Like Only Joe Can

You've got to hand it to Joe Monahan. I've read a lot of crazy things on his blog, but I do believe this takes the cake:

"Steve did not get a chance to speak to the rally, while (GOP US Rep.) Heather Wilson and (ABQ GOP congressional candidate) Darren White both spoke at length. Steve was only on stage briefly to deliver an opening prayer. His people see it as a major slight by the McCain campaign, Marta Kramer, director of the NM McCain office and Republican National Committee operative Jay McCleskey. As the US senate nominee, Steve is the head of the Republican Party, yet they acted like he barely existed," informed our insider.

If there was ever any doubt that Joe Monahan was clueless when it came to the inner workings of Republican politics in New Mexico, this should put all doubt to rest. I challenge you to find any active member of the Republican Party who would find being asked to lead a gathering in prayer to be a political slight.

I can almost guarantee you that Congressman Steve Pearce, a man well-respected for his character and deep faith, would never be offended because he was asked to lead others in prayer. Heck, even the Congressman's campaign website makes a point of citing that he is an active member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus.

In one fail swoop Mr. Monahan attempts to belittle the faith that Congressman Pearce and a great many Republicans hold dear, and cause a division in the Republican Party where none exists. Next thing you know, good old Joe will be trying to convince people to believe that being asked to lead a gathering of Republicans in the Pledge of Allegiance is a political slight.

Geez... and, we're supposed to believe this guy is non-partisan?

Scratch Your Head and Wonder

Sometimes, I just don't get it. Good old Joe, Joe Monahan that is, has been around the political scene for an awfully long time. So, he knows how the game is played. He knows that to be competitive in the race for New Mexico's First Congressional District a candidate - even an incumbent candidate - is looking at a minimum $4 million ante. Yet, Joe Monahan continues to post this rubbish:

Meantime, on the Heather front, my Alligators had told us she was up in Farmington recently, her latest stop outside of her congressional district as she appears to be prepping for a US Senate run in the event Senator Domenici is sidelined. Now we've received confirmation of the visit in the form of an editorial from the Farmington Daily Times which acted like Heather's unusual side trip was all in a day's work. Wilson has also recently been to Clovis, Las Cruces and Los Alamos. If she's not testing the waters for the Senate, the NM Tourism Department ought to hire her.

C'mon Joe, there's no prepping for a US Senate run going on here. You know it, and I know it. What is happening is the same thing that happens every single election cycle. A congressional candidate shows up in all parts of the state because he or she is going to have to raise money from all parts of the state. Because of campaign funding limits. you can't be limited to a certain geography. Instead, you have to raise funds far and wide.

Even Patricia Madrid went deep into what used to be Tom Udall territory, Los Alamos, to hold a campaign fundraiser last election cycle.

So, how about it Joe? Can you stick a little closer to the facts? Otherwise, I'm afraid you're going to give all of us bloggers a bad name. You keep up this silly US Senate run stuff up, and it won't be long before an editor of the Alibi is counting you among the "blogger crackpots."

First You Actually Have to Be a Republican

I've watched with much amusement as Governor Richardson's favorite blogger has opened mouth and inserted foot a couple of times this week. Yes, I'm talking about New Mexico's premier politicial gossip columnist, Joe Monahan.

Staying true to form, our dear friend, Mr. Monahan, is trying to paint a picture of turmoil and dissension within the Republican Party of New Mexico. This time the tale he's spinning starts something like this:

Suffice it to say, Dog Days of Summer or not, the blogging Gods pulled the plug on the getaway, providing a reason we couldn't dream up even if we had dosed that iced tea with Drambuie. That reason is one Spiro G. Vassilopoulos, a Republican considering running against NM GOP US Senator Pete Domenici in the 2008 primary. Got your attention?

Now good ol' Joe may have got your attention, and mine, but in classic style, he either forgot to do his homework or just chose not to do it for the sake of sensationalism.

You see, if Senor Monahan had done his homework, he would have realized that even if Spiro G. Vassilopoulos is registered as a Republican, Mr. Vassilopoulos' money has a long history of being committed to the Democrats.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Go check out Political Money Line and see for yourself. Now, you are going to have to go back a ways, because it's been a good 13 years since Mr. Vassilopoulos has written a check for more than $200 to a candidate for federal office.

1. In 1994, he and his wife contributed $500 to Senator Domenici's campaign, but he reserved the big money, a $1,000 for Democrat Bob Krueger of Texas.
   
