Time for some of end of the week clippings from my summer newsroom floor. And the newsroom floor was cluttered for a mid-summer week with a bunch of political news making headlines. But we have our broom and have swept up the clippings and here we go...

We are getting the first hints of the restructuring that needs to be done at the top levels of the New Mexican government pay scale as we deal with a more restrictive economic era. The president of the Central NM Community College, Kathy Winogard, has been given a one year contract extension, but her salary of $206,000 will not go up. What? A big government salary not increasing? Egads!

Governor Big Bill took a symbolic step this year and reduced by two percent the salaries of his political appointees. However, there has been no movement on the too-high salaries at the University of New Mexico--the UNM president and the chief operating office pull in well over $1 million a year between them--or the city of ABQ, where some top director salaries are now well over $110,000. But if in the future policy makers are going to be forced to lay off mid-level employees or force them to take paid holidays, how will they justify these bloated salaries?

The CNM board action may indicate that the populist argument is starting to resonate. Mayoral candidate Richard Romero has started to rattle the cage over the number of highly-paid city political appointees that were added to the payroll during the record economic run that finally crashed in 2008. Will he get any mileage out if for the October 6 election?

Diane Denish came with another strong campaign finance report Wednesday, reminding any potential Dem challengers (Hello, Michael Sanchez) for the 2010 Dem Guv nomination that the window of opportunity is rapidly closing. The news that the lieutenant governor raised $512,000 in the second quarter will also be heard loudly by Heather Wilson, the remaining heavyweight R on the sidelines who insiders see as having the best chance of derailing the Denish express. Wilson has not yet ruled out a run. Five other R's have either formed a committee or expressed serious interest. With this report, Denish has laid down a marker for them when they come with the first required finance reports in October. Denish has been releasing her reports more frequently than the loose state laws require. Dems say its an example her R' challengers should also adopt as the campaign season heats up. The AP's Barry Massey goes long and deep on the numbers. Denish's full report is posted on her Web site. Scroll down the page.

Tacos
How best to save the Tacos? With 1,100 jobs at stake and $25 million a year coming into the ABQ economy because of the 150th NM Air National Guard Fighter Wing stationed at Kirtland Air Force base, it's an argument worth having. And we've been having it right here on this blog. We don't think an ABQ with flat population growth and few job opportunities is the best vision for our future and we fear losing the Tacos could open up more raids on KAFB jobs.

Some of the Alligators have been urging ABQ Dem Congressman Martin Heinrich, who has taken a leadership role in trying to keep the Tacos here, to not rule out going after other Air Force missions that don't involve fighter jets. But they're getting push back to that notion. The 21 aging F-16's the Tacos fly are being put out to pasture in seven years and KAFB is not slated to get the new fighter jets that will replace them. But Sherman McCorkle, who leads the Kirtland Partnership Committee that saved Kirtland and its thousands of jobs from near-extinction back in 1995, maintains there is no realistic alternative to a fighting mission. He told me over a recent cup of Starbucks:

"Alternative missions, such as UAV's are not available and even if they were, they would employ only a fraction of the guardsmen and civilians we now have. The F-16's the Air Force wants to move out of here are not being sent to the bone yard. They will still be flying over the next seven years, but at other air bases, We don't see how this saves any money or makes any sense.
Our best bet is to keep pushing the Air Force and Pentagon to back off and to keep the Tacos flying here with an eye toward getting the new fighters when the F-16's are finally phased out.

But getting the Pentagon to back off may not be so easy. Defense Secretary Gates is a determined downsizer and it appears he believes that having the F-16's operate at other bases--not KAFB--until the new fighter comes on line will indeed save significant funds.

We agreed with our e-mailers that Rep. Heinrich should pursue whatever mission he can to save the jobs, but if McCorkle is right and there are no other available non-fighter missions, what can he do? Do you Taco watchers agree with Sherman's view? Let us know.

