Is Johnson's pledge never to seek political office again for real? "It is if his wife Dee has anything to say," quipped one of the former Gov's close friends.

Johnson's friends also tell me he is actively following the fiscal policies of Gov. Bill. "He adds up how much of the surplus that he left has been spent and he says it's already all gone." That sure sounds like someone who is still engaged with the game, even if currently on the bench. We'll keep you posted.

DENNIS AND THE DUKE CITY
NM political junkie Dennis Domrzalski currently spills ink for the NM Biz Weekly, but keeps his political credentials updated and his readers amused on his own web site. We recommend a visit. www.zalski.com For years Dennis was a tough political reporter for the ABQ Trib and these days can be seen opining Sunday morning's on KOB-TV with host Monica Armenta.

As always, thanks for tuning in. Bookmark our site--JOEMONAHANSNNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM--and pass it on to your friends.

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Bradley is coming back. Sources close to the former NM lieutenant governor report he is done licking his wounds from a brutal 2002 campaign for governor and will seek the Republican nomination for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) seat being vacated by Herb Hughes. The Clovis native was pummelled in his fight for the GOP gubernatorial nomination last year by eventual winner John Sanchez in a race that left the GOP deeply divided. It's a division that continues to this day as we have extensively reported on this site. (see below) Bradley can expect to confront it again in the PRC contest.

One of his main rivals will be State Rep. Joe Thompson who is aligned with the John Dendahl-Mickey Barnett wing of the GOP. Bradley split with them and for good reason. In the closing days of the 02' campaign Sanchez unleashed attack TV on Bradley accusing him of being an ally of Democratic leader Manny Aragon. The charges were widely condemned by Republicans who said they were blatantly untrue and unnecessary. At the time Sanchez was way ahead in the polls. It took a while but Walter made the peace and embraced Sanchez as the Republican Guv nominee, but not warmly, and Sanchez lost to Big Bill in a low-turnout landslide.

Associates of Bradley, who served eight years under Gov. Johnson, say he's ready for it to get rough again. As one of them put it: "Walter has been through trial by fire. He wouldn't be surprised if his own grandmother went negative on him."

Well, if Walter's grandma is still alive I'm sure she would give him some notice. Bradley does not live in the ABQ PRC district but is moving to the district so he will be eligible to run for the job which pays over 90 grand a year. He is currently an assistant land commissioner in Santa Fe under Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons, who, like Bradley, is a former state senator.

Bradley received generally high marks as Light Guv. He balanced out Gov. Gary, who sometimes went over-the-top, and he presided over the senate with professionalism and authority. No doubt he would like to have another stab at the governor's chair, but a win of the PRC job is now essential or he will be labeled a two time loser. Other GOP possibles for the PRC seat are outgoing ABQ City Councilor Hess Yntema and ABQ attorney Ward Camp.

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Industry sources, speaking off the record, have put together the details on Larry Barker's ouster from channel 7 for readers of "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan."

Barker's quarter-century service to 7 apparently meant little when it came time to count the beans, and these days the bean counters are definitely in charge. I am told that 7 management wanted Barker to dramatically increase his on-air contributions. In fact, the sources say, Barker was told he would have to do four pieces a week for the ABC affiliate, including consumer-oriented stories plus his famous "Target 7" spots. Barker and his producer, Charles Wollmann, balked at the prospect saying it would mean a poor quality product.

But 7, facing a slow ratings slide the past couple of years, said it was either their way or the highway. So Larry took the road to channel 13. What about the non-compete clause standard in every reporter contract that says you can't go to work for a competing station for a year? "It was thrown out the window because 7 wanted to end the deal and Barker had a contract in which he could make a case against them," according to a TV business source.

Industry veterans also do not discount the speculation, first reported here, that 7 just might be looking to bank some extra money from the Barker ouster and use it to lure back popular anchorman Nelson Martinez. But rather than unceremoniously dump new anchor Doug Fernandez they would ease Martinez back by having him do the early morning and/or noon news broadcasts. Not a deal Martinez wants, I am told. "7 may wait for Nelson to get a little hungrier, but I think there is still a chance for him coming back, said one TV insider. Martinez is rumored to have been the highest paid TV personality in the ABQ market when he left to pursue acting and music.

As for Barker, he is now ensconced at KRQE-TV with a bunch of former workmates from 7, including Dick Knipfing and Augusta Meyers. And what about Charles Wollmann, Barker's longtime producer? Wollmann has joined a stable of reporters going to work for the Richardson administration. Big Bill is sponsor of the ex-reporter Full Employment Act, and Wollmann took advantage by finding a slot as PR man for the State Investment Council. Wollmann joins 7 alumnus Pahl Shipley, who is doing PR for Governor Bill along with a bunch of other former newsguys.

Bottom line on the Barker ouster: It's all corporate folks. The three big stations are owned by stockholders. In a long ago and far away time they were a bit more insulated from the commercial world. Not anymore.

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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Westside City Councilor Michael Cadigan will soon find himself on one of the hottest seats in town. Reliable sources tell me Cadigan has the votes wrapped up and will be selected as the Council's president when the new council meets in December.

According to City Hall insiders, speaking on deep background, here is how the deal came down in the contest for the prize between Cadigan and Councilor Eric Griego: "(Miguel) Gomez wanted too much from Eric Griego in exchange for his support. Eric went to Cadigan and cut the deal for vice-chair. Now, Cadigan will win president easily."

But then things get complicated. Cadigan is a supporter of the Planned Growth Strategy (PGS) and a supporter of the Paseo road extension. He will vote with Griego, Gomez, Heinrich and O'Malley on PGS issues, but when it comes to Paseo they will line up against him. Cadigan will be under enormous pressure from his westside constituents to make the presidency a bully pulpit for Paseo because of the recent election defeat of the street bonds. What will he do? A lot of juggling for sure.

Meanwhile, back at his District 5 ranch, foes are already gathering for Cadigan. Paul Pacheco, former head of the Albuquerque police officers union is the latest name being bandied about as a possible 05' Cadigan opponent.

By the way, Democrat Councilor Gomez is telling associates he is seriously looking at a run for the Public Regulation Commission seat held by Jerome Block and up for grabs in 04.'

The Cadigan presidency will also be a minor plus for Mayor Marty. He and Cadigan can plant the flag in the westside together, but they will part ways on almost every other major issue, leaving Chavez without a council majority, and in some cases, there will be six votes to override vetoes. But Eric Griego as president would mean all-out warfare between the mayor and the council, so the Cadigan selection will be good for civil dialogue. You remember that, don't you?
(Check out Trib city hall reporter Ed Asher's take on the final meeting of the old council)www.abqtrib.com/archives/news03/111803_news_council.shtml

ALSO OUT WEST......


KOB-TV's Neil Simon and the station came under fire over the weekend by a group of westsiders protesting the defeat of the Paseo extension. They said that during the campaign the station highlighted the fact that Paseo was not specifically mentioned on the ballot and that some voters were mad because they wanted to vote on it separately. They also criticized the station for running promos on the story. What's wrong with that? Beats me, but the group called for a boycott of Channel 4. Sounds like a classic case of killing the messenger. Besides, I'm pleased anytime any TV station here devotes airtime to an important public affairs issue and gives the crime blotter a rest for the nite.

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Sources inside the GOP tell me that the prospect of longtime Domenici aide Lou Gallegos assuming the post of executive director for the Bush re-election drive in NM may be fizzling. "The idea is still alive, but now there's talk of bringing in an outsider--someone from the Bush circle who doesn't have ties to either (former GOP Chair) Dendahl or (current Chair) Gorham," said one GOP'er close to the battle.

Gorham's chairmanship was flatlining before she woke up and started to fight for a say for the state party in running the Bush re-elect. She felt the Dendahlites were trying to take over. Sources repeat that Dendahl-associated consultant Jay McCleskey will not get the Bush job and assert that alone is a victory for Ramsay. "If she gets one of her own or Gallegos, that would be great, and even if she gets a neutral outside director that would also be a win," spun a Gorham backer.

The Bush NM ED could be named any day now, but sources say Sen. Domenici, tied up with the energy bill has yet to fully focus on it. That's good because this fight is way above the staff level and any compromise needs the elder statesman's full imprimatur, not just that of Republican National Committee operatives and Gorham who have fought tooth and nail.

Meanwhile, juvenile tricks are in full play in the ongoing squabble over Ramsay and the Dendahlites. The chairman of the Cibola County Republican Party released a letter calling for her resignation Monday signed by a dozen and a half fellow county chairmen from across the state. But Tom Carroll, Ex. Director of the State GOP, said his staff reached 12 of the chairmen so far and they disavowed signing the letter sent by Cibola Chair Gary Whittington.

To all you politicos trying to execute coups, we thrive on the action, but could you be just a little craftier?

This is ground zero for coverage of New Mexico politics--Bookmark our site: JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates and send a link to interested friends.

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Industry sources report to "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that longtime Channel 7 investigative reporter Larry Barker will start this week at CBS affiliate KRQE-TV Channel 13, concluding a quarter century career at 7, where he ruffled the feathers of the high and mighty throughout the New Mexico political world. Just why Barker is leaving is the subject of widespread scuttlebutt. Most observers think it's over money. Here's how one industry veteran put it: "Joe, I think 7 is trying to free up its budget to bring back Nelson Martinez as anchor. The team at 7 has not been the same since his absence and the ratings have been weaker. Martinez though will cost and that means they have to look for extra bucks."

Interesting speculation. But it could be that Barker simply wanted more money or 7 thought he was no longer the ratings pull he once was.

Martinez left 7 a year ago to pursue music and acting. But if the price is right he probably could be lured back. Meanwhile, the ratings race for the 10 p.m news shows in Albuquerque is a dead heat night after night. A veteran of the news wars told me: "It's a night-to night thing on whose going to be number one." KOAT-TV wins at 6 p.m., but their dominance at 10 is a distant memory. KOB-TV and 13 have made this a three way race for the top late-night news spot.

Barker is not a well-liked figure in political circles, and he doesn't want to be. His reports over the years have uncovered a variety of misdeeds, and one time he had a high-ranking government official crawl out of his office and onto a windowsill to avoid the Barker cameras!

So called non-compete clauses, where a reporter cannot go on the air of a competing station in the same TV market for at least a year are still standard industry practice, but sources tell me "that's not a problem" in the Barker case.

So go the TV news wars. Much like our beloved field of politics it is a never ending quest for viewers and votes.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
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SENS. FIDEL & ALTAMIRANO
What will you be doing at 80 years of age? If you're State Senator Joe Fidel you're announcing to "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that contrary to the rumor mill you WILL seek yet another four year term to the Legislature's upper chamber. I know a lot of us will be lucky to be talking when we turn 80, but Fidel, vice-chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, ran me through the paces in a recent interview from his Grants, NM insurance office where he holds court and plots his next moves on the stage of La Politica.

Insiders at the Capitol report Fidel was absent quite a bit during the January session of the Legislature due to illness. That gave rise to rumors that he was finally ready to head for the rocking chair. But Fidel brushed aside the speculation saying he is up to the job and that with the state headed for rocky financial times his voice is needed more than ever. Fidel turned 80 October 14th, the same day he and his wife Dora celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary!

Fidel ran unopposed in 2000 and he may get a free ride in 04'. Patricia Roybal, top dog at the Grants Economic Development Foundation, was floated as a possible Democratic primary opponent for Fidel, but she told me she is NOT running, although a race could be in her future. She has worked on a dozen campaigns in Texas, she said, but her family roots are in Grants.

Fidel is of Lebanese stock and traces his roots to the first Lebanese immigrants who landed in New Mexico over 100 years ago seeking religious freedom and business opportunity. He made his name and his money in the insurance and real estate biz in Grants. His senate District 30 includes portions of Cibola, Soccoro and Valencia Counties and is safe Democratic. He was first elected to the senate in 1972.

Also, I can confirm that the longest serving member of the senate, Sen. Ben Altamirano, (D- Silver City) is also not ready to make way for the young bucks. The chairman of the Finance Committee came to Santa Fe back in 1970 and is 78 years old. Not only is Altamirano running for another four, and will probably face no significant opposition, but he's actively seeking to become Senate Pro Tem to replace outgoing Senator Richard Romero. Fidel and Altamirano join fellow old bull, State Rep. Fred Luna, 72, (also elected in 1970) in announcing re-election plans. Luna was rumored to be ready to get out of the game, but told me earlier (see my October archives) that he is a go in 04'.

The only consolation for the young politicos is that they alsp may have a chance to take their careers where no one has dared tread, but not before Fidel, Altamirano and Luna take one last bite out of a political apple that has nourished them longer than even they must have expected.

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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Suedeen and John Kelly, two of NM's bright legal lights, are back in the spotlight with Suedeen winning an appointment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in D.C. courtesy of Sen. Bingaman, and John Kelly letting it be known that he is NOT seeking any office in 2004, despite prodding by supporters who still wince over his 2000 defeat at the hands of Rep. Heather Wilson. The Democratic duo hang their shingles at the old line and low-key, but influential Modrall Law Firm. An attorney who has worked with Suedeen opines that she has a mind "like a steel trap." She is one of the nation's leading experts on public utility law with a resume on the subject longer than an Enron indictment. John is a former U.S. Attorney for NM and a friend of Bill's (Clinton, that is). His name popped up as a possible contender for State Senator Romero's seat who, like Kelly before him, is fixated on ousting Wilson in 04.' If you're thinking that Suedeen might be the candidate to give Republican Heather a heartache, join the club. But Suedeen has no political aspirations, so Heather relax, a "steel trap" will not be sprung on you.

Bookmark our site and check for regular updates on NM politics.

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The wild goings-on in the NM Republican Party this past week drew its share of reader comment to our mailbag. From a lawyer and Republican politico we get this acerbic satire on the infighting between the forces of former GOP Chair Dendahl and current Chair Ramsay Gorham: "There is a point at which you should realize you're about to go too far. This fight has been all teeth and no brain, kind of like a pirahna biting a blasting cap."

And these comments from a veteran PR man who caught the big picture going on in the GOP: "The party is in the shape it's in because for eight years it was controlled by a "Republican of convenience," Gary Johnson, who was really a Libertarian, and it didn't build out to party regulars. It became a party of "outside insiders" as the grassroots were left unwatered." But our correspondent ended on an upbeat note saying: "I'm not sure it's all bad because without these upheavals you find everything centered on negativity, instead of enthusiasm and an embracing of possibilities."

That's the first insightful positive spin I've seen put on the GOP battle. And that's why we are here--to flesh it all out. So keep the e mails coming. (There's a link at the top of this page) We don't need your name, just your thoughts.

CANDIDATES WANT YOUR AUTOGRAPH

Heavy coats and brilliant colors aren't the only signs that Fall has arrived in our enchanted land; armies of young folk bearing petition forms are also a sign of the season. Steve Cabiedes of ABQ has run a business collecting signatures for political candidates of all parties for better than a decade. He gives us a briefing on what's happening now as we prepare for the coming election year.

"Many New Mexicans believe candidates get on the ballot by magic or automatically by incumbency, but it takes hard work to fufill the requirements to arrive at their pre-primary convention and/or on the primary election ballot.

Signatures for a particular candidate can only be gathered from voters registered in their own party. Since signatures need to be turned in by February 10th the work is done in the cold of late fall and through the winter.

Petition Requirements for 2004:

DEM0CRAT---- REPUBLICAN

Statewide offices 2956 1883

Congress #1 1209 917
Congress #2 1267 1039
Congress #3 1900 768

PRC #1 723 668
PRC #3 1354 369

Metro & Bern. Co
District Judges 1123 926

*Source: 2004 Candidates Guide (Office of the Secretary of State of NM)

Signatures can be challenged. Smart candidates gather more than required to be sure they have enough valid ones. Also, candidates who must go to a pre-primary convention must get 20% of convention delegates to advance to the primary ballot. If a candidate fails to achieve 20% convention votes, a candidate can submit an additional round of signatures. Theoretically, a Democratic candidate could need close to 6,000 signatures to assure a place on the ballot (7,200 to be safe)."

Thanks Steve.. If you are a candidate or a prospective one and want more info you can call Steve at 505-271-0530

Don't be left out of the loop! Bookmark our site--JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM-- and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to interested friends and E mail me from the link on this page.

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Don't worry Dems, we haven't forgotten you. But it's like the scene of a bad car accident; we know we shouldn't look, but we just had to. We've seen most of the gory stuff now, so it's time to pick up speed, get past the GOP wreck and look up the road where those Dems are wheeling along, mostly accident-free. First, some odds and ends on that erupting volcano known as the Grand Old Party. One of our state's brightest legal minds e mails in with a GOP concern. Where does all the fighting over the Prez contest leave 2004 state and local candidates hoping for wins? Here's how our high-up GOP'er puts it:

"Gorham has promised to support statewide and legislative candidates, but the tendency for the Bushies is to usurp state party functions for the presidential bid. The feeling in 2000 and 02' was that the national guys can run their own show fine, but the state GOP was distracted from helping locals by the subservience required by Washington. A big question is whether GOPNM can put together campaigns for winnable legislative districts while being ordered around by the national crew."

Well, we'll call that "Ramsay's Challenge." She doesn't plan on "being ordered around." At least not too much.

And on the possible Zangara-Barnett face-off for the job of GOP National Committeeman, a veteran Republican clarifies our report from yesterday. "Joe, the Committeeman will be elected by the quadrennial statewide convention in May of 04', not just the Central Committee." He's right. It will be GOP'ers from the grassroots that pick Barnett or Zangara, a choice that may tell whether Gorham has gained the full confidence of her fellow party members.

SELF-SERVING, HORN-TOOTING DEPARTMENT; THIS BLOG OF OURS WAS FRONT AND CENTER THIS WEEK

Our exclusive coverage of the GOP war went national with the National Journal's daily "Hotline" spreading the news to politico populated D.C., including the top dogs at the White House. Indulge me while I show you an excerpt:

"NM reporter/consultant Joe Monahan, writing on his own blog, reports, "it's shaping up as one of the wildest weeks in the history" of the NM GOP. "And the hits just keep coming. Sources now" say that Bush '04 NM finance chair Ken Zangara "is seriously contemplating a challenge" to RNC cmte member Mickey Barnett.

