Democracy for New Mexico

Gov. Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

Note: Also see my later post with videos of Gov. Richardson's endorsement speech at a raucous campaign rally in Portland, OR, and Barack Obama's thank you.

According to an AP report, Gov. Bill Richardson will appear with Barack Obama today at a campaign event at 12:30 PM PST in Portland, Oregon to formally endorse him for president. Here's the message that was emailed to supporters at 1:10 AM explaining the Governor's decision:

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.

To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,

Bill Richardson

An AP story ,

"I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world," Richardson said in a statement obtained by the AP. "As a presidential candidate, I know full well Sen. Obama's unique moral ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation."

... Richardson praised Hillary Clinton as a "distinguished leader with vast experience." But the governor said Obama "will be a historic and great president, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad."

... "There is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a commander in chief when our nation's security is on the line. He showed this judgment by opposing the Iraq war from the start, and he has show it during this campaign by standing up for a new era in American leadership internationally," Richardson said.

Obama said he was "deeply honored" to have Richardson's support.

"Whether it's fighting to end the Iraq war or stop the genocide in Darfur or prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, Gov. Richardson has been a powerful voice on issues of global security, peace and justice, earning five Nobel Peace Prize nominations," Obama said in a statement.

Rep. Tom Udall Responds to Endorsements of LCV and Conservation Voters New Mexico

Santa Fe, NM – At a Roundhouse press conference today, Congressman Tom Udall proudly accepted endorsements for his U.S. Senate campaign from two leading conservation groups, while outlining a number of common-sense proposals for energy independence. Udall was joined at the press conference by League of Conservation Voters national President Gene Karpinski and Conservation Voters of New Mexico Director Sandy Buffett.

"I am honored to accept these endorsements today," Udall said. "Fighting to protect our natural resources is not just a political issue for me –- it has been a lifelong commitment of mine, and I look forward to continuing the fight for conservation and energy independence in the United States Senate."

Rep. Udall (right) greeting Dems at NM Preprimary Convention

Udall, who has long been as a champion of policies to protect New Mexico's treasured landscapes like the Valle Vidal, spur national policies to promote renewable energy and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil, continued, and spoke of the initiatives he has championed in the House and also looks forward to taking-on in the Senate.

"As a United States Senator, I will continue the fight to end our fossil fuel addiction, develop alternative sources of energy, secure our energy independence and reduce green house gas emissions in the Senate. For me, and so many New Mexicans, these are more than buzzwords, they are the economic future of New Mexico and the moral imperative of this country."

Touching on what he called three common-sense proposals, Udall said he said will not only help redefine the way we look at energy, but do so in a way that creates jobs:

The first is his plan to establish a federal Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), under which big electric utilities would be required to chip in by providing 15 percent of their electricity from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources by 2020.

"Not only will this help us meet our growing demand for electricity –- it will create thousands of jobs, lower energy prices, a nation less dependent on foreign oil and significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions," Udall said. "This plan would also revitalize rural America by helping farmers and rural land owners by creating a new revenue stream for their future."

Udall fought for the inclusion of an RES, which passed the House twice despite long odds last year, in the Energy bill last year. But as he said, "It died at the hands of a slim minority in the Senate."

The congressman also spoke of a plan to keep extending renewable energy and efficiency tax credits to promote stable growth in the industry.

"Not only would these tax credits translate into a reduction in residential and commercial energy costs, but they generate new domestic green collar jobs, and boost the economy," said Udall. "Renewable energy sources are proven economic engines for our country."

Finally, Udall also promised to continue his work to ensure the government does its share to reduce its carbon footprint by encouraging "Green Building," on the federal and commercial level.

"The plan I have successfully championed requires improved Federal and commercial building energy efficiency, with green building standards for new federal buildings and a zero net energy initiative to develop technologies, practices and policies to reach the goal of having all commercial buildings use no net energy by 2050. We've accomplished much in this area, but we can and must do more.

He said that the government should extend and expand tax credits for individuals, builders and businesses that use energy-saving technologies and applauded the efforts already underway in New Mexico.

Udall's father Stewart was Interior Secretary under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and his uncle Morris spent three decades in the Congress working on these issues. Udall currently serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment.

Click to visit Rep. Udall's Senate campaign website.

To see our previous coverage of the 2008 U.S. Senate race in New Mexico, visit our archive.

LCV and Conservation Voters New Mexico Endorse Tom Udall for U.S. Senate

From the League of Conservation Voters:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The League of Conservation Voters and Conservation Voters New Mexico announced today their joint endorsement of Congressman Tom Udall for the U.S. Senate, citing Udall's unparalleled leadership in defending New Mexico's public lands and creating a clean, renewable energy future. 

"Tom Udall understands the need to develop clean, renewable energy, not just to defend against global warming, but to create jobs and increase the security of our country," LCV National President Gene Karpinski said. "And when it comes to protecting our lands, our water, our air, our health and our economy, Tom Udall ranks among the country's best legislators. We need real champions like Tom in the Senate, which is why this race is a national priority."

