There may not be much news coming out of the Democratic National Convention, but it's a free trip and a chance to hang with the political high and mighty for New Mexico's intrepid political news corp. And don't forget, this is a convention with a big local angle as Big Bill chairs the quadrennial event opening Monday.

Most of the major NM news organizations will be sending reporters to Boston but there are a few notable exceptions.

KOB-TV's Neil Simon and KOAT-TV anchor Doug Fernandez will head East to cover the confab, but KRQE-TV has opted out and will not send a rep because they don't see much news happening. For the ABQ Journal, new political reporter Andy Lenderman will team with Washington bureau reporter Michael Coleman to handle duties for the morning daily.

Steve Terrell, veteran political writer for the Santa Fe New Mexican, will also be in Beantown. Steve is already grumbling that because of his late arrival he will miss the clambake and lobster broil party Big Bill is throwing Saturday. Maybe Steve will get to go to P.F Chang's with the Big Fella just like the Journal reporter did a couple of weeks ago. Steve and I are from the old school; if there's no free food at a political event, what's the point?

The ABQ Tribune's Shea Andersen must be nursing a bit of disappointment upon learning that his paper will not send him or anyone else to the Boston party. Scripps-Howard, the paper's parent will, however, provide reams of copy on the event. Too bad though. The two young, aggressive newspaper scribes, Andersen and the Journal's Lenderman, could have had some fun competing against each other in Boston, to the benefit of their readers.

As for what to watch, the interplay between the Guv and national media and how he performs as chair will be interesting. Also, not all Hispanics are enthralled with Kerry and we should keep our eyes open for any dissent. I will have special insider reports from the convention next week.

ROMERO: WE CAN WIN, REALLY

She has a million in the bank. He'’s got 300 grand. And, as I wrote Wednesday, (see July 21) that does not bode well for Richard Romero in his contest to oust GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson. However, as you might expect, the Romero campaign has it's own spin on my take. Here it is:

“You are living in denial if you think this race isn't competitive. Look at Romero's $$ two years ago and today. Look at the poll numbers and Romero's name ID today and 2 years ago.

(National political analyst) Charlie Cook put this race in his first paragraph when talking about a Democratic National trend. It seems you are slow to see what the rest of the nation knows. You have one of the hottest Congressional races in the nation in your own backyard."

MY TAKE TWO

Well, that's not the first time I've been charged with being slow. But every two years the ABQ congressional race is pegged by the national pundits as "one to watch." Trouble is, since the district was invented back in 1968, it has NEVER elected a Democrat. Maybe I am showing my age, but history still means something. Romero has a shot, but he is the definite underdog and observers from both sides tell me it will take a picture-perfect campaign to unseat the incumbent.

Even a "national trend" towards the D's may not be enough. Remember, we have had Democratic landslides in the Prez race here in years past (92', 96') and it did not translate into a win for the Dem congressional contender. With that in mind, it might be wise for Romero to avoid getting excited about what is happening in other races and concentrate on what is happening in his own backyard.

THE BLOG IN THE TRIBUNE SPOTLIGHT

ABQ Tribune political reporter Shea Andersen hit the streets Wednesday with an in-depth look at "NM Politics With Joe Monahan" and how its been received by our state's political community. They even scared little children by running a couple of photos of your blogger. Thankfully, the photos are not on the Trib web site, but the complete story is. So if you want to learn more about your writer
check it out here.

Unfortunately, Shea's report was fair and balanced and not the puff piece I thought I would get when I tried to bribe him with a free cup of Starbucks.

Thanks to all of you, my loyal readers, including my critics who keep me on my toes, for making us part of your daily, weekly or monthly routine. I'd like to think our efforts have given folks just a bit more insight into what makes the world of La Politica go round.

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