Congressional contender Richard Romero will get a sliver of the national spotlight Saturday when he delivers, in Spanish, the response to the Prez's weekly five minute radio address. The Romero retort will air on Spanish-language radio outlets around the nation. Romero's camp has not yet released where the speech can be heard on the ABQ radio dial. He will get the Prez's speech in advance, but his response may not deal all that much with what the Prez actually says because Romero will want to talk about the newly formed Dem Prez team of Kerry and Edwards. The national Dems, still hoping to oust Republican Heather Wilson, gave Romero the radio job in hopes of boosting his profile here and also to woo Hispanics around the nation to Kerry-Edwards.

VALLEY GUYS

When they arrive at the Hispanic Cultural Center in ABQ Friday night, the two senators will be basking in the glow of a very favorable press that always comes right after a national ticket is formed. It will be Kerry's second visit to the state this year. It's his first trip to the ABQ Valley and a direct play for the Hispanic voters he will need in November. For Edwards, it's stop number two in the Valley, having campaigned there during the NM Dem Prez Caucuses in February.

Kerry of New England will need help in nailing down the Hispanic vote. Expect to see old warhorse and Hispanic favorite Senator Ted Kennedy come back and rally for Kerry as he did during the caucuses. But it is the true swing vote around ABQ, the Anglo independents and moderate D's and Republicans, that remain the challenge and perhaps the key to victory.

THE EARLY ANCHOR

There's a new face in the anchor chair at KASA Channel 2 in ABQ. Jeremy Jojola, a NM native, takes over co-anchoring duties this week replacing John Mason, who has moved on to Minnesota. KASA is a Fox affiliate with a news sharing arrangement with NBC affiliate KOB-TV where Jojola will remain on staff. The Fox 9 p.m. news has become popular with early risers in the state and has also given KOB another outlet for its news material adding to its presence in the ABQ market as everyone looks for a n edge in the ratings game. I interviewed with Jojola over the holiday weekend when KOB-TV did a story about blogs in ABQ. The NMSU grad told me he has been with KOB for two years. Jojola will co-anchor the nightly news with Jessica Kartalia.

FIREWORKS IN STEREO

The big fireworks bash at Balloon Fiesta park in ABQ over the weekend was touted as the state's biggest, but the city did not have the bragging rights to itself. Sandia Casino also put on a fireworks show. In fact, as Kathy and I were watching the explosions above the park we looked north and saw the exact same dazzling fireworks being displayed. The city needed to get Sandia Pueblo's permission for its fireworks show because it was set up on pueblo land. Little did it know that it would be competing with the Pueblo for biggest and best display. But the celebrants certainly did not mind the competition as it brightened the skies in a spectacular fashion.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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