When you go to see Fahrenheit 9/11, and you should go no matter your politics, take note of the NM connection. In one scene, President Bush is seen bantering with the owner of a Roswell restaurant and the national press following him around. The Prez orders some ribs and urges “Stretch" to do the same. The Stretch in question is tall NBC White House correspondent David Gregory, formerly of KRQE-TV in ABQ. In another clip, director Michael Moore shows candidate Bush refer to the Secretary of Energy as "being caught unaware." That Sec. of Energy at the time was none other than our own Big Bill.

“Fahrenheit” draws blood from the Bush team. The audience I saw it with gasped at times and gave a round of applause when an interviewee said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should resign. If nothing else, the film will galvanize the Democratic base, but I have a feeling it may do a bit more as it seeps into mainstream America where undecided voters are only starting to focus on the Prez contest. After watching the film I could not help but wonder where our national TV media has been. During the Vietnam years, the war coverage was much more critical and insightful. As a matter of fact, it was a lot like Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.

PAYNE FREE

It appears likely that former ABQ City Councilor and Bernalillo County NE Heights Republican legislative candidate Greg Payne will be getting a free ride to the Roundhouse. He was opposed in the June 1 primary, but the Democrat running, labor leader Carter Bundy, has withdrawn from the race citing the need to attend to other business.

Insiders report Bundy was put up by the Democrats because they felt all the controversy surrounding Payne might cause him trouble. But it didn’t and Payne won in a landslide over his GOP opponent. The Dems could still name a replacement for Bundy in the coming weeks, but Payne's convincing primary win has them scratching their heads for a new Dem contender. Payne has had a teflon year. Despite his frantic efforts in support of ex-GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham, who was ousted by the GOP Dendahl faction, Payne largely escaped their wrath as they did little to support his primary opponent.

Meanwhile, Payne reports he is relaxing with his wife and second child, Madison Grace, who arrived on Flag Day.

COKE & COURT: READERS SPEAK

I received a bunch of e mail on our coverage of the arrest of Bernalillo County Chief District Court Judge John Brennan and the 1998 law enforcement report that contained the names of other judges who allegedly were involved in taking cocaine.

Here's how one reader responded: "It is interesting to go back to Scott Turow's best seller, ‘Reversible Error,’ in which an addicted judge is a central character. One of the serious issues raised there is how a "using" judge's decisions might bear on the convictions and sentences meted out in her court. Sounds to me like the Court of Appeals might have a long and busy season in this state."

And, here's another reader take on the courthouse scandal:

"The raging hypocrisy here belongs not only to those who judge drug defendants, but equally to those who write and pass these laws, and to those who enforce these laws, and to those citizens who support, even demand these laws. According to the gov't, illegal drugs are used by approximately 13 percent of the population, and this cuts across all demographics. This means that, chances are, 13% of our legislators and politicians, and 13% of our police and prosecutors, and even 13% of those citizens who support these laws(!), are themselves users."

Thanks e mailers. I will try to run more as time permits. If you are new to this story just scan my web site for the month of June to get up-to-date.

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

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