KOAT debate

What will be the only televised debate in the ABQ race for mayor was held last night and may have served as group therapy of sorts for so many residents frustrated over crime and homelessness. Those top-of-the-mind subjects consumed well over half the time.

But politically our experts said the 60 minute face-off only solidified the likely outcome November 4--a first place finish by Mayor Keller, second for Republican Darren White and a probable December run-off election between them. (Full debate and transcript here. Newspaper report here.)

Time and again former Sheriff White, City Councilor Louis Sanchez and former US Attorney Alex Uballez targeted Keller but veteran analyst and Santa Fe attorney Greg Payne said the verbal bruising he received did not land:  

I don't think anyone laid a glove on Keller. There were numerous jabs that he very easily swatted away. The needle on this campaign barely moved but if it moved at all, it inched toward Keller. He proved pretty much unflappable at blocking the blows coming his way and showed confidence in doing so.

AN UNSADDLED SANCHEZ 

The needle may have moved more noticeably for the fortunes of Councilor Sanchez who was thrown from his saddle by both Keller and White over the hot button issue of immigration.

Sanchez launched a spirited attack on Keller's immigration policy, decrying the city's status as a "Sanctuary City" and pointing at Keller and declaring: "You want to protect criminals!"

But Sanchez voted against a proposed amendment to Albuquerque's immigrant-friendly policy, which required police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The decision was part of a Council debate on the city's stance towards immigration enforcement.

Sanchez

Keller struck first: 

Louis, you literally voted for my policy. Like, literally. And no one is protecting murderers. We will arrest anyone who commits murder and we will prosecute them. . .so look at your own voting record.

White laughed out loud, nodding his head in agreement over Keller's take down. Conservative Democrat Sanchez has been posing a threat to White's Republican base so he pounced at the chance to bring them home:

Louis that law was very clear that you voted on. That change would have said if you were in this country illegally and you were charged with a violent crime . . .it would have required the APD to turn that information over to (federal authorities). You voted against that. You were the deciding vote. So the truth is you voted against it.

It may have been a good moment for White to bring home Republicans and nail down second place but not for many other voters, argued Dem consultant David Alcon: 

Darren White assumed the angry white man position early on, alienating himself from many would-be voters. 

The Keller camp believes their easiest path to victory is a run-off with Republican White while Uballez and Sanchez would be harder to handle. 

One of the Mayor's political advisors said of his performance:

The mayor managed to fend off his opponents punches that came in strong and wild, while locking them up and landing at least one direct power punch on each opponent. Despite the onslaught against him, Keller stood tall, was forceful but collected and stayed on message. At the end Louie walked into a major assault from Darren in his immigrant friendly vote. 

White

Former US Attorney Uballez, like he has for much of the campaign, seemed a bit lost in the shuffle, coming to life early but rarely making a point that forced the moderator to give Keller a chance at rebuttal. As the night wore on he faded and the other candidates gobbled up the time. His campaign, however, said progressive Uballez had made his point:

The debate couldn’t make Albuquerque’s choice clearer: voters have a better option than Keller’s doubling down on the status quo and candidates who are running on a platform of complaints about it. Alex Uballez offered real solutions based on years of law enforcement experience like getting to faster 911 response times and investing in young people to prevent crime and violence before it starts. 

White's campaign said:

Darren White was the clear winner of tonight's KOAT mayoral debate. He laid out a bold plan to fight crime and end homelessness. When asked what Albuquerque needs to restore Route 66, White's answer said it all: "A new mayor." Straightforward. Strong. The leader Albuquerque needs.

We did not see any Sanchez debate reaction by blog press time. 

THE ODD COUPLE  

The two other other mayoral candidates--Dem Mayling Armijo and Eddie Varela--were excluded by KOAT from the debate based on polling and fund-raising. The political odd couple viewed the debate together and commented on it via Facebook.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.