"The health and beauty of the Land of Enchantment have no greater champion than Congressman Udall," said Sandy Buffett of Conservation Voters New Mexico. "In Congress, his work has already helped protect the Valle Vidal from drilling and his support for renewable energy has created new green collar jobs here in the state."

"I am thrilled to accept this endorsement today from President Karpinski, Director Buffett and all the members of LCV and CVNM," said Udall. "I am even more thrilled at the chance to fight for these issues in the United States Senate. During my five terms of service in the House, I have been a leading voice in calling for our nation's efforts to end our fossil fuel addiction, develop alternative sources of energy, secure our energy independence and reduce green house gas emissions. For me, and so many New Mexicans, these are more than buzzwords, they are the economic future of New Mexico and the moral imperative of this country. As New Mexico's next Senator, I will fight to make them a reality."

Udall's lifetime League of Conservation Voters score of 96%  stands in stark contrast to his potential opponents Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce, whose lifetime scores are a disappointing 14% and 1% respectively. Pearce and Wilson have been on the wrong side of the debate on issue after issue, choosing to give tax-breaks to polluting industries instead of supporting a clean energy future.  For more information on LCV scores, visit www.lcv.org/scorecard.

Beyond his voting record, Congressman Udall shows true leadership in Washington on key conservation issues:

·   He founded the Peak Oil Caucus, a group of legislators dedicated to finding new solutions to our energy needs and investing in the solar and win technologies that will create thousands of green jobs here in New Mexico.

·   In 2004, he stood up to the Bush administration's efforts to gut the National Forest Management Act, defending unspoiled public lands here in New Mexico and across the country.

·   Most recently, in 2007 he led the charge to create a meaningful national renewable electricity standard, by first introducing a bipartisan and widely supported bill requiring utility companies to produce 20% of their electricity using clean, renewable sources by the year 2020, and then offering a 15% by 2020 amendment that passed the House twice, but was stripped from the final energy package by a small minority in the Senate. 

LCV, the nation's independent voice for the environment, engages in public education, lobbying and accountability to turn environmental values into public policy.  LCV has made global warming and America's energy future a central focus of its activities in Congress and in the 2008 election cycle.

DPNM Needs DNC Delegate Applicants TODAY for Affirmative Action Status Groups

I posted earlier today about the 5:00 PM deadline for applying to be a delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver this August and/or for registering to vote for these delegates at the April 19, 2008 Congressional District Conventions to be held in each of our Congressional Districts.

Now I've learned from Lynn Jacobs, Chair of the DPNM Affirmative Action Committee, that the Party is short of applicants for several affirmative action status groups. Such applicants are needed in all three CD's. Click to download a delegate application.

THE SIGNED APPLICATIONS MUST BE FAXED, EMAILED OR HAND-CARRIED TO NM DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS BY 5:00 PM TODAY. THE FAX # IS 505-830-3645.

We especially need applicants, both male and female, who are NATIVE AMERICANS (all CD's); AFRICAN-AMERICANS (all CD's); HEARING (all CD's), SIGHT(all CD's) and MOBILITY (especially in CDs 2 & 3); and DISABLED. 

We would like to see more applications from LGBT - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (all CD's);  ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLAND AMERICANS (all CD's); YOUTH - Under 40 (all CD's - could be combined with other status groups).

Currently, the largest number of affirmative action status groups applications are from Hispanics. All Democrats registered to vote in New Mexico are eligible and encouraged to apply to be a Delegate.

Please contact any friends and relatives who might be interested and have them fax a signed form to headquarters by 5:00 PM today.

More Info:

Democratic Party of New Mexico
1301 San Pedro NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
info@nmdemocrats.org
Fax (505) 830-3645
Phone: 505-830-3650 (main) · 1-800-624-2457 (toll-free)

Register TODAY to Vote for NM Delegates to Denver Convention

If you want a say in who represents your Congressional District as a pledged delegate or alternate to the Democratic Convention in Denver on August 25-28, of if you want to run for a delegate slot yourself, you must act today. On April 19, 2008, Conventions will be held in all three of New Mexico's Congressional Districts to elect pledged delegates and alternates. In order to vote for pledged delegates and alternates to the DNC Convention who will represent the presidential candidates as allocated by our Dem Presidential Preference Caucus last month, you must either be:

• a current member of the Party's State Central Committee, in which case you automatically get to vote and don't need to file an additional form, or
• a delegate to last Saturday's State Preprimary Convention, in which case you must submit a form to register to participate, or
• a registered Democrat who participated in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Caucus on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by casting a vote at a caucus site or by mail, in which case you must file a form to register to participate.

The district delegate registration form, available here for download, must be completed and received by the Democratic Party of New Mexico by 5:00 PM TODAY, March 20, 2008, indicating you wish to serve as a delegate or alternate to the District Convention. (See below for email address and fax number.) In order to vote at a District Convention, you must do so in person. No proxy voting will be allowed. A total of 17 pledged delegates and 3 alternates will be elected at the District Conventions, and will be equally apportioned by gender and by Congressional District.

