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Friday, May 16, 2008
NM-02: McCamley's First TV Ad Knocks Special Interest Gravy Train
Congressional candidate and Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley announced that his first television ad would begin airing in the Albuquerque media market today (see video above). Titled “Gravy Train,” the ad focuses on Washington’s failure to defend the middle class against special interests.
I really like the ad because it shows McCamley's enthusiasm and genuine emotion about the issues, something anyone who's seen McCamley speak live can certainly attest to. I also think it draws a powerful distinction between McCamley's grassroots-powered campaign, built on small donations and dedicated volunteers, and his rival Harry Teague's top-down, big donor, insider campaign. The majority of Teague's funding has come from his own pocket -- or from wealthy oil and gas interests -- to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Unfortunately, Teague has refused to debate McCamley during the final weeks of the primary race, perhaps because Teague reportedly did so poorly at a recent candidate forum. I guess he thinks his generously funded ad campaign will suffice. I hope he's wrong and that voters see this race for what it really is.
“There is a special interest gravy train in Washington, DC,” McCamley says in the ad. “Money from big oil and drug companies comes in one door, and taxpayer giveaways go right out the other.”
“This ad not only highlights why Bill is running, it clearly shows the passion and energy that he is going to bring to the general election and to Washington in January,” said McCamley campaign spokesman Mike Ward. “Voters want to see a candidate who stands up for them against the special interests, and this ad focuses on how Bill will do just that.”
The ad was produced by Fletcher Rowley Chao and Riddle, which also created the television ads for Travis Childers, the Democrat who defeated Greg Davis in Tuesday’s special election in rural Mississippi. The district is a reliably conservative district that President Bush won by 25 points.
Help Keep the Ad on the Air
If you like the ad and want to help more people see it, please consider making a contribution to the campaign. With only a few weeks left, they need to find every penny they can to get their message out. You can contribute quickly and securely online by clicking here or by sending a check made out to "Bill McCamley for Congress" to: Bill McCamley for Congress, PO Box 6552, Las Cruces, NM 88006.
E-Card: Another Way to Help
Gotta love this: The McCamley campaign sent out a piece of mail last week that highlights how Bill is different from so many politicians these days. Thanks to their web designer, you can now see it as an "e-card" and send it on to your friends. Just click this sentence to see it. (You must have Adobe Flash Player on your computer.)
Endorsements
Within the last three weeks, McCamley has been endorsed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents over 12,000 city, county, state, and university employees in New Mexico, by the Sierra Club, and by Al Kissling, the 2006 Democratic nominee for the District. McCamley was previously endorsed by the New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents over 7,000 New Mexico workers. He has also been endorsed by numerous present and former Democratic officials in New Mexico’s Second District (see www.billmccamley.com for more information).
McCamley is a Doña Ana County Commissioner and former Executive Director of the New Mexico Rural Development Response Council. He won the Democratic Party’s Pre-Primary Convention for the Second Congressional District with 49% of the Convention delegates over his remaining opponent’s 36% in a tremendous show of strength. Internal polling has shown McCamley leading his opponent by over 20%.
McCamley’s campaign website is www.billmccamley.com.
Technorati Tags:Bill McCamley, NM-02, Democrats, political ads, primaries, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Fletcher Rowley Chao and Riddle, Travis Childers
May 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM in NM-02 Congressional Race 2008 | Permalink
Comments
I strongly believe there are three areas of major concern to all New Mexicans. In no particular order they are: The economy, health care and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am a disabled, decorated, retired Colonel that commanded a fighter squadron in combat during Vietnam and flew 120 combat missions. My decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Air Medals and others. I have tried time and again to get Harry Teague to debate Bill McCamley on issues pertaining to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and Mr. Teague refuses to debate.
OPEN LETTER TO SOUTHERN NEW MEXICANS, ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, AND NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR SUPPORTERS!
On May 12, 2008, I challenged Harry Teague and Bill McCamley to debate the following questions: (1) Should we or should we not withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan and if so, when? (2) What health benefits should our military expect to receive? and (3) How should the VA be funded to ensure our young men and women, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan after three, four and even five combat tours, be treated for lifelong injuries? Unfortunately, Mr. Teague has disrespected New Mexico voters by turning down the debate I requested. I say Mr. Teague has an obligation to stand up and debate the issues, and his outright refusal to do so is an insult to the people of District 2.
Are these issues important to everyone? Here are just two reasons we should all be concerned:
1. For 2009, the President has asked for $1.3 billion in health care services; $3.9 billion in mental health services, and $1.5 billion for prosthetic and sensory aids. If the current wars continue, the actual costs could exceed $75 to $150 billion. USA Today reports that the costs of war benefits may total $42.4 trillion through the next decade; that’s nearly $8,000 for every man, woman, and child in the country.
2. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has accused top VA officials of criminal negligence in covering up and withholding critical information regarding veterans’ suicides from Congress and the American people. It appears the VA has documents showing 1,000 suicide attempts per month, yet they have never passed that information on, never asked for help, and simply say everything is under control. In a VA report dated May 9, 2008, the data show that 18 American war veterans kill themselves every day. More veterans are committing suicide than are dying in combat.
I hope everyone understands why I thought it imperative that Mr. Teague and Mr. McCamley debate these issues? Voters need and want to hear what a candidate has to say about issues that affect their lives as directly as the two I’ve given here. Certainly voters want to know how Mr. Teague and Mr. McCamley differ in their plans to address such pressing issues.
If Mr. Teague doesn’t have the courage to debate Mr. McCamley now, how can we expect him to adequately represent us in Congress? We owe it to active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members, as well as veterans, their families, and their supporters to vote for Bill McCamley, a Democrat who is ready and willing to tell us where he stands on military issues.
Col Donald E. Jonker USAF Ret.
Posted by: Col Donald E. Jonker | May 21, 2008 7:06:52 PM
