Tuesday, April 20, 2021Gonzales Gets In: Comes With Mayoral Announcement Video; Sheriff Chides Mayor Keller: "ABQ Deserves Much Better"; Tries To Separate From Trump, Plus: Readers Take On Manny Record
The unceasing, soul draining violence that has enveloped the city with an even deeper ferocity this year is the heart of Keller's problem. He remains the favorite but too much blood has been spilled for Gonzales to be brushed away like a bothersome gnat. (Gonzales full news release.) Gonzales, a conservative D, is dangerous because he has a simple yet powerful message--a self-described "tough on crime sheriff" who maintains "ABQ deserves much better than what we are getting." With no Republican in the race and Gonzales emphasizing crime fighting and his service as a Marine, he should quickly consolidate the predominantly male GOP vote. His announcement also stressed his native ABQ roots and family which will serve him well in the historic Dem precincts in the Valley. Gonzales took steps to address the attack that is incubating--that he is a Trump Democrat. US Sen. Martin Heinrich actually called for him to resign last year when Gonzales supported federal intervention by the Trump administration to combat the city's crime. In response, Gonzales's video says he will "work with anyone to make our community safer" and trots out photos of himself with President Obama as well as then Trump Attorney General Barr. The "work with anyone" message is similar to that of former southern Dem US Rep. Xochitl Torres Small who attracted GOP crossover votes in her successful 2018 campaign in a conservative district. KELLER'S POSITION 
As has been noted, outside of crime fighting Keller has had a successful administration, dodging major scandal, combatting Covid, generating optimism about the city, handling finances capably and making strides in expanding the economy. As also has been noted, leaving crime out of the equation is like serving a hamburger without the bun. Politically Keller has a large progressive base, over a dozen years of campaign and fundraising experience to draw on and the nagging issue tugging at Gonzales of electing a law enforcement official as Mayor--and one with worrisome traits of authoritarianism. Both Keller and Gonzales are expected to qualify for $661,000 in public financing and then rely on outside PACs to each raise an equal amount, if not more. They must get 3,779 individual donations of $5 each from registered voters to qualify for the public money. The window for doing so opened this weekend and closes June 19. Also actively running is progressive Nicholas Bevins who could chip away at Keller if he could qualify for public financing, but Dem insiders think that's too tall of an order for the newcomer. To qualify for the ballot candidates need 3,000 petition signatures. PAYNE'S TAKE Former ABQ city councilor, attorney and veteran political consultant Greg Payne came with these takeaways from the Gonzales video: The video easily surpassed low expectations that Gonzales would be a joke of a candidate or not serious. The video establishes him as a serious player and one to be reckoned with. However, he will have to run a nearly scorched earth campaign of all crime all the time in order to be positioned for a November upset. Payne is a registered independent. ON HIS WATCH Gonzales is running on an anti-crime platform, but that doesn't mean his jurisdiction is exempt. Only hours after his mayoral announcement this came down: (Sheriff's) deputies were called to 1932 Coors Blvd SW in front of Valley Fence Co. in reference to a roll-over crash involving a dark-colored sedan. Deputies located two unidentifiable male subjects deceased on the scene from apparent gunshot wounds.
Witnesses stated that a white sedan, occupied by 2-3 male subjects, fired several rounds at the crashed vehicle. Shortly before BCSO deputies were dispatched. Sometimes the fates of La Politica conspire. ANTI-MANNY MAIL  Gonzales has fought police body cameras all the way, refused to rein in his deputies (remember the innocent Black woman stopped on I-40 that resulted in a cash settlement), refused to enforce some laws on Covid restrictions because he doesn't agree with them and taken an attitude more than once that the law is what he says it is. Surely, those opposed to Keller could do better than this. The "pro Manny tilt" authoritarian post should be cause for anyone concerned about their Rights or their pocket books. Reader Mitchell Freedman writes: As for the "Alligator" quoted Monday who thinks Mayor Keller has gone too far "left" on policing, they obviously did not follow the hearings on the consent decree before federal Judge Browning, and never spoke to anyone who actually knows how badly the City failed to adhere to the decree--instead bending over backwards for the police union. Also, the biggest point: The drug cartel. That will require federal action, perhaps even sending in the Marines to treat the cartel as a foreign operation. Why? Because Mayor Keller met his promise to hire more police and we saw car thefts and other non-murder crime rates drop. However, the ease in which the cartel operates is a problem more police cannot solve. Keller would more likely lose to a progressive Latino/Latina than Manny Gonzales, if people woke up to the realities and not fall back on 1968 era "law and order" nostrums. But I guess we'll have Manny "You had one job!" Gonzales running against the often hapless Keller. This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.   (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021 |
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