Falling Behind in Science Again

MON, 10-06-08


SANTA FE - Oct. 4 was the 51st birthday of Sputnik. It might not seem like a particularly important event but that little creature had a bigger impact on the world at the moment of its birth announcement than perhaps any other newborn ever has.
Sputnik didn't have to wait to grow up to start making a difference. The world knew immediately what it's existence meant. America was behind in the technology race, upstaged by a bunch of dummies from nowhere.
How did they do it? A decade earlier we had been the first to develop an atomic bomb. That was mostly with foreign scientists seeking refuge from Hitler and Mussolini. The United States and Russia had both captured their share of German rocket scientists at the end of World War II. But their scientists beat our scientists.
Our military assured us Russia had just gotten lucky and had barely beaten us. We would beat them putting a man into space. But our first attempt fell over on the launch pad. Then the Russians put a dog into space and then Yuri Gagarin. It was very embarrassing and the fault of our schools.
Tons of federal money were poured into our schools, most notably into graduate programs in science and engineering but also into many other fields. And it worked. By the time President Kennedy declared we would beat Russia to the moon, we were ready to compete.
Why was the space race so important? We figured as soon as someone could put a man in space, the next thing would be bombs. They'd be raining down on us from everywhere. We'd been worried about commies under every bed. Now we had to look in the other direction for them too.
Then we learned that dropping bombs from space was a lot harder than it looked. It was much easier to put them on the end of rockets and aim them at each other. So that's where the space race headed. We made it to the moon first and put a big footprint on it. But we never moved on to the moon base once envisioned.
The next step was a star wars defense system, which never materialized but its backers took credit for it breaking the financial back of the Soviet Union. With that, the interest in space waned. A few years ago, President George W. Bush envisioned an effort to return to the moon and thence to Mars. It is still on the drawing board, but other events have intervened.
Gone are a number of projects aimed at exploring the outer edges of science. Projects to develop a space elevator, a space slingshot, a space sail, space nets, water and air harvested from moon dust, a food replicator and plants that grow on demand have all been shelved.
Also shelved was a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane, one of which was being developed here in New Mexico at White Sands Missile Range. NASA has offered some funds to help the fledging commercial space industry, which might be the inexpensive way to get a space program kick started.
Also gone is this nation's super conducting supercollider, a huge, underground atom smasher envisioned by our government in 1987. The New Mexico Legislature held a special session that summer to set aside land in Torrance County in case our application for the project were to be approved.
But we lost out to Texas, which is common when politics is concerned. In wars, it is a different story. New Mexico beats them up every time. But this was politics, which requires something other than bravery, and Texas won. But then it lost. The project was cancelled be fore the digging finished.
And now the project is being finished by the Europeans in a venture called the Large Hadron Collider, beneath Switzerland and France.
America led the world for many decades in the advancement of science and engineering. Now most students in those fields are foreign and we chase them out of our country as soon as they have graduated. What does that hold for our future?

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10-3 I'm Outta Here

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Enough. I've had enough. In August, the two presidential candidates reported record spending of over $3 million a day. More than half of that went to increasingly negative advertising.
In September, the advertising became even more negative and undoubtedly spending increased to new record levels. And there is no reason in the world that October will not see a further escalation of spending and negativity.
To make matters worse the major portion of the presidential spending will be directed at about 12 target states, one of which is New Mexico.
It is estimated that over $25 million will be spent on advertising here. It already appears we are at the saturation point here but they tell us there is more to come.
And with a Senate race and three House contests with no incumbents this year, our exposure to negative advertising is multiplying, with national parties and special interests pumping in millions more to the congressional races.
I don't care if Texans think El Pasoans are fortunate to be privileged to watch television ads aimed at New Mexicans. I'll bet the ranch that El Pasoans are as anxious as New Mexicans to see this all be over.
My wife and I established a rule two weeks ago that we will watch no more television news. It's strictly sports, weather and PBS. I can get all the news I need from newspapers and the Internet.
And just to be sure we aren't annoyed by all the goings on, we have found an October cruise through the Middle East that will take us to places we have always wanted to see and which have become much more relevant in today's world.
It may be a cop out, but I can follow the action by computer and send you my thoughts as I have for the past 22 years. And all that time I can be checking on what it is that makes those folks tick over there.
It is a land of sharp contrasts. Ultra modern cities, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and who knows where else, exist alongside 7th century religious and cultural traditions.
We will spend our time cruising the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. On the Red Sea we will be treated to some historical sights such as the city carved out of Red Rock cliffs at Petra, Jordan. That's where Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed. And we'll tour the tombs of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
We'll also see religious sights such as Mount Sinai, Job's tomb and the oldest Christian monastery in the world with ties going back to Moses and the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
On the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, we'll visit some of the areas involved in the current conflicts. We'll travel through the Strait of Hormuz, stopping on both sides, at Oman and at Bandar Abbas, Iran.
There also will be stops in Bahrain, Qatar and three of the United Arab Emirates. We are looking forward to a real education.
* * *
Finally, another political perplexity I have been pondering. My parents always taught me that it is impolite to point at people. So why do so many politicians start pointing in every which direction as soon as they walk onto a stage?
Are they pointing at old friends? Big money supporters? People with funny hats? Or are they just pointing to make it look like they have a lot of friends and supporters in the audience? President George W. Bush is one of the most avid finger pointers. Hillary Clinton is just as bad.
When making speeches, most politicians avoid pointing a finger when making a point. Some will gesture with all four fingers. While he was president, Bill Clinton would point a crooked finger while making a point. Recently, he has been straightening that finger out.
FRI, 10-03-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

Will be out until Oct. 27. This is a one-time itinerary so didn't know when we'd get the chance again. I'll have a computer. It's an unpredictable part of the world so I might miss one here and there but I usually manage. Will let you know if I will miss one.

