Bingaman
The guessing game continues over the political future of veteran NM Dem U.S. Senator jeff Bingaman, with insiders anxiously awaiting definite word on whether Jeff will seek a fifth, six year term in 06.' He is taking his time making up his mind and there are mixed signals. Take his recent statement to KRWG-FM Radio in Las Cruces: "I have got to decide sometime next Spring whether I will seek an additional term and I have not made that decision."

But Bingaman will hold a mid-December fundraiser, sparking speculation that he is indeed going to hit the campaign trail, even though he is unhappy that the Dems are now outnumbered in the Senate 55-45. The Silver City native has only a couple of hundred grand in his campaign kitty, hardly any by modern standards, but the R's apparently have no strong candidates waiting in the wings to take on the former NM attorney general and Harvard grad. State Rep. Dan Foley has ben mentioned as a possible, but his hard-right politics do not put fear into the hearts of the D's.

WAITING WANNA BE'S

People close to the Senator will tell you that he traditionally does not rush his announcement decisions, but times have changed and his word is much more anticipated this time as all hell will break loose if he decides it's time to retire. You could expect Rep. Tom Udall from the North to seek the seat and perhaps one or even both of the state's two R U.S. House members. Then there's Big Bill, who would also be tempted to take a look. Imagine the political chess game to fill all those chairs!

Bingaman's most appealing attribute to New Mexicans has been his low-key, but attentive approach. Recently, some have commented that the senator does not seem as engaged as in years past. Perhaps being in the minority has contributed to the sense of lethargy. However, no one is doubting his political prowess or appeal, just his intensity. Stay tuned.

LIBERAL IN SANTA FE

Franken
Santa Fe County should be fertile ground for the new liberal Air America Network, featuring comic/lefty Al Franken and company. The format debuted in ABQ on KABQ AM 1350 a few months ago (too early to tell how it's doing in the ratings) and now the City Different will get a chance to lend an ear.

Steve Terrell of the New Mexican reports: "Conservative Republicans might control the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court, but the right-wing dominance of a local talk-radio station is about to end as the unabashedly liberal Air America network readies to start broadcasting at KTRC 1260 AM in Santa Fe.

"Santa Fe is a natural for us," said Jon Sinton, president of Air America, in a telephone interview. "We're very excited."

Air America broadcasts on more than 40 stations and two satellite networks. In Santa Fe County, Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1. Democrat John Kerry got more than 70 percent of the vote against President Bush earlier this month.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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