"NM reporter/consultant Joe Monahan, writing on his own blog, reports that GOP "sources say the high-stakes battle over presidential politics" in NM "now has the full attention" of the WH and the RNC and that "a truce is in the works." One source: "Five or six high-ranking Republicans outside New Mexico are making phone calls to both sides, and I think in a few days this thing will be settled." Asked if any of those involved were from the WH, the source said: "Yes" (11/12).

Thanks to all of you tuning in and/or contributing, we have become the hot place for NM political news. The "Hotline" is the "Bible" of American politics. It costs, but is worth it. Check them out at .http://nationaljournal.com

NOW ON TO THOSE SMILING DEMS
You notice I didn't say gloating Dems. That's because they really aren't, at least not publicly. After all, they've had their share of family squabbles, and besides, what's to gain by piling on? Plus, the Dems still have to decide who will face Bush and there's plenty of fighting over that. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Joni Gutierrez of Las Cruces tells me she has been fielding press phone calls about her Republican counterpart but tells them she's concentrating on her party's candidates. And guess what? One of those races may personally involve Joni. Read on.

STATE DEM CHAIR GUTIERREZ PREPARES FOR POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE RUN

Rep. Taylor
Ramsay isn't the only party chair making news. Joni tells "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that she will seek the state House seat held by J. Paul Taylor, if Taylor decides not to run. Friends of Taylor tell me he is NOT running, so Joni better get out her running shoes. Joni is sure to get the endorsement of the incumbent when he does step down: Taylor is Joni's godfather. She is a talented landscape architect down Cruces way and Taylor's District 33 is safe Democratic. Gutierrez is a major friend of Governor Bill, who appointed her to the Board of Directors of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in ABQ, besides helping make her Chair.

Is this the first time in NM history that women have chaired the two major parties at the same time? Not that many people would notice since women have been a major force in New Mexico politics for quite a while. Denish, Madrid, Joni, Ramsay.. you get the idea.

Final note to all you Democrats: If Joni Gutierrez runs for the legislature, will she give up the party chairmanship, or stay in the legislature like State Sen. Gorham? If she doesn't, whose in line to become the new Dem chair? I await your e mails.

As always, thanks for tuning in. Bookmark our site--JOEMONAHANSNNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM--and pass it on to your friends.

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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.

Don't be left out of the loop! Bookmark our site now and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends. E mail me from the link on this page.

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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.

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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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.

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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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."

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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Who are the next generation of New Mexican political leaders? In ABQ young hot shots like 32 year old Democratic City Councilor-elect Martin Heinrich and 20 something Republican Seth Heath have made radar contact, but on a statewide basis 33 year old Democratic State Rep. Al Park is drawing the big buzz. Park showed up with Governor Bill on TV screens across our Land of Enchantment during the recent special session of the Legislature when he successfully marshaled the sex offender bill through the House. (The other main House sponsor of the bill was Dem. Rep. Tom Swisstack who won a cliff hanger in 02' to gain entrance to the Roundhouse.) The brainy young lawyer, a graduate of Sandia Prep and George Washington Law School, was first elected in 2000 and laid pretty low until now. His emergence in the special has put him in the middle of the buzz as a possible candidate for the Dems for Attorney General in a couple of years. Park is not discouraging the chatter.

He tells "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that the AG's job, which Patsy Madrid will vacate in 06', is on his radar screen, but right now he's concentrating on getting re-elected next year to his District 26 seat. That could be a bit more challenging than it was two years ago, when the GOP dropped the ball and failed to field a candidate against Park, even though he represents a swing district (50% Democrat) which covers portions of the ABQ Southeast and Northeast Heights in the Central and Louisiana area. The latest word is that Republican Kathy Leyendecker, who worked for the highway department under Governor Johnson and now works for the ABQ International Balloon Fiesta, is thinking about challenging the popular Park.

Park's shepherding of the sex offender bill gives him a boost, but is also drawing the attention of other possible Democratic AG hopefuls even though the race isn't until 2006! Attorney Dolph Barnhouse from the environmental group 1000 Friends of NM, who sought the job previously, is again a possible contender, as is State Rep. Joseph Cervantes of Dona Ana County. Republican Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez is also said to be eyeing the AG's job, if she can get re-elected DA, which she narrowly won in 2000.

Park doesn't wear his ambition on his sleeve, but has been plodding along and hit paydirt this year. He has the pedigree to be a major factor in the AG's race. His father, a University of Virginia Law School grad, is wrapping up a successful career at Sandia Labs, and previously worked in the Panama Canal Zone, where Al was born to his mother of Venezuelan descent. He even has a bit of Republican in his background. He served as law clerk to federal judge John Conway, a former State Senate GOP leader. The old saying goes "youth must be served." And so it must, but for Al Park youth serving the public is also an imperative; one that has landed him in the limelight of La Politica.


SECOND THOUGHTS

State Sen. Cisco McSorley of the Southeast Heights has done it again--played the big tease. Cisco informs us via Harry Moskos of the Journal that he WILL seek re-election to his Senate seat after months of floating trial balloons (mentioned on this web site) that he might bow out to run for the Bernalillo County Commission seat being vacated by Tom Rutherford. Associates of the liberal McSorley tell me he wants to make another run at the Democratic nomination for State Land Commissioner in 2006 and believes the Senate provides him with the necessary platform from which to run. He got beat by fellow Democrat Art Trujillo in 02.' Trujillo lost to Republican Pat Lyons in the General. An old friend of Trujillo, Dan Serrano, who has run a couple of races for ABQ City Council, tells me he is looking toward a Land Commission run as well. Cisco's decision also puts to rest for now the Senate aspirations (if she had any) of State Rep. Gail Beam, (AKA Mrs. David Norvell) former Bernalillo County Commissioner Lenton Malry and Rutherford. Sounds like a game of dominoes doesn't it? One falls and there they go......McSorley was key in Senator Manny Aragon's loss of the Senate Pro Tem job to Sen. Richard Romero a couple of years ago when he joined with Senate Republicans to elect Romero. By the way, our younger readers might not know it, but Moskos was a pioneer in bringing modern newspapering to NM when he served as managing editor of the ABQ Trib in the 60's and 70's.

