Inside the Capitol: December 2007

real gone

I'll be out of office thru Jan, 8. Phx, Rose Parade coverage, 70th birthday celebration. Shouldn't miss any columns. cell: 505-699-9982.

1-02 Can Bill Get Out of 4th in Iowa Caucuses?

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Timing is everything. And for Bill Richardson, it wasn't good. Four years ago, he'd have had a better shot in the Democratic field in which no candidate stood out.

This year in the GOP, we could see a different winner of the first several primaries. But the top-tier three candidates in the 2008 Democratic primary have been impossible for anyone to crack.

Mike Huckabee's sudden rise is what all candidates hope to do. Richardson raised much more money than Huckabee and has a much better organization but he has hardly moved from his position of 10 months ago. And no other Democrat has moved much, yet.

So we await results of the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses, whose timing also could have been better. In prior years, everyone got December off. Christmas, Hanukah, New Year and college bowl games were December's preoccupations.

But this year, candidates have had to tread unfamiliar ground. Everyone wanted maximum exposure without being intrusive. Most took off Dec. 23-25 and got back to work on the 26th.

Also unfamiliar is the GOP's free-for-all contest. Republicans are accustomed to having more structure, more order. Everyone gets behind the leader. But this year, the race is unsettled. As one GOP leader said, we don't do chaos nearly as well as the Democrats.

Bill Richardson is getting some bad press for a comment he made early in 2007 about timing of the Iowa primary. Iowans were a little paranoid about states trying to cut in front of them.

So they sought assurances from all presidential candidates that they would support Iowa being the first state on the calendar.

Iowa is important in Richardson's strategy. He must do well in the initial small states, where his money will stretch and his person-to-person politics will work. But there isn't much rationale, other than tradition, for Iowa being first.

So Richardson, with a wink and a smile, said God meant for Iowa to be first. Iowans could live with that. They saw it as Richardson making the supreme commitment to their state.

But now it's being interpreted by a political consulting agency as the most outlandish statement in the campaign. And they didn't say it with a wink and a grin. Apparently, they believe Richardson was serious.

Guess that's what happens when a candidate kids around. And Richardson is a kidder. Anyone who knows him, knows that his beliefs are not determined by religion. They're determined by polling more than anything, I suspect.

But Rush Limbaugh was not kidding when he opined that Hillary Clinton is too old to be president, even though she is younger than some of the other candidates. But Rush doesn't want to see a woman get old before his eyes.

America deserves deeper thinking than that from political analysts. I would nominate that for the most outlandish statement of the campaign -- except for the obscene emails about Hillary I receive from my brother-in-law in East Texas.

GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson gave Bill Richardson an unintended boost recently. Asked to name his favorite president in the other party, he decided to be funny and named Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Bartlet in the West Wing TV series.

It came off nicely for Thompson, who played a district attorney on Law & Order. But unknown to Thompson was that Martin Sheen is now campaigning for Bill Richardson in Iowa

In that topsy-turvy GOP Iowa race, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had a big lead in the polls for awhile as a result of massive campaign spending. Now Mike Huckabee appears to have forged ahead.

John McCain, whose campaign had faded to almost nothing, has received some surprising endorsements from major newspapers and public figures in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

And no one can count out the always-ignored Texas Rep. Ron Paul with the libertarian beliefs that mystify Republicans and Democrats. He raised $24 million this past quarter.

WED, 1-02-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-28 2007 Predictions Examined

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Last New Year's Day I made a list of predictions for 2007. Let's see how I did.

I predicted El Nino would bring us much snow, filling our lakes and reservoirs -- and that most communities would ration water anyway. We had a very wet winter and spring and then La Nina suddenly appeared to dry everything up. And we rationed water.

I predicted gasoline prices in Santa Fe would mysteriously drop the opening day of the Legislature and just as inexplicably shoot back up the day after lawmakers left town. That was too easy. The Santa Fe oil cartel always arranges that.

