It might not have been big news in the rest of the country, but the decision by New Mexico Republican Senator Pete Dominici not to run again in 2008 has thrown our little (population-wise) state into a tizzy.

Right after Pete got off the phone with Heather Wilson (Congresswoman from my district and also a Republican), she announced her intention to run for Senate--giving up her hard-won Congressional seat.

And a laundry list of NM politicians suddenly were asked if they wanted to get into the race. A few people said no. The lone Democratic NM congressman (from the liberal northern part of the state) said he would not (he's on a choice committee in the house and doesn't want to lose that prime real estate). And Governor Richardson, who is running for President, said he would continue to run for President rather than switch to running for the Senate. Presidents are more important than Senators. And so is being Secretary of State of a Democratic administration. And, of course, he's still Governor till 2010.

There was one morning a few weeks ago when I seriously considered jumping into the Senate race. Nevermind my problems of being pro-pot and having no children, no wife, no house ownership and no name recognition, I could see it all happening. I could envision debating Heather Wilson and winning by just saying no to war. I saw a groundswell of support from all those voters who wanted something different in government and not the same old same old. I thought about which colors I might have on my campaign posters (I was thinking Red, White and Blue--with maybe a little bit of yellow thrown in for New Mexico).

I went into the shower that morning considering cashing in my stocks and heading down to wherever you are supposed to head to when you want to run for something. I'm sure there are forms, and I've got pens. However, when I got out of the shower and turned on the TV, a serious Democratic candidate had just announced his run. Current Albuquerque mayor, Martin Chavez, jumped in the race.

He's got way more money than me. He announced last year he was going to run for something, and started raising money. Marty didn't say what he was running for, but people gave him money anyway. I think he's already got a million dollars.

It depressed me a little bit, as I had worked up a frenzy in my mind about how I'd have to verbally sidestep a few sidesteps in my life (and, probably, I'd have to cut down on the pot), but I knew it was fruitless. The professional politicians were going after this open Senate seat with gusto (we haven't had an open seat in this state since the 70s), and I'm no professional anything.

I was also kinda pissed because no one I'd actually feel good about voting for had entered the race yet. But you have to keep personal feelings out of voting if you're serious. You have to learn to compromise, hold your nose and vote on one issue.

But still, no one I like has announced. To make things interesting, however, the other NM Republican Congressman (Steve Pearce of Hobbs) threw his hat into the ring last week. Which means in New Mexico there will be two congressional seats and a Senate seat open without an incumbent running. Keep in mind we only have three congressional seats total (along with the usual two Senators). And the other seats are held (and will continue to be held) by Democrats. So it could be that New Mexico will turn completely blue in 2008.

The state Democratic party is freaking ecstatic about the primary war between two Republicans for Pete's seat. I think this means they're pretty sure no one big is going to end up running against Chavez. I'm not sure if this is true (our Lieutenant Governor--acting governor when Richardson is on the campaign trail--is considering a run), but it might make sense. A united front against the Red Scourge.

Which leads me to my real question about all of these musical political chairs: why is everyone running for a different job when they already have jobs? I mean, is the job to run for office or to actually do something meaningful for our state and country?

To recount: our governor is running for President, two out of three House members are running for Senate, my mayor is running for Senate and everyone and their dog is looking at those congressional seats with rabid tongues. I'm thinking being Governor or Senator or even a lowly House member is pretty easy, and they get lots of vacation.

I'm also thinking my non-employment is a detraction to my possible run as well. Because everyone who is already getting tax money for their pay will use their current jobs (which they aren't doing because they're running for another job) as proof they should have a new, better, more important job.

Is there any other job where you get to take six months or more off work to look for a new job--with pay? Try it. Go into your boss today and tell them you are going to try to look for another, better, job and you're not going to do the one you're getting paid for while you do this, but you still want a paycheck and benefits and massages. And management better understand, because it's for their own good.

This is the message I'm getting from the professional politicians in New Mexico. People who will all claim, at some time in the next year, that they work for me.

I'm thinking, as one of a million and a half bosses of these clowns, that someone is gonna get fired.

Matt Worley didn't consider running for the District 1 House seat because it's not as important as being a Senator, and the office space is really small.