OK political junkies, wake up from that post-Christmas nap and ponder this: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said today that 15 to 20 people have expressed interest in her job, when she moves to the Governor's Office when (if) Gov. Bill Richardson moves on to Washington to be Commerce Secretary.

Denish said there are a number of "qualified, credible people" who have spoken to her about the post.

However, Denish gave no hints as to whether she had a favorite, saying simply in an interview that she is "going to appoint that person when there's a vacancy in that office."

You've probably heard the same names I have: Lawrence Rael, Hector Balderas, Lucky Varela, John Garcia, Joe Maestas, Dan Lopez.  A new one I heard the other day is Pojoaque Gov. George Rivera, and then came Stuwart Paisano's name as another possibility.

But it seems there are others, according to Denish's numbers.  Any women contenders? Anyone we never heard of? Send me your nominations now. . .