« NM-03: Wiviott Says Energy Bill a Good ‘First Step;’ More Action Needed | Main | New Record: Conservative Senate Obstructionists Block Legislation 62 Times This Session »
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
NM-01: Win Lunch with Martin Heinrich at Scalo's
In January, five contributors to Martin Heinrich's campaign for Congress in NM-01 will be treated to lunch with the candidate at Scalo restaurant in Albuquerque. If you make a donation at his website between now and 11:59 PM on December 31, you'll be entered into the drawing to win lunch. If you're a winner and can't make it to lunch, or you're from out of town, you'll get a New Mexico care package complete with green chile and a call from Martin.
Click to make a contribution and enter the drawing. According to Martin,
It's absolutely critical that we have a strong fourth quarter. My finance director told me that we have to raise at least $10,000 through the internet between now and December 31st if we're to make our goal. I told her that I had faith that together, we can raise at least $10,000 online."
To track our progress, there's a balloon on the front page of my website that updates occasionally showing the latest online contributions tally. I need you to help fill the balloon by making a contribution. Together, we can make sure that we have the resources we need to fight back against the Republican noise machine. Please, help us fill the balloon, earn a chance for lunch with me at Scalo and help us make sure we have the resources to beat back the Republican attack machine!"
Click to read more of Martin's message. Visit the campaign website at www.martinheinrich.com, as well as the campaign blog at www.martinheinrich.com/blog.
To read our previous coverage of the Congressional race in NM-01, visit our archive.
December 19, 2007 at 06:30 AM in NM-01 Congressional Seat 2008 | Permalink
Comments
Isn't that an illegal lottery, a crime in NM under 30-19-2C ?
As well, of course, as being a tremendously stupid idea. I mean, for a lousy lunch at Scalo's I wouldn't buy in - try offering a monster truck as a prize, or use slot machines, as the casinos do. Gambling for democracy? Buy a chance on honest government? At least the losers get the comforting knowledge that their campaign contribution helped to buy lunch for some other contributor who might otherwise have to buy their own lunch. Or go hungry. Maybe this is part of the "help the poor campaign conributors" social action initiative.
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 19, 2007 10:07:33 PM
Someone better prosecute Barack Obama then. He conducted the same contest and New Mexicans were eligible to participate.
https://my.barackobama.com/page/content/dinner
Posted by: Obama4Prez | Dec 20, 2007 7:40:35 AM
Oh, come on. It's a fun contest and encourages people to make a contribution. Have a sense of humor Michael H. Schneider.
Posted by: I Vote | Dec 20, 2007 8:47:59 AM
I just love New Mexico Democrats' committment to the rule of law: if someone else did it, it must be okay; if it's fun and encourages contributions, it's okay. It obviously doesn't matter what the law actually says.
FWIW, 30-19-2 says "Gambling consists of: ...
C. conducting a lottery; or ...
Whoever commits gambling is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
30-19-1 says "E. "lottery" means an enterprise wherein, for a consideration, the participants are given an opportunity to win a prize, the award of which is determined by chance, ...
30-19-6 exempts and allows lotteries run by churches, fairs, public libraries, charities, and a few other similar categories.see:
https://www.conwaygreene.com/nmsu/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&2.0
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 20, 2007 9:40:56 AM
If this is a major concern of yours you must not read the news or have much to worry about. If you're so bothered with it take some legal action.
Posted by: JJ | Dec 20, 2007 10:03:39 AM
Well, well Mr Schneider says ""I just love New Mexico Democrats' commitment to the rule of law" Then, you must just about have an orgasm when another news reports come out about some corrupt Republican, lets see how many perverts, thief's, bribe takers have there been in the last couple of years? Talking about committed to the rule of law, how about that bunch in the White House, now there is a shining example of committed to the rule of law.
Posted by: VP | Dec 20, 2007 11:32:12 AM
The correct response here (assuming this is an illegal lottery) is something like "Oopsie, I'm sure the Heinrich campaign isn't aware of this, I hope and expect they'll fix it promptly."
Instead we've got the classic illogic and poor rhetoric.
VP says 'the Republicans are worse.' Very true, but I don't want my party and my candidate to merely be marginally better than an abominable opposition party. I want it to do things right.
JJ attcks me, suggesting that I'm ignorant of current events, and urging me to take legal action. Again, ad hominems aren't good arguments, and my ignoance doesn't make this a legal lottery (or not). Second, enforcing the laws isn't my job. My job is to evaluate and vote for candidates, and (if I choose) to try to assist those I support to act right and get elected. That's what I'm doing.
If I'm wrong, and this isn't an illegal lottery, I'd sure like for someone to point out my error. Even if it's legal, I still think it's a dumb idea. A chance for a small contributor to speak at length with a presidential candidate is one thing; a free lunch at a fancy restaurant with an opposed congressional primary candidate is something very different.
