Former Attorney General Patricia Madrid, who lost to Rep. Heather Wilson in NM-01 by fewer than 900 votes in 2006, has reportedly been toying with running either for U.S. Senate or the House seat in NM-01 ever since Domenici announced his retirement. She hasn't been alone. Unless you've been out of the country or off the planet, you've witnessed the names of dozens of New Mexicans being mentioned or leaked or dropped as possible candidates. Coy quotes are planted. Politicos spin and whisper. Emails and phone calls come in clusters. Even to me.
Emanuel and Pelosi Apply the Pressure
In Madrid's case, it's gotten more definite over the last few days. She told the media she's decided not to run for Senate now that Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez is in the race. New Mexico Dems breathed a sign of relief. But she left the door ajar on another Congressional run in the First District and that got local Dems grumbling. Then, late yesterday, I got word from someone I met at the YearlyKos bloggers convention this summer that a rumor about Madrid springing from knowledgeable sources was circulating in DC. Namely, that Dem House Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were pressuring Madrid to enter the NM-01 race.
Yes, that Rahm Emanuel -- the pugilistic DLC Dem who had insisted that Tammy Duckworth was a better candidate in IL-06 -- even though Christine Cegelis had built a real following and given Rep. Henry Hyde a run for his money two years previously. Emanuel was wrong about Duckworth. She lost in 2006, and almost no one in Illinois was surprised except Rahm. It's also common knowledge that Emanuel fought behind closed doors against several Dem candidates who ended up winning in 2006, only to claim credit for their victories later. Rahm Emanuel has long expressed the view that DNC Chairman Howard Dean is just shy of the devil incarnate -- mostly because Dean has respect for local voters and local parties, and has stuck with his plans to organize in all 50 states. Now Emanuel is rumored to be perhaps the strongest advocate for another Congressional run by Madrid, regardless of what New Mexico's Dems think.
If what I've heard is true, I guess Rep. Emanuel doesn't see any value in the NM-01 candidacy of Martin Heinrich, who's already raised $318,000 and has been performing well in the campaign spotlight for many moons now. I guess he doesn't see any value in political newcomers Jon Adams or Michelle Lujam Grisham either. No, Rahm wants to play the role of long distance candidate picker -- all the way from inside the Beltway. He wants things his way, as he usually does, and the word is he's got Nancy Pelosi helping him make the pitch. Do they care what New Mexicans in the First District want? I think not. Emanuel, in particular, is known to have only disdain for the locals. In his world, all the wisdom (and power) is found within the Beltway in DC.
Madrid Fatigue
If there's anything afoot here in New Mexico to do with another Madrid run, it's clearly candidate fatigue. Complete with groans and cries of "no please, not again." Every time her name gets floated, that's what I hear, even from those who have been fans. The fact is that Dems worked their hearts out for Madrid in '06, only to be let down abruptly and without recourse when she performed (You Tube) incredibly poorly (You Tube) in a TV debate in the waning days of the campaign. Supporters, whether passionate or practical, were devastated. I'm sure she was too. But it didn't help that Madrid refused to demand a recount in the incredibly tight election. No one really knows why. The margin was so small it would have automatically resulted in a recount in many districts around the country.
Patricia Madrid has been a hardworking and often effective public servant for years, but I have to say that another run for Congress would almost certainly go over like a lead balloon. Most of all this election cycle, voters are clammering for a fresh perspective, an original approach, something new and inspiring. Not the same old faces, the same old targets of negative ads, the same old same old. If Rahm Emanuel and Nancy Pelosi succeed in convincing Madrid to run again in NM-01, I predict nothing but disaster. And that would be a sad and tragic thing for Patsy, for New Mexico's Dems and, ultimately I'm afraid, for the country.
New Mexico Dems know what's going on here in terms of the political atmosphere, not Rahm Emanuel or Nancy Pelosi. Chances are Madrid will make a decision sometime this weekend about another run in NM-01. I hope she makes the right one.
(A version of this diary is cross posted on the Democracy for New Mexico blog.)