New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan

Dear Friends,

The guns of La Politica finally fall silent after a year of roaring loudly across our Enchanted Land. Each campaign seems to get rougher and more personal. Yet each year the Christmas season seems to put salve on the wounds and remind us that our political wars are temporary and what really matters in life can not be condensed into a 30 second sound bite or a legislative hearing.

There's no place like ancient New Mexico to humble even the most ego driven politico. Its long history reminds us that we are just passing thru here for a brief time; that the troubles of life will continue into the generations to follow, but so will the joys. If we are lucky, perhaps we can have a small part in making a dent in some of those troubles and bringing a bit of joy to those we share life with and those who will follow us.

Thanks for sharing some of your time with me this past year. And thanks to all my sponsors for helping me to bring you these words. It has been an amazing ride. And what will 2005 bring? The unexpected for sure. I look forward to being with you as we continue to chronicle the never ending saga of New Mexican politics.

Back here next year. Meanwhile, here's my
Christmas card to you and a link to track Santa's Christmas Eve ride.

Merry Christmas,
Joe

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Traversing the sleet impaired streets of ABQ's NE Heights last night, I found myself seeking shelter and female companionship. What to do? No, not that. But I did turn into a jammed cul de sac and slipped into the packed Christmas party of GOP State Senator Diane Snyder. Before I could say "Big Bill," I was embedded in Diane's homey kitchen with a bevy of NM's top female political power players. Life could be worse.

The atmosphere wasn't hurt by the fact that Snyder was also celebrating her senate re-election victory over a candidate backed by the Guv. This group of gals know how to play as well as party.

Ann Conway, outgoing Prez of the ABQ Bar Association and lobbyist for insurance concerns, told us her battle will continue in the January legislature. The already petite attorney joked: "I've lost four inches after being hammered the past few years by the trial lawyers." Get ready for more Ann. Lawyers Michael Sanchez and Kenny Martinez are your new playmates.

I doubt if she will get much help from ABQ liberal Dem North Valley State Senator Dede Feldman, but Dede nodded with understanding at Ann's tale, perhaps recalling her own battles with the D leadership when she asserted her independence as she often does.

ABQ City Councilor Tina Cummins won't have to assert, never mind exert, to get re-elected to her far NE Heights seat. I chatted her up over a batch of barbecued meatballs and was told not to count her out, as many are, from another council bid. Tina is not happy that she can't get much passed thru the lean-liberal council, but her district has always liked a conservative voice that says no. So why not say yes to another go?

Tina's twin, ABQ Councilor Sally Mayer, was also in on the kitchen klatch. She has two opponents for 05', but neither is well-known and if Sally gets in a run-off with the Dem she is a near-sure winner, so let it snow.

PARTY BLOGGING

Veteran ABQ attorney Dave Campbell, who has dabbled in politics, ruled out any run for mayor in 05.' But he did have news of a long ago 'His Honor.' He reported Louis Saavedra, ABQ Alcalde from 89-93, is enjoying life "playing golf and being with his grandchildren." Campbell is the go-to guy for the business A list dealing with City Hall. His wife, Shelly, is noticeably more stable and leads Comanche Elementary School where former NM resident and Arizona Guv Napolitano helped celebrate the schools 40th anniversary last year.

After doing the dishing in the kitchen, we headed into the far reaches of the Snyder spread where even more lady politicos were holding court. State Rep-elect Kathy McCoy of the East Mountains, worried about fire danger, will work on legislation to address the concern. But I told her the real danger for a newly elected female legislator is single State Senator James Taylor. I think she appreciated the tip.

Also newly elected to the state house and partying on was young Justine Fox-Young, but I did not recognize her, having only argued with her via e mail the past year. But bigger thrills await her as she faces off with Big Bill. Oh well, can't we still be friends?

Moving on, I convinced Carol Wight, top exec at the NM Restaurant Association, to join me in filling her plate at the buffet so as to not make me stand out as the free food moocher I am. Freshly refueled, I slipped into the testosterone section where State Senators Kent Cravens, Joe Carraro and Bill Payne held forth, along with State Rep-elect Jimmie Hall who is taking over Rory Ogle's house seat and lobbyist Bruce Donisthorpe.

Senator Payne told me he was happy just because he had stayed off this blog for a year. Well, all good things must end Bill.

As must our trip around the political party circuit.

As I stepped back into snowy climes of our big city last night I thought of all that I learned this holiday season. One thing stood out. When entertaining politicos, always put the expensive booze on display in a back room where it's hard to get at. Ah, La Politica. The gift that keeps on giving.

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Associates and those in the know expect to spot an independent streak in new state senate majority leader Michael Sanchez when he assumes his power position in mid-January. "He is a bright guy who will put together his own staff and will not take all his signals from the Fourth Floor," analyzed one Dem party insider. Dem Sanchez, an attorney and brother of former NM House Speaker Raymond Sanchez, was not the first pick of Big Bill for the job. But then critics assert the Guv should have nothing to do anyway with who gets leadership posts in the independent legislative branch. Some Santa Fe alligators are saying Light Guv Diane Denish was in on the Sanchez win late in the game when Big Bill's horse, Sen. Phil Griego, faltered in the stretch.

During the holidays the scurrying will continue over who will lead the key senate and house committees. Senate Finance is being vacated by legend Ben Altimirano who will will become President Pro Tem. John Arthur Smith of Deming and Pete Campos of Las Vegas are said to be two serious contenders who will lobby Altimirano and Sanchez, among others, to lead the most powerful of that chamber's panels.

