Lightning Rod
State Senator "Lightning Rod" Adair has thrown another firebomb at the state GOP saying Chair Ramsay Gorham must cease her state senate re-election bid or else be in violation of her party's own rules. In his latest newsletter, Adair, a leader of the Dendahl wing of the GOP, cites this rule: "Party officers shall not publicly endorse one Republican candidate over another Republican candidate."

Adair and a few of his allies on the state GOP Rules Committee, say since former state GOP Executive Director John Ryan is challenging Ramsay, she is in violation of the rule. Gorham backers claim the rule only applies to statewide office seekers, not legislative contenders. Adair and his supporters are calling for a special meeting of the GOP State Central Committee Monday night in Roswell to get Gorham to back off of her senate bid, but sources said Ramsay was set to issue an opinion today that the request for the special meeting was not legitimate. What does this all mean? Here's what my insiders say:

"In any other year the chair would have been given a pass on this, but because Dendahl and his allies have not given up on taking back power they are going to squeeze this for all it's worth. They probably won't get much more than some articles in the press. Gorham has the votes on the Rules Committee, and she who has the votes rules."

"I wonder what the White House and Bush are thinking? They have been asking both sides to cool it as the campaign heats up. For this to be out there in the middle of a presidential visit was terrible timing and does not bode well in getting this thing settled." opined another observer

CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG?

So, is Gorham's ABQ senate seat at risk? Highly unlikely, says a consensus of my insiders. "The only way she goes is on her own. Adair and his group are hoping the pressure buckles her, that she resigns the seat and Ryan gets the GOP nomination," says one player.

Lightning Rod of Roswell also says Judy Vanderstar Russell, a close ally of Ramsay's, will challenge NM Republican National Committeewoman Rosie Tripp, a Dendahlite, at the June GOP convention. No official word from Judy yet. Committeeman Barnett, head of the Dendahlite brain trust, is being challenged by another Gorham ally, former ABQ State Rep. George Buffett.

Unless both warring GOP factions can be persuaded that Bush's re-election is more important than their own turf fights, the Dems are going to take advantage. Inside sources say the White House ordered the brawl to stop. But the Prez is having better luck with the war in Iraq than with the war that threatens his re-election bid in New Mexico.

DINNER, BUT NO DANCING
Gingrich
Meanwhile, at the annual NM GOP Lincoln Day dinner at the Sheraton Old Town in ABQ, it was chocolate on chocolate brownies with raspberry sauce for dessert, but we'll go right to the dirt that was also being dished last night. First, the rumor that Senator Pete will back Mickey Barnett in his battle with George Buffett for GOP National Committeeman. "I heard rumblings,” said one of our insider dinner sources. He explained that James Fuller, Domenici campaign manager, is close with Mickey and former NM Attorney General Hal Stratton. Also, Fuller'’s wife, Heidi, a top fundraiser for the state GOP, was ousted by Ramsay. And, Domenici is known to be none to happy with Gorham's criticism of the Prez's NM re-election campaign. Again, our insider reported, "it was just a rumbling, but definitely noteworthy."

Ex-State Rep. Marty Lambert was also sharing stuffed rubber chicken with keynoter Newt Gingrich, former U.S. House Speaker, but local concerns were also on her mind. Word was circulating that Lambert was out with a hit piece on Ramsay opponent John Ryan highlighting Ryan’s felony conviction for breaking and entering. Ryan was pardoned for the youthful crime by Governor Gary, but it's the first sign of how rough that North Valley senate battle is going to be.

Gingrich said in his speech that the GOP faces the “perfect storm” this election year because the issues favor the Prez. What about the “perfect storm” facing the embattled GOP here? On that, Newt was uncharacteristically quiet.

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

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author