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 20, 2007 12:15:18 PM
I think many people feel differently. You can always donate and refuse to accept the lunch if it bothers you so much or ignore it. With everything going on in today's world I wonder why someone would be so het up about something like this.
Posted by: Josie | Dec 20, 2007 1:20:50 PM
I DID NOT SAY Republicans were worse. I was pointing out that there are much, much worse law violations going on to get excited over, rather than some silly drawing for a lunch. I should have done a better job of making that point.
Posted by: VP | Dec 20, 2007 1:57:52 PM
Let me see if I can explain why I think this lottery for contributors is such a dumb idea.
First, we've had a problem with government being sold to the highest contributor. Make campaign contributions and you, too, could be an ambassador! Contribute, and you can own more tv stations and radio stations and newspapers! Contribute and you'll keep your copyrights longer!
Now we're offered 'contribute, and you, too, could win a free lunch! Act now and you'll also get this set of 6 Ginsu steak knives, absolutely free!'
I don't like the whole idea of 'contribute and win free stuff!' Politics isn't about getting free stuff, it's about making this country better. Or, at least, it should be.
Second, it's a lottery. Gambling. The (mostly) illusory chance to get something for nothing. Maybe I'm just a classist, but this strikes me as an appeal to the ill-educated and the disadvantaged. Rich people don't need a lottery, they can bundle the $100k contributions and get the favorable tax treatments. This looks like an effort to sucker the nickels from poor folks. Yes, poor folks should participate, even contribute money to political causes - but not because there's a chance to win a free lunch at a fancy restaurant. Rather, everyone should participate because we all have a stake in making this a better country.
Yes, there are worse problems. There's trafficking in slaves, and genocide, and war, and a whole lot of other bad things. But the fact that there are other bad things going on doesn't change the fact that this is a really really dumb idea, and probably illegal.
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 20, 2007 9:20:06 PM
I just tried to leave a comment about this over at the Heinrich blog, because I think it polite to let them know I'm talking about them. Actually, I tried four times, and each time the comment disappeared into the phlogiston. Anyone know what their problem is?
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 20, 2007 9:34:16 PM
Wow.. Michael Schneider needs to get a life! First of all, if you would do a little research you would find that Federal Election law allows this type of fundraising ask AND.... FYI Michael this is a federal race. Also look at Mr. Heinrich's website and you will see this is not such a "dumb idea". All FUNCTIONAL campaigns send out fundraising asks at the end of each quarter and you can't knock a campaign for trying to make this fun for supporters. Also, before you go on a rant about a campaign being "classists" also do some research on Martin and you will find the he is the one that worked with AFSCME for 2 years to raise the minimum wage in Albuquerque. Mr. Heinrich also fought for public financing of elections so politicians would have to reach out to constituents and not money interests.FYI.. I donated to his campaign because I believe I'm getting the chance to put one of the best democrats in this state into Congress. If you really care about the problems you listed above, then YOU should also donate to Mr. Heinrich's campain.
Posted by: GET A LIFE MIKE! | Dec 20, 2007 9:59:15 PM
wow, vitriol. More vitriol. And another ad hominem: pointing out that the race for US Congress is a (gasp!) federal election. Caling me stupid doesn't really strengthen your position, or lend credibility to your assertions about the law.
First, get a name. Then, get a pair of glasses. I didn't "rant about a campaign being "classists"". I said that perhaps *I* was being classist. That's what my phrase "Maybe I'm just a classist" means.
Also, if you have any authority for the proposition that federal election law pre-empts State laws of general applicability, such as prohibitions on gambling, I'd sure like the citation. Hey, if you even have a citation to the FEC saying that lotteries are okay for fundraising, I'd like to see that. I showed you my citations, shouldn't you show me yours?
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 20, 2007 10:20:45 PM
I'm sad to learn that Jason Call has dropped out of the race, for now I don't have a candidate to support.
I had been inclined to suport Heinrich - inclined enough that I actually went down to the HQ to see if there was anything I could volunteer to do (there wasn't, as I abominate phone calls and refuse to inflict them on others).
Perhaps I shouldn't hold a candidate responsible for the behavior his supporters exhibited here. It's more than the moral cowardice of a well informed supporter who would adopt a one-off pseudonym to insult and abuse me. It's also the absence of anyone associated with his campaign from this discussion, coupled with the appearance of inviting comments on his blog without actually allowing comments.
This should have been an opportunity for his campaign to foster support, to encourage involvement, to make friends among voters. Instead, while I started out as a supporter, I've now been left with a bad taste about the whole campaign. Apparently they're very keen on getting my money (two letters asking for money!), but other than that they'd rather I would shut up and go away. I suppose I will do just that.
Posted by: Michael H Schneider | Dec 21, 2007 8:59:45 PM