DEMS GET IT ALL?

And talk of a GOP-Dem coalition once again in the state senate is dying down. Richard Romero who did the deed with the R's is now gone and, according to insiders, the will just does not seem to be there. Manny Aragon is also gone and it was his personality and power that prompted the latest bout of NM coalition politics. If Altimirano and Sanchez run the senate without the R's it will be good news for Big Bill. How does it look for a guy who is running for Prez not to have his own party handling and holding on to power? He inherited the Manny-Richard thing, but it's his watch now and coalition politics do not send a signal of gubernatorial strength to Dems nationally. Of course, something crazy could happen to revive the coalition and that's what will keep us all paying attention when the solons reconvene.

MAYOR SANCHEZ?

Another Sanchez, John Sanchez of Los Ranchos, is apparently building a home inside the city of ABQ limits, according to friends. That means the speculation about John seeking the ABQ's Mayor's office in 05' will heat up again. But what about a nice fat federal job to fill out Sanchez's thin resume? Don't count the 02' GOP Guv candidate out. White House political guru Karl Rove has always taken an interest in the ABQ North Valley roofer and onetime state rep.

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Who says you gotta be 20 something to party and politick? The 50 something crowd at Kurt and Barbara Lohbeck's annual bash in the ABQ NE Heights Sunday were no slouches in either department as politicos jammed shoulder to shoulder with artists and assorted hanger's on to assess the year gone by and give the latest lowdown in La Politica.

ABQ city attorney and condemner of old buildings, Pete Dinelli, was on his way out the door while we were coming in but left word that his boss, ABQ Mayor Marty, "drew an impressive crowd" of volunteers at a weekend get together where the Mayor said he is running, but not yet ready to officially say he's running. The couple hundred Marty drew matches ABQ Councilor Griego who threw his hat into the 05' ring last weekend.

Over near the dessert trays, former Guv's Jerry Apodaca and Dave Cargo chewed over Big Bill's future Prez plans. Jerry and Dave both said they expect to see Bill run and if he does he will apparently be whisked around in a million dollar motor home owned by none other than Friend of Bill's and major Santa Fe lobbyist Butch Maki. A million dollar motor home? What is in that thing? Anyway, if it's not a million bucks it certainly will be enough to get thru the snows of Iowa and New Hampshire if that's where the road leads in 2008.

STATE OF THE PARTY

Big business R Tom Tinnin bent our ear over the state of the NM GOP and we found ourselves nodding in agreement over the egg nog. He said the party needs to come out swinging on the major issues of the day---like Shirley Baca's love affair with pot and Big Bill's spending spree. "What's an opposition party for?" He wondered while looking at the winter wonderland laid out by the Lohbeck's.

Tinnin agreed the R's have no big name to run against the Big Fella in 06' and he doesn't expect that to change much by next year's party.

30 something Greg Payne was spotted paying respects to his party elders, including former Congressman and Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan. Payne let drop the news that he has started his own blog so he "won't be filtered anymore by the mainstream media." The new state rep will soon see how the river runs when Big Bill is paddling the canoe when the legislative term begins in January.

Overall, this R dominated late season soiree was highly celebratory with the likes of former ABQ first lady Carol Kinney and others lifting their glasses cheerily for four more years of Bush. And they weren't even filled with prune juice. Take that you young whippersnappers.

ABQ FROM THE OUTSIDE

The state's largest city comes out just fine, "mighty fine," as former Guv Bruce King might say, in this recent travel write-up on the Duke City in the the New York Times. Learn the latest hotspots from the eyes of an outsider (subscription required)

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Ahrens
I know. I am not supposed to be here. But as they said in Godfather III: "Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in." And when New Mexico's dominant radio personality leaves the microphone after a quarter century it's enough to get me to stop whining and start writing, so here is the exclusive, behind-the-scenes story on the departure of KKOB-AM radio legend Larry Ahrens as reported by the top media Alligators.

First the facts. Larry is off the 50,000 watt powerhouse, 770 KKOB-AM, effective today. He is 54 and was behind the morning mike for 24 years and nine months. He will go to work soon for the AGM radio group in Albuquerque doing a morning talk show. He will not replace morning oldies legend Bobby Box on KABG-FM. He will be on another AGM station.

Now, the inside story. "Joe, this one was about money. Larry was pulling down $140,000 a year plus thousands more in extras. He wanted a base salary north of the $160,000 the station offered and management balked. That's a huge sum for a personality in a market that ranks 71st in the nation. Why Larry is leaving has a lot of people baffled," said a top media insider close to the situation.

Ahrens, speaking to me from his ABQ NE Heights home just after KOB-TV broke the news of his departure, said he believes two other radio morning personalities in the market were making more than him and that he wanted to get as much as them. "I just wanted a level playing field. I did have the number one show." He offered.

But other media hounds maintained Larry was already top dog and may regret leaving KKOB, a part of the New Mexico fabric for 80 years. "It will be tough for him to take any sponsors to his new station. It will not have the power, prestige or reach that KKOB gave him," analyzed another media executive.

Other speculators said the Ahrens vacancy will give KKOB an opportunity to hire a younger host who might be able to attract a similarly aged audience. "If KKOB is smart they will hire a guy in his 30's, the same age Larry was when he took over. They are skewing old and it is costing them money," said a veteran media player.

