The feeding frenzy is underway. Just two weeks to go and the Alligators want blood. They don't want to wait until Election Day to find out who will take or lose power and they are now pounding the table on races statewide. Late-night phone calls and e-mails, anonymous and otherwise, insistently make their way to your faithful blogger who, fortunately, is ensconced in a high-rise hideout safe from the treacherous waters lurking below. But the frightful sounds of politicians fighting for their very lives as they are taken under by these Gators can not be ignored. A couple of those races today and more the rest of the week. Enjoy.

STATE HOUSE DEAN ENDANGERED?

"I am worried, very worried about Fred," reported an Alligator from Valencia County on the fortunes of State Rep. Fred Luna now the longest serving member in the NM House. "He is up against Jackie Farnsworth who almost knocked him off last time and she is working it again. You need to keep an eye on this race." We surely will. Farnsworth lost by just two points in 02,' as voters fretted over the stamina of the 73 year old Luna.

SNYDER OK?

Another Dem Valley Alligator, eyeing the action in the ABQ NE Heights State Senate contest between incumbent R Diane Snyder and D Chris Berkheimer, is calling it outright for Snyder. "I read your report that Berkheimer is getting around the district, but I think he is too activist and liberal for the area. She is a fit for the district. The R's are closing ranks behind her and I think she takes it again," said the Gator. Snyder won the endorsement of both ABQ newspapers, sometimes helpful, sometimes the "kiss of death."

VOTE COUNTING HELP?

Dem sources say the Guv may soon move to help Bernalillo County with its Election Night vote count. It will be Big Bill who will take the national heat if the county can't get its estimated 75,000 absentee votes counted in a timely fashion. Clerk Mary Herrera is saying it may take until the next day. That's not good enough. "If all she needs is more people to open absentee ballots, he can get them," said one Dem who said we should hear more soon as the Big Guy is in no mood to eat crow over NM foul-ups on national TV on E Night.

KERRY IN CRUCES

Las Cruces is the only major NM city Senator Kerry has not yet visited during this campaign but that will no longer be the case come Saturday. Big Bill will join Kerry in Cruces for a rally that a Dem insider says "gives us a chance to boost turnout in Dona Ana County. Turnout is always a problem there. This visit may help us change that." A Kerry visit just 10 days from E Day means we remain a battleground state, with Dems cautiously optimistic that a good turnout will get it for them, but the Prez still has a shot.

AG MADRID US AG?

NM Attorney General Madrid got an ego boost this week when U.S. News & World Report said she is on the short list for U.S. AG if Kerry wins. The wrinkle in the whisper is that Madrid is very tight with VP candidate Edwards and President's usually pick someone very close to them for the top law enforcement job.

OUR ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE

I will again anchor continuous Election Night coverage on KANW 89.1 FM in Albuquerque. It's my 30th year of calling elections and I will have the top experts by my side. We started with KANW back in 88' and have covered every major E night there since. This one will be one of the more memorable, so be sure to join me for the early results and the best analysis of NM politics anywhere.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Want to advertise 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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