Speaker Lujan
NM House Speaker Ben Lujan gave me the "treatment" Tuesday afternoon, making it clear that the Alligators who attempted to align him with former House Speaker Sanchez and State Rep. Ken Martinez on this blog need to hear a message: "I am confident in whoever the House Democrats choose for leadership positions," he offered in a stern chat from his center-of-power-office at the Roundhouse.

He also chastized me for not checking with him on the rogue comment that he somehow supported Martinez's move to oust Danice Picraux as Majority Leader and also sees Martinez as a future speaker. "I have not spoken to (former Speaker) Raymond Sanchez in months and I am grooming no one for anything," declared the veteran practicioner of the fine art of La Politica. And he sharply added: "Joe, my health is fine and God willing I will be around a long time."

THE MARTINEZ FACTOR

Rep. Martinez
The Speaker's point is well taken. The "grooming" of Martinez was the brainchild of former House Speaker Sanchez who was tutored by Martinez's father, former House Speaker Walter Martinez. His idea was a hand-me-down speakership, but that plan was aborted when Raymond himself was toppled from power by John Sanchez, who went on to lose the Guv's chair to Big Bill.

After Lujan took me to the woodshed, I went back to the pond and hunted down more reliable Alligators who pointed out that Gentle Ben does not cotton to being compared to his predecessor and, while he may not see Ken Martinez breathing down his neck, he is aware that this position of power is eyed fondly by those who wear their ambition on their sleeves. As for Martinez and the majority leader slot, if he were to win it would put him in the exact same position Ben Lujan was in before he achieved the Speakership.

THE BIG PICTURE

Another angle worth noting: Raymond Sanchez, ex-Senate boss Manny Aragon and Ken Martinez are of the trial lawyer variety. Since the departures of Manny and Ray the top Legislative leadership posts have been in the hands of the commoners like Lujan. Down the road, the powerful trial lawyers would like to have some of their own back in the top perches. They may have to wait a while in the House, but over in the state senate, Michael Sanchez, also a trial lawyer and brother of Raymond, is vying for the Senate Majority Leader spot. If Sanchez is successful the lawyer brigade would again have one of their own back in the power picture.

Meantime, while the House power positions below Lujan may be in question and are to be settled next week, he is taking his vitamins and letting it be known that there is no mystery about whose hand is banging the gavel. We hear you Mr. Speaker. Loud and clear.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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