We checked with an insider privy to other recent independent polling that is not made public and uses live interviews with voters. They said the Guv's approval number is over 50 percent (and the Senators’ are higher as well).

Still politicians follow the trend and react. That Consult poll could be picking up on the hornet's nest MLG stirred up with conservatives over a package of gun laws approved during the legislative session. 29 of the state's 33 sheriffs--all from the rural counties--opposed the laws and some warned they would not enforce them. That led MLG in late February to Tweet out this emotional blast:

I’m not daunted by obstacles, whether it’s NRA propaganda, rogue sheriffs throwing a childish pity party or bad-faith critics. Legislative leaders and I will continue to fight the scourge of gun violence in our communities.

That tongue lashing led to "Going Rogue" memes popping up all over the Net and the most intense criticism that MLG had received since getting elected. The conservative base outside of the cities was up in arms.

But now that she has had some time to settle into the Fourth Floor the photo posted with this blog happens and this statement:

I was very pleased to meet with a group of county sheriffs on the Fourth Floor. We had an incredibly productive dialogue about working together to keep our communities safe. I'm grateful for their participation and honored by their service to this state. We might disagree from time to time, but at the end of the day we are all New Mexicans. We successfully found common ground while discussing disagreements with civility. I look forward to our continued conversations about public safety, gun violence prevention & behavioral health.

Why rub your opponents noses in the mud when you have the votes? You don't. And that’s how you go from campaign mode to governing mode.

One other note: Do you think the chaos on the border could impact her popularity? Immigration is a tricky issue and this week it had Santa Fe Mayor Webber clarifying the level of assistance immigrants coming to his city will be getting. The new governor needs to keep her ears open to a wide variety of views.

GET TOUGHER?

ABQ Mayor Tim Keller is getting some unsolicited advice about his statement regarding this week's murder in broad daylight of a mail carrier in the city's Westgate Heights. Let's take a look. First, Keller's statement:

The men and women who carry our mail day-in and day-out are public servants in every sense of the word. One mailbox at a time, they bring our community closer together. This tragic shooting has shaken our city. We are grieving with the family of the victim, and with the entire postal service family. While we are working to get answers to the many remaining unanswered questions, we know we must, and will continue to, fight against the gun violence that has taken a terrible toll on our community. Fighting crime will remain our top priority. Albuquerque, please take some time in the next few days to personally make sure your local letter carrier knows how much you appreciate them, and give them your love and support.

Now this from ABQ attorney and former APD officer Tom Grover who thinks that misses the mark.

I would’ve said something along these lines:

To the person who committed this act, my advice is to surrender as soon as possible.All available resources will be employed to find you and bring you to justice. I’ve directed my police department to leave no stone unturned and we will fully assist the FBI and the USPIS in your apprehension.
This, and the other horrible acts of violence which have been plaguing our city, will be met with the full commitment of every person in APD, from patrol officer to chief of police.

The 17 year old alleged to have killed the mailman has been captured. thanks, tom. You're not running for something, are you?

WINTER EXITS 

Republican Brad Winter, the longest serving ABQ city councilor with 20 years of service, appeared to be poised for another re-election bid but Thursday he pulled the plug on his political career, announcing he would not seek re-election to his District 4 seat in the NE Heights. That threw the door open for the Dems who have three announced candidates in the race and could get more. No R's have yet surfaced for the November 5 election but the GOP could retain this swing district.

In his retirement announcement the 67 year old Senior Olympian said:

Unlike the state legislature, the Albuquerque City Council usually puts politics aside. For the most part we have been a fair and balanced group that operates as a true check and balance of the executive’s power.

Well, they sometimes put politics aside. Winter will be more fondly remembered for the first half of his two decade tenure.

When Republican Mayor RJ Berry took the helm for eight years in 2009 there was nary a peep of criticism from Winter, even as many concerned citizens pounded the table for Winter to say something about the APD wreckage, the soaring crime rate and an economy sliding fast. But he had come under the influence of then-Gov. Martinez's political machine. There would be no "check and balance" and, well, the rest is history.

Before that sad chapter in state and city history, Winter was a moderate Republican voice. Heck, we even tried to get him to run for Congress back in the day. (Remember that with Harry Pavlides, Brad?)

Winter brought decency, fairness and a love for his native city to the table. He just happened to end up on the wrong side of history.

You're working me to the bone, Gators. Will you let me outta here for a while?

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019