Diane Denish
We've all seen the latest polling numbers on the state's top politicos, but what about those near the top and who may be the future top dogs? The ABQ Journal survey did not gauge voter opinion of arch-rivals Dem Lt. Guv Diane Denish and Dem AG Patricia Madrid who may be destined for another future face-off, so we went hunting.

According to a top D with inside knowledge, polls have been taken of the dynamic duo, but not for media purposes. Those polls are apparently conducted by politicos or the party. They show Madrid with an approval rating in the 60% area, not far behind Big Bill's 63% in the Journal. For the Light Guv, a source close to her says her approval rating is "about the same as" Patsy's.

Madrid has been in high-profile battles with the Guv. Denish has been lower profile but was prominent during the last legislative session and has traveled the state working her pet causes. Denish can also be expected to be noticeable during the closing weeks of the Prez campaign as she was an early and ardent backer of Kerry, while Madrid heartily supported John Edwards for Prez.

Patsy's tiff with Big Bill, claims a source close to the action, has not set well with the Kerry campaign, thus she's not been seen with Edwards during his two recent NM visits. Patsy's forces claim she voluntarily stayed away because she did not want to have her division with the Guv highlighted at the expense of the Prez ticket. Whatever the case, she has lost some good PR shots while Denish is positioned above the partisan fray. Stay tuned.

THOSE OLD PREZ BLUES

It's not quite wailing in the night, but you can definitely hear the gnashing of teeth among NM's top Dems as they look wistfully back at a month ago when Kerry was on top of the world. But as the old saw goes, a couple of weeks in politics is an eternity. And now it's the D's turn to hit the panic button, much like the Bushies did when they were lost in the wilderness. The old Dem pros are not throwing in the towel, not yet, but they are having to spend time keeping their youngsters in line who are not experienced in the savagery and bloodshed of big time, major-league politics and stunned at the Bush move.

"The Kerry campaign is telling me they have had over 4,000 people volunteer in NM, an incredible number, but the candidate has not yet found his message. John Edwards was brought in to Santa Fe to keep the base motivated during this down period. The campaign begged for them to send someone," analyzed one deep insider Dem.

For his part, Kerry has to be disappointed that NM is not yet put away. He had a shot back in August, but since then has been treading water and will have to work it hard to nail it down. Big Bill is raising the big bucks to boost the turnout which Kerry's brain trust is counting on, but the pressure is building. He will visit vital ABQ Thursday and Friday. "He needs to start hitting the ball hard and out of the park. The message must be found and he has to start breaking through," rued our high-level Democrat who has seen and done it all in La Politica.

THE CURE FOR THE BLUES

Much like Bush came alive when he hit the state last month, Kerry needs a similar performance. "If he is not tied with Bush near the end of the month, there will be blood in the water," said our insider. What will move them? "I don't know," was the brutally frank comeback. But experienced R's are holding their gloating. They know this is just the beginning of the mood swings of Campaign 04' and are advising their youngsters new to warfare to strap themselves in because it's going to be a bumpy ride.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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