RELATED NEWS ON THIS
Rep. Heinrich
While we were putting this story together, this came over the wires from Governor Bill and the congressional delegation:

SANTA FE –...Richardson applauded the U.S. Air Force’s announcement that it will permanently locate two unmanned vehicle training operations at Holloman Air Force Base in southern New Mexico. Holloman has been chosen as the new location for an additional MQ-1/9 formal training unit and will soon be home to the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper.

That's 600 jobs, including 150 contractors, according to Sen. Bingaman's office. Should KAFB and the Tacos been working in previous years for a non-fighter mission to replace the Tacos? Well, that's water under the bridge, but one Taco who e-mailed us was not ready to turn the page:

As a Taco I was really not very happy to see new hardware being announced for Holloman today! Even more UAV's are on the way. Good for them but a tremendous mistake by the Tacos for once again not going after the missions that are available. With the F-22 mission alone, Holloman is going to be safe for decades. I would be very curious as to what Rep. Heinrich has to say about this. The folks in the Guard leadership have some explaining to do.

Meantime, we await further Congressional action on Rep. Heinrich's House-passed legislation that would delay the demise of the Taco's--at least for one budget year. If we get that win, Heinrich will deserve at least a couple of free taco plates at the restaurant of his choice.

SUSANA'S STORY
Susana Martinez
We think they're hometowning it just a bit in Las Cruces when they call the expected entry of Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez into the 2010 GOP race for governor a "game-changer." But having a Hispanic woman run for the job can't hurt the marginalized R's. We think it may be a first and can understand the local pride. (The ABQ congressional candidacy of Jon Barela is also a step toward renewal for the GOP). Martinez is a regional candidate, unknown outside of her home area. In fact, in her many years as DA, we don't recall ever seeing her on ABQ TV news. But it will take only 20 percent of the delegates at the March 2010 pre-primary convention to get a spot on the June primary ballot, so maybe her hometown energy will give her a solid launch.

The 50 year old who was first elected DA in 1996 will bring some corruption fighting credentials to the table in what is now a crowded race to become the GOP standard-bearer. However, fresh and extensive Republican polling being leaked to me indicates that ethics and corruption have yet to be established as the paramount issues in the race for the Fourth Floor. In fact, education and the economy, according to those supplying the info, rank higher. That may surprise the newspaper editorial writers but not the political insiders. Still, continued ethics explosions (indictments) and perhaps ethics becomes the really big deal. And for DA Martinez, the issue is probably more important in a Republican primary than a general election.

R's have nominated a Hispanic contender before--John Sanchez in 2004. And while her ethnicity could be a hurdle in a very Anglo party, the more pressing concern to some observers is whether she has the gravitas for the position she seeks. Why after 12 years on the job has she not established more of a statewide reputation, especially if she harbors ambitions for the state's highest office? But Martinez's impressive personal narrative has long had appeal to GOP professionals seeking to broaden their party. This is their chance to make something of it.

MORE SUSANA ANALYSIS

Martinez's entry forces the hand of the other possible female GOP Guv contender--ABQ State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones. She has formed an "exploratory committee" while Susana is going all in. Neither woman is well-funded yet, with Martinez said to have about $10,000 to get her candidacy off the ground. Arnold-Jones just recently had her first fund-raiser.

The geographic disadvantage faced by the Dona Ana DA is evident in the way she will apparently announce her candidacy--at 5:30 this Friday afternoon at Roberto's restaurant in Las Cruces. That is a regional play, not a statewide one. But others will argue as the only non-ABQ candidate (so far) Martinez's appeal will go beyond her county's borders.

In one of those "only in New Mexico" moments, on the day that Martinez's candidacy leaked, Roberto's restaurant was downgraded to unsatisfactory by the NM Environment Dept. because of cleanliness issues. Welcome, to La Politica, Susana. (Should we check those frozen tamales from Roberto's we have tucked away?)

Susana was born in El Paso and moved to Cruces in 1986 after graduating from Oklahoma University Law School. Her husband, Las Cruces native Chuck Franco, is also in law enforcement, serving as Dona Ana County Undersheriff. Here is her complete resume.