THE AHRENS ERA

All the media mavens, including Ahrens, agreed that his leaving will not have a big impact on the ratings of the #1 station. "I do not anticipate their demise and I don't wish it," Ahrens said. "I had a good, professional relationship but now it is time for a new direction.

Ahrens went the right-wing way in recent years and even made a run for governor. One analyst said that hurt him. "When Larry left to run for governor for several months, the ratings did not go down. That confirmed to management that they could live without him," recalled our media exec.

Larry's longevity was remarkable in a business notorious for its instability. But he is nothing if not one of the most cordial personalities you will ever meet, with a knack at putting his audience at ease and a calmness that has served New Mexico well through decades of covering crisis after crisis. Because he is going to a rival radio group, he will not be permitted to say a formal farwell over the airwaves he dominated for so many years. But he wanted to let all of those who read this know that he is grateful for their support and loyalty.

And so ends another chapter in the never-ending march of La Politica. The dogs will bark, the kids will yell but the caravan, as always, will move on.

FINAL NOTE

I reported yesterday that Bennie Aragon, former state rep and father of Margaret Chavez, ex-wife of Mayor Marty, has a consulting contract with the state fair (Expo NM). An in the know reader writes that Bennie, who led Big Bill’s election effort in the ABQ South Valley, has been at Expo NM since Spring/Summer of 2003.

I am really out of here now, at least for the weekend. Thanks for visiting. It's a pleasure to have you. Back here Monday.

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Hey it's almost Christmas. Don't these political and media junkies take a break? Not a chance. The news just keeps flowing in from the Alligators who are postponing their shopping to get it all in. I am dying to take a vacation, instead I'm on a sleigh ride across La Politica.

First up: The shocker that former First Lady Margaret Chavez is reportedly signing up with Big Bill. You read it right. The energetic Margaret and former school teacher is telling friends that she is in line for a post with the Children, Youth and Families Department as a community services manager in ABQ. Margaret has been a successful real estate agent. The new post would be full-time. She is now headed into the orbit of Big Bill who also has had his share of sparks with Margaret's ex, Mayor Marty.

In fact, all kinds of conspiracy theories are starting to bubble forth with some Gators claiming that retired ABQ banker Larry Willard, a former Big Bill appointee to the UNM Board of Regents, may seek the Mayor's slot and get the backing of the Big Guy!

Also from deep in the legendary ABQ Valley word comes that Margaret's father, former State Rep. Bennie Aragon has landed a plum consulting contract with the State Fair (or did I report that earlier?) In any event, the passion play of ABQ politics is definitely heating up as we head into mayoral Campaign 05'.

HEADHUNTING HEATHER

And how about another stunner? OK. Get this from "The Hill" newspaper in D.C. "Furious that Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) voted with Democrats on a controversial bill, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) is pushing to get her removed from his powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

On Sept. 30, nearly five weeks before Election Day, Wilson was the only Republican committee member to vote for a motion that would have forced the Bush administration to release internal cost estimates of the Medicare prescription-drug law. Democrats repeatedly criticized the administration this year for not revealing its cost assumptions on the Medicare bill until after it was signed into law. The House Steering Committee will finalize all committee decisions in January.

As committee chairman, Barton will have a significant say in the makeup of his panel, but he will need to convince House Republican leaders to remove Wilson from the Energy and Commerce Committee."

Wow. Heather has raised a ton of campaign money by virtue of her position on the committee, which handles heavyweight legislation impacting major industries. She showed a streak of independence because of her stiff challenge from Richard Romero. Dems say she was faking it. But if she gets kicked off the big energy and commerce post, they will have to rethink their premise. Remember when Heather said during the campaign that some Dems had asked her to consider switching parities?? Maybe she wasn't kidding.

DISHING OVER DIANNE

Media insiders are reacting to our report on the departure of veteran KOAT-TV news anchor Dianne Anderson. They are also shedding new light on just what happened between the comely news reader and station management. "Joe, Dianne is not leaving because of bad ratings," flatly declared one of the insiders. "She wanted to spend more time with her family and asked the station to let her anchor only the ten o'clock news ad she would take a fifty per cent pay cut." They would not go for it and that was the end."

Media watchers speculated here that Anderson was let go after 15 years because of 7's slip into third place in the all-important 10 p.m. news ratings. Did they have it wrong? There may be a bit of truth in both versions. Dianne wanted to anchor just one newscast, probably an unprecedented move in a top 50 TV market. But if KOAT was a dominant number one at 10 p.m., as they were in the 90's, they just might have gone for it. Anderson has nothing to be ashamed of even if ratings played a role in her departure. She had a great ride and leaves with a lot of community goodwill. That's better than a lot of politicians finish.

I'M DONE FOR THE WEEK

Forget it. Between other business and you political addicts, I am beat. You get no more from me until next week, and then I am taking a XMAS break. I don't care if Shirley Baca is found in the arms of Judge Brennan making mad passionate love amid a heap of coke and weed, we are slowing this sleigh ride down for the holidays. Yeah, I dig you too.

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The worst thing about ABQ City Councilor Eric Griego's Sunday mayoral announcement at the Downtown La Posada was when the buffet line ran out of food early. I got stuck in the back with Councilor Martin Heinrich and by the time we got to the front we were reduced to eating bottom-of-the barrel tortilla chips with a drip of salsa. But it wasn't a total waste as Heinrich bent my ear, and I his, on the latest environmental battles in NM that are dear to his liberal heart.

