Bradley
The moderate wing of the state Republican Party is pinning its hopes on former Light Guv Walter Bradley who told me Tuesday he will challenge NM GOP National Committeeman Mickey Barnett for the position at the GOP state convention in June. Bradley, who toyed with the idea of running for the Public Regulation Commission but decided against it, said he is '"fully committed" to taking on Barnett because "I want the job." Bradley, now an assistant state land commissioner, says the race might not turn out to be a showdown between him and Mickey. "I talked to him (Barnett) a couple of months ago and he said he was tired. But I am in the race regardless of what Mickey does."

Mickey may be tired of being Committeeman but it has not stopped him and other allies of former GOP chair Dendahl from fielding candidates against moderate Republicans in the June 1 primary. And that, his detractors say, could be his undoing. Said one high-level Republican: "This fielding of opponents by Mickey has Republicans upset. It really is a loyalty issue and I think it could cost him support."

The unpaid national committeeman serves as the liaison with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and would work closely with the President's re-election committee. Barnett and Dendahl have been at odds with current GOP Chair Gorham over what role the state party will play for the Prez, and the Gorham supporters think Bradley in the committeeman post just might put the party back on her track. Gorham is need of a win over the Dendahl forces to assert her primacy. If Barnett backed out of the race and Bradley won that might deprive her of a big win, but she could still claim she is making progress in asserting control. Meanwhile, those conservative primary challengers to incumbent legislators are not going away. If any of them win their primaries the June GOP convention could be a real bruiser.

DATELINE SANTA FE

Romero
It was left to State Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero last night to inject a note of sanity into the even more frenzied than usual closing hours of the Legislature. The ABQ Democrat calmly fielded questions on Big Bill's threat to call the lawmakers into a Special Session if he did not get what he wanted. Romero quietly noted that the major business of this, and any other 30 day session, is to pass a budget. "We will get a budget, and if we have time for a few more bills that would be nice,' said Romero who is leaving the Roundhouse to run against GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson for a second time. But Romero also told KOB-TV's Neil Simon that perhaps a Special would at least give the politicos a chance to slow down and give the remaining legislation the consideration it deserves.

Romero hit the proverbial nail on the head. There is simply too much on the table for a thirty day session. As Romero points out, that's why we have 60 day sessions every other year. The Guv needs a Special because he 'flooded the zone' with so much stuff and wants it all. Makes you wonder if he plans to be around for any of those future sixty day sessions.

THE MEDIA IS TIRED TOO

Pity the poor reporters who have to cover the hyperactivity at the Capitol. One newspaper reported that the capital outlay funds, commonly known as "pork" would henceforth be divided 50-50 between the Guv and the Legislature. Another newspaper reports nothing has changed; that the pork will be divided in thirds--between the house, senate and Guv--as it always has been. What's the truth? "Nothing significant has changed," is the word from my well-informed sources. Legislators hung on to their cut. But it was one of a hundred items getting the Fourth Floor spin at yet another 'news conference' where reporters on deadline fight to make sense of it all.

RYAN'S WORLD

Former state GOP ex. director John Ryan has been in the blog news because of speculation that he might take on state GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham for her senate seat. But Ryan emails to say he wants to quiet the speculation and has no plans to challenge Ramsay, who he met with recently. He told her he would only run if she did not. Ramsay is in, so apparently Ryan, appointed to his old job by John Dendahl, is out--for now.

ALL THE MALOOF'S THAT'S FIT TO PRINT

If you have been around NM politics any time at all, you know about the billionaire Maloof family and their roots in New Mexico. The family is now expanding its business empire and the New York Times Magazine (registration required) does a full-blown feature on the famous clan that contains information even seasoned veterans may not be aware of. Check it out.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? Email me or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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