DENVER — More than 100 people probably showed up at Gov. Bill Richardson's swimming pool party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Tuesday night. However, nobody went swimming at the party, which was sponsored by the International Association for Firefighters and American Benefits Consulting. And nobody got thrown into the pool, despite lots of jokes floating around about throwing various people in.

One surprise guest hasn't been seen around political functions lately — former state Insurance Commissioner Eric Serna.

Serna retired in 2006 as part of an agreement approved Thursday by the state Public Regulation Commission. As part of the settlement, the PRC dropped its investigation of a controversial contract Serna signed with Santa Fe-based Century Bank.

Serna spoke briefly with Richardson by the pool. But he was gone before I could speak to him. He didn't return a phone call Tuesday.

Dave Contarino, Richardson's former chief of staff who also was at the party, said Tuesday that he didn't know what Serna was talking to Richardson about. "Eric Serna was there?" he asked.

Attorney General Gary King, who was in Denver on Tuesday to meet with other Democratic attorneys general, said his office is still investigating Serna.

Serna's assistant in the Insurance Division, Joe Ruiz, was convicted this year on 30 felony counts for soliciting bribes in the form of charity donations. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

Clinton supporters unite behind Obama

Despite nationwide rumblings of Hillary Clinton supporters who say they aren't yet ready to get behind Barack Obama, three prominent Clinton supporters in the New Mexico delegation said Tuesday that they will work hard for the Democratic ticket in spite of the tremendous disappointment they felt when Clinton left the race.

But state Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, labor leader Christine Trujillo and Democratic National Committee member Mary Gail Gwaltney agreed Obama has much work to do if he wants to win the votes of Clinton supporters and Hispanic voters in New Mexico.

The three are in line with Clinton's major New Mexico supporter, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who has campaigned for Obama since Clinton dropped out.

Garcia said she still intended to vote for Clinton when her name is put into nomination at the convention because she was elected by the party as a Clinton delegate. But she said, "I'll be going door-to-door asking people to vote for Barack Obama." Trujillo and Gwaltney, who both are superdelegates, signed a nominating petition for Obama this week.

Garcia, who is president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor and state president of the American Federation of Teachers, said she first met Clinton during the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign and has been a fan ever since. She also likes Obama, though she said, "He really needs to reach out to the Hispanic voter."

Trujillo agreed. She said while younger members of her family enthusiastically favor Obama, older family members are having a difficult time accepting him.

Like the others, Gwaltney, a Las Cruces resident, said she only began supporting Clinton after Gov. Bill Richardson got out of the presidential race. In the weeks before the February Democratic Caucus, she let two Clinton organizers stay in her home.

"I don't think the press treated her right," Gwaltney said of Clinton. "Men didn't treat her right. She was clearly the brightest person to run besides Governor Richardson."

The bag of swag

Convention delegates aren't the only ones who get gifts and goodies in Denver. Reporters, when picking up their credentials, received a tote bag full of knickknacks and promotional materials.

When I registered at the Sheraton on Sunday, I noticed as I was walking toward the escalator that I'd accidentally picked up two bags. When I went back to return it, the guy who took it back thanked me, then said, "I'll give you a nickel to keep the extra bag." I declined.

Here's what was inside mine:

A ballpoint pen from Laborers International Union of North America; a Denver 2008 plastic water bottle with the logos of Visa ad of U.S. Bank; a glossy official Denver Visitors Guide; a 19.9-fluid-ounce bottle of a kiwi-strawberry flavored drink called Joint Juice (no, it's not bong water); a wind turbine lapel pin from the American Wind Energy Association; a Denver gallery guide pamphlet; a ballpoint pen from Anadarko Petroleum Corp.; a Denver delegate and media guide; a walking and biking tours pamphlet; a half-ounce antibacterial hand-sanitizing gel; a bicycle lapel team pin from AT&T; a "Plant This Card" packet of wildflower seeds from Ecodriving USA; breath mints from Cattellus; breath mints from UPS; a ballpoint pen from Move-a-Roo; an 8-fluid-ounce can of tropical-fruit-flavored Joint Juice; a bunch of tiny refrigerator magnets consisting of single words (children, workers, power, community, healthcare, etc.) from the Service Employees Industry Union; a DNC Post-it note with the John F. Kennedy quote, "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate"; a small Dale Carnegie's Golden Book pamphlet.

One of the strangest items in the bag was something I initially thought was a pair of cheap earbuds attached to a card with "preparedness tips" from a group called Protecting America. But on closer inspection, it's actually a working radio. I'm listening to NPR's All Things Considered as I write this.

Then there's all sorts of advertising flyers and pamphlets. I read each one carefully and contemplate whether I want to purchase the product, use the service or agree with the political position touted. (Yeah, right.)

I don't know. I might try the small can of Joint Juice. I've already used one of the pens, and maybe I'll keep the radio. Maybe the motel maids will enjoy some of this other stuff.


Steve Terrell is reporting from Denver this week. Send him your thoughts on the convention at sterrell@sfnewmexican.com .