The best thing about the Griego announcement was its length. He actually kept it manageable, about 25 minutes. A few years ago when I interviewed him on Election Night on KANW-FM he literally spoke for five minutes straight without coming up for air.

Eric's toss of the hat into the ring drew a respectable crowd of a couple of hundred and did much to knock down the spin that he is a "two percenter" in next year's mayoral battle. But right now it may be a bit of a stretch to say he is going to be a 30 percenter as noted Dem brain John Daniel is contending.

(The ABQ Trib's Shea Andersen put a up a piece quoting your "irrepressible" blogger on how he sees the race. Read all about it.)

One insider said Griego's biggest strength is his appeal to liberal Dems and enviros. His weakest is his resume, which our Alligator dubbed "thin." The 30 something Griego will energize the race for sure, but 50 something Mayor Marty is no slouch either. He just hit the mailboxes across town with hundreds of Xmas cards and is getting ready for a full court press. Chavez is also better financed which I hope means the taco meat at his announcement bash is more plentiful. Come to think of it, with his kind of dough how about carne adovada?

DIANNE'S DEPARTURE

The news that veteran KOAT-TV anchor Dianne Anderson is leaving the ABC affiliate did not exactly shock the insider media types. They immediately knocked down the official line that she was leaving to spend more time with her family, instead citing the third place ranking of Channel 7's 10 p.m. news in the important November ratings as the main reason for her swan song.

They say a combination of events has contributed to the long slide of the onetime NM TV ratings king; budget restraints by the new owners, the loss of news anchor Nelson Martinez (now at KOB-TV) and the retirement several years ago of legendary NM weatherman Howard Morgan. The news gathering abilities of 7 remain strong, but TV news being what it is personalities are the driving force. 7 also lost some key reporters, such as Larry Barker, to 13, and the Anderson-Doug Fernandez team just did not seem to click.

7 is the only major station here with a native New Mexican, Mary Lynn Roper, running the show. But the advantages of local knowledge have faded as all three stations are swept up in an all-crime, all-the-time format. In that competition, it's anyone's game. As for Dianne, her 15 years at the anchor desk will be best remembered for her involvement in advancing family issues and for letting New Mexicans know there is a wardrobe beyond jeans and sneakers.

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GOP Chair Weh
The failure of the NM Republican Party to make hay over the pot possession bust of NM PUblic Regulation Commissioner Shirley Baca has the Alligators out and biting hard. But since ex-GOP Gov. Gary came out for pot legalization you have had a conflicted party that is seemingly unable to take advantage of even the slow pitches thrown across its plate.

One top level R fires away in this email: "Party chair Allen Weh and (top stafffer) Greg Graves are asleep at the wheel. It's incredible that they can't bring themselves to write up and distribute a call for Shirley's resignation. Greg and the Colonel seem more concerned about getting furniture and computers for their offices, than doing their job. They are missing opportunity after opportunity."

Meanwhile, it was up to state Dem Party Chair John Wertheim to call for Shirley to call it quits, one-upping his Republican counterpart and giving the D's political cover. Why is this? Well, the fact that many high-level Republicans got involved advocating legalizing drugs in the Johnson years is a big reason. Some of them received money from liberal Dem and billionaire George Soros to advocate the cause.

Then there is the aftermath of the ouster of Ramsay Gorham as party chair and the installation of Weh, a well-regarded businessman, but not one known for engaging in the rough and tumble world of politics ala Wertheim. The GOP harps about being the minority party in New Mexico. They made strides under ex-chair Dendahl and then gave it all away with the bizarre advocacy of legalized drugs and gambling.

The Baca incident and the failure to respond in a timely and aggressive fashion shows how the past continues to haunt the party's present. And that suits Big Bill and Mr. Wertheim just fine.

POUNDS AWAY

ABQ City Councilor Sally Mayer figures her figure will come out a winner no matter what happens in her re-election bid for the council next year. "I am looking forward to the campaign because I know I will lose 30 pounds going door-to-door," said the GOP lawmaker as she shared a gooey, strawberry laced dessert with a friend at a downtown lunch spot last week.

Marianne Dickinson, a community activist, Dem and supporter of Councilor Eric Griego's mayoral bid, is the only announced candidate against Mayer, but Republican Wayne Johnson also is weighing a bid. For Sally, more challengers probably means she will get even lighter on her feet. Not that she needs too, of course.

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Party Animals
Careening thru downtown ABQ Saturday night, I was trying to put politics out of my addicted mind for a few hours, but like a moth to flame I found myself soberly stumbling into the annual holiday bash thrown by the hip 20 and 30 something's that make up the DW Turner PR agency. The gang was all there sipping on apple martinis and putting a welcome Generation X spin on the aberration known as New Mexico La Politica.

Old warhorses like KKOB's Larry Ahrens, KRQE-TV's Gerges Scott, GOP Boss Ken Zangara, R power players Mickey Barnett and Anna Muller and yours truly did our best to keep up with what Larry's wife, Susan, aptly dubbed "the new youthful energy" in the state's largest city.

X'er Doug Turner, who tutored under Governor Gary, brought in the eye candy as well as the politicos; black cocktail dresses on Central Avenue and no one was arrested. I was the only lawbreaker in the crowd, awarded a ten buck traffic ticket for illegal parking. But I picked up enough insider info to justify the expense.

