Journal Endorses.... (live in, money, population)

[ziaAirmac]

Yes, Yukon is one of my favorite posters. She went from inquisitive outsider to local authority (I'm sure she'd disagree on the authority part.). Let's just say that by completing her journey to NM she's better qualified than most to lend an insight or comment to those that wonder what this whole 'Land of Enchantment' thing is all about.

[rybert]

x2

[ABQSunseeker]

Yes, in 2004 NM went red, but it had gone blue in the three previous presidential elections (it was red for a long time before). I think NM is part of an historic realignment going on in the West, that will make it blue for some years to come.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by yukon

I just moved here this year. I was in Florida for 6 years, Texas before that. Florida votes "blue" on the important local/state issues like minimum wage, green initiatives, etc. but the Prez race was another matter. Bush carried FL in 04 but I think mainly just because Kerry is such a cold fish. But they went blue last night The "finally" part was more a reflection on me than NM

Thanks Yukon, that does explain your statement..

Nita

[abqsunport]

I feel like New Mexico usually reflects national trends. This race was called one the Redskins lost.

[yukon]

Sorry for the confusion, Nita! The political leanings in NM was high on my lists of reasons to move here.

A friend of mine moved here from Alabama. During dinner last night she kept grinning and saying, "I'm so glad I'm in a BLUE state now!" She, too, appreciates the live and let live attitude that NM has.

[abqsunport]

I don't know if I would categorize New Mexico as a traditional blue state. Most of the Hispanics here are conservative democrats due to the Catholic dominance here. I have a feeling New Mexico will once again be true to itself, Cherry Red in the future. That said, this is a big wake up call to the New Mexico GOP to reevaluate its operations and change things up.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

I don't know if I would categorize New Mexico as a traditional blue state. Most of the Hispanics here are conservative democrats due to the Catholic dominance here. I have a feeling New Mexico will once again be true to itself, Cherry Red in the future. That said, this is a big wake up call to the New Mexico GOP to reevaluate its operations and change things up.

It certainly is, they or should I say we, got our butts kicked in NM. I agree with what you are saying. I think NM is pretty middle of the road except at the state level.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by yukon

Sorry for the confusion, Nita! The political leanings in NM was high on my lists of reasons to move here.

A friend of mine moved here from Alabama. During dinner last night she kept grinning and saying, "I'm so glad I'm in a BLUE state now!" She, too, appreciates the live and let live attitude that NM has.

and that is what makes NM different from some places. I really would not say, NM is a live and let live state though. I think it goes a little deeper than that.

Nita

[Merlander]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

That said, this is a big wake up call to the New Mexico GOP to reevaluate its operations and change things up.

Sunport, I would agree that it's a wake-up call, although personally, I would say it's more of a wake-up call nationally than for NM, per se.

This latest presidential election was won by winning over moderates and independents. When you compare Heather Wilson or Pete Domenici to a Lindsay Graham or a Mitch McConnell, NM has a contingent of moderates [Steve Pearce excluded]. The American public had also made this preference clear with the ousters of Senators George Allen and Rick Santorum a couple years ago, but the national GOP leadership has yet to grasp the trend.