10-1 Kilmer, Block, Rose Parade and Haskins

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- We wrote recently about the buzz around New Mexico resident and screen actor Val Kilmer, who has hinted he might run for governor.
That's really all it amounts to at this point but many have picked up on it. Gov. Bill Richardson fueled interest when he ventured that he likes the idea. His staff quickly clarified that Richardson wasn't endorsing Kilmer.
Kilmer started the excitement earlier this year when he suggested that he could do a better job of being governor than Ronald Reagan or Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Now, new revelations indicate Kilmer might want to do a better job of voting before tossing his hat in the ring. It is reported that Kilmer registered to vote in Santa Fe County soon after he moved here in 1992. But he's never exercised that right to vote.
Kilmer declined to state a political party when he registered. That means he would have to run as an independent candidate. That may be just as well. Both Republicans and Democrats have some strong candidates indicating interest in the 2010 gubernatorial contest.
* * *
Jerome Block, Jr. has no doubts about his candidacy for the Public Regulation Commission. Recently, this column indicated Gov. Bill Richardson had called him in for a talk about allegations being made against him.
Block called me to say he was the one who made the appointment with Richardson and they just talked about politics in general. I rechecked my sources and Block is correct.
* * *
New Mexico will have a float in the Rose Parade again this year. State Tourism Secretary Michael Cerletti believes it is one of the most cost effective ways to reach a large number of people in Southern California and a huge television audience.
One thing that makes the float cost effective is that it is decorated by volunteer labor. Nearly 100 New Mexicans travel at their own expense to Pasadena to work on the float and take part in parade festivities.
Some of those workers are sent by companies that help support the float and that advertise their businesses while in the Los Angeles area. Individuals or businesses interested in participating in this year's parade activities are asked to contact Tourism Department Deputy Secretary Jennifer Hoffman at 505-827-6674 or jennifer.hoffman@state.nm.us.
* * *
In my recent column of tributes to the departed, I didn't have room to include Don "The Bear" Haskins, basketball coach at UTEP for about 40 years. I rooted against him for most of my life but I had tons of respect for Haskins, as did everyone else who knew anything about him.
Haskins achieved his fame when he took a squad of no-names to the NCAA championship game in 1966 and won it against a star-studded University of Kentucky team. Pat Riley and Louie Dampier from that Kentucky team are in the NBA Hall of fame. I'm not aware of anyone on the TWC team making an NBA roster.
That game changed much. After years of being an ugly stepsister in the University of Texas system, Texas Western College suddenly became the University of Texas at El Paso.
The game also was a major factor in braking color barriers in college sports. Everyone on the court for TWC that night was black. Kentucky was all-white. The players and coaches of both teams say they never noticed. But the nation that watched on television surely did.
The story was so remarkable that Disney later made a movie called "Glory Road" about Haskins and the team. And a book by the same name arose from that.
In 1996, near the end of Haskins' career, he developed a very serious heart problem during basketball season. Top coaches from around the country left their teams to go to Haskins' bedside. One said he would throw a game if that's what it would take to get Haskins into the Hall of Fame. It wasn't necessary. Haskins did it on his own.
MON, 10-01-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

What's Ahead for Heather and Bill?

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- What will happen with Heather and Bill after the 2008 presidential election? It is likely New Mexico's two national luminaries will do quite well for themselves.
U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson will be out of a job on Dec. 31 of this year, having lost the Republican senatorial nomination to Rep. Steve Pearce in the June.
Rep. Wilson likely will want to continue working and using the reservoir of experience she has accumulated over the years.
And that shouldn't be difficult at all. If the Palin/McCain ticket wins in November, a nice federal job should be waiting. She has been mentioned for cabinet posts but something in the national security area might be more likely
If she's on the losing side, her intelligence and presence could put her in a cushy federal lobbying job. As an Air Force Academy graduate, a Rhodes Scholar with a Ph.D. from Oxford and a past National Security Council staff member, any major university would want to jump at her.
A good federal job isn't out of the question even if the Democrats win the presidency. Neither is running for governor in 2010. Having an election loss on one's record isn't a killer. Sen. Pete Domenici lost a gubernatorial race two years before starting a career as New Mexico's longest-serving senator.
A job in New Mexico might be very attractive to Wilson, since she chose to commute back to her family in Albuquerque almost every weekend during her tenure in office. But if she decides to take a position out of state, she would have to give it up in order to campaign in New Mexico.
A job in broadcasting or punditry also is a possibility. She has been acting as a McCain campaign surrogate and reportedly has appeared on MSNBC often.
The one time I saw her, she called Sen. Obama a baby killer. Afterward, commentator Keith Olberman ventured that she had to be joking. Relations between those two may be strained, but then Olberman isn't on friendly terms with much of anyone.
Gov. Richardson will do well for himself too. If his party loses, he still has two years to perform his "favorite job in the world." We'd probably see more of him than we have the first two years of this term.
Until the beginning of this year, his office sent out his public schedule every week. I haven't seen anything for a long time. And I don't think it's anything personal.
If Richardson's candidate wins, he may get a plum job that would take him away from New Mexico for the last two years of his term. Secretary of State has been rumored but reportedly the Washington establishment has grander ideas.
If Gov. Richardson doesn't get any offers he likes, either in January or two years from now, he can go back to doing what he did during the year between ending his stint as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy and running for governor. That was 2001.
Reportedly Richardson listed his net worth as less than $750,000 when he left the president's cabinet and later listed his net worth as more than $10 million when he became governor of New Mexico.
During that brief period, Richardson worked as a lobbyist for Henry Kissinger's firm, served on several boards of major corporations and taught university classes. Who wouldn't want to try that again?
And what happens to the loser of the big Senate race between current Reps. Tom Udall and Steve Pearce? One of them will be out of a job.
Rep. Pearce doesn't actually need a job. He can enjoy the millions he made in the oil servicing business. But that doesn't sound like Steve. Reports indicate a very good chance he will run for governor in 2010.
And if Tom Udall is out of office? He could be a gubernatorial candidate. What would an election in this part of the country be without a Udall on the ballot?
MON, 9-29-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-26 Nonprofits Add Spice to Legislative Races

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

      SANTA FE -- The only excitement in the 2008 legislative races is likely to be in those contests where lawmakers are targeted by nonprofit interest groups.

   Only 38 of the 112 legislative seats, all of which are up for election this year, have a contest. Why is that? After every decennial census, lawmakers redraw their legislative districts and they all like to make those districts as safe as possible, so as to discourage competition.

   Another possible reason is that most states pay their lawmakers in addition to providing them with expenses. New Mexico provides only a per diem to approximately cover expenses. Most people who work for a living have problems with fitting a month or two every year into their vacation schedule.