I predicted significant ethics legislation would be introduced amid much fanfare -- and then forgotten. Another easy one. It's happened every year since the state treasurer scandal broke.

I disputed astrological predictions a comet would devastate the Earth in February. We're still here.

I predicted lawmakers would spend a billion dollars on pork projects. That was too easy for anyone who knew how much was available and that the Legislature was sure to spend it all.

I predicted Gov. Bill Richardson would not call a special session. I figured he couldn't work it into his presidential campaign schedule. He tried to get them back, anyway, to try again on ethics reform. But lawmakers told him he was wasting his time.

I predicted a state government scandal involving top Democrats would be revealed. Another no-brainer. Pete Domenici and Heather Wilson pushed U.S. Attorney David Iglesias to do it for months.

I predicted Dr. J.R. Damron would win a broadly-contested race for state GOP chairman. It became a possibility, but chairman Allen Weh decided to stay for another term.

I predicted someone would discover a Nostradamus prophesy that World War III would begin in 2007. It didn't happen, but someone did find a "lost" book of his prophesies that is sure to contain it somewhere. I failed to take into account that no one discovers a Nostradamus prophesy until after the event has occurred.

I predicted Bill Richardson would embark on a world tour to bring Peace on Earth. Close. He went to Darfur and North Korea. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize again and we haven't gotten ourselves into World War III yet. But it hasn't helped Richardson's presidential chances.

I predicted John Dendahl would appear from nowhere to become the GOP presidential favorite. Actually, he disappeared to Nowhere, Colo. -- and hasn't been heard from since.

I predicted Truth or Consequences would change its name to Virgin Galactica at the urging of Sir Richard Branson. Actually T or C seems to have become disinterested in being the gateway to space ever since it was asked to contribute to the spaceport project.

I predicted Billy the Kid would not be found in a Texas grave. He wasn't, but it was because no one would let Sheriff Steve Sederwall dig.

I predicted that superstar problem children Terrell Owens and Randy Moss would completely disrupt their new teams. They currently are the top pass receivers in the National Football League on the two best teams in the NFL. Well, there's always next year.

I predicted Rep. Heather Wilson would not enroll in charm school. She didn't. It shows.

I predicted former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would return to retirement in New Mexico. He did, but Taos did not throw a welcome home party.

And I predicted the New Mexico Tourism Department would enter another float in the Rose Parade and that it would depict President Bill Richardson sitting in the Oval Office. I missed badly on envisioning him displaced by three little green men.

All in all, it wasn't a bad record, far better than any astrologers have ever done. I understand they get paid better than columnists. I'd consider a career change, but I'd have to learn the names of constellations.

Politicians are far more interesting.

FRI, 12-28-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-26 New Mexicans Scatter to Pasadena and Iowa

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Over 100 New Mexicans from throughout the state will be descending on Pasadena, California in the days following Christmas to put the finishing touches on the state of New Mexico's 2008 Rose Parade entry.

The float was designed early in the year and built over the past several months. It's space alien theme has been controversial, but calls during the past month to change the theme went nowhere because it was already built. Rose Parade floats are a year round business.

Despite suggestions that the theme is silly or will scare people, the spirit among New Mexicans headed to Pasadena is high. Two years ago, we worked among frivolous floats that won prizes. And several of us in this group are veterans of Roswell UFO parades in which we won prizes.

This float won't be like those in our local parades here in New Mexico. Rose Parade floats are professional -- no napkins, no cardboard, no paint. The superstructure has been built. We will be adding tens of thousands of flowers, along with bark, seeds and leaves that will cover the entire surface of the float. We understand the color on the little green men will come from split peas.

We are told that the number of flowers on a float exceeds the amount that an average American florist will sell in five years. The roses will be placed in individual vials of water and set into the float one by one on the final day.

The builder provides two supervisors and a decoration manual listing the materials we will use, the method of application and when we will decorate each item on the float.

They know, in four-hour increments, what will be decorated on every square inch of the huge float. There is a separate manual for the floral design team and the detail artist assigned to the float.

