"I almost choked on my bagel," exclaimed a veteran Republican when he learned of Congresswoman Heather Wilson's vote to cut CIA funding by 25 per cent until the Bush Administration turns over all documents dealing with the treatment of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He might want to stay away from the bagels for a while because sources in Washington report Wilson has cast two other votes this month that are clearly aimed at positioning herself as an “independent" voice for the ABQ district and not the "rubber stamp" for the Prez her Democratic opponent Richard Romero accuses her of being.

"Heather was one of only three Republicans out of 220 to vote for the CIA cuts. It was a clear break with the leadership and came on the heels of her strong words condemning the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by our military. With Romero hammering her for being a tool of (House Majority Leader) Delay and the hard-core conservatives, she is clearly positioning herself so when she calls herself an independent she will have the ammo to back up the claim,” analyzed a Washington politico close to the action.

The CIA cuts were rejected despite Heather being joined by NM Dem U.S. Rep Tom Udall. NM GOP Rep. Steve Pearce stayed with the winning pro-Bush position.

WHAT RUBBER STAMP?

Wilson also broke party ranks and again joined with Udall to vote against a corporate tax relief bill; relief that included targeted tax breaks for the pharmaceutical companies which Romero claims have a tight grip on Wilson. Only 23 R's voted against that measure which easily passed the House. Heather's third vote against the House leadership was on a budget overhaul measure that passed easily, despite her opposition.

Washington insiders say Heather may not run into trouble with her GOP bosses over her votes because, as one of them put it, "they may very well be providing her cover. Her vote was not needed on any of these measures. They know what she needs to put Romero away and it would not be surprising if they are giving these votes their blessing. I also don't think these votes will damage her any with rank and file Republicans"

Whatever the case, Wilson knows that the Iraq war and the President are not awash in popularity among swing voters in ABQ.She hopes her June declaration of independence will echo on the campaign trail come October forcing Romero to dig deeper in explaining his rubber stamp argument. Should we call her “Clever Heather?”

CLASH OF THE W'S

NM Dem Party Chair John Wertheim and GOP Chair Allen Weh are starting to turn up the summer heat. Wertheim is turning the thermometer all the way up to 911. He has offered to provide free movie tickets to Chairman Weh to take in the anti-Bush documentary "Fahrenheit 911" so Weh can relieve "the stress' of being chair of the war-torn NM GOP.

Wertheim's ticket offer comes after Weh lashed out at a voter registration group that is supported by the D's and, according to Weh, has used convicted criminals to sign up unsuspecting potential voters. Greg Graves, executive director of the GOP, told me he would not "dignify" Wertheim's offer of a free night at the movies. But we say, lighten up Greg. How about getting John some framed front-pages of all those congressional races he lost! Then you'll be even....at least until next time.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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