   Many lawmakers who don't have opposition in the general election did have to win primary election contests within their party. It happens more often among Democrats than Republicans. Democrats don't seem to have much respect for incumbency.

   Occasionally a controversial Republican will draw opposition. It happened this year when House Republican Whip Dan Foley drew opposition in his Roswell district and lost.

   Foley has since moved to Rio Rancho, now New Mexico's third largest city. Don't be surprised to see his name surface there in political circles before too long.

   Four Democrats were defeated in primary elections. Three of them went down after mailings and phone calls went to their constituents from the nonprofit interest groups mentioned above.

   The mailings and calls urged constituents to phone Albuquerque Sens. Shannon Robinson and James Taylor and Rep. Dan Silva to remind them that they should be working for the public interest and not special interests.

   The three senators alleged in a suit brought by Robinson, an attorney, that the voter contacts represented illegal political campaigning by nonprofits and that their opponents were funneling their campaign funds to the nonprofits so it would appear that the contacts were being made by neutral organizations.

   But the nonprofits, headed by a group called the Center for Civic Policy, which calls itself a "progressive" organization, said they weren't conducting campaign activities, but a legislative accountability project directed at the recent special legislative session, which considered health care and other issues.

   The organization said it also targeted a legislator who wasn't running for reelection and another who was running unopposed. It said the purpose of its contacts was to inform constituents of the amount of campaign contributions their lawmakers were receiving from companies in the health care and insurance businesses.

   The organization said it received no money from the opponents of Robinson, Taylor and Silva. Attorney General Gary King urged the Center for Civic Policy to immediately release its list of donors.

   The center released a list of major corporate donors and said it wanted to wait to release names of individual donors until the normal reporting date for nonprofits to avoid the possibility they might be harassed.

   Considering the list of corporate donors and major charitable organizations and the amount of their donations, it did not appear they needed any help from political opponents of those targeted.

   After the primary elections, these organizations targeted additional lawmakers. Among them were Sens. Lee Rawson, a Las Cruces Republican; Diane Snyder, an Albuquerque Republican and David Ulibarri, a Grants Democrat.

   Rawson, the Senate Republican whip, seems to have been targeted for his opposition to some ethics reform measures.

   On a 2007 bill to make New Mexico the 46th state to enact campaign contribution limits, Rawson moved to make the effective date in the year 3007 instead of 2007. He faces Democrat Steve Fischmann in November.

   Snyder is in a tough race with former Bernalillo County Treasurer Tim Eichenberg. Ulibarri faces opposition from Republican Jose Silva.

FRI, 9-26-08

 

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

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

 

Fort Stanton is NM's Newest State Monument

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

 

      SANTA FE -- Fort Stanton has taken another big step on its way to opening as a state monument. The fort, between Capitan and Lincoln, became a state monument in August of last year. It was constructed in 1855 for the protection of area residents.

   Renovations have been taking place during the year. This month, the property was transferred to the Department of Cultural Affairs, which operates state museums and monuments. The state monument could open as early as next summer.

   Fort Stanton is the crown jewel of frontier forts in the southwest. Constructed of native stone, it is much better preserved than most southwestern forts, which were made of adobe.

   I had not visited the fort since former Gov. Gary Johnson closed it as a state health facility in 1995. The interest in locating a state Veterans Museum at the fort renewed my interest in making another visit.

   Historian and advocate for preservation of the fort, Lynda Sanchez, who made the Fort Stanton presentation to the Governor's Veterans Museum Task Force revealed that the facility was more than large enough to be used as a state monument and a veterans museum.

   The veterans task force made a decision to build a new museum in Las Cruses but my interest was piqued to take another look at Fort Stanton.

   Sanchez gave me a great tour, pointing out areas that had deteriorated since Gov. Johnson pulled the plug 13 years ago and areas that have been improved recently.

   The parade grounds, inside the main quadrangle are as beautiful as ever with lush grass. Most of the Victorian-style stone buildings around the quadrangle are in decent shape, well painted and feature porches with white columns.

   Current educational and field discoveries are uncovering exciting new details. Recent oral history interviews have verified hidden underground rooms made by World War II Nazi prisoners that contained Nazi flags, photos and paintings of Hitler.

   In late 1939, a German luxury liner was scuttled in the Caribbean rather than have it fall into British hands. An American ship rescued the crew. Over 400 men of fighting age were detained, but not as prisoners, since we weren't at war yet. The captain of the ship was given his choice of where he wanted his men detained and he chose Fort Stanton.

   The Germans remained throughout the war and were housed just across the Rio Bonito from the fort, which at the time was a tuberculosis hospital for Merchant Marine seamen.

   Later Japanese American detainees and then, a tough group of Afrika Corps Nazis. That likely was the source of the Nazi memorabilia, which was burned by locals as soon as it was discovered after the war.

   Sanchez believes there is a good chance more secret underground rooms may still be found. She is encouraging federal agencies to use ground penetrating radar to locate additional underground rooms.

   Oral history interviews also have revealed rumors of the existence of a large dump area where wagons filled with saddles, spurs and other supplies were buried when the fort was decommissioned by the Army in 1896.

   Besides providing protection in its early days, the fort also provided economic opportunities, jobs and social activities for Lincoln County residents. It played a decisive role in the Lincoln County War of 1878. Even though it was supposed to be a peacekeeper, it took the side supported by the Santa Fe Ring.

   Shortly after taking office, Gov. Johnson decided the fort was too expensive to keep open for health missions. He shut it down, throwing 200 Lincoln County residents out of work.

   He wanted to convert it to a minimum security prison. Residents said anything but that so Johnson  put it on the market for a $1 million a year lease. The state advertised it nationally but used forts are hard to market.

   A museum and conference center type of usage is probably most appropriate for the facility. A living history museum with daily reenactments would be ideal, but expensive.

   It's unfortunate the Veterans Task Force couldn't visit the fort prior to its final decision.