One young Alligator (no, not Greg Payne who was there eyeballing but not highballing) tried this one on me: Shirley Baca resigns her post on the Public Regulation Commission because of her pot bust and Big Bill appoints a state legislator from a multi-county district to replace her. Why? Because then Bill would get to name the new state legislator from that district as well. "It would be a twofer" argued the Gator as he urged Shirley to get rid of the glass pipe and get into Zig-Zag papers.

As for Big Bill, he sent his regrets to Doug saying he does not like to leave Santa Fe on Saturday nights. He parties on the other six.

Back on the record, TV 13 news exec Gerges Scott said there will be no resting on laurels now that longtime last place 13 is the new #1 in the 10 p.m. news ratings. "We'll take two weeks to celebrate and then work to protect the lead." That sounded fine to elegant 13'er and X'er Katy Zachary, who sipped the night away.

YOUTH MUST BE SERVED

Early 30's Dem ABQ State Rep. Al Park, already a prime possible for Attorney General in 06', said he almost nixed the holiday soiree because he was falling asleep in front of the tube like a baby boomer, but his girl came to the rescue and forced him to act his age.

The young and always aggressive and always on Shea Andersen of the ABQ Trib fielded cell phone calls while revealing that he will blog the Legislature next session. "Can I just cut and paste yours, Joe? Hey, what else is new Shea?

Terry Brunner, Senator Bingaman's state director and a youthful and hopeless political junkie, accepted accolades on behalf of Jeff from the Dem portion of the partygoers. Are you running for something, Terry?

Back in oldtimer land, radio's Ahrens told me he will have the lowdown on his KKOB future "very soon." That's good because his contract expires at the end of this month. And "Ambassador" Ken Zangara said if the Prez does tap him for an international post he hopes its better than Belize. (Only joking Mr. Prez) Beyond that, Zangara was scouring the crowd for a GOP candidate for governor and even one for ABQ Mayor. He had better luck securing the cupcakes they were passing around (Not those kind of cupcakes, fellas. The ones you bake)

But then it was time to go as DJ Eldon started to crank up some far-out vinyl, which, like the evening, signaled the coming changing of the guard. Dude, we are ready for that.

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Pamela Anderson
The charms of actress Pamela Anderson are not working their magic on Big Bill. Pressure from Pam and other Hollywood liberals to have the Guv back a ban on the age-old tradition of NM cockfighting has him slapping back hard. In today's New York Times (registration required) the Guv says:

"I'm officially undecided on the issue, but I don't believe it merits the attention it's received," Governor Richardson said in an interview. "Every time it's introduced it distracts from pressing issues like access to health care or drunk-driving fatalities, serious problems affecting our population."

"But it goes beyond distraction sometimes," he said. "Some of the implied threats coming from these Hollywood personalities are condescending and insulting."

Measures to ban the controversial sport have been repeatedly laid to rest in Santa Fe. Only NM and Louisiana now allow cockfighting, making us a juicy target. Another ban will be proposed next month. ABQ Mayor Chavez split with the Fourth Floor and has signed on with Hollywood. NM is just one of two states allowing cockfights. An estimated 10,000 New Mexicans train gamecocks, not many of them in the Big Duke City.

For the Guv, staying on the fence may make political sense as he runs statewide in 06'. For his national ambitions it gets a little tricky as Hollywood and animal rights groups are sure to continue to put the heat on as the Guv moves to broaden his national image.

FLYING HIGH

Just when you think the world of La Politica would fall silent for the holidays NM Public Regulation Commissioner Shirley Baca comes to the rescue, getting herself busted for pot possession as she was about to board a plane at ABQ International Wednesday morning. Baby boomer Baca, 53, apparently likes her pot strong; she was busted with about an ounce and a glass pipe. Hey, what happened to rolling papers?

Shirley described herself as an occasional weed user, but denied the pot was hers. The usual political hypocrisy accompanied this bust of a state politico. Baca is an advocate of a "no tolerance" policy for drug use by state employees. That sounds familiar, doesn't it Judge Brennan and Joe Thompson?

What happens now? Well, it's not a felony. Baca could resign out of shame (is there any of that left in these parts?) or, even more unlikely, as KRQE-TV's Jessica Garate reminded us last night, Baca could be impeached by the Legislature.

The PRC has been an ethical nightmare since its inception. GOP Commissioner David King, who is facing yet another sexual harassment charge form a state employee, was quick to pile on reminding everyone of Baca's no-tolerance policy. Talk about the kettle calling the pot black!

REGULATE THE REGULATORS

The whole commission needs a rinse job. State GOP leader Ted Hobbs has been a lonely voice in calling for starting from scratch in remaking this wacky panel. If any good at call comes out of Shirley's bust, it would be for more lawmakers to sign on with Hobbs.

And in a little twist of irony, Congressman Steve Pearce reported this week that the bill honoring Joe Skeen's life of service to New Mexico was passed in the U.S. Senate and sent to the President to be signed into law. The legislation designates the Federal Building at Fifth and Richardson Avenues in Roswell as the "Joe Skeen Federal Building."

Skeen, who passed away a year ago, served 22 years in the U.S. House. It was none other than Shirley Baca who twice ran against the popular Skeen who must be having a chuckle right now, along with a vice more common to his generation: a shot of scotch (without the car keys).

