New Mexico - whichever sacrificial lamb the Republican put up. Note: I didn't vote for Richardson because of concerns over cronyism back in 2002, either. I was proven to be correct in my concerns. 
He's not an atrocity as governor, either, so I ain't gonna lose sleep when he rolls to another landslide...if he can get that school construction money to the West Side, that is (goddamn Northern New Mexico Democrats 
). If he can't, he'll still win, but not in a landslide. The West Side may cast 10% of the total votes in NM, remember? 
Local politics, ah, how it always influences things out here. 
From
http://www.joemonahan.com/ :
New Plan Surfaces To Relieve Overcrowded Schools; Can It Bail Out Big Bill?
The failure to secure funding for schools in fast growing suburbs on ABQ's Westside and in Dona Ana county was one of Big Bill's setbacks at the recent legislative session and, according to reliable sources, the Guv is now working feverishly to come through with the cash to build two new ABQ high schools and other schools in Dona Ana.
"There is serious talk about floating bonds for the schools that would be backed by the severance tax permanent fund. It would be a novel approach, but it appears to be legal and does not require the approval of the Legislature, only the Public School Capital Outlay Council," informed one source.
Before the session the Governor boasted that he would get nearly $300 million in money for new schools, but the lawmakers appropriated a paltry $90 million. After the rejection, APS school board member Robert Lucero infuriated the Guv by calling the session "The Year of the Spaceport," not "The Year of the Child" as touted by Big Bill.
One Westside activist determined to get those schools built circulated an e-mail that dragged the 08' Prez race into the fray.
"The Guv will not be dinged much in the upcoming election with his failure to get the critically needed funds to fix school overcrowding. His problem will come in selling his "educational Governor" status in his other campaign. One of his chief rivals is the former Governor of Virginia, who did find a way to build and fix that state's schools. If the Guv can't move New Mexico forward, how can he move America forward?" Questioned the activist.
It's a tough one for the chief exec because TV news has been playing the video where he pledged to come up with the money. The bond plan could be the way out. The Guv has issued executive orders to implement several of his proposals that were killed in Session 06.' Getting desperately needed schools built and fading the political heat in this election year may require him to again do an end run around opposing lawmakers.
THE ROARING TRAFFIC'S BOOM
Menawhile, the Guv may have an opportunity to pacify some of his Westside critics. And it comes from the R's. State Sen. Joe Carraro says $500,000 to four-lane the Paseo Del Norte road extension made it through the Legislature, as did another $300,000 secured by fellow GOP Senator Mark Boitano. The money is set loose if Big Bill signs off on it.
If the Guv does give the OK, it will also help Dem ABQ Mayor Marty with his Westside constituents. The mayor has said the city is short the cash for the four lane job. It was GOP U.S. Senator Domenici who recently came to the mayor's aid in winning four lanes for the Montano Bridge and now it's the two state GOP senators. The mayor has been the target of liberals who joke that he should switch to the Repubs, but why should he when he's already getting their help and Westside Dems say that's fine with them. Well, there is the matter of the Dem nomination for Guv in future years, but that's another story...
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If Richardson can actually pull off both adequate funding for Westside Schools AND gives us the money for a 4-lane Paseo...hell, I'll vote for him.
All Politics Is Local.