And speaking of special NM newspaper guys, Ned Cantwell, publisher of the Carlsbad Current Argus for 25 years, is retired to Ruidoso now, but is still stirring things up with a regular column. Check Ned out at www.currentargus.com

SECOND THOUGHTS, TAKE TWO
ABQ attorney David Duhigg, reported here earlier as toying with the idea of a run for the Democratic nomination for the State Supreme Court seat held by Edward Chavez, is apparently NOT going to play. Chavez was appointed by Big Bill to replace retiring Supreme Gene Franchini. We'll keep you posted.

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

CLERK CHAVEZ

Darn it! We went out of our way Election Night to praise ABQ City Clerk Judy Chavez and her staff for the good work they did getting the numbers out early and apparently accurately. Unfortunately, the praise was premature. The results have changed by several thousand votes on some of the bond issues because of a computer error that had the wrong numbers being added together. The mistake was caught by sharp-eyed Councilor Cadigan and prompted an investigation. The new results have not changed the election results, just the perception of the City Clerk' s office as an island of competence in area vote-counting. Since the early 70's the city process has been mostly error free with Bernalillo County recording disaster after disaster. So it is disappointing that the City Clerk could not get it right this time. Councilors Mayer and Cadigan think it needs to be looked in to while Councilor Eric Griego doesn't think "a stink" needs to be raised. We side with Cadigan and Mayer who are concerned about the credibility of the system. Taxpayers are paying good money to get this job done, but it seems the NM vote counting curse is very powerful. Mayor Marty needs to have a sit-down with City Clerk Chavez. Meawhile, we can hope that Gov. Bill's new commission on this issue will attack it head-on and maybe even raise "a stink" about it.

Trib City Hall Reporter Ed Asher has details on ABQ's election mishap:http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/news03/110803_news_canvass.shtml

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

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

The political alligators are surfacing after the off-the-tracks special session of the Legislature and, as usual, they have a list of winners and losers in New Mexico's latest political partying. Deep inside the Roundhouse much of the spin is focusing on House Speaker Ben Lujan. "Gentle Ben" is now earning the moniker "Big Ben" from politicos who said his use of force to keep the House in session, despite a balking senate, was his first real public use of power since he assumed the speakership in 2001.

Here's how one veteran Republican put it: "It's not well-know but Lujan is a pretty tough guy. He comes across as very meek to the public, but behind the scenes he has been a major player for years. His forcefulness in keeping his fellow Democrats in line on behalf of the governor is par for the course, but because it happened under intense public scrutiny a new side of Ben was revealed. I think his stock goes up in the Legislature, and certainly he has a major favor to call in with Richardson, who was left hanging when the Senate temporarily adjourned."

Lujan of Nambe had a revolution on his hands when House Dems were defecting because of the tax increases contained in the road bill that finally passed. House Majority whip James Taylor publicly strayed from the reservation and was quoted in the papers calling for the Legislature to go home. But Lujan brought him and others back into the fold. If the Speaker failed, the entire session would have been a political disaster for Big Bill, who hung on by a thread thanks to Lujan and company.

Another insider said while Lujan deserves credit and will benefit politically from the raw exercise of power, the Democrats have won a battle but lost the war. "Let's face it. Raising taxes and fees is never popular and that's what the road bill does. There will be a price to pay for some of those Dems who supported it. The Republicans have real ammo now to label this a tax and spend Legislature."

Speaking of paying a price, one wag at the Capitol chimed in: "Richard Romero ought to call California because that's where his campaign for Congress is headed." He explained: "Governor Davis raised car registration fees and look what happened to him. I think Richard made a big mistake on this one and Heather's gang is going to make him pay."

Romero, of course, is seeking the Democratic Congressional nomination for the fight to take on Republican Wilson for a second time. He lost the Albuquerque seat big in 2002, but wants another bite out of the apple. He led the move for early adjournment in the Senate, but was lobbied by Big Bill, agreed to come back and then ended up supporting the tax and fee increases in the road bill. Hardly a recipe for electoral success in a Congressional district where conservative independents are key.

Bottom Line: Speaker Lujan is now truly speaker in the eyes of New Mexicans. Richard Romero now needs major repair work on his fiscal record, and Governor Bill loses political capital for botching the special session, but gets rescued from major political damage by the gentle, but firm Ben Lujan.


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In politics these days it seems "anything goes" but sometimes there is a price to pay. Just ask former City Councilor and 01' ABQ mayoral candidate Mike McEntee. He campaigned as "the conservative Republican" candidate for mayor. Problem was city elections are officially "non-partisan." But McEntee ignored the pleas to stop and as a result has found himself out of a bit of money. As a federally employed air traffic controller, McEntee was found in violation of the rules that prohibit such employees from engaging in partisan election campaigns. McEntee, who represented the northeast heights, began a four month unpaid suspension November 1. During the campaign he said he was making about 120k a year. So the suspension will cost him at least 16k. But some fellow Republicans are trying to take the sting out for the Albuquerque native. They've organized a couple of fund raising events for him to replace some of the money he's losing. The cash will go directly to McEntee who is married with two teenagers.

Four years ago the state GOP under John Dendahl blew the cover off of nonpartisan elections by openly funding campaigns. Nothing happened to him for doing it either. Meanwhile, we're glad McEntee's GOP friends are having fundraisers for him. After all the executive committee of the Bernalillo County GOP endorsed him two years ago, helping to get him into the trouble. Of course, I can hear the Democrats now joking that most of their members get by for a year on what McEntee makes in those four months he is suspended. Fans of McEntee can call 281-2913 to pony up money.

This is ground zero for the latest on New Mexico politics so be sure to bookmark this site now, check it regularly and send a link to your political friends. JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM

Bernalillo County and Albuquerque voters made it clear last night that they want nothing to do with governing each other. The proposed unification of the two government entities "went down in flames" as predicted by pollster Brian Sanderoff and myself earlier in the week on "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan." 66,794 votes were cast AGAINST the measure with 41,863 FOR. That's 62% against and 38% for, a margin of 24%! Total votes cast were 107,982, representing a turnout among registered voters of 37.95%, above expectations, but not markedly so.

