Ryan
Is John Ryan's teenage criminal record played out? That's what they're asking in the ABQ North Valley-Corrales senate district after a screaming anti-Ryan piece from the Democratic Party made it to the mailboxes. Ryan's D opponent, John Hooker, supports the piece which points out Ryan's arrest for breaking into prominent Republican Shirley Leslie's house some 20 years ago. Ryan was pardoned by Governor Gary.

Ryan sent a partial disclosure letter to voters and Shirley is not actively campaigning against him. Neither is former GOP chairwoman Ramsay Gorham who has tangled with Ryan and who is giving up the seat after two terms. Also, Ryan had a big party for Republicans like Pete Domenici and Manuel Lujan recently. Ryan's backers say he has served himself well by not going ballistic over the inflated hit piece and are cautiously optimistic that he may have ridden out the storm.

Hooker is a strong contender, but the R's think he's too liberal for the R district and point out that Big Bill has not raised the flag for Hooker. He may need coattails from Kerry in this one. With a piece yelling convicted felon across the district, the race is just too volatile to call. Political history is on Ryan's side, while his personal history is not. Stay tuned.

CHENEY TO ANSWER KERRY

On the heels of John Kerry's announcement that he will visit Las Cruces Saturday comes word that VP Cheney will return to the state the very same day for a rally in Farmington. Both sides are staying away from the Big Duke City and the North, which are nailed down for the D's. They're fighting to get their base vote out. San Juan County has grown increasingly R in recent years and Cheney's visit is aimed at getting them out in big numbers.

Readers have asked how I see the intense Prez battle here. I see Kerry winning the state and if he doesn't' I don't think he will be elected nationally. NM has gone D three times in a row; the D's hold a huge registration advantage, a powerful governor working it for Kerry and a solid lead in Bernalillo County. It could still break Bush's way, but in your blogger's humble opinion he will need a news development or the old October surprise. Our final prediction in a week or so.

LOST IN LA POLITICA

Newcomer Janice Kando, seeking the ABQ Westside House seat occupied by Eric Youngberg, got a wake-up call to the political game this week. A pro-abortion PAC put out a mailer on her behalf. Trouble is, the group sent the piece to Senate District 23. Kando, a family doctor, is seeking election to House District 23! In a twist of irony, Senate #23 is represented by one of the most fervent anti-abortion advocates in the state, Joe Carraro. Freshman Republican Youngberg is favored in this one because the district is R and he has been active in the fight for Westside roads, a key issue. Kando is an attractive candidate for the D's, but her time may not have yet come.

STOP THE INSANITY!

Here's a new angle on getting out the vote that just might work. This one is hitting mailboxes: "Tired of the annoying political phone calls? When you vote early, ACT-NM will put you on our do-not call-list."

It seems the politicos know that over-saturated New Mexicans are losing patience with all the intrusions. ACT is a group supported by anti-Bush billionaire George Soros. I have even heard of people getting political calls on their cell phones, once sacred territory, but in this election they are tracking down voters like hunters in deer season. Be careful out there!

WE NEED YOU ON E NIGHT

Would you like to help bring Election Night resutls to NM? We need poll spotters for our KANW 89.1 FM coverage. You stake out the polls and give us the results direct from the site. It's fun as you tell the state the first results and get credit on the radio. E-mail me from the top of this page or give me a call at 505-243-4059 for details. We want folks statewide.

LINKING AWAY

Here's the Web site for State Supreme Court Justice Ed Chavez. His opponent is R Ned Fuller, whose site we posted a while back. If you want your candidate's link here, send it in.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author