Twenty-oh-eight is here — and it promises to be a banner year for politicking in our state.

From Feb. 5's Democratic presidential preference caucus to Nov. 4's nationwide, statewide and local-official elections, the sound of stumping might, from time to time, rise to deafening levels.

The February turnout, bigger by half in 2004 than the 50,000 or so expected, might provide grist for more grinding over an early primary instead of a separate presidential caucus.

Holding a president-through-county-commissioner primary, say in February, in this heavily Democratic state, would mean only a longer waiting period for the state and county winners to take office the following January. But it would mean more participation by the public — which looks better to us than the perceived exclusivity of a single-party closed caucus.

This year, though, the primaries are June 3 — and, more important to the many entries in Northern New Mexico Democratic congressional sweepstakes — the party's pre-primary convention takes place March 15. It'll take 20 percent of the delegates there — or an onerous petition drive afterward — to get on the primary ballot. So that date is crucial. It involves collaring enough of the 400-member central committee or the 1,300 county delegates — and since hordes have tossed their hats in the ring to replace Tom Udall in the House of Representatives while he runs for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici, the convention could be interesting, to say the least.

Meanwhile, there's politics in the air from Costilla to Columbus, with candidates of varying degrees of capability and credibility declaring their undying dedication to serving the public — and their willingness to work long, hard hours with nary a thought of monetary reward.

This has made our nation great — or something like it. We're sure that, many months from now, when the shouting and the voting are over, by and large we'll have honest, intelligent and work-willing citizens to represent us in the lawmaking and executive process — federal, state and local.

Among the many lining up for state and federal office — and for the City Council and municipal-judge elections in Santa Fe and many other places March 4, we see few scoundrels running; al contrario, some highly qualified folks, as incumbents, as challengers and as open-seat contestants, are seeking the high-visibility, low-appreciation work at City Hall and city court.

But it's time once again for Santa Feans and the rest of the state to watch who's giving campaign money to whom — and for what favors expected if the giver's guy or gal wins.

Promises rarely amount to more than the "pocketful of mumbles" mentioned by the boxer in the Simon & Garfunkel song — so resolve to look past them to whose money is making the candidate look good. We resolve to tell you as much as we can about who's backing whom — and with what expectations. It ain't easy: With every new disclosure rule come clever attempts to get around them. We'll do our best — and we welcome your tips on who's up to what.

We wish you a Happy New (Election) Year!