There was not much crying in the beer by proponents of unification very late Tuesday when the results were announced. No one really mounted a campaign in favor of the measure, even the commission that wrote the proposal. This unification defeat goes into the history books along with several others over the last 50 years. It seems each generation takes a stab at it and each says no thanks. It goes without saying that valley opposition was off the charts and the measure appeared to have failed in every section of the city as well. However, that is an educated guess and specific results will not be available by county commission or city council district. That info from a post-midnight interview with County Elections Bureau Director Jaime Diaz. Clerk Mary Herrera was not instructed to provide for such a breakdown. Actually, we were lucky to get any vote count as a stunning 57,000 votes were returned to the clerk marked undeliverable. It was the first mail-in election in Bernalillo County history. (The city did one in 1999) It may be the last.

Opponents like Sheriff White told me they saw this one coming, but still were not jumping for joy this morning because they face the prospect of fighting the measure yet again. The constitutional amendment that made possible Tuesday's vote states that voters must face it again within one year upon rejection. The only way we know how to change a constitutional amendment is with another one. And how can that be done in time to avoid the one year deadline for having the second election?

Resentment will be high toward another election because of the historic landslide vote against unification last night. A mail-in ballot with an increased voter turnout was the proponents best chance. Seems like an opportunity for a young, hot shot lawyer to come up with a way to stop that second vote through the courts. If he or she did, they just might find themselves with a political future--either in the city or the county.

Las Cruces Mayor Bill Mattiace won the office for the second time this year, easily defeating Councilor Ken Miyagishima and three other challengers. Mattiace took nearly 40% of the vote to Miyagishima's 25%. Mattiace won a special election, also featuring Miyagishima, earlier this year to fill out the term of Ruben Smith who went to work in Governor Richardson's cabinet as Cultural Affairs Secretary. Smith lost the job soon after. Tuesday night Mattiace won a four year term.

The race was the most expensive in Las Cruces city history with the contenders spending about $150,000, much of it in the form of personal loans. Three of the six Las Cruces city council seats were also on the ballot Tuesday. Only one incumbent was defeated. Dolores Connor ousted Scott Leon Moore who was appointed to the council this spring when Mattiace left the council to take the Mayor's job. Connor won going away, garnering about 57%. Unofficial results from Cruces had 10,712 voters casting ballots in the mayor's race which represents a turnout among registered voters of about 30%, slightly above expectations. The city of Las Cruces has 75,000 residents. Dona Ana County population is 163,000. One of the major issues of the campaign was job creation. Mattiace said the city was doing well in bringing jobs to the area, but his opponents said too many low paying jobs were coming in. During the campaign the city lost 300 jobs at a call-in center when layoffs were announced.

"Who are those guys?" That's the question being asked by political junkies across New Mexico about Soltari, the political consulting group that shook up the scene with major victories in the recent ABQ election. Their city council candidates (Heinrich, O'Malley) enjoyed blow-out victories and their stop-the-street-bond campaign was another big winner. The results moved city government more to the left than anytime in its modern history. Who are those guys? Let's find out:

--Soltari (sol for sun, tari is "bridge in Korean) opened shop in ABQ in 2000 with Eli Lee at its helm. Eli, a graduate of Columbia University in New York, came West back in 95' with a non-profit group he worked for. Here he got involved with the Sage Council, a Native American group opposed to the petroglyph surrounded Paseo Del Norte road extension.

---The five employee firm caters to "progressive" and liberal campaigns, specializing in grass roots organization. They do creative on TV and radio and farm out the production, but they are more into field operations---get-out-the-vote, literature design and drops, phone calls etc. Lee, a native of Kansas City considers himself primarily a strategist and this year has been watching his winning Kansas City Chief's for tips. Soltari cites Gandhi and Caesar Chavez as inspiring figures for their political activities. Also, Lee is proud of his Korean heritage and served as President of the Asian American Association of NM and is an admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

---Soltari is not limited to Bernalillo County. They consulted Governor Richardson on the recent special permanent fund election, and Big Bill named Eli to the state commission looking at improving election results reporting in NM. Soltari's client list also includes Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, City Councilors Michael Cadigan and Eric Griego, State Sen. Linda Lopez, labor unions and liberal school board candidates. So while Lee is lined up with Big Bill, he is definitely not on the Mayor Chavez team.

---The 36 year old Lee rebuffs critics who called his anti-street bond campaign divisive and pitting east against west, but other political strategists say it was just that and praise its tactics and success. Protectors of the status quo in Bernalillo County government may want to pay attention to Soltari. Lee says they are looking to get involved in the county commission races next year. If they do what they did in the city, expect the political boat to rock even more.

Soltari's roots are in the environmental movement. Their targeting of their supporters this past election was even praised by PR vet Gerges Scott, who was defeated by the Soltari street bond campaign. Lee did make a misstep when he said that campaign was getting $20,000 from the charitable McCune Foundation, when in fact the foundation had not pledged money. He said it was 'miscommunication" and put up the $20,000 from his company's coffers. The incident showed that Soltari is now dancing on a very lighted stage. Opponents of Soltari call it "radical" and filled with "extreme anti-business sentiment." But right now football fan Lee and Soltari are running with the ball. The defense might be advised to get off the bench.


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HESS YNTEMA

A mass of politicos are considering their options for the myriad of elective offices up for grabs in 2004, and some of them are actually making a decision. We have the early news.

Albuquerque attorney David Duhigg, a veteran of Democratic Party politics, is preparing to run for the nomination for the State Supreme Court seat held by Edward Chavez. You may not recognize Chavez as a Supreme because he was only appointed this year by Governor Bill to replace retiring Chief Justice Gene Franchini. A judge appointee like Chavez must stand once for election, not a simple retention where voters say yes or no to an incumbent judge. Duhigg is the first to announce he will go against Chavez, who was a big supporter of the Guv and a succesful ABQ trial attorney before getting the court job which pays about $96,000 a year. Chavez had no judge experience before his appointment. But neither, I believe, does Duhigg. New Mexico Supreme's get an eight year term. All five are Democrats. Republicans on the court are as rare as the silvery minnow.

ABQ City Councilor Hess Yntema says he's not ready to leave the public arena. The populist Republican from the southeast heights leaves the council December 1, but is already eyeing the Public Regulation Commission seat being vacated by fellow GOP'er Herb Hughes. Besides the nod for that nomination, Hess tells me he is toying wih the idea of running for the state senate if Sen. Cisco McSorley decides to step down to run for the Bernalillo County Commission seat being vacated by Tom Rutherford. But the PRC seat would be his best bet. Another outgoing councilor, Greg Payne, has that PRC seat on his radar as well as the legislative seat probably being vacated by Republican Joe Thompson who is ready to go against Yntema for the PRC. If Thompson stays put, Greg may go for PRC.

HERNANDEZ
Speaking of Rutherford, if Cisco leaves the senate he is a likely Democratic candidate to replace him. Rutherford was a heavy-hitter in the senate back in the 80's. And who would replace Rutherford? Well, the contenders are not even waiting for the unification vote to be final because they all assume it will fail. Danny Hernandez, a liberal activist and member of the area flood control board, is getting an early start. His friends tell me Hernandez will announce his commission candidacy Tuesday, right when the polls close on the unification election.

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Killing unification will be like "trying to kill Dracula' one opponent says. Top NM pollster Brian Sanderoff is flat-out predicting to me that this measure will lose by at least 15% in the Tuesday election, but the constitutional amendment authorizing the vote says if it is defeated it has to be voted on again within one year! That means a brand new charter writing commission.

Unification opponent and Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher is not optimistic that a second vote can be stopped. "The constitutional amendment clearly calls for a second election and we would have to pass another amendment stopping the first one, if we were to have a chance. That does not appear possible." He said.

Problem is there's no time. At the earliest, a constitutional amendment could not be put before state voters until next November, (unless it was a highly unlikely special election) past the deadline for the second election contained in the amendment now on the books. So Bernalillo County residents face the prospect of deciding the measure again at next November's General Election, even though they may have resoundingly said "no" just a year earlier. Also, if unification is beat Tuesday, several of the County Commissioners whose terms would be extended if the measure passed Tuesday, will not get that benefit from the second vote. Will their support for unification then be as firm? Probably not. The whole mess shows how determined the proponents of unification have been. They deserve credit for political strategy, but it's no way to run the government railroad.

Bottom Line: We could vote on unification again and again, but until proponents make a better case on financial savings it's a loser. And if they try to do another expensive mail-in election, they will be run out of town on a rail.

AT THE ROUNDHOUSE: ROMERO TAKES THE BALL FROM MANNY--FOR NOW

Sen. Romero
Deep inside the Roundhouse, the political operatives are weighing in with the losers and winners from the bizarre special session that is still unfolding at the capitol. The Guv has had his turn in the barrel already, being scored statewide for not having his act together. Now Senate Majority Leader Manny Aragon is taking a hit from his longtime nemesis Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero. Said one insider: "Manny yelled and screamed to keep the senate in session, but Richard rounded up enough votes to get out of Dodge. He's a winner in this one. But long term, Manny will be back and Richard is off to run for Congress and won't return. So it's hard to say there is long-term implications here."

Democratic Sen. Linda Lopez made a motion to adjourn and drew the wrath of Manny who was ousted from the Pro Tem position a couple of years ago in part because Linda was having a baby and not around to vote for him at the time, but when they took a second vote she voted no on Aragon. Valley political operatives say Manny may be looking for an opponent to run against Linda in the Democratic primary next year and that Linda wanted out of the special and its tax raising possibilities to protect her own re-election chances. Linda, Bernalillo County Democratic Party Chairwoman, also is a prospect for mayor of ABQ in the 2005 elections, contrary to the spin at City Hall where sources report Linda's business has a contract to provide services in the criminal justice system. If she can get by Manny and get re-elected, she is seen as a possible contender for the city's top job.

Governor Bill and Manny worked together well in the regular session at the beginning of the year. But they just did not have their ducks in a row this time and lost the senate. Insiders are telling me the road bill passed by the House Friday and waiting for the Senate to act on when it reconvenes this week may be a "toss-up" with many senators fearful for re-election not wanting to vote for ANY tax or fee increases, which are in the road bill. The Guv is doing overtime on the arm-twisting and needs to pull something other than the sex offender law out of this session, or face the possibility of a political hit that leads to a loss of power. For both sides the stakes don't get much higher. Stay tuned.

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Former Richardson cabinet secretary and Las Cruces Mayor Ruben Smith must be looking wistfully at his hometown as it prepares to elect a mayor to a four year term Tuesday. In March Smith resigned the Mayor's job, which he held for many years, to become head of Cultural Affairs for Big Bill. But Smith was forced to resign by the Guv when opponents within the state museum system criticized his policies. Bill Mattiace was elevated from the city council to serve out Smith's term and now faces four opponents in Tuesday's election.

One of the first things Mattiace did upon coming mayor was to take the doors off of the mayor's office. Some who wanted private talks with his honor objected, but Mattiace says no door signified his "open door" policy. Ruben Smith unsuccessfully sought the Democratic congressional nomination against State Senator John Arthur Smith (no relation) in the 2002 primary for the seat eventually won by Republican Steve Pearce. No word on Ruben's future political plans, if any, but he is known to be miffed at the way he was ousted by the Guv. Meanwhile, Mayor Mattiace is favored in the race in which the candidates have raised over $142,000. The city has a population of about 75,000; Dona Ana County about 163,000. The trend toward heavy campaign spending is erupting everywhere. We'll keep you posted on the latest Las Cruces results, where three of the six city council seats are also up for grabs in Tuesday's balloting.

