You've heard the term "ward heeler." It's a reference to those bygone days when gruff, cigar-chomping personalities from the inner-city dominated the politics of the big cities. Well, last night at the Democratic National Convention it seemed like they had been reborn--in the persona of our own Big Bill.

At his core, our Guv is a politician. And when the national spotlight came on he could not hide it, not that he was trying. Big Bill, dressed in his best, toned-down East Coast finery and sporting a shorter and more ruly haircut, looked like he had been lifting weights before the big show in Boston of which he is chairman. When he spoke it was in short bursts in a semi-hoarse tone that carried the authority of those ward-heelers of bygone days.

Actually, it was kind of endearing because no matter how hard his handlers try, Big Bill is not of the TV and media age. He is a street politician who holds the world record for shaking the most hands in a single day. He's a people guy. People like him; the cameras have always been lukewarm. But on Night One he did what they hired him to do--administer the podium with confidence and competence.

But underneath the pomp and circumstance lurked the man's man, the politician's politician. The guy who loves to go politically incorrect once the microphones are off. He has that covered too. One of the parties he is throwing is dubbed "Champagne and Cigars."

Wednesday Night Big Bill delivers a speech on foreign policy to the Dem confab. I will have analysis from the experts on that one so be sure to join us Thursday

MEDIA NOTES

It is thin gruel indeed for the thousands of reporters staked out in Boston and that goes for New Mexico TV reporters as well. Thankfully for them they have a local angle in Big Bill chairing the event, but otherwise it may be a long week for KOB-TV's Neil Simon and KOAT's Doug Fernandez. Monday Simon did manage a hard lead as he questioned Big Bill about the corporate money paying for the parties in Boston. The Guv brushed it off which he has had to do a lot of lately. Fernandez followed the Big Guy around reporting he "made NM proud" and "earned his lunch."

Neil and Doug are going to have dig hard to earn their lunches this week. In an earlier story on what NM media was covering the convention I omitted Santa Fe Bureau Chief Walt Rubel of the Las Cruces Sun-News. Walt's pieces are runing in papers throughout southern NM.

OUR 'FAWNING' CONGRESS PEOPLE

New Mexico's entire Congressional delegation comes under unfavorable scrutiny in the Los Angeles Times' (registration required) recent take on the security scandal at Los Alamos. They are labeled "a fawning delegation" by observers who blame our Capitol Reps, in part, for the lax security culture causing calamity at the top-secret facility.

Republican sources tell me Senator Domenici has taken some severe hits from his own party members over the latest foul-up at Los Alamos thus his recent almost apologetic letter pulling back on his 30 years of support of Los Alamos management.

OGLE CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

ABQ NE Heights State Rep. Rory Ogle has trouble on the homefront. His wife has charged him with domestic violence. Ogle, who is unopposed on the November ballot, faces an aggravated battery charge. Here's the details from the ABQ Tribune

LET'S SWING

As a political junkie, you know that the Prez election comes down to a dozen or so battleground states, our fair New Mexico being one of them, at least for the time being. It's these swing states that you have to keep your eye on to know where this election is really headed. After all, it's an electoral vote game. Bookmark the swingstatesproject web site to keep it all straight.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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