We will work in approximately eight-hour shifts from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The working conditions won't exactly be excellent. We'll be in an unheated tent. It has to be cool enough so that the flowers won't wilt. We've been told to wear work clothes, dress in layers, with a cap, gloves and comfortable shoes.

We also have been told to bring rain gear and a first-aid kit. No smoking, food or drinks are allowed within the work area. We were issued name badges before leaving New Mexico, which must be worn at all times. Security is very tight to protect against industrial sabotage and to insure an efficient and orderly operation.

Some New Mexicans will arrive as early as Dec. 26, when the decorating starts, but most will not arrive until the 28th or 29th.

The float builder contracts with local non-profit groups to fill in the gaps during the early days so there will always be about 70 workers on every float. That wasn't necessary on the New Mexico float last time. We were always ahead of schedule.

New Mexico's contractor, Fiesta Parade Floats, will be building several other floats in the same big tent as our state's float. Our float will not nearly be the size of some of the entries by big companies. Some of those run around $500,000.

The cost of New Mexico's will be close to $200,000 but I understand some of that is for other related Tourism Department promotions in the area.

Paid tours are conducted full time around the inside of the outer walls of our tent. Many of our group enjoy chatting with the viewers and promoting our state.

The flower attaching will end early on the evening of Dec. 30, at which time workers will break for a New Year's Eve party organized in appreciation for all volunteers.

These New Mexicans won't be the only ones busy during the Christmas break. Gov. Bill Richardson is asking for campaign assistance in Iowa at the same time.

At least we'll be warmer.

WED, 12-26-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-24 Celebrate Christmas Any Way You Want

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Merry Christmas. Or am I allowed to say that? As far as I'm concerned, no one is going to stop me from enjoying Christmas. And if that involves my public acknowledgement of Christmas, then so be it.

I feel I can do so and still recognize religious diversity. A Jewish congregation just down the street has placed a very large menorah on its fence, which I like very much.

We have a sparkly crescent and star hanging prominently in our house. And we aren't bothered that to nearly all the world, it is a symbol of Islam.

To us, it is a reminder of a magical evening, sitting atop the Conrad Hotel on the Asian side of Istanbul, looking across the Bosporus at the European continent and seeing a crescent moon and star above us in almost the exact position as on the Turkish flag.

Actually the crescent and star are not a Muslim symbol. If they were, they couldn't be on the Turkish flag. You know about naming teddy bears and all that. The crescent and star were a Turkish symbol long before Islam came into existence.

The Turks quickly became the great power of the Muslim world. When their legions conquered southern Europe, the sight of the Turkish flag they carried caused people to associate the crescent and star with Islam. Eventually Muslims began to make the same association.

But its no big deal to us. We have Santos and Bultos all over our house but we're not Catholic. We have them because we like them. We also have a large cross collection and over 300 nativities for which we had to buy a storage shed to keep them between Christmas seasons.

The point is that people get too serious about words and symbols. As Mike Huckabee said in explaining Mitt Romney's religious beliefs, it is an individual's relationship with God, not his church or religion, that defines what kind of person he is. Words and symbols shouldn't mean that much.

And if they do, don't sweat it. There's no law against public display of Christmas, even for government entities. Most choose not to do it for fear of hurting someone's feelings, but the Supreme Court never has agreed to hear the issue.

Government bodies seem to be moving toward the unwritten "one reindeer rule" by putting something secular in their Christmas display. If I were to move to a country where the predominant culture was other than Christian, I would not expect to see that culture adapt to me.

Some businesses like to play it safe and not lose any customers by mentioning Christmas. But many stores have discovered they can lose more customers by being politically correct.

The Christmas season is a great time to give thanks for the birth of our savior and to focus on peace and good will. But Dec. 25 isn't so sacred. We should give thanks year round.

It appears very likely that Christ was not born on Dec. 25 because shepherds would not have been in the fields tending their flocks in the middle of winter.

