Air Force One makes a pit stop in ABQ today with President Bush campaigning at the state fairgrounds (Expo) in the middle of ABQ for a couple of hours. Officially it's a presidential visit, but with campaign commercials on the air everywhere, anywhere the Prez goes has a campaign component. He will talk about affordable housing during his brief stop here, trying to win over Hispanic voters by touting the increased homeownership rate among minorities. I will sit down with KRQE-TV anchor Dick Knipfing during the 4 p.m. news today to discuss the political climate Bush faces in this key swing state, and also how those warring Republicans are trying to find peace before the critical months of the campaign arrive.

Meanwhile on the war front, sources told me last night that half a dozen members of the GOP's rules committee are circulating a letter asking GOP Chair Gorham to give up her senate seat to which she is seeking re-election. They say she should not do be both party chair and senate candidate. The request is coming from the Dendahl wing of the party, which is in a state of perpetual conflict with Gorham. I am told there are over 20 members on the rules committee. Stay tuned.

SOLTARI SUNSETS AT ROMERO CAMPAIGN

Liberal consulting outfit Soltari has severed ties with the Romero congressional campaign. Soltari has been advising the campaign for a couple of months, but according to informed sources, will not be around to see Romero through the final stretch of the primary contest he is in with Miles Nelson and Eli Chavez. The Dem winner will face off with incumbent Congresswoman Heather Wilson in November. While Soltari no longer has Romero cutting them checks, they are still plenty busy this primary cycle, assisting state senate contender Jerry Pino and two Bernalillo County Commission candidates.

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE FCC

Speaking of Pino, and let me throw in legislative candidate Greg Payne too. Both political firebrands have been penning columns for the Weekly Alibi newspaper in ABQ, and both said they were slated to give up those columns once they became official candidates. Well, they are official now, but they are still opining in black and white. Newspapers, unlike broadcasters, are not subjected to the 'equal time' provisions of the FCC. As of yet, Neither of the pundit-politicians' primary opponents have made any noise about the arrangement.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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