   
2. In 1990, he gave Senator Domenici another $500, but in the same campaign cycle he gave the Democrats, James Warren Lane of Texas $2,000 and Senator Jeff Bingaman, $333.
   
   
3. In 1988, he gave his $500 to Senator Jeff Bingaman.

In case math is not your strong suit, that leaves us with Mr. Vassilopoulos donating a total of $3,833 to Democrats and $1,000 to a Republican. Sorry, but in my book, anyone who gives their money almost 4:1, Democrat to Republican, does not get to call themselves a Republican.

And, anyone following politics in New Mexico for any length of time knows that a "republican" candidate with close allegiances to the Democratic Party doesn't have even the slightest chance of being taken seriously by the GOP faithful in a primary situation.

Tsk, tsk, Mr. Monahan.

What a Tangled Web He Weaves

If only saying it so, really made it so:

How much did the R's outspend the D's on in last year's nail biter between Rep. Heather Wilson and Dem Patricia Madrid? According to a report from an UNM professor writing in the new publication, Capitol Report, Wilson's side outspent Madrid by about $1.4 million.

"..When we consider total spending--parties, the candidates, and interest groups..Wilson outspent Madrid supporters. Total GOP and ally spending amounted to $6.577 million and Democratic and ally spending amounted to $5.199 million."

That jives with our reporting and, I think, sets the record straight for Wilson operatives who said Madrid had it wrong when she told us in a recent interview that Heather had outspent her.

Sorry, Mr. Monahan, think again. That does not jive with your original reporting. Since you seem to have a problem recalling your original analysis on the diference between Heather Wilson and Patricia Madrid's campaign spending, please allow me to refresh your memory, this is what you originally reported:

"I know you and others believe my debate performance was the reason for the loss. That was a factor, but she outspent me by at least several million dollars--maybe more when you count all the independent expenditures. She began the negative attacks in July and did not let up. That spending was as big a reason as any for the defeat," reflected Madrid who in the sole TV debate with Wilson froze before the camera in a moment that is now frozen in state political history.

I admit I took exception at the time for a very simple reason:

According to Political Moneyline Patricia Madrid's campaign spent just shy of $3.4 million, and Congresswoman Heather Wilson spent $4.8 million. That's a difference of $1.4 million - not exactly "several million."

Hmm, that's interesting. The $1.4 million number I reported is the EXACT SAME NUMBER that UNM Professor, Lonna Atkeson, came up with in her article for the newly launched Capital Report - again a long way from the originally reported "several million" dollar difference. It is unclear if Dr. Atkeson considered the following in arriving at her number:

1. Patricia Madrid started to shamelessly using taxpayer money as early March 2005 for self promotion and to improve name identification - a practice she continued to within 70 days of the election.
   
   
2. The millions that Governor Bill Richardson spent on the 2006 election. In a Santa Fe New Mexican article it was reported, "Madrid has Gov. Bill Richardson, a fellow Democrat, on her side. Richardson has already told the national press -- which he may need to cultivate further should he run for president -- that Madrid will win narrowly, in part due to his get-out-the-vote operation in New Mexico

If not, then factoring in those expenditures rapidly shrinks that $1.4 million gap. Of course, probably the most damning for Mr. Monahan is not his twisted version of the truth for a second time, but what he chose not to report from Dr. Atkeson's article. Namely, the conclusion:

This suggests a possible alternative reason [that Patricia Madrid lost]: Democrats did not mobilize enough Democratic voters who vote Democratic. In part, this analysis suggests that the Democratic strategy is problematic because many Democratic groups tend to focus on aggregate areas and not individual voters, and in doing so concede some areas to the GOP.

But, I guess Joe Monahan wouldn't want to bite the hand that feeds him.

The Facts Are on His Side

You may not like what Palast has to say but the facts are on his side.

This was in a comment by David Jacobs left yesterday. Now, Mr. Jacobs is a frequent commentator on this blog, and I sincerely appreciate the dialogue. But, to argue that Mr. Palast has facts on his side is a bit of a stretch. Granted, Mr. Palast can spin the facts with the best of them, and like our own Joe Monahan, he pretends to be reporting the facts in an unbiased investigative manner, but nothing could be further from the truth.

It may surprise some people to know that I actually own one of Mr. Palast's book, The Best Money Democracy Can Buy. However, it was a New York Times best seller on politics, and I am always curious what the other side is putting out there.