December was a common time for most cultures and religions to celebrate because they didn't have to be tending their fields at that time. So it was a good time for Christians to have their big celebration.

Nothing says birthdays have to be celebrated on the anniversary of one's birth. I know people born on Dec. 25, who celebrate their birthday in July.

And by the way, the use of Xmas isn't too un-Christian. In Greek, the language of many early Christian writings, X (Chi) was the first letter of Christ.

So don't feel intimidated about celebrating Christmas in exactly the way you want. You get to make the rules by which you live.

And don't let the blustering Bill O'Reillys of the world get you too worked up either. No one has declared war on Christmas and no one won it for us. MERRY CHRISTMAS

MON, 12-24-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-21 Interesting Matchups in Congressional Contests

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Some interesting match ups are beginning to develop in New Mexico's four congressional races.

In the Republican U.S. Senate contest, Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are in a battle of the titans. It's not often that two members of the U.S. House give up their seats, especially Pearce, who almost surely could have been congressman for life.

But one of them is going to be out of politics, at least for awhile. The political pros are guessing it will be Wilson., who has had some difficulty holding onto her current House seat.

Wilson is a moderate who represents a moderate district. Her problem is that she first has to win a statewide primary election in which conservative Republican turnout usually carries the day. That fits Pearce's profile much better.

So Wilson is at a disadvantage when it comes to the issues. Republican voters and nominating convention delegates are likely to prefer Pearce's position on the issues.

That means Wilson has to look for other campaign themes. The first one she tried was to characterize Pearce, 60, as too old. By the time he gets any power, she said, he will be as old as Pete Domenici, 75, is now.

It hasn't worked out well. Wilson is going to have to do better opposition research. There isn't much she can say about accepting contributions from sources that later proved to be tainted, since they both were involved in those embarrassments.

Possibly it could be Pearce's relationship with House Resources Committee chairman Rep. Richard Pombo, under whom Pearce rose quickly as a subcommittee chairman. Some of Pombo's activities led to his 2006 defeat.

In the 1st Congressional District seat left open by Wilson, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White and state Sen. Joe Carraro will duke it out. White is the favorite and the national party's choice, but Carraro always makes his contests interesting.

That's because Joe Carraro is an interesting guy. He holds four degrees from the University of New Mexico, including a PhD in human behavior. He has been a stock broker, financial analyst, writer and international business consultant. Currently he owns a pizza parlor and runs Project Share, which he founded to feed the homeless.

He is a maverick who espouses the Gary Johnson principle of people before politics. He notes that he is the only Republican in the Democratic-controlled Legislature in the past 15 years to be named a committee chairman.

Carraro runs for higher office often, and when he does manages to attract headlines with attacks on administration officials. His current issue is the cost of the Rail Runner commuter train, which gives him plenty to talk about.

Over on the Democratic side of the 1st Congressional District there is uneasiness over whether they are creating enough excitement to take the district away from the GOP, which has held it ever since the district's creation in 1982.

The war is a big issue but congressional Democrats haven't done a thing to get our troops out. Carraro talks about wanting to end the war too, so at this point, there isn't much noticeable difference between the parties.

City Councilor Martin Heinrich is the leading contender. He picked up a union endorsement last week but he's not really setting the world on fire. Former state Health secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham should add some spark to the race when she gets her campaign cranked up.

What could set the contest on fire would be the entrance of chick lit novelist Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, who has influenced pop culture nationally with sassy books, such as her best-selling "Dirty Girls Social Club."

But despite her national fame, she's still not particularly recognizable in Albuquerque. Last year, she applied for a business license for Dirty Girls, Inc. The city clerk's office said they didn't license business like that. She said her business wasn't like that and had to go to her car to get a copy of the past week's newspaper with a front page headline story about her national fame.

If she can raise $5,000, she'll get in the Democratic primary.

FRI, 12-21-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-19 Park Service Plans to Defile a State Treasure

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- The National Park Service has done it again. In recent years, the NPS has consistently disregarded almost everything the agency is supposed to represent.