WED, 9-24-08

 

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

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

 

Northern PRC Race Could Surprise

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- As our state and nation grow, politics seems to be more and more a family business. One would think it would be the other way around.
Northern New Mexico has two prime examples in the coming general election. Ben Ray Lujan, son of state House Speaker Ben Lujan, is the favorite to win a seat in Congress. And Jerome Block, Jr. is seeking a seat on the Public Regulation Commission, held by his father prior to the incumbent, Ben Ray Lujan.
We've covered the congressional race earlier but we haven't told you about the PRC contest. Six candidates vied for the Democratic nomination in the June primary. The field included some strong and well-qualified candidates to replace Ben Ray Lujan.
Many were a little surprised when Jerome Block, Jr. emerged as the winner. And many were even more surprised when the media began pulling skeletons out of young Block's closet.
He appeared to have been misleading in several representations he had made during his primary campaign. And quite a few Democrats claimed that they thought they were voting for Jerome Block, Sr., the father of the candidate.
The state Republican Party had not been able to recruit a candidate in that race. The district is heavily Democratic, encompassing most of northern New Mexico, so Republicans sometimes don't try. This time, they are sorry.
But the Green Party, once again a minor party, got to wait until after the primaries to decide on their candidates. By that time news of Block, Jr.'s legal entanglements was becoming public knowledge, so the Green nominating convention asked Rick Lass if he would run.
Lass has run for office before and had been managing Carol Miller's independent candidacy for Congress. He agreed and quickly began picking up support.
A group of disaffected Democrats began collecting money to pay for ads for Lass. They can't give the money to him because the PRC is a trial balloon for public financing of campaigns.. Each candidate receives about $64,000.
At times the state Republican party has helped the Green Party. There is no evidence of them doing it this time but many Republicans are likely to vote for Lass, along with quite a few Democrats.
Gov. Bill Richardson, titular head of the state Democratic Party, is not pleased with Block, Jr. The governor has called him in for a talk. Some expected an outcome similar to two years ago when Richardson pressured Jeff Armijo, the winner of the state auditor primary election, to step aside because of legal charges.
But Block, Jr. stayed in the race, with the governor issuing a statement that the candidate would have to explain the new revelations to voters.
Since then, Block, Jr. hasn't seemed particularly eager to appear before voters in forums where he might have to answer questions. He also has rejected any debates with Lass.
No public polls have been conducted on this race so we may have to wait until the November 4 general election to know if, and how much, Block, Jr. may be hurt by his lack of candor. At times, Greens have done moderately well in down-ballot state races, when no Republican is in the contest.
And many will remember when Republican Bill Redmond beat Democrat Eric Serna in a special congressional election to replace Rep. Bill Richardson, who had been appointed ambassador to the United Nations. It is possible, although not likely, for a Democrat to lose the North if fellow Democrats are uneasy with their nominee.
There is one other race this year for the five-member PRC, which pays $90,000 a year. That one is in Albuquerque between Democrat incumbent Jason Marks and Republican Tim Cummins, a former Albuquerque city councilor.
It is a close, hard-fought contest, but with nowhere near the controversy and public interest of the northern district race.
MON, 9-22-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-19 Remembering Carl Turner and Wilson Hurley

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Old friends are tough to lose. And when you're my age, it happens more often.
Carl Turner has been a familiar face around the roundhouse for almost 50 years. It never was difficult to pick Carl out of a crowd. Nearly all male lobbyists dress in coats and ties. But Carl was as down home as they come. He did his lobbying in levis and a plaid work shirt.
On Turner, it was completely natural. He represented the New Mexico Rural Cooperative Association. He was hired as the group's executive manager in 1960 after serving a term as a member of the state House of Representatives from Socorro County.
Moving to Santa Fe didn't destroy any of Turner's rural roots. He was born in East Tupelo, Mississippi and graduated from "Ole Miss" with both a BA and a law degree. There was no bigger rural advocate than Carl.
Turner managed to find a little-known revenue stream with which he secured legislation to fund $3.5 million of college scholarships for more that 3,200 students from rural New Mexico families.
Under Turner's leadership, the statewide monthly publication, Enchantment Magazine, was created. He liked to brag that the publication reaches 80 percent of the state and is only exceeded in circulation by the Sunday Albuquerque Journal.
Turner also originated the Legislative Almanac, a 16-page, tabloid-size directory with pictures of legislators and their offices, phone numbers, seating charts, committees and electoral districts.
All lobbyists, professional and volunteer, eagerly await a copy at the beginning of each legislative session. Fortunately, copies are placed in many locations around the Capitol Building.
In the late 1960s, Turner garnered support for an interstate compact between New Mexico and Colorado that enabled the state to save and operate the narrow-gauge Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. He was the railroad's chief lobbyist and champion until late 2006.
* * *
Wilson Hurley was a man who could do anything. He was an engineer, lawyer, bank founder and fighter pilot. But most importantly, he was an artist.
We served together in the New Mexico Air National Guard. He was a pilot. I was a sergeant in the personnel office. In 1967 our unit was alerted that it would be activated soon for service in Vietnam.
One of the requirements to be ready was to fill a number of officer positions. The solution was to offer direct commissions to some of the enlisted ranks with college educations.
So one weekend, about 20 of us boarded a troop transport at Kirtland Air Force Base to fly to Santa Fe for a briefing session at the state National Guard headquarters. The pilot was Wilson Hurley.
After a day of instruction about what would be involved if we accepted a commission, we headed back to the Santa Fe airport to find Hurley sitting in the shade of the plane leaning against a tire.
He explained that the plane was "broke" and we'd have to wait an hour for a bus to come up from Kirtland to haul us back. We were all feeling somewhat cocky so we began ribbing him about the plane not being broke when we left it that morning. How did he break it and was he just not feeling up to the job.
We quickly discovered we'd taken on a master jet jockey who could dish it back faster than we could throw it. During the next hour, he captivated us with stories. Our favorite line: "I'm not scared of anything, except gravity."
Hurley was in the early stages of his art career at the time, having already been a lawyer, banker and engineer. I'm sure many of us followed his artistic successes as he quickly became a master of panoramic landscapes topped by magnificent cloud formations.
The only criticism of his work seemed to be that it wasn't realistic. But as southwesterners know, it was. Hurley had seen those cloud formations as a pilot and he developed a unique skill for translating them to canvas.
FRI, 9-19-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-17 State Government Busy Over Summer

WED, 9-17-08

SANTA FE -- As summer draws to a close, we look back on a period that certainly wasn't one of lazy, hazy days. Plenty was happening and much of it was new. Here's a sample.
Energy-saving measures were requested by Gov. Bill Richardson. Businesses and governments throughout the nation are experimenting with alternative work hours, mass transit, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, teleworking, state-owned bicycle pools and many other measures.
In New Mexico, each department of state government is designing policies to fit its needs so that it can continue to serve the public in the best manner possible. Those policies were to be submitted back to the governor by September 1.
Alarie Ray-Garcia of the State Personnel Office has contacted me wanting to make it clear that working from a home office will not be an option, but that some agencies may be able to allow employees to work in an office closer to their home.
* * *
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees began contract negotiations on August 12 for the 6,500 employees in the 14 state agencies it represents. This is the first contract that state employees are negotiating for themselves, without outside assistance. The team is made up of state employees from throughout New Mexico.
The union is seeking pay hikes, increased sick leave and health care benefits and additional payments for multilingual employees. The contract is set to expire on December. 31.
* * *
A recent court case has brought to light the very serious question of whether candidates for county elective offices need to submit nominating petition signatures when they file for office. A 1996 law appears to require it but the secretary of state's office has not been advising that the law be followed.
There is ambiguity in other sections of the election code, which will take a state Supreme Court ruling to straighten out. That may happen because another suit has been filed in the past week. The offices of the Secretary of State, Attorney General and the Legislative Council Service must get together on some election code revisions before the 2009 legislative session begins.
* * *
Bursting on the scene this summer was the situation of non-profit groups getting involved in what appears to be political campaigning. Unlike political action committees, non-profits are not bound by election laws, are not required to disclose their donors to the public and there are no limits on the amount of money they can accept or from whom they accept it.
In New Mexico, a group of non-profits went after several legislators last spring. Three of them were defeated in the June primary and now have sued. The attorney general and secretary of state are now attempting to clamp down on the groups.
* * *
Complaints about SHARE, the state's two-year-old central accounting system, are decreasing. Employee problems with paychecks have long since been fixed. The problems now seem to be in getting the system fully adapted to each department's needs. An effort to roll out the system too quickly and with too little training and assistance for information technology staff in each agency seemed to be the major culprit.
A June progress report by Roy Soto, secretary of the new Department of Information Technology assured state employees that progress is being made. But Soto resigned in August, leaving many wondering what that might mean for the future.
* * *
Governor Val Kilmer? It's a possibility, says the Hollywood star, who has a ranch near Pecos, just across the San Miguel County line. Kilmer says he'd be a better governor than Ronald Reagan or Arnold Schwarzenegger. And, he says, he can pronounce the name of his state.
Would he run as a Republican like his big screen predecessors? Kilmer hasn't said but it is known that he contributed $2,300 to Democrat Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign. And he almost appeared at a rally in Denver for presidential candidate Ralph Nader.

I'll be out of the office until Tuesday. I'll have computer and cell phone (505-699-9982).

9-15 NM Visible at All Three Conventions

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Even though Gov. Bill Richardson was eliminated in the early rounds of the presidential selection process, New Mexico still received some visibility at all three political conventions in recent weeks.
That's right, three conventions. Former Gov. Gary Johnson addressed U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's counter-convention in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention.
For those interested in nostalgia, Johnson hadn't changed a bit. Even though he let his locks grow down to his shoulders and sprouted facial hair for awhile during the last six years, he had cleaned up and looked the same as always, as far as one could tell on the poorly lit stage.
He was slim and trim as ever as he bragged about being the most physically fit person in the convention hall. In fact, Johnson spent most of his 20-minute speech bragging about his accomplishments, especially as governor of New Mexico.
Johnson enumerated his seven principles of good government for the audience. As you may recall, he tries to do everything he can in sevens. It's all centered around his desire to climb the highest mountain on each of the planet's seven continents. He told the conventioneers all about that.
Mostly, Johnson tried to convince convention-goers about how much he resembles Texas congressman Ron Paul who previously sought the presidency on the Libertarian Party ticket. Johnson admits to being primarily libertarian in philosophy so he fit right in.
Rep. Paul ran this year as a Republican. He was wildly successful at raising money through the Internet. He had plenty to finance himself throughout the primaries but GOP leaders shut him out as much as possible. Convention planners gave him only limited access to the convention and denied him a speaking slot so he organized his own convention.
Over at the Republican National Convention, no New Mexicans received speaking slots on the program. The move surprised political observers since we are a swing state in the presidential column and have an open Senate seat and all three House seats are up for grabs with no incumbents.
But Rep. Heather Wilson, who has been carrying considerable water for the McCain campaign since her Senate race defeat by Steve Pearce, received considerable air time as a McCain surrogate. She was the most animated she has ever been and brought comments about possible top spots in a McCain administration.
Some analysts are speculating that Pearce is being ignored by the national party because New Mexico party leaders would have preferred to see Wilson as the Senate nominee.
The Democrat National Convention did pay attention to New Mexico. The delegation was seated near the stage and Gov. Richardson had a major speaking spot not long before the Obama speech.
In additional Rep. Tom Udall, the Democrats' Senate candidate, had a speaking slot as did former Attorney General Patricia Madrid, Rep. Wilson's opponent two years ago.
The national Republican Party may be slighting New Mexico as far as congressional races are concerned but the presidential campaign is up at the top of the list. Only days after the national convention, Sen. McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin were campaigning here.
Word had been that she was being flown back to Alaska along with top McCain staffers for some intensive briefing sessions immediately after the convention. But pressure from key states, including New Mexico, evidently caused a change in those plans.
Blogger Joe Monahan reports that the New York Times lists New Mexico among the 14 battleground states the two presidential campaigns have decided upon.
The McCain campaign has chosen five states won by Sen. John Kerry four years ago that it will concentrate on pulling into the GOP fold. They are Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
The Obama campaign will go after New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Virginia and Ohio.
A Real Clear Politics list eliminates North Carolina, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin for a total of 10 toss-up states.
MON, 9-15-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-12 El Pasoans Treated to NM Political Ads

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- It's always fun to be a New Mexican when El Pasoans look longingly in our direction. Such an event occurred last weekend in a front-page story from the Austin Bureau of the El Paso Times.
The article lamented that the presidential contenders wouldn't be spending much time in Texas because it is such a red state. But, it noted, El Paso, with its proximity to New Mexico, would be able to see much more of the candidates, their advertisements and surrogates.
Not that the candidates will be straying across the border, but El Paso media cover New Mexico and candidates running statewide or in the southern part of our state have to advertise in El Paso.
Here's a direct quote from that article: "El Pasoans are going to be treated to advertising the rest of Texas won't see." So don't groan when you see negative political ads from the two presidential campaigns. El Pasoans reportedly enjoy it and the rest of Texas would consider it a treat to see those ads.
Now, I don't really think most El Pasoans really consider it a treat to be subjected to the negativity the presidential candidates are aiming at New Mexicans.
Being tucked into New Mexico's southern border the way they are, El Pasoans are considerably more discerning than your average Texan. Many of them understand, for instance, that the Texas overblown ego is mostly bluster, with little to support it.
Some even understand that the mighty Texas army, upon which the state builds its glorious reputation, essentially was a push over. It lost several battles to the Mexican army before stumbling across President Santa Anna later and taking him captive.
Texas leaders made him sign a document surrendering Texas before they would release him. The document never was recognized by Mexico. It took the Mexican-American War to settle that.
Later they set their sights on New Mexico but we whipped them twice. The second time was during the Civil War. Somehow, even though we were on the winning side and Texas wasn't, it won all the boundary disputes and ended up with El Paso.
Over the years, New Mexicans have been testy about that. Occasionally, a member of our state legislature will introduce a resolution calling on the U.S. government to give it back. Sometimes it even involves trading New Mexico's southeast corner to Texas, which we certainly wouldn't want to do.
The efforts, of course, never have gone anywhere. Occasionally, an El Pasoan will even suggest that the city would be much better off in New Mexico, where it would be the largest city and could demand some respect from state government.
Twice in last weekend's El Paso Times article, comments were made about El Paso being ignored and neglected by a state capital so far away. Probably a dozen small East Coast states could be fit in between El Paso and Austin.
It is not only distance but culture that makes El Paso so much more like New Mexico than Texas. Our histories are inextricably linked. Onate, on his way to colonize New Mexico, stopped near what is now El Paso to celebrate a thanksgiving for having made it across the Rio Bravo safely with hundreds of people and thousands of animals.
El Paso was on El Camino Real that ran between Mexico City and Santa Fe. And it was where New Spain's colonists escaped for 12 years during the Pueblo Revolt, along with residents of Isleta Pueblo, who founded Ysleta, southeast of El Paso.
El Paso is a great city, with an international flair. It's not just from Mexico but from much of Europe, from where many fled during World War II. U.S. immigration restrictions prevented many from coming directly to our country, so they came to Mexico and other Latin American countries and emigrated from there., eventually bringing their families from Europe.
We'd like to have our neighbors back.
FRI, 9-12-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-10 Congressional Races Liven a Little

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- New Mexico's three congressional races finally are off and running. Albuquerque's 1st Congressional District usually features the hottest races in the state but except for a couple of mishaps to Republican candidate Darren White, we've heard nothing.
The first mishap occurred when University of New Mexico basketball coach Steve Alford announced he had not agreed to pose for $1,000 photos at a White fundraiser.
Alford explained that he had agreed to stop by the reception but was unaware he was the main attraction. We might have expected Democrat Martin Heinrich to make a big deal out of the flub but he let it pass.
White's second mishap was a fall off a frisky treadmill that injured his back enough to put him in the hospital for a few days. The state Democratic Party made an issue of Sheriff White, as a public employee, having good medical coverage but questioned his commitment to giving the currently uninsured that opportunity.
Heinrich didn't take the bait on that one either. He is now up with television ads, as of a week ago. White hasn't started. Heinrich has been slated for $1.3 million of advertising money by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee so expect his ads to be up for the duration of the campaign.
Down south, the 2nd Congressional District has provided the most excitement since the beginning of primary election activity almost a year ago.
National Democrats have pledged $1.2 million for advertising in this campaign so Democrat Harry Teague was the first House candidate out of the chute. His ads began in August and feature Teague in a speaking role and doing quite well for himself.
Republican Ed Tinsley garnered some publicity when he organized restaurants throughout the Ruidoso area to help feed those affected by the flooding in late August. Tinsley has a ranch in northern Lincoln County.
Tinsley has had to defend his residency in the 2nd Congressional District on numerous occasions since the beginning of his primary campaign. He also owns a house in a gated community outside Santa Fe. In an effort to lend Teague a hand, Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, a strong Democrat, recently recognized Tinsley as "Santa Fe Citizen of the Month."
Would you be surprised to know that Santa Fe never has made such an award before and that Tinsley wasn't invited to the presentation on Santa Fe's plaza?
Residency is always an issue when it appears someone may be living out of district because of the possibility a person may have divided loyalties. But as I understand, it isn't unlawful in congressional races to live outside one's district. I seem to remember Rep. Adam Clayton Powell being allowed to run, in the late '60s, from his new home in Bimini to retain his seat in Harlem.
New Mexico's law seems a little stricter but the only time I can remember an effort to enforce it, a Santa Fe District Court judge ruled that residency is a state of mind. Doesn't that sound like a Santa Fe decision?
The New Mexico constitution requires statewide elected officials to live in Santa Fe but many have lived in Albuquerque or various other communities without question. The one exception is the lieutenant governor who, until 1971, was not a full time government employee. That lets Lt. Gov. Diane Denish off the hook.
Even if Teague spends more money, it's difficult to bet against a Republican in the south.
And it's even harder to bet against a Democrat in the north. No matter what Ben Ray Lujan does, he's a pretty sure bet. Although the national GOP won't be able to do much in any races, it at least congratulated Darren White and Ed Tinsley for winning their primary elections. Dan East wasn't mentioned.
The independents in this race, Carol Miller and Ron Simmons, have received considerable press. Simmons now has dropped out. Miller may run East a good race.
WED, 9-10-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-8 Pearce Closing on Udall