Martinez, Allen Weh, Greg Zanetti, Doug Turner, Janice Arnold-Jones. All are talented in their own way, but none are top-tier names. That's keeping Democratic front-runner Diane Denish off the anti-depressants and all eyes glued on the lone top-tier Republican candidate still on the fence--Heather Wilson.

DODGING THE CAMERAS

If you've been with us this week, you've heard the back and forth over "viewer advocacy journalism" and what role it played in the firing of the news director at KRQE-TV. Well, whatever the case, longtime investigative reporter Larry Barker trudges on with what might be called his own version of VAJ. Here he is with a six minute piece on double-dipping by "retired" government employees. PERA Board Chair Cynthia Borrego grimaces and protests as do a bunch of other government functionaries caught in the spotlight, but all of them fail to give an answer on why some folks are "retiring" for a month, only to go back to their government jobs and continue to collect both a retirement check and their work paycheck. The abuse, reports Barker, will finally get the attention of Attorney General King. ABQ Dem. State Rep. Al Park is looking at it from the legislative angle.

The unions moaning mightily about the increased percentage of their paychecks that has been mandated to go into the state retirement kitty might want to pay special attention. This double-dipping is a major drain on the retirement funds which have already suffered hits because of the decline in the stock market.

PASSWORD PROBLEM?
Sec. Herrera
Our Alligators are working the angle on that employee at the Secretary of State's office who the office says is the subject of an investigation but neither the employee or the SOS's office will say why he is being investigated. First, Dan Boyd of the ABQ Journal lays out the key point.

Secretary of State Mary Herrera said the assessment (of her Web site) has uncovered potential criminal violations committed...That employee, Brad Allen, is the same one who raised the possibility the agency's network isn't secure as currently configured. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he doesn't know what the investigation is focusing on. The repairs that forced the Web site to be shut down for nearly a week have drawn criticism from the public and legislators, who have said a backup system should have been in place and notification given about the decision to take the site off-line.

Now from our tech Alligator:

What I heard is that their techie changed all of the access (i.e. passwords) and refused to release them prompting them (the SOS office) to contract with Mark Fidel's company--Caanes--and Andrew Baca's ABBA Technologies to rebuild the web site and servers from the ground up. The talk is of federal charges, but you didn’t hear this from me.

With the bad press the SOS is getting, she should enjoy her appearance today on Capitol Hill:

A Congressional Subcommittee has chosen New Mexico as model of efficient provisional and overseas balloting. Secretary of State Herrera has been invited to testify about New Mexico’s provisional balloting process and overseas voting process by the Committee on House Administration...New Mexico’s laws have been recognized as the standard for the development of Federal voting-related laws and guidelines...

THE BOTTOM LINES

We have a winner of the six month free supply of Coca-Cola products, and we'll tell you about it tomorrow. We'll also have another contest soon for free Coke, and we promise to make it a bit easier.

This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news tips and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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There will be no jobs boom because of funding for Sandia Labs. The same for Los Alamos. But recent action in D.C. also appears to spare the national defense Labs from drastic spending cuts. The budget making its way through the Congressional maze appears to fund the labs within a percent or so of what they are now getting. We won't be sure until late September. But the money paragraph in the ABQ Journal news article that described the long-term outlook for the labs was buried. And that's the story that needs to be highlighted:

While the current spending plans appear to offer stability for the labs, the following year's budget might not be as good for them, said David Culp, a lobbyist for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, an arms control group. "The big battle will be next year," Culp said. "Success is never permanent in Washington," Senator Jeff Bingaman pointed out.

Fast forward to the summer of 2010 and we'll probably be in the midst of a major budget battle over the labs, just as the campaigns for the state's three US House seats heat up.

PEELING THE NUCLEAR ONION

While funding for the budget year starting October 1 appears relatively stable (Senator Bingaman gets some kudos) it still represents a long term, downward trend in overall lab funding.

