Sure, we could look back and reminisce about what was, but what is to be is even more interesting, especially in an upcoming election year where New Mexicans will have a loud say in the presidential race, a Legislative session laden with fiscal intrigue, a primary election that promises some intense intraparty warfare and a General Election campaign that will no doubt provide us with several upsets. Here's a look at where some of the above stands on this cusp of a brand new year.

HE'S THE MAN

Presiding over all this will be chief political conductor Big Bill. One keen observer put it to me this way: "Joe, we are watching a politician of major proportion reach full political maturity. New Mexico seems barely big enough to contain him. It's like his personal clubhouse."

Certainly the Guv casts a long shadow and only the intensity of the national stage seems enough to quench his thirst for the political power game. He continues to reject any possibility of becoming the VP nominee in 04', but hardly any political pros take that seriously. "If they build it, he will come," our observer reflected. "It would be a once in a lifetime chance, and that's not something you say no to." No, it isn't.

In all my years of covering and participating in New Mexico politics, I have never seen a political figure here with a longer reach than this one. Former State Senator Aubrey Dunn and Manny and Ray have exercised immense power in the Legislature, but they were confined to their respective chambers. What we are seeing in this modern era is a governor completely unleashed with the system of checks and balances stretched like polyester. Will 2004 be the year Bill begins to walk that long road down the popularity charts other chief executives have traveled? Will worthy opponents, so far meek as mice, emerge and provide a counterweight?

Only if Bill starts torching his political capital, and he has a lot to burn. The afterglow of his low-turnout landslide election is still warm. People wanted a change here. And they are getting it. That's why his mistakes are overlooked. The big picture is his pledge to get New Mexico out of its 50th in everything ranking. As long as voters feel he is pulling in that direction, he will not tank.

Governor Johnson knew New Mexicans were tired of politics as usual. So does Governor Bill. The difference is that Big Bill knows that it takes a politician to change the 'politics as usual.'

THE 112 CLUB

That's how many men and women populate our Legislature. The 70 House members are all up for re-election his year, providing the Guv with additional leverage. What lawmaker wants to risk getting cut off from campaign funds and field troops by incurring his wrath? None that I know. Senator Manny Aragon is one of the few at the Roundhouse who can take the field with Big Bill. But it seems of late what Manny wants Manny gets. And what Bill wants from Manny he gets. Aragon, a master of the rules and keeper of a generation of knowledge of state government, has the ability to throw monkey wrenches into the Guv's path, but why would he? Even the Guv's plan to cut off some of the 'pork' outlay to the lawmakers is not dead on arrival, according to my Legislative experts. Surely these are the salad days of the young Richardson administration.

CONGRESS OR BUST

Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce are all sitting pretty entering the election year. Not that it is all their doing. Redistricting has given them safe seats and it takes a couple of million bucks to challenge any incumbent. No wonder just about all of them get re-elected. But for all the safety they are provided, they owe us a bit more. Heather will have six years under her belt this year, her party is in the House majority and she has the contacts to start moving up the ladder and giving New Mexico more power in the House. Her national TV appearances have been tentative. If she hopes to ascend to the Senate some day she needs to show some of the same political muscle in the Congress that she uses so effectively on the campaign trail. Perhaps 2004 will be the year.

Tom Udall could also step it up a notch. He comes from a family that has made its mark on national politics. Now it's his turn. True, his party is in the House minority, but like Heather, he will soon have half a dozen years in seniority. He has the role model to pull it off. His uncle, Mo Udall, rose to national prominence from our neighbor Arizona. Udall also has a shot at the U.S. Senate down the road. A streak of boldness in 04' might make that more likely.

Steve Pearce is the newbie on the Congressional block and rightfully concerned about protecting his seat in this vulnerable time. But he represents a large, diverse district, not just hard-right Republicans. A move to the center on occasion would be a breath of fresh air in the new year.

SENATORS FOR LIFE

Senators Pete and Jeff have over a half-century of service between them. They have done yeoman's work in protecting New Mexico's many military installations, but the social problems of our state remain intransigent.,The challenge ahead for this duo is to look beyond the immediate and use up political capital to tackle the issues that face the generations behind them, such as Social Security and Medicare. Pete is in his last term. Maybe Jeff is too. They have the protection to rock the boat and they have the experience. Maybe they will set sail in 04'.

So let the games begin! Happy New Year to you my loyal readers. Please e mail me with your thoughts, news and comments. I too will try to 'step it up a notch' as we watch that gleaming ball usher in 2004 and a new chapter in the never ending saga of La Politica. Again, Happy New Year, and I will see you back here in 04.'

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
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