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Labor Day usually begins the home stretch of the political season. If candidates aren't ready to run by now they soon will be looking at the back sides of their opponents.
In New Mexico's U.S. Senate race, Democrat Tom Udall never slowed down after the June primary. Ads he had been running during his uncontested primary continued without pause.
Meanwhile Republican Steve Pearce took time out for regrouping, staff shuffling and fundraising. Pearce didn't get ads up until August and those have been aired primarily by special interest groups.
That is fortunate for Pearce because last Wednesday the Republican senatorial reelection committee announced that it would not be helping Pearce at all. Republican groups have been raising only about half what Democrats have this year.
That's a complete reversal from the past. The House and Senate GOP reelection committees have tried to remedy the situation by asking their members of Congress who have little or no opposition this year to contribute heavily to the reelection committees so they can put the money where it counts.
But few have been willing to share so the reelection committees have been concentrating on their incumbents who are in trouble. So far it hasn't hurt Pearce. His ads, funded by outside groups this past month have narrowed Rep. Tom Udall's lead from 25 points in June to less than 10 points now.
Pearce could make up that difference from his own deep pockets but has seemed reluctant to do so. He may be wise. Self-funding of campaigns usually doesn't work in New Mexico.
Gary Johnson did it successfully in his campaigns. Harry Teague used his own money to get himself over the top in his 2nd Congressional District primary contest this year.
It didn't work for Phil Maloof in his races against Heather Wilson 10 years ago. And it didn't work for losing Republicans in the 2nd Congressional District in the June primary. Generally, if you can't raise enough money from others, you can't win their votes either.
Ed Tinsley, in the 2nd district might have used some of his own money to help him hold off big spending opponents in the June primary but he didn't and won anyway. Bruce King, who served longer than any other governor in the state's 400-year history, was famous for never spending a penny of his personal fortune.
If Pearce can depend on outside groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Club For Growth, to keep shoveling in the money for his campaign ads, he may be able to close the gap behind Udall farther.
Retiring Sen. Pete Domenici sent out a July fundraising letter asking his donors to help out Pearce.
It was quite a gesture because the senator hasn't been enthusiastic about giving Pearce a formal endorsement because of his irritation with the Club For Growth ads run for Pearce against Rep. Heather Wilson in the June Senate primary that also indirectly went after Pete.
The Club For Growth ads against Udall ratcheted up the campaign tension considerably. The organization has some of the same big contributors as the Swiftboat campaign ads against Sen. John Kerry in the 2004 presidential campaign.
In August, Pearce began supplementing the television ads with full-page newspaper ads attacking Udall supporters for being hysterical left-wing environmentalists. The top half of the page featured two eye-catching hippies out of the 1960s and the bottom half charged that Udall put fish before families.
So far, Pearce TV ads seem to be preaching to the choir. The strategy seems to be that Pearce is solidifying his base but Pearce's conservative base already is quite solid. One ad talks about Udall's view on property. Voters without much property to their name aren't likely to be moved. References to eminent domain and estate taxes likely blow right past them.
Udall's only stumble so far has been concerning debates with his opponent. Pearce needs the debates. Udall doesn't. But he ends up looking scared.
MON, 9-08-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

Sorry

The last one is a duplicate. No changes in it.

9-5 Las Cruces and Raton Unanimous Choices

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Two state panels made some important decisions late last month. A veterans panel voted to locate a veterans museum in Las Cruces and the state Racing Commission voted to award the last state racino license to Raton.
Amazingly, even though there was stiff competition in both contests, the decisions were unanimous. Which raises the question: why bother?
The question is especially valid in the case of the state Veterans Museum. Las Cruces had been angling for the museum the past seven years. Sen. Lee Rawson of Las Cruces introduced legislation early this year to appropriate $1.5 million to get museum construction started.
But Gov. Bill Richardson vetoed the bill, saying there hadn't been sufficient discussion of the location. He appointed a panel of 20 veterans from around the state to make that decision.
Proposals were heard from Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Las Vegas, Fort Stanton, Rio Rancho and Angel Fire. Reports indicate all the presentations were good. A large delegation of Las Cruces officials made a presentation loaded with facts and figures.
Fort Stanton also had an outstanding presentation, centered around a state-owned fort that would eliminate the need to construct a multi-million dollar building. Reportedly other proposals also were impressive but officially all 20 panel members supported Las Cruces.
It appears to be a major slap at Gov. Richardson, a very loud message that his veto last March was unwarranted. But then, things are not always as they seem. Possibly the total panel felt Las Cruces deserved the museum because it had the initiative to get the ball rolling and had been lobbying it for so long.
Maybe there were feelings for Sen. Lee Rawson, the major sponsor, who had a number of his money bills vetoed. Rawson is the Republican Senate whip and one of Richardson's major critics.
Or maybe it was just a strong desire to demonstrate unity. And while it does that, it also leaves those supporting other points of view feeling they haven't even been heard.
Let's hope Las Cruces wasn't chosen based on it being the best of the competitors for museum attendance. The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces, right off Interstates 10 and 25, has had dismal attendance, as has El Camino Real International Heritage Center, to the north on I-25.
Interstates may not be good places for museums. People use them to get somewhere fast. Sightseers driving the mountain roads of Lincoln and Taos counties are much more likely to decide to stop and look.
Data from the state Department of Cultural Affairs indicates attendance at museums throughout the state is falling and has been for some time. Columnist Harold Morgan suggests that before building more museums, we should understand what is happening with the present bunch.
The award of the last racino license to Raton by unanimous vote was a little less surprising. The other five racinos in the state were all lobbying the Racing Commission to choose Raton because it is farthest from them.
The commission had said its decision would be based on what was best for New Mexico and for horse racing. It appears what was best for casino business also was a factor.
As with the Veterans Museum, one of the unsuccessful racino competitors already had the facilities ready to go. Pojoaque Pueblo owns Santa Fe Downs and has a large marketing department promoting its huge gaming resort 30 miles to the north.
Pojoaque may have proved the most economically successful, but why award the racino to a pueblo when it is an Indian gaming compact that that limits the number of racinos?
Anyway, congratulations to Las Cruces and Raton for their victories. It was the second major accomplishment for Las Cruces in a very short time. Sen. Pete Domenici recently decided to give all his papers to New Mexico State University.
And cool Raton will be a needed location for more summer racing in New Mexico.
FRI, 9-05-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-5 Panels Pick Vet Museum and Racino Sites