It tried to rewrite management policies to allow snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, cell towers and commercial advertising into national parks.

A bipartisan group of senators in a hearing before the Senate National Parks Subcommittee let the department know it wasn't going to get away with changing law through the use of management policies.

Then the NPS tried to sell off 15 national parks to help reduce the federal budget deficit. One of those parks was Theodore Roosevelt Island in the Potomac, named for the great Republican conservationist.

There have been other efforts by the Bush administration to privatize and commercialize national parks despite the primary purpose of the department being to preserve what nature has given us.

Now, to cut more costs, the director of the NPS Denver office wants to move 90 additional employees into Santa Fe's former regional office. That office is housed in a building that is designated a National Historic Landmark.

It is known as the largest adobe office building in the world and it is a thing of beauty. It was conceived and designed in 1939 as an artistic entity, with its exterior and interior as a single artistic creation. And is of major significance in the history of the NPS.

But the transfer of so many employees into the building will necessitate reworking its interior to create what sounds like a typical governmental cubicle farm.

Many of the present furnishings would have to be removed. This includes some of the artwork, furniture, craftwork and artifacts uniquely designed for the structure by Hispanic artisans. They all are elements that led to the National Landmark designation. Many were created in the building, for the building.

There are photographs on display showing specific pieces of the furniture being created in the building by Hispanic artisans working for the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration.

I am told that that degree of historical integrity does not exist at most places which have been designated as national monuments. Over the years, many have suggested that this building on Old Santa Fe Trail should become a national monument.

This act of total disregard for the history, status and importance to the NPS is very likely to be the impetus for several organizations pursuing national monument status for the building. That will require participation of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

To make room for the cubicles, some of the furnishings will have to be removed. Plans call for them to be stored in Arizona. Reportedly, some items already have been removed, very possibly in violation of the building's historic status.

The Park Service building was conceived and built with such energy and enthusiasm that it is distressing to see the current lack of appreciation or understanding by present officials.

History tells us that when the NPS regional director requested a headquarters building be located in Santa Fe, he received almost immediate approval. That was fortunate because he already had secured a donation of eight acres and had moved several key personnel to Santa Fe months earlier. Within five days, the foundations were being dug and adobes were being made.

Too bad government projects can't move that fast now. Unfortunately the plan to convert the interior of this magnificent building into a typical federal office complex may be moving with equal speed.

Many historical preservation associations are quickly responding but transfer of the building's depression-era treasures already had begun before any notifications were issued.

It is ironic that government attempts are underway to harm the National Park Service at the same time the White House is featuring our national parks in its Christmas decorations.

The descriptions sound lavish. It's too bad that money couldn't have gone to our national parks instead..

WED, 12-19-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-17 Wright Brothers 104th Anniversary Flight

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- It was on December 17, 1903, that Orville and Wilber Wright finally were ready to get their plane into the air long enough to constitute a recognized flight.

The day was windy and freezing there on the isolated Outer Banks of North Carolina. Frustrating delays had kept the brothers on this cold, windswept island much longer than they had intended.

Their family back in Akron, Ohio had been hassling them for days reminding them they were running out of time to get everything packed up and home in time for Christmas.

North Carolina's Outer Banks had been chosen instead of the fields outside Akron because of their steady high winds, a soft, flat landing area and the lack of prying eyes of competitors and the press.

Overall, it was a good choice, but its isolation meant great difficulties getting there. It also meant not having a place to fix or replace a broken part. All the backup had to be brought with them.

They also were far from their bicycle repair shop that was financing this madness about flying. But conditions were good and no one would consider making the trip out to spy on them. It was just too much of a hardship.

The young Wright Brothers were true American entrepreneurs. Neither had quite finished high school. They loved to tinker and figure out how to make things work. So they shunned school in order to devote their talents to starting businesses and making money.

Bicycles were the new craze at the time. They got those figured out and wanted to move on to flying machines. Some people already were experimenting in the United States and in Europe. The problem of lift had been solved and motors had been put on gliders to provide speed.