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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ALBUQUERQUE (AP) -A member of the powerful state Public Regulation Commission who
advocated zero tolerance on drugs and alcohol in the PRC workplace has been arrested
on drug charges. E. Shirley Baca, 53, of Las Cruces, was taken into custody shortly
after 7 a.m. Wednesday at Albuquerque's international airport. She was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John Roberts, deputy chief of Albuquerque Aviation Police, told The
Associated Press that the controlled substance was marijuana. Baca's bond was set at $1,000, and she bonded out by early afternoon, jail officials said. Fellow Commissioner David King said he was stunned when told by the AP that Baca had been arrested. "I know that she was one of the advocates to have zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol" at the PRC, King said. She advocated immediate dismissal
of any PRC employee when it comes to drugs or alcohol, he said.


"We have a lot of sensitive positions here. We just can't tolerate that (drugs and alcohol). I think that, as commissioners, we have to set a strong example," King said.

Baca was scheduled to take a Wednesday flight to New York City to participate in an investment conference, King said. A message left seeking comment at Baca's Santa Fe office was notimmediately returned. Baca's secretary, Jesse Ramirez, was surprised to learn of Baca's arrest but said she could not comment further. Baca, a Democrat, was elected in 2002 for a four-year term to the five-member PRC, which oversees electricity and gas rates, insurance, pipelines, telecommunications, fire districts and transportation in New
Mexico.

Commissioner Lynda Lovejoy said the news came as a big surprise. "I'm going to refrain from passing any judgment because I really don'tknow all the details," Lovejoy said. Patrick Baca, commission chief of staff, declined comment.

Baca's arrest is the latest in a series of embarrassing busts for high-profile officials in New Mexico. John Brennan, former chief state district judge in Bernalillo County, was arrested in May after trying to duck a checkpoint for drunken drivers. He pleaded guilty to aggravated driving while intoxicated and cocaine possession and was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation.Rep. Joe Thompson, R-Albuquerque, in April pleaded guilty to drunken driving after he was stopped by Albuquerque police. Arthur Salazar, associate superintendent of schools in Espanola,pleaded guilty in October 2003 to a DWI charge after his car struck a house,
garage and fence. He was sentenced to three days in jail.

E. Shirley Baca was a state representative from 1993 to 1996. She also made unsuccessful bids against the late Joe Skeen for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 1996 and 1998.

The New Mexico Green Party, for a time a force on the state political scene, seems to be a shell of its former self. The party is about to lose its "major party' status as it had no candidate win five percent of the statewide vote in the recent election, Some Greenies, reports the ABQ Trib's Shea Andersen, are pinning their hopes on their Bernalillo County clerk candidate, Steve Cabiedes, who got around 17% of the votes cast in his race. They said that amounts to 5% statewide, thus the Green's could retain major party status. But Cabiedes says even if you accept that logic, he is still a few hundred votes short of the 5%, and the recount will not change that.

Losing the major party label is mostly a loss of prestige and the right to hold primary elections. Cabiedes, a political junkie who has contributed analysis to our blog, told me he sees the party as dormant when it comes to the NM 06' Guv's race where the party has made its biggest splashes in recent years. "No one is talking about it right now," he reports.

However, Cabiedes predicted that if it looks as if Big Bill will have an easy time at re-election, the Greens could come up with a candidate as they did in 02. "The stronger the Governor looks, the better our chance of picking up Green votes since folks are not as concerned that they will be hurting one of the major parties." He analyzed. The decline of the Greens is yet anther sign of the exhaustion among the left in the wake of the Bush victory.

THE BIG YAWN?

Meanwhile, insider sources at the very top of the Dem Party food chain are as baffled as the rest of us as to who will emerge from the GOP to take on the uphill task of challenging Big Bill in 06'. The Guv fired the opening shot Monday saying he will seek the job again, but his backers see no big name opposition on the horizon. When pressed they name John Sanchez, restaurant owner Ed Tinsley and even hard-right conservative State Rep. Dan Foley. It would seem the main threat to the Big Guy at this point is boredom.

ROLLED, NOT FLAT, PLEASE

Can a catchy title make a bill catch fire at the Roundhouse? The New Mexico Restaurant Association is giving it the college try with one dubbed,"The right To Eat Enchiladas" bill. The measure aims to do away with legal threats to restaurant owners who serve high fat food to fat folk. "Frivolous obesity suits" is the specific target. Not a bad name, but maybe the association should rename its effort "The Right to Eat Pork" bill. Lawmakers would put that one through on a voice vote.

FUNNY FUNERAL

Finally, from our email bag comes word that they are even playing politics at funerals these days. A woman, eulogizing her late father in ABQ, gets up and tells the congregation her late dad's favorite saying was: "If you can't say something nice about somebody, you must be talking about Hillary Clinton." The attendees chuckled, but Hillary gets the last laugh. The dearly departed won't get to vote against her.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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If there's anything a politico like Big Bill hates to be called it's "lame-duck." He went to work Monday to banish that phrase from the realm of La Politica when he told an ABQ Chamber of Commerce crowd that he is definitely seeking re-election in 06.' No jaws dropped and there were no audible gasps. The "news" that our Guv was running for re-election was about as surprising as watching paint dry. One wag wondered whether Bill had called Sen. Jeff and received word that he is a go for 06' and for Bill not to trouble himself with that quite unlikely senate vacancy.

But what really focused political eyes was how he tied his announcement to the upcoming 60 day legislative session: "This next legislative session is the most important I have had because it is the last 60-day session before I will run for re-election, which I intend to do," declared Big Bill.

Was there an implied threat to lawmakers who might not have the Guv's agenda in mind? Threat might be too strong a word, but the Guv was highly active in this year's legislative campaigns and by tying his re-elect plans to the legislative action he seemed to be killing two birds with one stone: "I am not a lame-duck" and "If necessary, I will be around for pay back on the campaign trail."