Because of their importance, let's repeat some numbers and analysis of figures released by Bingaman's office in May. In fiscal year 2008, he says DOE funding for Sandia was $1.40 billion. In FY 2009 it went down to $1.322 billion. The President has requested $1.342 billion for DOE Sandia funding for the fiscal year starting this October--FY 2010. Throw in some onetime federal stimulus money and you soften the blow for the coming budget year.

Sandia gets more than DOE money. It's total revenue, according to its Web site, for FY '08 was $2.294 billion. The estimate for this fiscal year was $2.249 billion, a reduction of $45 million.

Bingaman says the overall DOE appropriation for the state two years ago-- in FY 2008--was $4.54 billion. The president's request for the upcoming year is $4.0 billion, a reduction of $500 million or about 11 percent.

Maybe we tick up from that $4.0 billion when the budget is finalized, but the trend from FY 2008 is down and likely to continue. We know this can be hard to follow, but there is an historic and deep seated bias among policy makers and the press here to see lab funding thru rose-colored glasses. And why not? We've had a great 60 year run. But even a small reduction in funding has a large ripple effect. All the more reason to be seeking other federal programs as well as new industry. Barring unforeseen developments or large, onetime projects the national labs have seen their peak budget years. Why? Because, in a nutshell, nuclear weapons ain't what they used to be.

FOLLOW THE PEOPLE

The population of Los Alamos County in 2000 was 18,344. In 2008, the estimate was down to 18,150. The labs and their future size---it's the really big story of the second decade of this new century in New Mexico.

ETHICS DUST

Knipfing vs. Carr
A newsroom showdown has them talking in TV land. The news director for the top-rated ABQ TV news operation, Forrest Carr, was abruptly given the axe last week after serving in the post for less than a year at CBS affiliate KRQE-TV. One of our media Alligators has the back story--the one you won't get anywhere else:

It's going to take more than ethics scandals to put a Republican in the Governor's chair, says veteran field organizer and pundit Steve Cabiedes. He argues that the current field of GOP candidates does not offer a singularly strong contender who could fully take advantage of the corruption issue.

ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez will return to where his political career was born--the city's West side--to make official his candidacy for a third mayoral term in a row and a fourth overall. That word comes from my senior political sources. They say Chavez will kick off his campaign for re-election at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Don Newton (Taylor Ranch) Community Center.

The West Side is where it all started for Chavez, in 1988, when he was elected to represent the area in the state Senate. He scored a landslide mayoral re-election win there in 2005 and needs that base of support in 2009 to fend off challengers Richard Romero, a Democrat, and Republican Richard "RJ" Berry.

In recent months Chavez has played possum with a willing press corp who have given him considerable attention over when he would make his announcement. Sunday's event will come as a surprise only to those who live in a cave.

By announcing Sunday, Chavez will make this a less than 90 day run to the October 6 election, limiting the time his opponents have to inflict damage. Early voting starts at the beginning of September. An afternoon Sunday event will also score well-watched evening TV news coverage.

The 57 year old leader is positioned for another win, say my veteran analysts, but they caution that unexpected events in the news cycle could open the door for the mayor's foes.

THE GATORS SET THE ODDS

We (a survey of my Alligators) are putting the "over-under" for Chavez's re-election at 43.5 percent. It takes 40 percent to avoid a run-0ff election which Chavez did in 2005.

The campaign thus far has been fairly quiet, with the exception of a sensational murder at a Denny's restaurant on the West Side. His challengers scored their first political points by focusing on the issue. In response, Democrat Chavez is now again proposing to add officers to the police department. What could be the defining moment of the campaign, if Chavez wins, may have come in late May when the labor union AFSCME for the first time endorsed Chavez for Mayor. The union represents 3,500 city workers. Not all union members were happy with the decision, but it will stand and be heavily promoted by the incumbent.

