The hyper-negative campaign for the ABQ Congressional seat took a slight turn in the opposite direction Wednesday as GOP incumbent Congresswoman Heather Wilson unveiled a spot touting her commitment to education. It was a rare break from an unrelenting negative battering both Wilson and her Dem challenger Richard Romero have subjected the electorate to for the past two weeks.

The one positive Wilson ad (she is still hammering with other ads) came just hours after the release of the ABQ Journal poll showing Romero just one point behind and partisan tracking polls, according to my deep insiders, showing her two or three points ahead on any given night.

"Heather is now moving to persuade the undecided. She has necessarily played with fire with this negative stream and is now getting some positive out. It's the right time," commented a knowledgeable R.

The positive spot also comes just as the major TV stations are taking notice of the hate fest going on here and are running reports--KOB-TV did one last night--on the ugly tone of the contest.

RESPECTED, NOT LIKED?

The psychological impact of the Journal poll has been good news for Romero who was clobbered by Wilson two years ago and can use the numbers to raise money.

"The Congresswoman is not especially liked, but she is respected. She has only so much negative rope to burn and some of us think she should avoid all-out nuclear warfare. She needs to ride this thing out, not overreact. A positive mix is the right call," said another R with lengthy Congressional campaign experience

And what about Romero's fans? They like what they see, but also think he must come with a positive vision soon that shows his ties to the area and his public service. "The undecided are open to his message too," said one.

But he may not be ready to go there yet. He is behind. His new ad shows a photo of Osama bin Laden and accuses Wilson of making air travel unsafe by voting against cargo inspections. And Wilson is claiming Romero isn't tough enough on child molesters! Ugh. Mr. and Mrs. New Mexico are just going to have to rely on their remote controls to find relief from this withering barrage. Balloon Fiesta anyone?

BEAUTY MEETS THE CAMPAIGN BEAST

There will be some relief from the ugliness of the Congressional campaign today. First Daughter Jenna Bush (she's the blonde) comes to ABQ to cheer on the Bush locals at their headquarters and show a decidedly softer side sorely missing in Campaign 04'. Even John Kerry smiles at the mention of the mischievous and down-home 22 year old glamour twins. (Sister Barbara is not making this trip). Maybe Heather can use Jenna and Barbara for a couple of her TV spots and Richard can use Kerry's equally attractive daughters, Vanessa and Alexandra, in some of his. Now that's a negative campaign that would be easy on the eyes.

By the way, Jenna's Prez dad will be back in NM Monday making a stop in Hobbs.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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