Click for more info on each of the three District Conventions to be held on April 19, 2008:

• First Congressional District, Highland High School, Performing Arts Center, Moved to National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque. Registration 8:30 AM, Convention 10:00 AM.
• Second Congressional District, New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces. Registration 9:00 AM, Convention, 10:00 AM.
• Third Congressional District, Taos Convention Center, Taos. Registration 9:00 AM, Convention 10:00 AM.

There are a number of loyal, active Democrats who are running to be pledged delegates to the national convention to support either Clinton or Obama. You can also run to be a DNC delegate if you file this pledge form by 5:00 PM TODAY, March 20, 2008.

Check in at the DPNM's 2008 DNC Delegate Center Page to learn more. Or click to see the delegate plan rules governing the selection process. If you have any questions, contact the Democratic Party of New Mexico:

Democratic Party of New Mexico
1301 San Pedro NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
info@nmdemocrats.org
Fax (505) 830-3645
Phone: 505-830-3650 (main) · 1-800-624-2457 (toll-free)

Happy Birthday, Cocoposts

For a state with a small population New Mexico has one of the finest collections of progressive bloggers in the country. (For comparison, check out another large but low population state like Maine.) Over the past several years New Mexico's progressive blogsphere has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of the number of blogs, their quality and the degree of networking that goes on among them. Moreover, each blog seems to have carved out a distinctive niche, its own unique angle on things, amidst the larger community. Go click on the links located down a bit on my left-hand sidebar under the heading NM Blogs to see what I mean.

A key piece of the New Mexico blogging community is Coco's fine blog at https://cocoposts.typepad.com/. Cocoposts, Albuquerque People, Places, Politics, Planning and a Big Dog, is also one of the most unusual. Coco provides indepth insight into New Mexico's development empire and our archaic planning process, along with a myriad of observations on places, animals, food, movies and more. Why do we read it? Because we want to understand and we want to do it with a chuckle. Thank you, Coco. And happy third birthday to Cocoposts!

(Aside ... want to see the first Cocopost from March 20, 2005? Click here. Hat tip to SP.)

NM-01: Today's Must Read on Martin Heinrich

Martin with son on his shoulders at Saturday's preprimary convention

Johnny Mango has an excellent post at Duke City Fix based on an interview with Dem Martin Heinrich. The piece considers his "resume" and what has shaped and prepared Heinrich to become the next member of Congress from New Mexico's First District.

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out Albuquerque City Councilor Debbie O'Malley's letter supporting Heinrich's candidacy. Councilor O'Malley lays out exactly why she has strongly endorsed him-- based on her work with Martin on the City Council and the kind of experience and principles he brings to the table.

Some critics of Heinrich, like those of Barack Obama, suggest that Martin isn't ready to serve because he doesn't have decades of a certain kind of narrow "experience." Well, we've seen the damage, deception and corruption that supposedly "experienced" politicos have brought to the halls of Congress and the White House alike. Fortunately, more and more Americans have come to realize that what we really need in Washington are fresh ideas, new perspectives, caring advocates, persuasive problem-solvers and change agents -- not more business-as-usual bloviators in it for their own power and glory.

If you agree, you can help make a difference right now. Heinrich's campaign is trying to raise $15,000 by 11:59 PM on March 31st, and is tracking donations as they come in on his website. As of Noon today, they've raised more than $5,000. Add your donation here in any amount, large or small. Another great way to support Martin's campaign is to host a house party, whether you live in NM-01 or elsewhere. If we don't do it, who will?

Vote for Rep. Tom Udall in Sen. Feingold's Progressive Patriot Contest

Click here. Pass it on.

LWV Santa Fe Hosts Civic Dialog Event

From the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County:

CIVIC DIALOG EVENT: MARCH 20, 5:30- 7PM
"Civic Engagement: Tools to Influence Government"
College of Santa Fe, O'Shaughnessy Room, Benildus Hall (Map)

Goal: Increase civic dialogue by providing a tool kit of methods, activities, styles to influence elected officials. Learn how you as a citizen can be included in the policymaking process and what you have a right to know from government + and to do.

Keynote Speaker: Fred Harris, former U.S. Senator and national Chair of the Democratic Party, now professor emeritus of political science at the University of New Mexico.

Panelists:
Carter Bundy, Executive Director AFCSME
Leonard DeLayo, Executive Director, Foundation for Open Government
Karen Heldmeyer, former Santa Fe City Councilor and neighborhood activitist
Ouida MacGregor, former Santa Fe City Councilor
Moderator: Billie Blair, President, Santa Fe Community Foundation

Two Excellent Analyses of the Obama Speech on Race

Glenn Greenwald and Commentary on Greenwald's piece.

The man crying to the left of Michelle is Marty Nesbitt, the Obama's best friend and the woman to Michelle's right is Valerie Jarrett.

Another one: