Former Sate Rep. George Buffett pulled off one big political upset at the state GOP convention Saturday, ousting powerful Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, who recently fielded a slate of candiates against fellow Republicans in the June 1 primary. Barnett's candidates scored well, but apparently his aggressive tactics backfired. Also, he helped lead the ouster of former GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham and bad blood was left over from that. Still, even Barnett's rivals expected him to prevail for re-election to the committeeman job which works closely with national party operatives as well as the Bush re-elect campaign.

"It was a revolt," a top Republican told me. "We had a lot of delegates take part. That big turnout hurt Barnett, whose support is a narrow part of the party. I hope this is the beginning of the moderate wing of our party taking things back under control and away from the Barnett faction. The fighting has really hurt us," said our on-the-scene insider.

Barnett lost to Buffett 239-185. Barnett was not at the meeting.

Our insider, speaking from the ABQ Mariott, where the convention was held, also told me that Ronald Reagan's "11th Commandment," 'Thou shall not speak ill of a fellow Republican,' was another reason for the rejection of the controversial Barnett who is allied with former state GOP chair John Dendahl, who was himself ousted by Gorham, and State Sen. "Lightning Rod" Adair.

Buffett takes over from Barnett after the GOP national convention in September.

We will have more on all this Monday.