But control was a mystery. Various theories developed. One was that that if bigger engines added enough speed, stability would be the result. Many died trying to prove that one.

The Wright Brothers' learned from watching birds fly. Their wings bent. So airplane wings should bend too. Thus a warped wing was developed. After numerous tries, it worked. First they used it with kites, then with gliders, taking a long run down Kill Devil Hill at Kitty Hawk.

Then power was added and they made unmanned flights. Finally in mid-December, it was time for Wilbur to climb aboard, lying in the middle of the bottom wing. The first flight was 120 feet, lasting 12 seconds. By the fourth flight, the plane covered 852 feet in just under a minute. They had done it.

It was the first sustained and controlled, heavier-than-air powered flight. The aerodynamic principles used by the Wright Brothers have applied to all airplanes ever since.

The Wrights never accepted funding from the government or private individuals. They were businessmen and wanted all the fruits of their research and development.

Continued testing was conducted in Dayton, but when the press would come around the planes developed problems. Once the Wrights felt they had a plane that was salable, they took it to some air shows and then began advertising.

But they wouldn't demonstrate a plane to a prospective buyer until they had a signed contract to purchase the plane. For two years, they made no sales, while other builders improved their products.

Finally, they signed contracts with the U.S. Army and with a French company. The demonstrations went beautifully and convinced all doubters that the Wrights truly knew what they were doing. Their dream of making it big had come true.

Both Akron, Ohio and Kittyhawk, N.C. have museums dedicated to the Wright Brothers and claim to be the birthplace of flight. We've been to both. They both have legitimate claims.

Our choice, however, is the Kittyhawk site. You can view the imposing Kill Devil Hill from which they conducted their glider tests and the long stretch of sand (now covered with grass) over which they made their flights, with each of their four first flights marked.

And the Outer Banks no longer are difficult to get to or isolated.

MON, 12-17-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-14 Outsiders Preempting NM Voters

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- New Mexican voters will have some interesting federal contests in which to make decisions. But unfortunately, in some races, those decisions already are being made for us by others.

In the presidential races, New Mexico voters will get very little say. Democrats again will hold a presidential caucus the first Tuesday in February.

But whereas four years ago all presidential candidates had been here at least once and some several times, this year, only Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich have been in the state.

And Kucinich hasn't paid his $2,500 yet to get on New Mexico's ballot. At present, only Richardson and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd will be on the caucus ballots.

On Feb. 5, New Mexico Democrats will get an opportunity to give Gov. Richardson the great majority of the state's nominating convention ballots -- if Richardson still is in the hunt by then.

Four years ago, New Mexico was one of the first states in the Democratic presidential selection process. This year, 10 states are ahead of us and 23 states will vote on Feb. 5.

As for New Mexico's Republicans, they vote on June 3, dead last in the process and likely four months after 33 other states already have chosen the GOP nominee.

In the U.S. Senate race, Rep. Tom Udall appears to have the Democrat nomination sewed up, partly as the result of the national party's intervention that resulted in Udall being convinced to run for the post and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez being told that he will receive no national help if he wins the Democratic nomination.

The Republican U.S. Senate primary is wide open with U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson going head to head for the opportunity to defend the GOP seat from Democratic incursion.

In the 1st Congressional District, it appears that national Republican intervention has tried to clear the field for Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. Mark Boitano, a state senator who was thinking about running, reports he was given about the same message as Chavez received. So far Boitano is staying out of the race, as is state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones who also was eyeing the contest.

But nothing deters state Sen. Joe Carraro, a maverick Albuquerque Republican who has run often for higher office, most recently for Sen. Jeff Bingaman's seat two years ago. He lost the primary race and complained that party officials were backing Dr. Allen McCulloch of Farmington.

On the Democrat side, several candidates are in, but the word is the state party still is looking for a heavyweight to add to the field.

The 2nd Congressional District appears to be where the most fun is to be had this year. Both parties have wide-open races, with additional candidates still getting in.

