Governor Howard Dean is going for a quick kill in the February 3 NM presidential caucuses. Campaign officials tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" that Dean began a TV ad run today and plans to stay on the air for the duration of the contest. Dean was on the air here earlier this year and is the only Prez candidate so far to buy TV. Now next week when Democrats start requesting absentee ballots for the caucuses, Dean will apparently be the only contender of the nine on the airwaves. Syndicated columnist Jay Miller tells me the ads are "hard-hitting" and that Dean says what Enron executives did to their company is what Bush is doing to the nation. In addition, I have been told by Francisco Castillo, a veteran political operative and head of the Dean NM campaign, that Dr. Dean will visit Las Cruces next Tuesday for a rally at the famed Roberto's restaurant.

Also, teams of Dean walking crews from surrounding states are here and will work every weekend blitzing neighborhoods across the state until February 3. They started the door-to-door canvassing this weekend in ABQ, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. Castillo, a hardened political veteran who worked on Gov. Bill's campaign, threw down the gauntlet at the opposition, saying: "We are blitzing New Mexico and we are going to take it."

And there's more. The Dean campaign now has a web site devoted exclusively to New Mexico. www.deanfornewmexico.com The internet has been key to the good Doctor's campaign, knitting together supporters nationwide and raising him millions of dollars.

Dean is clearly the Democratic man of the hour. The Dean juggernaut is building steam nationally with former Vice President Gore handing the Vermont governor a suprise endorsement. He has 10 full-time workers in NM, more than any other candidate, a big campaign headquarters in ABQ and one in Santa Fe and plenty of money in the bank. Most of the votes for the caucuses will be cast by absentee ballot. Democrats start requesting them Dec. 15 and casting them in early January.

The rest of the presidential campaign here is relatively quiet. Dean is simply overwhelming everyone. Wednesday General Clark opens his ABQ campaign headquarters with the help of Democratic heavy Ed Romero. But big Ed will have to pull out all the stops if he plans on catching the dashing doctor. Dean has come to play in New Mexico and the game clock is turning fast.


POLITICING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The politicos were packed to the rafters this weekend at the annual Christmas bash hosted by former State Rep. Kurt Lohbeck and his artist wife Barbara at their ABQ NE Heights home. Two governors, a congressman, the attorney general and the ABQ Mayor were just some of the political heavyweights jammed into the roomy house. Politics was the featured entertainment. Lou Gallegos, floated as a possible unifier for the torn-apart state GOP flatly told everyone he will NOT play the role of peacemaker. "Joe, I'm retired," said the veteran political fireman. GOP Chair Gorham and national Bush operatives continue to talk over what the state party role will be, but optimism over an early settlement was not in the air.

Former Governor Jerry Apodaca, soon to have a state building in Santa Fe named for him, clicked glasses with predecessor Dave Cargo. Former Rep. Manuel Lujan and stylish wife Jeanne made the rounds as well. Mayor Marty bumped into his assistant city attorney Pete Dinelli and AG Patsy Madrid was another holiday celebrant. The artists in attendance pondered the affair with bemusement, as if considering a possible painting. Fortunately, no one was asked to pose nude. But a good time was had by all anyway. Lohbeck is a veteran politico, former CBS News correspondent and one time aide to Lujan. His photo gallery features him with six U.S. presidents. I was assured none were digitally altered.

BEN LUJAN PLAYS SANTA FOR HIS FLOCK
Over at the Albuquerque County Club this weekend it was State House Speaker Ben Lujan putting on the ritz for his Speaker's Fund. An elite group of about 75 lobbyists, politicians and business types gathers for the $150 a pop event, with proceeds going to Lujan's favored House candidates next year. Among those on hand was junior tycoon and former State Sen. Phil Maloof. Phil ran against Congresswoman Heather Wilson in 98' but now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Maloof family still has considerable business interests in the state. Their Palms hotel in Vegas is a smash hit, despite a wavering economy. Also toasting happy holidays with Big Ben was State Reps. Dan Silva, Gail Beam and Al Park.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003