New In the Plaza Vieja

Making The Team

New Mexico's Democratic Party Central Committee conducted a four-day electronic election to finally choose Stephanie Garcia Richard as Deb Haaland's running mate; she took 53% of the vote. Pope Jr. got 46%, showing a significant - if not commanding - strength of the Democratic Socialists who backed the State Senator. 

Insider reports on the progress of the selection process were notably sparse.  Joe Monahan has not yet offered any analysis. 

Santa Fe New Mexican

The Battle for Democracy

 New Mexico Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury made a presentation this morning at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque.  It was an upbeat pep talk in support of the Democratic race for control of the House.

Stansbury talked non-stop for about half and hour, explaining what House Democrats have been doing to combat Trump's chaos.  She also provided a succinct review of similar periods of history which were even more chaotic, and which were preludes to progressive political and social advancements.

I recall not being impressed with Stansbury's speaking in the early phase of her career, but it seems to me now she is extraordinarily articulate and communicative, with an excellent command of the facts including a thorough grounding in ecological issues. 

It seems very likely Stansbury will one day be representing New Mexico in the United States Senate.

Stansbury at Wikipedia

Who Do You Like?

The recent episode of New Mexico in Focus included a segment about the selection of a candidate for lieutenant governor by the Democratic Party Central Committee.  Primary voters made a choice earlier, but their selection, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, dropped out due to health reasons.  The discussion included supporters of the two main contenders, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard and State Senator Harold Pope Jr.

Mentioned was the fact that the leading candidates seem to have little differences in the policies they have advocated.

Not addressed was the question of why the State has to go through the expensive ritual of holding a separate primary election for Second Banana, something which only five other States require.

The Dem Gov candidate, Deb Haaland, has expressed a preference for  Stephanie Garcia Richard, and it seems pretty likely she will have her way.  Policy congruence played a part, but perhaps the addition of an Hispanic name to the ticket also trumped the appeal to the smaller Black constituency brought along by Senator Pope.

What the new Lt. Gov might actually do while in office will likely not get much attention.  The position is an historical dead-end for political aspirations.  The main objective in handling the office has been finding. ways to keep the Lieutenant Governor busy and on the sidelines. 

Coffee

Lots of choices for coffee in my neighborhood and nearby Old Town

 I like Slow Burn on Mountain Road for its nice light, good seating, quick service and good parking.

On Track

 The present and future governors of New Mexico.

2019

The Morning Ride

 On a short outing on my trike around the neighborhood.  I came across a couple roadrunners.

This one had caught a small lizard for breakfast beside the Explora children's science museum

T-rex was waiting for the Natural History Museum to open so he could perform his daily duties as an animatronic exhibit in the main hall. 

 A new restaurant has opened in the neighborhood.  Mañana Taco has had good attendance in its first week, so there seems a good chance it will prosper.  When we moved to Albuquerque the building was occupied by a so-so burger joint.  That was followed by a dispensary which lasted about a year before running afoul of the law for selling out-of-state weed.  Mañana shares the building with Pink Pony which sells soft ice cream.