I guess it depends where you are sitting when it comes to seeing how GOP State Chair Ramsay Gorham came out on the battle of constitutional amendment #2. I said after the tight fight she lost that her stock went up because the expectations of her were cleverly set low and she nearly upset the Governor in spite of Senator Domenici's's opposition to her position, as well as a slew of other Republicans. But my position is not shared in all quarters of the Republican Party.

State Senator Rod Adair, running mate to losing governor candidate John Sanchez, is a witty and bright guy who writes that Gorham could have and should have won the fight and that her stock is pointing down, not up, after the Conny 2 battle. He says Republican Congressman Steve Pearce offered to do radio spots for the GOP opposing the amendment but never did get a response from state headquarters. That's an allegation and Pearce, who was against the amendment, has yet to respond. Rod goes on to say that Ramsay may bolt her senate seat and try to turn it over to former State Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell of Sandoval County, while Ramsay "seeks higher office.' Well, Rod if Ramsay is thinking of seeking higher office, someone is telling her she did pretty darn good Election Night!

I remain unmoved. Ramsay looked like a deer in the headlights when she took over and was placed in a very tough position when Senator Pete said no to Conny two and she had to lead the party in the opposite direction. She handled it with class and aplomb. Not one, I repeat, not one, respected political analyst came out and said the election would be as close as it was. Most said it was a done deal FOR the amendment. If Ramsay Gorham doesn't get credit for pulling out a near win no one expected, who does?

Case closed.

As for her seeking higher office, certainly John Sanchez should not count on automatic renomination as the GOP governor nominee in 2006, but then he could be running for mayor of Albuquerque well before that.