Billy Sparks
According to TV insiders, Big Bill press flack Billy Sparks was unloading on KOB-TV's news department over ''the tone' of its report last week on the nearly $100 grand Bill spent from his contingency fund entertaining some 7,000 guests at the Guv's mansion last year. It has been a touchy subject for the Big Guy and those paid to carry his water. Previously, Billy got uncorked when respected AP Santa Fe Bureau Chief Barry Massey insisted on more public disclosure about spending from the wine and dine fund. We are told the "tone" of Sparks was more mild this time, and he did not revive his allegations of 'yellow journalism' that he hit Massey with last fall.

The Guv's personal lifestyle and his use of public funds to pursue it is one of the few areas where the opposition has scored points on Bill, so it's no wonder that Sparks & Company are trying to apply heat anytime they can when it comes to these types of stories. But the facts are the facts. And there's no doubt that Big Bill, befitting my favorite nickname for him, enjoys living large. As for KOB-TV, one media insider says they "have been tough but fair" in their coverage of the Guv. "There is a major market edge to their reporting on him, and it's effective." He said. And, he added: "Remember, the TV's far outcirculate the major newspapers. It's where images are cemented. That's why the governor has his PR guys put the pressure on." And why shouldn't there be a "major market" edge to the reporting? After all, it's that major market of Washington D.C. that our beloved Guv yearns for.

LIKE POLITICS? NEED A JOB?

Speaking of the newspapers, over at the ABQ Journal insiders report the search goes on for a politics reporter to replace Loie Fecteau who last year joined an untold number of her former media scribes at one of the state PR departments under Big Bill. One source close to the action says: "Several candidates have been interviewed and turned down." But with the election year ticking away current staff is being tapped to cover the daily events, including the young and aggressive Kate Nash at the Capitol. The politics reporting job is worth having because as soon as you get it you will probably be offered a PR job with Bill at a higher salary.

BENAVIDEZ COUNTY OR BUST

A couple of days ago I blogged how former ABQ South Valley State Senator Tom Benavidez is back in the political game, this time running as a Republican for the seat he was ousted from eight years ago by Dem Linda Lopez. I mistakenly said that back in the late 80's Tom wanted to rename Bernalillo County "Benavidez County." One of the alligators in the Valley reminds me: Benavidez didn't want to change Bernalillo County to Benavidez County. He wanted the South Valley to secede from Bernalillo County and Become Benavidez County. Ultimately, his efforts brought Linda Lopez to the West Side as a successful candidate against him."

Love those gators. They keep an eye on the water and as soon as something moves they are all over it.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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