Here is what I discovered... If you are removed from the facts (i.e. don't have first hand knowledge), then Mr. Palast's "investigative reporting" is very believable. However, if you are living what he is reporting, then it quickly becomes clear for what it is... Democratic Spin.

Case in point can be found in this exchange from the David Iglesias segment on Democracy NOW:

AMY GOODMAN: And Healther Wilson, of course, also called, and Heather Wilson at the time in an extremely close race for her political life as a congress member from New Mexico.

GREG PALAST: Well, in fact, from my investigation, she didn't win. There was voter fraud, and that the majority of the votes went to the Democrats.

Do you hear that sound? It is the sound of the last of Mr. Palast's credibility going down the drain. Anyone who is going to go on record stating that Republicans are in a position to steal an election in the NM's 1st CD is either a fool or the ultimate spinmeister. Since I don't think fools can write a NYT best seller, I'm going to acknowledge Mr. Palast's tremendous spin abilities.

One of my very first posts as a political blogger pointed out the absurdity of claims that Republicans could steal elections in New Mexico, and in the 2006 elections in the Land of Enchantment the same reality existed as in 2004. The same powerful Democrats were in all of the same election controlling positions, so the absurdity of the premise remains the same.

Just Keeps Nagging at Me

I tried to ignore it. Really, I did. I read it yesterday, and thought, "Just forget about it. You just said something nice about the guy the day before, so let it lie." But, I can't. It just keeps nagging at me. After all, I have a civic duty to call it for what it is, right? Well, here it is. What's bugging me is this from Democratic blogger and Patricia Madrid booster, Joe Monahan:

It was the first time I had spoken with Madrid since her November defeat. As one would expect from a political pro who has been through the grinder, she showed not a hint of bitterness or remorse over her cliffhanger loss to Heather and reacted dispassionately when asked for analysis.

"I know you and others believe my debate performance was the reason for the loss. That was a factor, but she outspent me by at least several million dollars--maybe more when you count all the independent expenditures. She began the negative attacks in July and did not let up. That spending was as big a reason as any for the defeat," reflected Madrid who in the sole TV debate with Wilson froze before the camera in a moment that is now frozen in state political history.

Ok folks, time for a reality check. Let's talk about Ms. Madrid's campaign being outspent by millions.

1. Patricia Madrid started to shamelessly using taxpayer money as early March 2005 for self promotion and to improve name identification - a practice she continued to within 70 days of the election.
2. According to Political Moneyline Patricia Madrid's campaign spent just shy of $3.4 million, and Congresswoman Heather Wilson spent $4.8 million. That's a difference of $1.4 million - not exactly "several million."
3. And, who can forget the additional $2.1 million that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent on an eight week television buy to benefit Patricia Madrid.
4. Now throw into the mix the millions that Governor Bill Richardson spent on the 2006 election. In a Santa Fe New Mexican article it was reported, "Madrid has Gov. Bill Richardson, a fellow Democrat, on her side. Richardson has already told the national press -- which he may need to cultivate further should he run for president -- that Madrid will win narrowly, in part due to his get-out-the-vote operation in New Mexico."

The bottom line here is that Patricia Madrid WAS NOT outspent. In fact, she may very well have outspent Congresswoman Heather Wilson. And, let's not forget that back in 1998 a certain Mr. Maloof outspent Heather Wilson by about $6 million, yet we didn't end up with a Congressman Maloof.

So, what's really bugging me? Is it Patricia Madrid's assertions? No, she needs to rationalize her loss, and that's just a part of the human condition. It helps people move on with their lives. No, what's really bugging me is that a political veteran like Joe Monahan is aware of all of the spending information, and yet gave Madrid a free ride on her ridiculous statement. Had it been a Republican making that statement, he would have been all over it. Instead, he let it go. Once again demonstrating a clear bias - especially, when it comes to Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

Now before some of you start leaving comments about my bias when it comes to Heather Wilson, let me just say it. I'm a HUGE supporter of Heather Wilson. I think she's GREAT. But, see that's one big difference between myself and Mr. Monahan. I don't try and portray myself to be something that I'm not. Mr. Monahan may have a certain Santa Fe County Sheriff fooled into thinking he's a "truthful" blogger, but the rest of us know better.

David Iglesias' Performance

Finally, New Mexico's left of center blogger political blogger, Joe Monahan characterizes the David Iglesias media tour for what it is: a "performance."