All contenders have qualified for public financing. They will each have about $330,000 to spend. That will keep expensive network TV ads from coming probably until at least mid-August. One unknown is how much, if any, third party money will come on behalf of the candidates. Republicans have already spent some cash to help Berry get on the ballot. Nonprofit groups active for liberals in the '08 state cycle have so far been quiet.

Some Chavez insiders think under ideal conditions he could head toward 50 percent on Election Night. However, the chief executive will have to guard against impulsiveness and a streak of flippancy that has sometimes surfaced in his campaign statements.

MORE STARTING GATE ANALYSIS

One break for the middle-of-the-road Mayor is this: Anti-growth progressives who have long been a thorn in his side may not be as much of a problem this year because of the economic slowdown. Rapid and sprawling growth is not an in-your-face issue. In fact, the ABQ commercial real estate market is experiencing severe recessionary conditions and unemployment is at a decades high rate of 7 percent. On the other hand, the housing slowdown and high unemployment might give his challengers an opportunity, but they will have to be creative.

Longtime state political analyst and pollster Harry Pavlides who has worked for Chavez in the past, says right now he sees an electorate that is not so interested in change at City Hall, but more concerned about restoring the city to its previous economic health; he says they don't blame Chavez for the economy falling off the cliff.

"The devil you know is better than the devil you don't," analyzed the veteran politico.

Another Chavez worry is how tired portions of the electorate may be of the longtime incumbent. That's why the over-under is set by the Alligators at a somewhat conservative 43.5 percent in a three way contest. In 2005, Chavez won with 47 percent of the vote in a four way race. He was first elected Mayor in 1993 when he beat Republican Dave Cargo by the narrowest margin--less than 600 votes-- since we went to the modern council-mayor form of government in 1974.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Senator Tom Udall has begun a weekly news conference with NM radio reporters dubbed, "Tuesdays with Tom." Senator Bingaman continues his radio news conferences on Mondays. Bingaman's are generally posted on his Web site and available to the public. Access to Udall's are by password for now, but his office says they will also soon be available on the Senator's site....Freshman Dem State Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon is not shooting low in his 2010 fundraising. His July 14 event being hosted by Isleta Pueblo Governor Robert Benavides and Acoma Pueblo Governor Chandler Sanchez is going for either $1000 or $300 a pop...

Ted Martinez is Diane Denish's campaign chairman, not her Treasurer as we first blogged Wednesday...Ted is a longtime NM educator who has major league public service under his belt....And we said the state Senate Majority leader "lurks" as a possible Dem guv candidate.

Diane Denish
Old loyalties die hard, but does Diane Denish need to start reassessing hers? That's the tough question for the early front runner for the 2010 Democratic Guv nomination, and it's hitting home in the wake of news that Big Bill's onetime chief fund-raiser is co-hosting an event for Denish and in the wave of escalating Republican attacks over the multi-layered scandals shadowing New Mexican politics.

Eyebrows were raised (or brows furrowed, if you prefer) over an invitation to a $250 July 24th fund-raiser for the lieutenant governor to be co-hosted by Amanda Cooper and her husband, Jim Noel. Cooper hasn't been accused of any wrongdoing, but all aspects of Richardson's campaign fund-raising for Governor and President and his various committees and foundations in which Cooper was a key player are under investigation by the US Attorney's office and a federal grand jury. We previously blogged that our insider sources confirmed that Cooper, the step-daughter of US Senator Tom Udall, has been granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony to the grand jury. That does not mean she is implicated in any wrongdoing, but the political implications are obvious. Richardson's fund-raising and the pay-to-play allegations are potential political dynamite for Denish. (The Friday federal indictment watch is now the most popular indoor political sport).

