New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Justice Chavez: Supremely Funded; Fuller Near Empty, Plus: Kerry, Edwards & NM: Do They Need An Early Kill?

Chavez

There’s still a chance that the battle for a NM Supreme Court seat could turn out to be hotly contested, but don’t count on it. That's because Republican Ned Fuller doesn’t have much money to count while his opponent, Justice Ed Chavez, appointed to fill a vacancy on the court by Big Bill, has a stack of the green stuff totaling $165,000. That’s about a 25 to one advantage over Fuller who has just $6,000 on hand and an equal amount of debt.

Back in February we wrote of the possibility that Fuller, 38, could get big bucks from U.S. Chamber of Commerce backed groups to take out Democrat and trial lawyer Chavez, (See my Feb. 6 report in my archives) but so far it appears the sources floating that story were blowing smoke. It’s true that such groups got involved in a big way in an Ohio Supreme Court battle, but Fuller tells me he “has had no contact” with any such organizations or individuals, never mind getting any of their cash.

The Chavez campaign used that Feb. report to raise money and, who knows, it may have been planted with us for that very reason. Nothing like a good right-wing scare to free-up that loose trial lawyer change. Not that Chavez, 47, is not favored to win anyway. There are no Republicans on the five member court and none has been up there since the 1980's.

But Fuller did have one arrow in his quiver that he fired effectively at Chavez: drug testing for judges in the wake of the cocaine arrest of Bernalillo County Chief District Judge John Brennan. But Chavez did not take the bait and agreed to take a drug test as did Fuller.

Looking at history, political pros say an Anglo Republican like Fuller, running against a Hispanic Democrat, should break the 40% mark with or without significant money. But the magic number is 50% and it appears Fuller and the GOP are going to have to pull a rabbit out of their hat to get there, or else make some urgent phone calls to the Chamber of Commerce.

KERRY/EDWARDS: AN EARLY NM KILL?

Big Bill is managing expectations when it comes to how Senators Kerry and Edwards will do in our Land of Enchantment come Election Night. Last night on CNN, Richardson predicted a Kerry win here but only "narrowly." Bill says most polls have the race here essentially tied, but that he would work to "get out the base" and help put Kerry over the top. The Big Guy had to be disappointed as he was passed over early by Kerry for the number two spot, but he is a pro and will be expected to bring this state home. If he shows any hesitation, it would damage his reputation among Democrats nationally so even a disappointed Big Bill will be a powerful weapon for Kerry here.

Ironically, most informed Republicans I have spoken with predict a Kerry win here, while the Dems are pessimistic about Kerry's chances. The R's see the Democratic base charged up with many R's only lukewarm for the Prez. If that's the case, the trends will become clear soon enough and NM would fall off the list of "battleground states." That would mean a lot less Presidential presence here during the final months. It's not written in stone that we will stay a 'swing' state the entire campaign. Remember, NM has voted for the Dem nominee three times in a row and has a Dem governor and legislature. If Team Kerry cannot bring this Dem state into line early it could point to another cliffhanger nationally or a Bush victory. Stay tuned.

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

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

That's The Ticket: It's Edwards For Veep; Visits NM Friday: The NM Connection, Plus: Court Coke Scandal, More Names To Be Named?

The stock of one major NM political figure is on the rise as John Kerry picked North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate today. Attorney General Patricia Madrid is in for a more noticeable role in the coming campaign and the chance to continue to boost her profile here as she casts about for her next political opportunity. She was an early and ardent supporter of trial lawyer Edwards who campaigned here for the February NM Dem Prez caucuses, including a stop in Barelas in the ABQ Valley. Edwards had an active NM organization led by Madrid who campaigned around the state for him and cut radio spots touting his credentials. But Edwards did not exactly electrify state Dems who gave him just 10% of their votes in those caucuses placing him fourth in the field.

Madrid was also not shy in helping Edwards raise money in NM, particularly among the legal community. Edwards' campaigned on a theme of "two America's," in which the lower and middle classes struggled while the wealthy were on easy street. Coming from a rural state like North Carolina, Edwards may be able to help Kerry in southern NM, the most conservative area of the state and the one in which Bush is going to go for blow-out numbers in order to win here. While the Edwards selection puts Madrid back in play in Prez politics, she does not one-up her longtime political rival, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. Diane was one of the first to hop on the Kerry bandwagon here.

CNN is reporting today that the new Dem ticket will visit New Mexico Friday. Read more of my analysis of the Edwards pick and its impact on NM in today's ABQ Tribune

Big Bill's withdrawal from the Veep race was seen as grandstanding in many media quarters where it was said he never really had a chance. But the Big Guy did do the state a favor by having the Dems conduct a caucus here early, especially that now one of the candidates who campaigned here and knows our state better has been chosen as the number two man today.

NAMING NAMES....OR NOT

Brennan

TV insiders report that KRQE-TV investigative reporter Larry Barker is mulling over naming more names contained in that 1998 law enforcement report alleging cocaine sniffing in judicial circles when the station debuts its new investigative show, "48 Hours New Mexico," Wednesday, July 7 at 8 p.m.

Bernalillo County Chief District Judge John Brennan was already named by the station as one of those in the report. They did that on the basis that he had already been arrested for the crime and therefore, the "unverified information" in the report had ben verified. But it is a much tricker issue with three other district court judges, several defense attorneys and some state legislators who are also reportedly named in that report which was based on information provided by an informant to law enforcement investigating drug dealing in NM.

Barker, if he doesn't name names, may "make it clear who he is talking about," according to one insider. No government agency has announced it will take a look at that 98' report leaving it to Barker and other intrepid types types to dig deeper and report whether the names contained in it are still on the job and whether the report has credible information. But that really isn't Barker's job or that of the press. Taxpayers already pony up plenty for law enforcement and the courts. Why can't they do their job, or at least hire Barker to do it for them?

DRINK OF CHOICE: JACK & COKE

And in a another note on the court coke scandal, KRQE-TV is reporting that Brennan was indeed driving drunk when he was picked up for coke possession in late May. They say his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, but Santa Fe District Attorney Henry Valdez, the special prosecutor in the case, refuses to confirm that. Perhaps Valdez has good reasons,(we'd like to hear them) but this is public information. Some reporters are wondering whether Valdez is aware that his political future may also be on the line as he handles this highest profile case of his career.

According to KRQE, the first episode of "48 Hours New Mexico," modeled after the CBS program "48 Hours," will focus on "cocaine use among New Mexico's high society." Well, cocaine use, yes. But 'high society?' Or is that a take on the word "high."

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

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Tuesday, July 06, 2004

Thursday, July 01, 2004

No Holiday For NM Prez Campaign, Chasing the Vet Vote Down South, And: Bloggers: What Impact Do We Have?

The Fourth of July week is one of the lowest watched TV weeks of the year, but that isn't stopping the Kerry campaign from putting up a TV ad just for NM that stresses the senator's foreign policy experience. Kerry and Bush have both been dark in the key battleground states, which includes NM, but because an anti-Kerry group has bought $150 k of TV bashing the soon-to-be Dem Prez nominee, the Kerry camp felt it had to go up on the air holiday or no holiday. Here's the details

WANTED: VOTING VETS

If there is any chunk of votes Gary King will have a hard time peeling away from GOP Congressman Steve Pearce it's the veterans. Pearce served in Vietnam as a fighter pilot, is a staunch supporter of big appropriations for the various military installations scattered in the southern NM congressional district and is an ardent fan of the Prez whose strongest support here is in the southeastern counties.

Democrat King knows he has to get some of that vote to have any chance so he is hitting early and on this fourth of July holiday with this "Veterans for King" group. NM is home to close to 200,000 vets. King points out that veterans in the big district often have to drive over 200 miles to Albuquerque or El Paso to get medical care. However, he does not say specifically what he would do to correct but will "fight for the very best healthcare for our veterans." By the way, one of the co-chairs of the King vets group is, like Steve Pearce, a Vietnam vet.

BLOGS ARE US

Those of us who write political blogs have come under a lot of scrutiny of late as this new media shows its muscle. ABQ Tribune political reporter Shea Andersen, representing the new generation of journalists, is an avid blog watcher and e mails in this interesting piece from American Journalism Review analyzing the impact of the political blogosphere.

LET FREEDOM RING!

Happy Birthday, America. Is there a better place to be than our beautiful Land of Enchantment for a summer holiday? I hope you find time to relax and enjoy the birthday celebrations with family and friends. I plan to do so and will be absent from this corner for a couple of days. I will pick things up sometime next week. If you want to join a public festivity, here's the details on the big July 4th bash sponsored by the City of Albuquerque.

And for those of you with travel plans in the weeks ahead, let me get a plug in for our sponsor Enterprise rent-a-car. They have the best rates in NM and great service too. To make your reservation just click on their icon on this page for their phone number.

If you are in need of a political hit this holiday feel free to browse my archives. And, again, Happy Birthday to America where we are thankful each day that freedom still rings.

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

Posted by: Joe Monahan / Thursday, July 01, 2004

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