What he said on the surface also rings true. He wants most of his agenda implemented in this session so he will have a nice fat platform to run on. The Big Bill prestige meter took a dip when Kerry lost NM and the Alligators started talk of harpooning and then beaching the Big Guy at the Roundhouse. He let it be known Monday that he still prefers to do the targeting.

SLUMMING WITH THE CHAMBER

I spoke about NM politics to an informed audience at one of those Chamber seminars Monday, along with top NM lobbyist Scott Scanland. The speculation there was more about Big Bill's Prez plans than his Guv duties. How will those plans shade his legislative efforts over the next couple of years? Inquiring minds will want to know.

Also on hand at the Chamber confab was a piece of NM history, Used-To-Be- House Speaker Raymond Sanchez who, appropriately enough, tutored the attendees on "The History of New Mexico Politics." Raymond is getting his thrills the vicarious way these days: watching his new Senate Majority leader brother Michael Sanchez. The Guv has been known to work Michael thru Raymond (how shocking!) who is now NM Democratic National Committeeman. But now that Michael is a Really Big Brother you wonder who will be working whom? Or is it whom will be working who? Well, either way it adds up to the art of the deal.

I am off hunting Alligators in Santa Fe today. If you see me on the Plaza looking disoriented and reading the Legislative bill digest from last year, don't let on. I will attempt to report on my activities, unless sworn to secrecy by a cult of wayward Penitentes passing out re-elect pamphlets for the Guv.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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Zangara
Bill Clinton had Ed Romero. Will George W. Bush have Ken Zangara? That's the question going around in the NM GOP as the White House begins divvying up the spoils of its election victory. No one has done more for Bush in NM than car dealer Zangara, who has raised and given thousands of dollars and who also has a good relationship with George and First Lady Laura. Naturally, this all gives rise to the possibility that Zangara, who headed Bush's successful NM campaign, could be in line for an ambassadorship. Zangara fits the profile; a high-dollar giver on good terms with the Prez. NM's Ed Romero raised huge dollars for Clinton and became ambassador to Spain.

THE SKELTON RATTLES

But making Ambassador requires U.S. Senate confirmation and that means a hearing at which Zangara would likely have to deal with this 1992 no contest plea to misdemeanor charges that he defrauded 80 employees of a previous car dealership out of more than $20,000 in wages and benefits. Zangara was put on a three-year probation and ordered to pay the affected workers $73,000 in restitution.

This skeleton in Zangara's closet did not stop the Prez from appointing him to his 2000 Interior Department transition team and inviting him to his Crawford ranch and this year's White House Xmas party. Also, Zangara is widely given credit for making valiant attempts to unify the strife-ridden NM GOP the past year.

Zangara, chair of the Bernalillo County R's, has been a loyal soldier. Now it's up to the Prez to decide whether a posting of international and local prestige is a fitting reward for Zangara who upon being sworn in could say goodbye to that black mark on an otherwise impressive resume.

RESUME POLISHING

And what about Bernalillo County sheriff and Bush county chair Darren White? The young and aggressive White,a former cabinet secretary under Gov. Johnson, previously applied with the Administration for a national posting. Don't be surprised if you see his name pop up on the list of possibles as the line forms for those vacant high-paying political postings in D.C.


CLINT CAN'T COUNT

Count me in when it comes to counting and, if necessary, recounting votes in cliffhanger elections. The AP's Deborah Baker reports that defeated state senate Dem contender Bob Frost is asking for a recount in his race against incumbent Clint Harden who beat Frost by a mere 36 votes in the sprawling east side district. But Baker quotes Harden has saying in response to Frost's request: "Everybody that has been involved with the election is tired. Bush Won. I won. Let's get it over."

Sorry, Clint. It's not over until its over and that means counting every vote. Or I am missing something that has been going over the past 200 and some odd years? Let the recount begin.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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There is no question more crucial in the aftermath of the NM Prez race than what percentage of the Hispanic vote went for Bush. Initial exit polls trumpet the Prez's performance at 44% of this vital group, long part of the D power base. But a second look at the the numbers has the experts second guessing. They're now saying Bush's performance among Hispanics was about 40%. That's still up a bunch from 2000, when he received about 35% of the NM Hispanic ballots in his race against Al Gore. NM political junkies like the ABQ Trib's Shea Andersen, pollsters Brian Sanderoff and Harry Pavlides (and your blogger) have been skeptical of that 44% number from the start. They are more sanguine about the 40%. They say Protestant Hispanics went heavy for Bush and many Catholic Hispanics simply stayed home after Kerry was pasted for his "liberal" social views.

MORE BACKBITING

While the D's can emit a sigh of relief that Bush's number has come down, they still have to be worried that 40% could be the new benchmark for an R Prez candidate here. If it is, New Mexico would be recast as a "lean Republican" state.

The backbiting over the Kerry loss continues here unabated, albeit quietly and behind the scenes. Several emailers are calling for a shake-up at the top of Big Bill's Moving America Forward organization, the political action committee charged with inspiring the Hispanic vote. "Let the heads roll," cried one scribe. That may be tough talk, but probably necessary if the D's are not to be blindsided again with the very voters who are responsible for keeping them in power across our Enchanted Land.

WHAT FLAG IS THAT?

That flag photo accompanying today's lead piece may not look familiar, but it was in our state's early days. From 1912 to 1925 it was the official state flag. Since then the easily recognizable Zia symbol flag has flown proudly.