Here's the fund-raising invitation that has them talking:

You are invited to a Reception In Support of Lt. Governor Diane Denish To benefit her campaign for Governor. Hosted By: David Smoak and Charity Townsend Jim Noel and Amanda Cooper July 24, 2009 5:30 – 7:00 pm At The Home of David Smoak and Charity Townsend. Suggested donation: $250 per person

And here's the money graph from the ABQ Journal hit piece authored by NM GOP Chairman Harvey Yates, Jr. as they launch their ethics assault:

(Denish) moved to the other side of the table when Richardson repeatedly poked at the side of her leg. Why hasn't she moved to the other side of the table on corruption? Is it not as important? If she has lacked the courage to speak vigorously against corruption, she is unfit to be governor.

That stung her, and Di used her campaign chair, Ted Martinez, to strike back:

Chairman Yates once again showed how little Republicans have to offer...I know Diane and her record fighting corruption. Just this past legislative session Diane pushed for more transparency in campaign fundraising...She backed a law that requires all state contracts be posted on the Internet...And Diane wrote the law to reform New Mexico's Regional Housing Authorities...That is just the start of Lt. Governor Denish's work on ethics...

The state's number two may be reluctant to firmly separate herself from Bill's operations. She must secure the nomination in a party heavy with his operatives and supporters. And State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez lurks as an alternative nominee.

Denish has spoken out on the regional housing authority scandal, but has not delivered a broader ethics message or taken other high-profile steps to separate herself from the cloud of corruption. Neither has she taken note this year of the specific allegations that have made for the screaming headlines and damaged the popularity of Richardson.

WHAT'S NEXT

Republicans, hampered by their lack of a well-known Guv candidate, are working to find their voice on the issue. Restless independent voters are prime targets. Can the R's define Di with the corruption mess before she gets out of the Dem primary? Does she have the luxury of continued silence as she tries to keep all Dems on board before the primary? Or does a break need to be made now to ensure general election viability?

There's no question that New Mexicans next year are going to want to turn the page on the pay to play and excessive political fund-raising that has tarnished the state. What message is Denish sending with the Cooper co-hosted fund-raiser? More important, what will be her message on the epic corruption that has infested the state during the time she has served? And when will that message come?

THE BOTTOM LINES

The name of the new communications staffer for ABQ mayoral candidate Richard Romero is Tim McGivern, not Tim McGovern, as we called him in a first draft. Of course, he's been called worse...Speaking of typos, we're not alone. Look at this one getting wrong the name of one of the mayoral candidates:

Congregation Albert Brotherhood will be hosting a mayoral debate on Sunday, September 13th at 11:00am. Congregation Albert has a long history of outstanding debates dating back 60 years. The invitees include Richard Romero, Martin Chavez and Richard Perry. Richard Romero has already committed to attend.

Richard Perry? That would be Republican Richard "RJ" Berry. But if Chavez agrees to debate him, he'll answer to any name you call him...

E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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Steve Pearce pulled an itchy campaign trigger Monday, apparently egged on by national R's to take on Southern NM Dem Congressman Harry Teague in the aftermath of Teague's vote for a climate control bill that may or may not be a major issue when the campaign begins in earnest over a year from now. (Our July 2 analysis of that vote is here.)

We say itchy finger because Pearce first told Roll Call he would make a decision on his political future by June 30. He then revised that for the Politico, saying D-Day would fall from July 20 to July 27. He ended up issuing a news release on Monday, amid one of the the lowest rated news consuming weeks of the year--the July Fourth holiday. But he did end the uncertainty over a possible 2010 race for Governor and gave the R's a first-tier candidate to take on Teague who scored a handsome victory over Republican Ed Tinsley in 2008, returning the seat to the Dems for the first time since 1980. (Roll Call coverage with former New Mexican Josh Kurtz is here. CQ weighs in here and the Politico comes with this take.)

Pearce's presence on the GOP ticket could help the R's in other races in the south such as the aforementioned Guv run as well as lower tier contests for posts such as Land Commissioner. If Pearce does anything well, it is galvanizing the conservative southern GOP base. That should help get R's to the polls, but taking out Teague will take a 15 round heavyweight brawl in which organization and money will rule the day. Right now, that advantage is firmly in Teague's corner. Obama put in place an organization Teague can tap and money will be no problem for Teague who will get national Dem support and also has his own oil fortune to tap. Teague has already shown he is not shy with a pen, writing out big checks for his '08 campaign.