As you an see in this tape, Iglesias' performance is getting more polished as he continues the drumbeat that is damaging the eardrums of two of our state's most prominent R's. He is also more precise in detailing why he believes he was wrongfully fired at the urging of Pete and his fellow R's.

And let's not forget the bottom line here:

This is the tightest explanation I have seen from Iglesias. It's important politically because the charges, if they are to be effectively used against Domenici and Wilson next year in short paid media ads, will have to make sense to a general audience. Iglesias has honed his message and in doing so is laying the groundwork for the Dem consultants who will ultimately market this story to the electorate.

Kinda makes you think, doesn't it? After all, the truth does not have to get honed. A truthful story is the same every time it is told. It DOES NOT go through redrafts and "honing" to better fit a 30 second attack ad.

He's Officially Lost It

It's official, Joe Monahan has lost it. Once upon a time, Mr. Monahan was the must read of New Mexico political blogs - of course, it didn't hurt that he was the only NM political blog. However, as the blogosphere has continued to grow at an unprecedented pace, so has the number of NM blogs covering politics.

There are blogs on the left, blogs on the right, blogs written by real reporters and blogs which really report. Blogs that editorialize and blogs that criticize.

However, there is only one blog that has failed time and time again in recent months to analyze politics in a meaningful and coherent manner - New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. Now, don't get me wrong, Mr. Monahan is still a good source for insider political gossip. But, internet gossip, like all gossip, must be taken with a grain of salt. And, therein lies the problem.

You see, Mr. Monahan takes this gossip as gospel truth. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, he proceeds to dissect the gossip and arrive at political conclusions that he presents as in-depth analysis. Think about that. It's the equivalent of a NASA scientist reading the National Enquirer to determine the future of space travel.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Just take a look at this gem from yesterday morning:

What does the political future of southern NM GOP Congressman Steve Pearce have to do with Sunday's re-election of Bernalillo county GOP chairman Fernando C de Baca? Quite a bit say my Republican Alligators. They, and I, wondered why Senator Domenici and Congresswoman Wilson were so public in their opposition to the re-election of C de Baca when the county GOP central committee re-elected him.

Whoa, hold the presses. Did I miss something? Senator Domenici and Congresswoman Wilson "were so public in their opposition" to Chairman C'deBaca? Well, that's kind of a strange thing to say. I know Mr. C'deBaca's opponent from this last election pretty well. In fact, I know him so well, it's like we're the same person. Oh wait, we we are the same person.

So, without any alligators needed, I can tell you that neither the Senator or the Congresswoman came out in opposition to Fernando C'deBaca. It would have been great for me if they had opposed the Chairman, because let's face it, I'd now be Chairman. But, that's not the way it works, and more importantly, that's not the way it worked.

But get this, this is even more bizarre. Somehow, Mr. Monahan has turned this into a power struggle between Congresswoman Heather Wilson and Congressman Steve Pearce. Folks, there were only 210 votes cast (of the 219 present) in this past election for Bernalillo County Chairman. Only 210 votes cast even though there were 247 potential delegates to the Bernalillo County Central Committee (including ex-officio).

So, let me ask you, what do you think? Before you answer, I realize you may not feel qualified to provide in -depth political analysis. After all, you don't have Mr. Monahan's years of experience in the trenches of "La Politica" with the "alligators." But, I'm going to take a chance here and ask you anyway.

If this was a battle between our two Republican congressional representatives for control of Bernalillo County, don't you think every seat in the place would have been taken? Don't you think there would have been an overflow crowd with people fighting for every available open slot as opposed to most people who bothered showing up in a ward getting automatically elected to the county central committee? Isn't just a little strange that in this "epic battle" depicted by Mr. Monahan more than 10% of the seats remained empty.

C'mon folks look at the numbers. Pearce and Wilson have machines that between them turn out hundreds of thousands of votes every election cycle. If they were in some sort of competition, we would have seen the streets filled with volunteers vying for an opportunity to cast their vote in favor of their favorite candidate.

No, the truth is just not as entertaining as Mr. Monahan has portrayed. The truth is two candidates were involved in a campaign for county chairman. The candidate with a forty year history of political involvement in New Mexico, Chairman C'deBaca, was able to turn out more votes than the candidate with six and a half years of involvement, yours truly. So, Mr. C'deBaca won.

I know it's not titillating reading, but it's the truth, which brings us back full circle. Mr. Monahan has lost it. He's moved from the alligator swamp to the padded room. Either that, or he's got a reason to try and create a rift in the Republican Party where none exists. Go ahead, you decide.