Long before today's high drama in the state GOP, there was the famous Reagan-Ford split of 1976 that had the Reaganites practically throwing Senator Domenici and then-Congressman Manuel Lujan out of the party. Ford had taken over the presidency after Nixon resigned but Reagan had mounted a stiff challenge to him and the rubber met the road in New Mexico.

The Reagan forces were seen as "far-right" at that time and moderate R's like Domenici and Lujan resisted the conservative changes that were taking hold in the GOP. For their resistance they suffered the humiliation of being shut out as delegates to the state Republican convention.

The Reaganites eventually fell to the Ford forces, but New Mexico Republican Party politics would never be the same with Reagan taking power in 1980. Later, Domenici battled with the Reagan White House over the big budget deficits being piled-up, but the moderates were no match against this rising tide of "conservatism."

Today the battle over NM GOP power seems more about what wing of the party gets contracts and other lucrative opportunities. But back then it was all about ideas and ideology. Sure, there was money involved, but nothing like today. The battle of ideas was much more fun to cover, than the mercenary politics that has taken hold in today's State GOP.

REAGAN AND THE RADIO SCOOP

After 1976 Reagan was in the political wilderness. He had lost the prez nomination, but had his eye on 1980, so he signed up with the now defunct Mutual Radio Network to deliver commentaries. They were carried locally on KZIA radio where Mike Santullo was news director. I was with KRKE radio when I met up with Santullo at the Amfac (now Wyndham) hotel near the airport to take in a Reagan speech. Reagan spoke but was not taking any questions from reporters. But Santullo and I were determined so we chased down Reagan as he was getting into his limo and yelled questions, but he paid us no heed. That is until Santullo reached in his radio bag and whipped out a Mutual radio logo and stuck it on his microphone. Reagan eyed that and he immediately softened and gave us a brief interview. Reagan, a longtime spokesman for GE in his early days, obviously prized company loyalty. And on that day there were two young radio reporters who were glad he did.

ABQ TRIBUTE TO REAGAN

Bernalillo County Sheriff and longtime Reagan admirer Darren White tells us a memorial and tribute will be held Tuesday, June 8 to honor the late President. The ceremony will be held at 7:00 PM on Civic Plaza in downtown ABQ and will be open to the public. For more information, contact Darren at dpwhite38@msn.com.

MILES AND WERTHEIM: TAKE TWO

A campaign spokesman for congressional candidate Miles Nelson is shooting down a report (see June 4 below) that Democratic Party Chair John Wertheim used his persuasive powers on Nelson Election Night in order to get him to go over to the victory party of Richard Romero at La Posada in Downtown ABQ and raise Richard's arm in a victory salute.

According to Nelson's campaign: "Miles agreed to go to Romero's victory party before he gave his concession speech to a crowd of cheering supporters There was absolutely NO arm twisting involved. It took a while to get away from the supporters wishing him well, but finally we left."

A source close to the action maintained that Wertheim had to sweet-talk Miles into the endorsement. That was pretty believable since Nelson and Romero practically came to blows during a final joint radio appearance. According to the Nelson spokesman, that happened "because Miles did not like being called a racist." The two men are now scheduled to meet and make-up for good. The Nelson forces were nothing but confident telling me they would narrowly defeat Romero, instead they suffered a 16 point rebuke, but held Romero below 60 percent. Meanwhile, Romero is in Seattle vacationing and raising money.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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