In the 3rd Congressional District, what once appeared to be such a large Democratic field that there was a fear none of them would receive the required 20 percent of the nominating convention vote, the pack now is being thinned significantly.

Four major candidates have recently dropped out of the race, leaving Public Regulation Commission Chairman Ben Ray Lujan as the presumed winner.

Political observers are speculating that Lujan's father, House Speaker Ben Lujan, has orchestrated an effort to clear the field for his son.

Some candidates will remain in the race but the Democrats' pre-primary nominating convention is expected to give none of them the required 20 percent of votes, leaving Lujan as the one candidate on the ballot.

On the GOP side, there isn't expected to be much of a choice for voters either. The district leans Democrat enough to make the race not very attractive for Republican candidates.

Ron Dolin, who ran an almost-zero-budget campaign two years ago has thought about getting in. But now Marco Gonzales a former Pete Domenici staffer, is looking at it and should make a respectable showing.

FRI, 12-14-07

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

12-12 Why Did Chavez Get Out of Senate Race?

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- So how come Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez got out of the U.S. Senate race? The immediate thought among political observers was that deals were made. But Chavez said no, and it appears that's the case.

Evidently, it was bad poll numbers that showed Chavez trailing Rep. Tom Udall by an amount so large that it would have necessitated a highly negative campaign to have a shot at closing the gap.

Chavez says he did it for the good of the party. He's right. It will help the party not to have an expensive, fractious primary. But it also will help Chavez's future political career to not have caused that sort of grief.

His withdrawal statement had a very positive tone and a pledge to help Udall's campaign. His future political options appear somewhat limited but it is very close to a sure bet that Chavez will be back. He's been in politics since he was a young man and it isn't out of his system yet.

Many Democrats would like to see him drop down to the House race, where they don't have a big name candidate yet. But Chavez has frequently said he doesn't want a job he has to keep winning every two years in order to experience the polarized battles of the U.S. House.

The 2010 gubernatorial race is a possibility. Chavez was running for that when Pete Domenici's retirement opened the U.S. Senate seat. But Lt. Gov. Diane Denish was beating him in the polls in that race and had raised a great deal more money than he had.

Running again for mayor also is a possibility. He is term limited, but that ordinance has already been declared unconstitutional for city councilors and a challenge to the term limit on mayors likely would succeed also.

Chavez already has been mayor longer than anyone in the city's history. Sooner or later Albuquerqueans are likely to get tired of him being mayor for life.

And that may already have happened. Chief executives typically have problems during mid-term elections, but Chavez is having more than usual this time.

The City Council is capable of overriding his vetoes and isn't particularly interested in supporting any of his initiatives. I have a hunch the negative reaction to the mayor's red light camera initiative is mostly about negative reactions to Chavez. Evidence from other communities says the cameras save lives.

And yet he's won three mayoral elections on platforms that are about as popular with Republicans as they are with Democrats. And that's a major problem with Chavez in a Democratic primary. They think he ought to go over and run with the Republicans.

So it appears there was no behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Chavez made the decision on his own without being offered any favors by Democratic officials who wanted him out. But then, if we see him jump into the House race with party backing, we'll know something is up.

There always is the possibility that Chavez could be rewarded for good behavior with a plum federal job if Democrats were to take the White House next year. He has attained a good deal of administrative experience in the mayor's office.

We've had plenty of surprises already, which tells us that anything is possible. Filing date for 2008 elections is not until Feb. 12. Over half the presidential primaries will have been held by then, so Gov. Bill Richardson could be in play again despite his protestations to the contrary.

Rep. Udall still will have some competition. Alternative publisher Leland Lehrman remains in the Senate race. His left-wing politics may actually help Udall by making him look closer to the center, which is the direction he now wants to go without Chavez in the race.

Udall's biggest problem will be his vote for decreased funding for the Los Alamos and Sandia labs. Chavez was pounding him on it and both Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are now running against Udall on that issue.

WED, 12-12-07