Pearce will be competing for dollars with other out-of-power R's. To raise the dough, he will need credible polling that gives him a shot, and he may have to do something that he has always resisted--tap his own oil fortune just like his Lea County neighbor Harry Teague.

THE ROMERO DILEMMA

While the congressional races are a light year away, there is no time to idle for those seeking to become mayor of ABQ. The election is October 6. The sense of urgency for those hoping to take out three term Democrat Mayor Martin Chavez was driven home Monday as Democrat Richard Romero moved to shake things up by bringing in a new campaign manager. He apparently hopes a new face can help solve the political puzzle that has blocked him from gaining significant traction.

Gone from the campaign is manager Neri Holguin. The rumor mill had her heading for the exits as soon as Romero lost the endorsement of AFSCME--the union that represents 3,500 city workers and who for the first time endorsed Chavez. Some of the Alligators saw it as a death blow to the Romero effort and they blamed...who else?...the campaign manager.

Holguin had not played at this level before. She managed successful legislative campaigns, but not a citywide or statewide contest. She brought valuable connections with Obama progressives, but Romero, a former Republican who once became state Senate leader by forming a coalition with Republicans, has had trouble generating enthusiasm among them. His new choice for 'lead strategist" is Murray Fishel, an Ohio-based consultant, who has close ties to ABQ Dem State Rep. Mimi Stewart who headed up the state Dem legislative campaign effort in 2008. One of our insiders said Fischel has for a number of years helped train Dem legislative candidates and said he has considerable experience with direct mail. Fischel is in his 60's and was described by a consultant who knows him as a "McGovern liberal." (For those of a certain age, McGovern ran for President in '72.)

Not to be mistaken with McGovern is Tim McGivern, the former editor of the alternative Weekly Alibi who has now joined the Romero campaign to handle communications.

Whoever Romero has on board faces face a daunting challenge--generating passion for a political change at City Hall.

ELI'S COMING...OR NOT?

The ABQ political community continues to buzz over whether Eli Lee, ringmaster of the political nonprofits, will somehow--despite new city campaign finance laws--find a way to get progressive nonprofit money into this race for mayor to help Romero. Holguin has worked with Lee who had a consulting firm heavily involved in several previous ABQ election cycles. Lee and the federally tax-exempt nonprofits have come under the microscope for not disclosing their campaign contributions or contributors in '08 legislative races. Romero has advocated public financing and ethics reform. He may be on the hot seat if groups come with unreported money and he looks the other way.

Lee has a reputation as a talented consultant who had no troubles with the press and public when he was running campaigns where all business was conducted in the open. But he and his supporters have gone to war with the ABQ Journal and some bloggers over the matter of nonprofit disclosure. It's a battle that could heat up along with the summer temperatures.

THE BOTTOM LINES
Cody Unser
Off the political beat, we chatted with Cody Unser recently who was excited about the New Mexico premiere of the documentary "CODY, The First Step." It was produced in association with the Cody Unser First Step Foundation. The film, narrated by actress Glen Close, premiers Wednesday at 5 p.m. at ABQ's downtown Kimo Theater. Tickets are $10. Cody is one resilient young woman who has inspired a lot of people. She might even make a good politician. On second thought, let's not corrupt our youth....

E-mail it in--news, comments and political gossip. We're here to serve.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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Kevin Daniels
GOP businessman Kevin Daniels continues to take quiet steps toward a run for the ABQ congressional seat, despite the wish of some R's at the top of the food chain that attorney Jon Barela go unopposed for the nomination. But Daniels isn't hearing them. A political advisor to the owner of a chain of funeral homes says Daniels will be in Washington this week introducing himself to the National Republican Congressional Committee and signaling his intent to make a run--Barela or no Barela. Will the NRCC heavies try to talk Daniels down?

