Developments have been fast and furious as state Republicans pick up the pieces left by the abrupt resignation of GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham. Sources in Washington and New Mexico confirm to "NM Politics with Joe Monahan," that businessman and retired marine colonel Alan Weh is the consensus pick of the three Republican Congressional delegates and that Weh has the inside track to become party chair at a special GOP meeting set for ABQ Convention Center April 17th.

My Washington source told me; "The delegation is solidly behind Weh. Ken Zangara and Walter Bradley (two other possible contenders) have thrown their support to Weh and his support will become evident in coming days."

The Weh pick has the White House stamp of approval all over it. Weh is president and chief executive officer of CSI Aviation Services Inc. in Albuquerque, an aircraft charter and leasing service. Weh is currently in Iraq. In 2002 He was appointed national chairman of the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1966 at the University of New Mexico, Weh received his Marine Corps commission. He received the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with "V" for heroism, and three Purple Hearts during his service in Vietnam. "He can be expected to work well with the White House political operation and the Republican National Committee," said a New Mexico insider.

Weh is not associated with either of the warring factions that have ripped the state GOP apart in the past year. "His agenda will be the President's re-election. The Congressional delegation (Sen. Domenici and Rep's Pearce and Wilson) saw the party imploding, felt the pressure from the White House and came up with Weh," said another player in the game.

Weh is a longtime behind-the-scenes player in state GOP circles. His military background might come in handy with party factions that have been reluctant to take orders from anyone. "This is about New Mexico's five electoral votes and clearing the decks before the presidential campaign really gets intense. That's why you are seeing a quick move to a compromise candidate. I don't see Weh really aligned with either (former state chair) Dendahl or Gorham. He will take his orders from the national guys," said another Washington insider."

Weh has been in Iraq the past several months and has not seen the hand-to-hand combat that has taken place here, but he will see the resulting wreckage when he takes over the party's reins and attempts to institute a peace treaty and move the R's forward in the critical months ahead.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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