Have a great weekend and, as always, thanks for tuning in. I look forward to seeing you next week.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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Erika Ruiz
It appears there will be a switch at the top in the hotly contested battle for TV news leadership at 10 p.m. in the ABQ market. Our TV insider reports KRQE-TV, Channel 13, was poised to take the coveted #1 post away from KOB-TV with just one night left to go in the crucial November sweeps.

"The sweeps-to-date averages now have KRQE holding its lead with a projected 19 per cent share, KOB in second with an 18 and KOAT in third with a 14. In order to take over first place, KOB would need to beat KRQE by a huge margin in the 10 p.m. tonight," penned our TV watcher. All told, about 28 per cent of the homes that have TV's in the big ABQ market, which sprawls across the state, are tuned in to one of the big three network affiliates at 10 p.m.

KRQE is the CBS affiliate and was helped in its news ratings by the networks prime time dominance with such shows as "Survivor" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." KOB has narrowly led the crucial 10 p.m. sweeps in recent ratings books. One time ratings king KOAT-TV now languishes in third place at 10, but continues to turn in a strong performance at 6 p.m. TV news dean Dick Knipfing and Erika Ruiz are the lead anchors for KRQE.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Knipfing
Content wise there is not much difference in the three newscasts, with all of them emphasizing crime. But unlike years past when CBS performed strongly, this time the audience is staying around to watch the local news instead of switching over. Knipfing and Ruiz have given KRQE the depth they lacked in the past. At close second KOB, Carla Aragon and Tom Joles are also reliable and credible. KOAT has suffered from budget cuts in recent years and needs a new formula to get back in the game.

LARRY AHRENS UPDATE

Several readers ask about veteran KKOB-AM Radio morning show host Larry Ahrens, reminding me that we had a story months ago detailing Larry's stalled contract talks with station management. At that time Ahrens said he was looking around at other opportunities and told our blog he would let us know his future plans as soon as they were settled. His contract runs until the end of the month. Still no word on his future, but I will check with him in he coming days when he returns from vacation and let you know if the one time GOP Guv candidate will be staying behind the microphones of the big 50,000 watt station where he has been stationed for nearly a quarter century.

BLUE STATE BLUES

Of course, the R's are loving it. They continue to relish their Prez victory. And why not? To the victor go the spoils. Now they are sticking it to the D's with a very funny and creative spoof of "blue state" voters and what they can do to overcome their depression. If you're a Dem and still mad, you may not want to watch. On second thought, it's time to get over it so click away and enjoy.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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Brad Winter
Sources deep on the inside at ABQ'S City Hall say all signs point to Brad Winter returning as City Council President when the nine lawmakers take the vote next Monday. If it happens, it will be a blow to Council VP Eric Griego who hoped to take the lead chair and use it to his advantage in his bid for Mayor. Our tapped in insiders say there was an understanding last year that Griego would assume the top post from westside Councilor Michael Cadigan who won the job with Griego's support. But the fly in the Griego ointment is once again westside Councilor Miguel Gomez, who refused to back Griego for prez last year and is again refusing to give him the nod.

"Cadigan can not go with Griego whose position against the Paseo Del Norte road extension has westsiders seeing red. Cadigan will face a tough re-election bid and if he supports Griego it would cost him votes. Without Gomez and Cadigan, Griego is left out in the cold," analyzed our inside source.

Winter has had the presidency before and tried to be a compromise voice on a then deeply embattled council. Things have been a bit smoother of late, but Winter's asc
ension to the presidency will fuel more speculation that he too will make a run for mayor. "Brad would have a good shot, but he has to make the decision soon. Raising money and putting together an organization takes time," said an R who would like to see the well-liked NE Heights councilor make the run.

IT WILL BE HOT AND HEAVY
Bob Schwartz
There seems to be an air of denial around town that the 2005 Mayor's race will be a quiet affair. Whenever you hear that prepare for the opposite. Big Bill crime advisor Bob Schwartz, who ran second in the Mayoral field in 2001, may again step up to the plate. Because he has a good-paying job, Schwartz supporters say the decision is tougher this time around, but they say it's wishful thinking that Big Bill will keep him out of the race. "Anyone who knows Schwartz knows he has a mind of his own," said one City Hall observer.

The formula in ABQ politics remains the same. If one strong Republican emerges that the party can rally around, look out; that person will be the odds-on favorite. Fortunately for Dem Mayor Chavez that has not happened in a long, long time. But the positioning has just begun. There is no favorite in this race until we see the full field and that may not be known for several more months. Don't say we didn't tell you.

IT'S A CATHOLIC THING

The e-mail continues to pour in on over the NM Catholic Church's role in the NM prez race, Archbishop Sheehan's "alliance" with evangelicals and whether priests were directly politicking against Kerry from the pulpit as one of our correspondents claimed. If they were, one imaginative emailer pointed out a possible, if far-fetched, consequence.

"I thought of a tax implication on your posting about churches and "at least two instances where priests made their views known directly from the pulpit." If a 501(c)(3) does political lobbying, it could mean the loss of their 501(c)(3) status. So, I guess I hope no one gives you the names of a priest who did so... Those IRS guys can be persistent!" Exclaimed our political junkie.

Also casting a wary eye at Catholic politics is liberal ABQ Trib columnist V.B. Price

Thanks for all the e-mail on this one. It was one of the big uncovered stories of Campaign 04.'

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

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