We're breaking with you for the holiday and will be back next week to kick off coverage of the second half of 2009. What was the big story of the first half of the year? It had to be the accelerated investigations into state pay to play allegations that now hang over the 2010 election like the sword of Damocles. The outcome of the federal grand jury investigations will color much of the politics of Part Two of 2009.

Another big story we can anticipate is the state's economic outlook and whether there will be a special legislative session to keep up with falling tax collections. Can the state avoid a special by dipping into reserves and then tackling the problem when lawmakers hold a regular session in January? More important, can the state avoid job layoffs?

Add in a race for ABQ mayor and the dropping in and dropping out of candidates for statewide office as the positioning continues for 2010 and you have the recipe for a fascinating mix of political news. But in New Mexico when is politics not the most enjoyable of spectator sports?

From Albuquerque, I'm Joe Monahan reporting.

Happy Birthday, America!

E-mail your news and comments.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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The political death of southern NM Congressman Harry Teague is greatly exaggerated. Let's explain. Within hours of Teague voting for the energy and climate change bill, Republicans began touting the vote as a deal-breaker with his mostly conservative district. They asserted the measure, which passed the House by a narrow 219-212 vote, would hurt the oil and gas industry and cause utility bills to go up, all making Teague hyper-vulnerable to a Republican challenge now considered likely to come from former Congressman Steve Pearce. But there was a hitch on the way to Harry's political funeral. True, the bill is not causing small town parades in "Little Texas" in the southeast where the oil and gas industry holds sway. Also, 44 Democrats, perhaps fearful of the political consequences, voted with the Republicans. But Teague did offer amendments to soften the blow the measure had on the state's independent oil and gas producers and refineries. And don't forget. Teague is himself an oilman--a successful one. It's hard to see Teague's vote causing massive hemorrhaging within the industry ranks he calls his own. Even if Teague's energy vote does hurt him some with voters in the SE portion of the district, there is still a major problem with the GOP Teague death wish. It's called Dona Ana County.

DOTING ON DONA ANA

For the most part Dona Ana, a Democratic county with a not insignificant environmental community, is going to be pleased that Teague voted for the bill. By the way, Teague crushed his Republican foe in this key county in 2008 by a stunning 15,000 votes. My experts say it is nearly impossible for a Republican to take back the southern seat without at least running close to Teague in Doan Ana--home to the city of Las Cruces and the district's most populated county. In that regard, the R's have a mountain to climb. And don't forget that the GOP also needs a huge margin in Harry's home county of Lea. Do they think an incumbent US Congressman is not going to get at least 40 percent of the vote there, and probably more? Where do they make up the votes they don't get in Lea and especially Dona Ana? They don't. They must crack those areas, and the energy bill vote--unless utility bills skyrocket--doesn't get it done in Dona Ana.

R's are pushing hard, however, to get traction on what they see as the first majro vote that gives them an opening in the district. They put up this radio ad hitting Teague.

Teague has obviously done his political homework. He offered those amendments, hoping to stop any bleeding in the SE, but voted for the bill to hold his general election base in Dona Ana and also to not incite a possible liberal Dem primary opponent. But there is a chance the House bill will die in the Senate and there will be no final law. The R's would then be talking about a vote that really didn't matter. Not that the R's don't have a chance to re-take the seat, but it's not going to be as easy as they might wish. So call off the funeral. Teague breathes.

ON THE ECON BEAT

We wanted to find out if that 7 percent unemployment rate for the ABQ metro for the month of May was some kind of record. It seems so. From the state Dept. of Workforce Solutions:

The data we have in house only dates back to 1990...The Albuquerque MSA’s previous high was 6.8 percent in June 1993.

Add in folks working only part-time and you have a lot of job hunters out there.

The statewide official jobless rate is 6.5 percent, but probably considerably higher say economic experts. The pain is spreading to previously exempt areas--like Carlsbad. The SE NM city lost a call center this week that employed 100. Finding replacement jobs is the challenge. The center had been in the city for nearly 10 years.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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