It's an event not to be missed by any ABQ South Valley politico worth his salt, or is it?

The alligators are out again and their tails are splashing around with the news that State Senator Manny Aragon was a no show at the recent weekend South Valley Pride Parade. Here's how one of the slithery creatures spells it out:

"Manny is always at the parade, but this year he was not. Just about anyone who is anyone in South Valley politics was there. It's another sign that he is getting ready to leave the senate and take on the presidency of Highlands University. Heck, he may even hang it up if he doesn't get the university job," allowed our friendly gator who is deeply tapped into the mysterious and arcane ways of Valley La Politica.

The Senate Majority leader and Valley powerhouse hs been the focus of intense attention throughout his career, but now the alligators have the microscopes out and are monitoring every move Manny makes, and this blog seems to be in their check-in desk. No wonder. The stakes don't get higher. If and when Aragon departs the senate, it will set off a series of power-plays and perhaps intra-party wars that will determine the path of many political careers, not to mention major legislation. Stay tuned here as I have been provided special access to the inner sanctum of the alligators by agreeing to renounce my previous Pennsylvania residency.


COOKED BOOKS AT STATE GOP?

State Republican Party Chair Allen Weh was pointing fingers last night at ousted former chair Ramsay Gorham as KOB-TV's Neil Simon hit with the news that the party may have to undergo an audit to find out just where party money has gone the past six months. The party finance report filed with the Secretary of State says over $45,000 was spent paying down debt. Trouble is there was no debt listed. Weh is blaming it on Ramsay and says it's a clerical and computer problem, but an audit is possible. Meanwhile, an amended report will be filed so the party stays out of trouble. When she left, Ramsay said the party was debt free. Whatever the case, it's Weh's problem now. With the election looming, the heat is on for the embattled GOP to get its act together.


BILL'S LONG NEW YORK MINUTE

I really don't know what to make of the very long piece that ran on Big Bill in the New York Times’ Sunday Magazine.(www,newyorktimes.com) Correspondent Jennifer Senior traveled a bunch with Bill and the piece seemed to be all over the map, kind of like the Big Guy himself. But Bill did reveal an early contact with John Kerry: "The governor also mentioned that Kerry had asked him to consider hiring his sister, Peggy Kerry, at the United Nations back when he was ambassador. ''It was totally proper,'' he told me. I didn't doubt it, but still, would Kerry really want Richardson volunteering this information?"

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

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