Bush, Los Ranchos, Domenici, Wiviott

You probably already know about this but I thought I'd post on it anyway as I'm still catching up after 10 days in Chicago for Yearly Kos and a Chicagoland vacation.

Bush in Los Ranchos for Pete
The Decider will appear at a private, big-dollar fundraiser on Monday, August 27, to benefit Sen. Pete Domenici's campaign to retain his Senate seat. It'll cost a mere $1000 just to get in the door, and $5000 to have your picture taken with Bush. The gathering of Republican Bush-Domenici supporters will be hosted by Los Ranchos Mayor Larry Abraham, a registered Independent, at his home in the North Valley outside Albuquerque. Abraham is also the Vice-Chair of the board of directors of the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) and Chairs their Metropolitan Transportation Board (MTB).

Surely, Abraham's "independent" cover has been damaged beyond repair by his enthusiasm to host Bush and support the campaign of one of the administration's primary rubberstamps. According to an Albuquerque Tribune article, Mayor Abraham deemed the event "a historic moment for the entire village and our family." I guess so, if you consider a stealthy visit from one of the most unpopular, unethical and incompetent presidents to be a positive thing.

Mayor Abraham also stated that, "We're honored to help Pete. He's an asset to the whole state of New Mexico." Others might argue that an aging, increasingly out of touch Senator who's accused of injecting politics into prosecutions by our U.S. Attorney, and who consistently supports tax cuts for the elite, huge subsidies for oil, gas and nuke corporations, a failed foreign policy in Iraq and continued destruction of our civil liberties is hurting most constituents rather than helping them.

Ready for a change? Check out the campaign of , a Democrat who's running for a chance to challenge Domenici for his Senate seat. Wiviott, a green developer from Santa Fe who's making clean energy, the environment and getting out of Iraq his core issues, was one of the candidates featured at a packed netroots candidate celebration at the Yearly Kos convention in Chicago last week. It was great to see a New Mexico Democrat up there on the stage with other strong netroots favorites like Eric Massa of New York, Darcy Burner of Washington State and Steve Kagen of Wisconsin. Even Al Franken, who's campaigning to take on Repub incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota, appeared at the candidate event via a live video feed. The candidates honored at the event are featured on a special Act Blue page where you can learn more and donate to one or all of them.

Don Wiviott (left) speaks to crowd at Yearly Kos Netroots Candidate Celebration

Wiviott was much in evidence all over the convention and was clearly concentrating on listening, learning and networking with activists. We had a chance to share a dinner with Don and hang out with him at a couple events. We came away very impressed with his intelligence, honesty, passion for progressive change and practical approach to fiscally responsible problem-solving. He's sincerely reaching out to the grassroots-netroots for support and he got a bunch of it at the YK candidate event. We look forward to hearing more from him as his campaign swings into gear.

Wiviott (bottom left), YK Netroots Candidate Class of '08 (Click on photos for larger versions.)

August 13, 2007 at 12:17 PM in 2008 NM Senate Race, Candidates & Races, Democratic Party, Web/Tech | Permalink

Comments

Don Wiviott did great at Kos. He is very knowledgeable about many issues. His background and passion for sustainable building design is much needed in this country today. Buildings use lots and lots more energy and contribute to greenhouse gases much more then vehicles.
The built environemnet has gotten a pass so far in the global warming debate. We need someone who knows how to change this fact. To present strong ideas based in experience and reason.

Anyways I could go on and on. Don was and is great and we have a chance here fellow hard working dems.

Posted by: mary ellen | Aug 13, 2007 12:55:29 PM

Its a very good sign that Wiviott took the time to attend Yearly Kos. It means he takes the netroots seriously and gets what's going on in Democratic politics today. I definitely want to know more about his positions and hope he runs hard in his race to replace Domenici.

Posted by: | Aug 13, 2007 1:53:31 PM

Sure hope we have a nice big protest rally against Bush up there in the North Valley so he knows where we stand on his horrible and illegal actions!

Posted by: | Aug 13, 2007 4:57:42 PM

Regarding a protest rally for Satan's... I mean, Bush's visit on August 28, does anyone know if something is going to be officially organized? If not, is it legal to drive up and down the streets in that area, and/or is there any public place where we can set up shop?

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 12:11:45 AM

Oops, ignore the date in the above post. I meant to say August 27 (Monday) as the date of Darth Vader's visit. Sorry 'bout that.

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 12:22:31 AM

What's with an INDEPENDENT mayor hosting the stupid Bush party? They must have paid Larry Abraham beaucoup bucks to let Bush pollute his house -- because no one else would have him!

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 12:26:08 AM

I'm going to be there in Los Ranchos on Monday, August 27. Anyone else planning to show up? This could be good!

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 12:34:45 AM

I am an Automated Robot. The test that was used to prevent automated robots from posting comments did not work. Here I am. Impeach Bush. Impeach Cheney. Jail all Republicans. Thank you.

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 12:36:34 AM

Yeah I'm going to go to Los Ranchos for the president's visit. I hope theres a place we can stand and protest! I'm making some signs too.

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 11:07:18 AM

I heard that one or more of Abraham's neighbors are holding free surprise protest rallies at their houses. Will Governor Richardson, Mayor Chavez, and Cindy Sheehan really be there, as rumored? Where does the protest parade start and end? How can we get more info on these neighborly events?

Posted by: Howdy Neighbor | Aug 23, 2007 11:16:24 AM

I am one of the neighbors:) And we were actually interviewed by the SS a month ago! Little do they know that we are hosting a major protest party in my back yard! Everyone is invited. Hot Dogs and Wine, plus Fireworks! My Ozzy tribute band will be playing (hopefully outside, but maybe in the garage, if our local police aren't cool). We can accommodate 200-300 protestors. Listen for the music. Look for the black balloons. Free!

Posted by: LosRanchosDem | Aug 23, 2007 11:37:10 AM

Details are still up in the air re a protest of Bush's Monday event on Rio Grande in Los Ranchos because it's unknown where his security will be placed to keep people away.

Stop the War Machine hasn't decided exactly what they will do yet. Code Pink Albuquerque has a tentative meeting place at 10 AM at the shopping center parking lot at Osuna and Fourth where Walgreen's is located. Look for the pink cars. However they've said this may change.

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 12:20:18 PM

Kudos to Code Pink! Does anyone know the time when B*sh will actually be in Los Ranchos?

Posted by: | Aug 23, 2007 4:01:16 PM

There is at least one planned protest at 8:30 AM on Monday. Please be there! More info can be found at www.nmdemocrats.org -- thanks!

Posted by: | Aug 24, 2007 7:53:06 PM

Here's a summary of the planned protest:

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2007
DEMOCRATS AND PEOPLE AGAINST PETE
PAJAMA PROTEST
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
CORNER OF RIO GRANDE AND GREEN VALLEY
JUST NORTH OF VILLAGE HALL, 6718 RIO GRANDE NW
LOS RANCHOS DE ALBUQUERQUE

Posted by: | Aug 24, 2007 7:56:58 PM

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: