WaPo: Madrid-Wilson Race #9

I try to highlight the big national rankings of the NM-01 race to show what other parts of the country think about our little Congressional race. I think it is a good thing to see an outsider's perspective; in this year's race, it seems that the outsider's perspective is matching the insider's perspective.

At the Washington Post's "The Fix", Chris Cillizza (doesn't that sound like a name that Snoop Dogg would make up?) puts New Mexico's First Congressional Race as the #9 most likely to switch parties. So despite what Mario Burgos thinks, this race isn't anywhere near over; to say so is just plain foolish.

Madrid has proved to be a much more viable and effective candidate than Richard Romero. If the Republicans think otherwise ... well, then they will learn their mistake in November. Most observers believe that this race is anywhere but done.

9. New Mexico's 1st District: Democrats admit that Rep. Heather Wilson (R) effectively scored points over the past month by hitting state Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D) over her failure to investigate former state Treasurer Robert Vigil. Madrid may have finally changed the subject with a stirring ad that attacks Wilson for never raising questions about the war in Iraq and missing a vote on setting a timetable for withdrawal to attend a fundraiser with President Bush. Wilson is as savvy as they come, but her district is split absolutely down the middle -- meaning even a slight wind could push her out of office. (Previous ranking: 11)

Source: The Fix

I'm not sure if you can say that Wilson's attack ads were working; afterall, the increase in her lead was within the margin of error (only 1%) in the polls.

Tomorrow's poll in the Albuquerque Journal will have a big effect on how this race is seen. Unless one candidate breaks away from the other (not very likely), this will continue to be a top-ten race.