He's known a as a quiet, plodding type of guy, but friends of GOP Congressman Steve Pearce say he's about to step it up a notch when it comes to grabbing some power in the corridors of our nation's capital. They say Pearce, although just completing his first term, will seek a place on the mother of all U.S. House Committee's, Appropriations, if he wins re-election in November.

"Steve has a solid relationship with the House leadership, and even though he is a newcomer, the odds are good he will get named to Appropriations. Of course, if he does win re-election and doesn't get named to the committee, he could take a hit. But I think the fact that they are floating it means he thinks his chances are better than good," analyzed one R who is in on the action.

Pearce is now a member of House Resources and Transportation, and while they are relevant to his sprawling rural, district, a step up to appropriations would not only strengthen Pearce politically, but New Mexico's chances to hold on to its big share of federal dollars.

Pearce is a hard-core conservative and that helps him with House Majority Leader Tom Delay, who will have a big say on any Pearce promotion. Pearce, along with a short list of other freshman Republicans, was tapped to be an Assistant Majority Whip early in his term. If Pearce won a spot on the big money panel he would give up the rest of his committee assignments, as do the other members of this most influential committee on the House side of Capitol Hill.

PAC FOR POWER

Washington sources also report that Pearce is upping his chances of getting the big appointment by starting his very own PAC from which he will give money to other Republican candidates for Congress. And he doesn't have to worry much about money for his own race as he has nearly a million bucks in the bank and it's still coming in.

No question Pearce is letting the cat out of the bag early to enhance his re-election chances against Democrat Gary King. But that's the power of incumbency. Pearce's predecessor, Joe Skeen, secured an Appropriations spot and then a chairmanship of an appropriations subcommittee and folks came from far and wide to kiss his ring. Skeen's constituents never looked back as Skeen flooded the district with federal dollars and they landlsided him with votes. It appears Steve Pearce is a good student of history. Don't say we didn't tell you.

NO BATTLE ON THIS GROUND..YET

It may be a while before New Mexico sees John Kerry again. That is if his steady lead in all the major polls stands through the GOP national convention. Kerry and running mate Edwards spent the weekend in NM seeking to nail down the Hispanic and Native American vote.

According to the Rasmussen poll commissioned by Libertarian candidate
Michael Badnarik, Kerry has already done that and then some. The survey taken August 4 gives the senator a solid seven point lead over the Prez. The latest Zogby Interactive poll has Kerry just a couple of points ahead, instead of the near double digit lead in it's earlier survey.

Based on a close look of all NM polls, interviews with political pros I trust on both the Republican and Democratic side here, I am now calling New Mexico a 'lean Kerry state' and not a battleground. I agree with my experts who think any other position is simply not realistic given the state's history.

CAN PREZ CATCH-UP?

That, of course, could change as the Bush machine gears up for its national convention. The Prez will also try to turn the numbers around with a Wednesday ABQ visit so they have not, and should not, give up here, at lest not yet. But this traditionally Democratic state is going to need a big reason to move off of the latest numbers. Dems may have to start worrying about complacency if the race stays outside of the margin of error come September.

The Rasmussen numbers also show Libertarian Badnarik with 5% of the vote in the poll he commissioned. That's believable since it was taken in the middle of Badnarik's $65,000 NM TV buy he launched last week. Ralph Nader is not yet on our ballot.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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