Despite a recent spate of bad news and hits from his opponents, Big Bill is still the man. How else to react to his job performance rating by Research & Polling in the ABQ Journal over the weekend?

The approval is especially gratifying to the Fourth Floor of the Roundhouse because the poll comes after two years in office in which the Big Fella, warts and all, has become better known to New Mexicans.

Veteran pollster Brian Sanderoff had it right when he said New Mexicans like the national prominence Big Bill has brought to NM. But I would go a step further and add that a 63% approval, even if you reduce it a couple of points for the margin of error, is also an endorsement of his policies, particularly his emphasis on getting our little land out of the 50th ranking in just about everything.

The 44% approval from registered R's is due in no small part to his tax cuts for the wealthy, but he enjoys goodwill across the board for the same reason he was elected in a landslide: New Mexico is tired of being in the doldrums, and while Big Bill hasn't moved the economic rankings--that could take years--his eye is on the ball and he puts in overtime on the job. How would you evaluate an employee if he did the same for your business?

THEY CAN'T SAY NO

Just as important as his taking the job seriously is the lack of organized opposition to his administration. The R's could probably have him in the 50's but they have been at each others throats, not his, thus they have been unable to raise his negatives.

In fact, the main opposition has come from a fellow Democrat, Attorney General Madrid, and more recently, from some tough newspaper pieces on the huge amounts of money he has raised and how that impacts state policy. But Big Bill has pulled in his horns when the heat gets too high. Witness the recent turnabout on that state airplane controversy. It may have been late, but he avoided a festering problem and an issue
that could finally galvanize the opposition.

A final thought. It seems New Mexicans are embracing the concept of a more powerful governorship in recent years. Gary Johnson was also accused of being a bully, but the public hung with him because of his defiance of the then-liberal Legislative leadership. Gary was rewarded for holding the line. Big Bill has a tougher assignment. He is working for tangible results. So far, the public is patient and willing to ride with him, maybe not at 110 miles an hour in an SUV up Interstate 25, but cruising speed is just fine, thank you.

ET TU, MARTY?

Meanwhile, back here in River City, ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez almost matched Bill. He came in with a 62% approval nod from city residents in the Journal poll. The Mayor recently weathered a headline grabbing divorce and earlier, the ABQ PAC fundraising controversy.

Again, I agree with Brian that a more peaceful relationship with the City Council is key to his revival, but would add, like Big Bill, he is relentless on the job, working far more hours than most would expect. Mayor Marty (who your blogger has worked for) is also the beneficiary of no organized opposition. He is up for re-election in just a year and is no doubt hoping his high numbers will chase off any big players.

Polls, as they always say, are snapshots in time and potholes always await these two high-profile politicos. The mayor will anxiously wait how his numbers stack up when alternative candidates surface and Big Bill has a more restive Legislature to face next year. But for now times are good and these students of Clinton have reason to chomp on their unlighted cigars before the next round begins.

NM PREZ BATTLE

Slate Magazine is out with a look at NM's swing state status in the Prez race. Writer Bryan Curtis interviewed a wide range of political junkies statewide, including yours truly, to come to his conclusions.

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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