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The Governor's office has gone to war with the Associated Press. And that may have as far reaching implications as the current chaos at the Roundhouse where the Senate pulled out of the special session leaving the House still working to come up with a tax bill. The Trib's Shea Anderson handles the analytical chores on the guv's latest problems there: abqtrib.com
But I want to focus on the war with the AP whose stories are carried by newspapers, radio and television nationwide. In other words, this news agency is an agenda setter. It is conservative in its approach and few politicians choose to tangle with it. Mostly because it get its right, and when it gets it wrong, it is quick to correct. Here's the meat of the dispute as written by Julie Ann Grimm of the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Governor's Office Blasts Contingency-Fund Story
A spokesman for the governor is blasting an Associated Press report that gave details of how Gov. Bill Richardson has spent money from a $90,000 contingency fund. The head of the state's AP bureau, however, said people deserve to know how the fund is used."Our story implied no wrongdoing," said Julie Aicher, AP's Albuquerque bureau chief. "We felt it was a public service to see how taxpayer money is being spent from this fund, which was tripled this year."

The story, which was written by veteran AP Capitol reporter Barry Massey and appeared on the front page of Thursday's New Mexican, said the governor used a contingency fund to buy cigars, Starbucks coffee and overseas meals, among other things. Billy Sparks, Richardson's spokesman, issued a statement Friday afternoon that called the report false and misleading and said it was intended to embarrass the governor. "Simply put, it's classic yellow journalism," Sparks said.

Massey's story quoted Sparks as saying Richardson had reimbursed or would reimburse the fund for some purchases, such as newspapers and coffee. However, Sparks refused to show AP proof of the reimbursements, Aicher said. (Full story: www.santafenewmexican.com)

"Yellow journalism?" Wonder how the AP boys in New York and D.C. feel about that? This is the latest in a series of pieces from the AP's Massey that has jarred the Guv's staff. The most recent was how he paid for a trip to a meeting in Reno. At first Big Bill refused to say, but the pressure was too great and out came the details. The bottom line in the report above is that the Guv refuses to show proof of the reimbursements, but insists the story is over the line. Fellas, you can't have it both ways. EVERYTHING you do in connection with his public office is going to be under scrutiny. Could not the Guv simply have said the Legislature needs to detail just what he can spend the money on, and meanwhile he's spending it on items he believes fits in with what the law intended? Or is somebody looking for a fight?

Bottom Line: There's a new trend in New Mexico politics: skepticism of Big Bill from the Legislature and the press. Will the public follow? Forget about the "honeymoon" being over, if this keeps up we're headed for divorce court. Someone needs to stop the bleeding on the Fourth Floor of the not so merry Roundhouse.

Brian Sanderoff of Research and Polling reports in the Abq Journal that the proposed unification of ABQ with Bernalillo County is headed for the ash heap. Only 32% approved of the idea with 48% disapproving, 16% undecided and 4% not saying. Sample: 600 likely voters with a margin of error of 4%. Brian did not make a specific prediction in the paper, but for readers of this web site he
e mailed with the forecast that unification will go down by at least 15%.

Political observers are not surprised. Support for the measure has even been tepid among supporters. No one ever did tell taxpayers how it would save them money and that was really the death knell.

The mail-in vote ends Tuesday. Expect a lot of a political announcements for the County Commission now that this appears over. And look for State Rep. James Taylor of the South Valley to try to kill the provision in state law that says the unification must be voted on again in one year if Tuesday's vote does indeed fail.

Brian Sanderoff, President of highly-regarded Research and Polling, Inc., tells "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that he has been in the field this week and will report his exclusive poll results on the controversial unification election in Sunday's editions of the ABQ Journal. http://abqjournal.com/ Brian said this poll has presented special challenges because it is a mail-in ballot. "We have to ask the person we poll if they received a ballot, whether they filled it out and mailed it, or whether they are likely or not likely to vote and mail it in. The election concludes November 4 and I asked Brian if his poll could be likened to an exit poll since many of those he will interview will already have voted. "To some extent, yes. However, I would not compare it to the accuracy of exit polls. A good portion of the sample will be of those who have already voted, but not all." Brian and I kicked around the numbers, looked at a 1999 city mail-in election and the return of ballots so far and concluded turnout for the election has a decent chance of attracting over 30% of registered voters, but not a whole lot more.

Brian's record is hard to match in the polling business and he is rightfully proud of getting it right. Republican Roswell State Senator Rod Adair e mailed me recently charging that Brian had botched the polling over state constitutional amendment two which narrowly passed last month. The poll had the amendment passing with 55% of the vote, but it barely won. Adair called that a miss. But Brian points out: "It did pass. The poll was taken several weeks before the election, and I said then if the campaign heated up in the last few days it could be close. That's what happened." Sanderoff was candid saying he would like to have been closer and also would have liked a larger polling sample in that special election. Rod is a polling expert, but also a hard-hitting partisan. Brian better keep up the good work. If he gets one wrong, Rod will never let him live it down.

The sampling for the unification poll is large and Sanderoff is again working overtime to get it right. I asked him in his role as a veteran political analyst if he thought the measure would have a tough time passing. He said he did. I agree because the election has been marked by unprecedented confusion.

Research and Polling is not a political polling firm. It does most of its business with major corporations throughout the southwest. But Sanderoff's first love is politics. He even had a political career long ago. When we were classmates at the University of New Mexico in the 1970's he was elected Attorney General of the student government. But since he won't tell me what that Sunday poll will show, I won't tell how I voted in that race!

KOAT--HIDING DIANNE ANDERSON?

I say hiding because last night in one of the rare times the veteran anchorwoman was shown off the anchor chair, she knocked the ball out of the park with a high-powered interview with Esther Beckley, one of the perpetrators of the notorious Albuquerque Hollywood Video murders of 1996. Five died in the terrible crime that rocked the political and criminal justice system. It was absorbing television, not glorifying the interviewee, but getting real insight into this heinous crime. In the jailhouse interview, Beckley cracked under Anderson's soft, but probing manner.

Asked by Anderson why she pleaded guilty when she claims it was her accomplice who actually pulled the trigger, Beckley paused, choked up and sighed: "Because I am." Hearing that hit hard for all who mourned for Albuquerque that terrible day.

If KOAT is looking for an edge over its noteworthy rivals they may want to get Dianne away from the teleprompter more often and keep her interview chair warm. By the way, Anderson comes from a media family. Her father was in the radio business in Missouri.

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