Thanks for Commenting
I'm a liberal Democrat and believe me, Joe Monahan is not a "Democratic blogger." He criticizes both sides, unlike most right-wing bloggers.
For instance, you complain about Pahl Shipley, but I don't see you writing about Karl Rove's position in the Bush admin. Since when are purely political hacks allowed an office in the WH?
This is ridiculous, there are democrats that beleive that Monahan is a right-leaning blogger.
Didn't Joe monahan used to be the press person for REPUBLICAN Congressman Manuel Lujan?
The Press doesn't cover the wednesday morning quarterback because it's author, Whitney Cheshire is on the payroll of the State GOP. Her information is not just squewed but it's bad info that obviously is fed from the state party.
Monahan has made people mad on the right and left, which means he's doing something right. The reason you and Cheshire aren't covered is because you're partisan hacks.
Amy, the concept here is that Mario and Whitney state that they lean to the right on issues. Mr. Monahan says that he is unbiased and he is not. Simple as that.
Barb, there is a reason I have comments turned on and that I do not filter the ones I receive. Basically, it all comes down to the fact that I enjoy hearing the opinions of others that are different from those of my own. One of my favorite ways to while away time is to hang with friends of different beliefs and discuss/debate the issues. I don't need to spend my time talking about whether or not Karl Rove should have an office in the White House because I know you will, and I'm more than happy to allow your comments to stand side by side with mine without censoring them.
Amy, yesterday was the anniversary of the Kelo decision. It made people on the right and left mad. According to your logic, it therefore must have been doing something right. Your argument is flawed. The reason that both the right and left are upset with Monahan is that he is never upfront with disclosing his bias. He is also quick to write unsubstantiated rumours, and let's face it no one likes the office gossip - even if we are all inclined to listen. Doing something right makes a majority on all sides happy. It is doing something wrong that makes all upset.
As far as me being a "partisan hack." I'm not sure what that means, although you seem to consider it an insult. I am firm in beliefs and I write about them almost daily. They are my beliefs and they happen to align most closely with my party's platform, if not always it's practices. If that makes me a partisan hack, so be it.
Monahan's biggest client in the Las Cruces area is Stan Fulton, owner of the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino and a huge Republican donor (he gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to federal GOP candidates). Monahan has been tasked with fighting the proposed Anthony casino that would be built by the Jemez and Gerald Peters.
In addition, Monahan's radio partner is Scott Scanland, Fulton's lobbyist.
Why do bloggers always have to be accused of being left or right? I work hard to stay non-partisan.
Mario: I appreciate how you operate the comments on this blog. I guess it is a matter of intent. I think it's important to criticize all politicos who do negative things, not just those of one party. If people don't admit the errors of those on their own "side" so to speak, commentary can come across as pure partisanship, you know?
Heath and Barb,
No offense but the blogs that are non-partisan are boring, man. I read Monahan because he’s a Democrat partisan and he’s a good writer, like Mario is a Republican partisan and a good writer. I’m not stupid enough to go to Monahan for "news." I mean most of his newsy stuff is based on unnamed sources anyway. I’ve got no idea if he’s full of it or not. But Mario’s right that if newspapers are going to quote Monahan they should balance it with someone from the right. A lot of Republicans are pissed about that.
Also, Heath, just because Monahan’s willing to take money from some big rich Republican, it doesn’t mean he’s an independent observer or anything. And it doesn’t mean he’s in good with most Republicans. And it doesn't mean that he's not biased toward Democrats either. It just means he’s willing to sell himself sometimes, he’s got a price, you know. Maybe Fulton is partly paying Monahan off so that he doesn’t come after him with his gossiping, which wouldn’t be a dumb thing to do.
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