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Two state panels made some important decisions late last month. A veterans panel voted to locate a veterans museum in Las Cruces and the state Racing Commission voted to award the last state racino license to Raton.
Amazingly, even though there was stiff competition in both contests, the decisions were unanimous. Which raises the question: why bother?
The question is especially valid in the case of the state Veterans Museum. Las Cruces had been angling for the museum the past seven years. Sen. Lee Rawson of Las Cruces introduced legislation early this year to appropriate $1.5 million to get museum construction started.
But Gov. Bill Richardson vetoed the bill, saying there hadn't been sufficient discussion of the location. He appointed a panel of 20 veterans from around the state to make that decision.
Proposals were heard from Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Las Vegas, Fort Stanton, Rio Rancho and Angel Fire. Reports indicate all the presentations were good. A large delegation of Las Cruces officials made a presentation loaded with facts and figures.
Fort Stanton also had an outstanding presentation, centered around a state-owned fort that would eliminate the need to construct a multi-million dollar building. Reportedly other proposals also were impressive but officially all 20 panel members supported Las Cruces.
It appears to be a major slap at Gov. Richardson, a very loud message that his veto last March was unwarranted. But then, things are not always as they seem. Possibly the total panel felt Las Cruces deserved the museum because it had the initiative to get the ball rolling and had been lobbying it for so long.
Maybe there were feelings for Sen. Lee Rawson, the major sponsor, who had a number of his money bills vetoed. Rawson is the Republican Senate whip and one of Richardson's major critics.
Or maybe it was just a strong desire to demonstrate unity. And while it does that, it also leaves those supporting other points of view feeling they haven't even been heard.
Let's hope Las Cruces wasn't chosen based on it being the best of the competitors for museum attendance. The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces, right off Interstates 10 and 25, has had dismal attendance, as has El Camino Real International Heritage Center, to the north on I-25.
Interstates may not be good places for museums. People use them to get somewhere fast. Sightseers driving the mountain roads of Lincoln and Taos counties are much more likely to decide to stop and look.
Data from the state Department of Cultural Affairs indicates attendance at museums throughout the state is falling and has been for some time. Columnist Harold Morgan suggests that before building more museums, we should understand what is happening with the present bunch.
The award of the last racino license to Raton by unanimous vote was a little less surprising. The other five racinos in the state were all lobbying the Racing Commission to choose Raton because it is farthest from them.
The commission had said its decision would be based on what was best for New Mexico and for horse racing. It appears what was best for casino business also was a factor.
As with the Veterans Museum, one of the unsuccessful racino competitors already had the facilities ready to go. Pojoaque Pueblo owns Santa Fe Downs and has a large marketing department promoting its huge gaming resort 30 miles to the north.
Pojoaque may have proved the most economically successful, but why award the racino to a pueblo when it is an Indian gaming compact that that limits the number of racinos?
Anyway, congratulations to Las Cruces and Raton for their victories. It was the second major accomplishment for Las Cruces in a very short time. Sen. Pete Domenici recently decided to give all his papers to New Mexico State University.
And cool Raton will be a needed location for more summer racing in New Mexico.
FRI, 9-05-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

9-3 Conventions Have Some New Twists

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Both presidential candidates now have chosen their running mates. Party leaders from both sides hail their selections as bold, daring, inspired and generally perfect. And the opposition can't believe how inappropriate, risky and disastrous the choices were.
That's to be expected. As this column has frequently mentioned, politics is just a game -- a game with sometimes severe consequences but nonetheless a game with rules and predictability.
How much does one ever learn when listening to a candidate or a surrogate? You know it is just going to be a recitation of talking points you've heard over and over.
But occasionally an interesting twist gets thrown in. Sen. Barack Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate meant a provocative talker with the capability of bringing both risk and excitement to the game.
It also meant Sen. John McCain was going to have to pick someone who could counter Biden's intelligence, experience and wit.
But McCain countered with a highly popular, young maverick reformer, who also is a female governor and from the religious right. The test with Gov. Sarah Palin, of Alaska, is how quick a study she will be in learning the national and international issues she will have to master.
Regardless, McCain has chosen a running mate who will keep voters awake and even provide some excitement. Both Obama and McCain took a risk with an unexpected trick play in their vice-presidential selections.
And we could be the beneficiaries in terms of entertainment. Regardless, despite predictions to the contrary, the world will not go to heck in a hand basket no matter which ticket wins.
When Richardson's campaign announced that the governor had received a telephone call saying he would not be the vice-presidential choice, the state Republican party countered with a release claiming Obama had recognized Richardson's many shortcomings.
Had the announcement been that Richardson would be the veep pick, do you think that GOP announcement would have been that Obama had recognized Richardson's many strengths? That's not the way the game is played.
The changing fortunes of Hillary Clinton have illustrated an interesting game. A year ago, when she was the presumptive nominee, the GOP machine churned out hate-Hillary releases by the score. By December, it was time for her Democrat opponents to take over. When it became evident Clinton had lost, both sides suddenly began courting her and her 18 million loyal voters.
Republicans criticized Clinton for her shrill voice during the campaign. Expect Democrats return the favor with Gov. Palin, whose voice sounds several notes higher.
McCain's selection of Palin contained some strokes of genius. He endeared himself to independents and many Democrats during his 2000 run by being a maverick. When he realized he couldn't win a GOP primary that way, he cozied up to the Republican right.
Now McCain needs to be a maverick again and Palin helps him do it while still being more conservative than he is on many issues important to Republicans.
And then there is the Republican National Convention, blown off course by a hurricane and maybe two. That's a twist we've never seen. It may be a curse, but maybe a blessing too.
With a totally revised agenda, Republicans won't have to equal the exuberance of the Democratic convention and they won't have to deal with the unpopularity of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
It gives Republicans the opportunity to redeem themselves for the lack of response to Katrina and to show leadership and concern for country rather than politics.
During the opportunities Republicans have had to demonstrate their enthusiasm, they've tried very hard. But it isn't easy for Republicans who, by nature, are conditioned to stay in their seats, not talk to neighbors and to form straight lines.
Republicans do better at action. This is their opportunity.
WED, 9-03-08

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com