(Updated) SD15: Snyder Attacks Eichenberg for Supporting "Green Collar" Job Creation

Update: Check out this thread on Duke City Fix where there's a discussion going on about green jobs and the ignorance of Diane Snyder regarding renewable energy and the local economy. The original post is by the owner of 310 Solar, an up and coming New Mexico solar company.
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We've all witnessed some really horrible and/or crazy and/or dishonest campaign attack ads, mail pieces, videos, speeches, TV appearances and more on the part of Republicans this election cycle -- but this one has to go in my top ten list of nutty tactics. And it happened right here in Albuquerque, in State Senate District 15, where progressive Dem challenger Tim Eichenberg (right) is taking on incumbent Repub Diane Snyder.

By all accounts, Eichenberg has been running a top-notch, grassroots, person-to-person campaign, and the word is he's got an edge in polling against the entenched GOP insider. In other words, he has a great chance of winning and giving us another important vote for change in the Roundhouse. No wonder Snyder is flailing about trying to discredit Eichenberg and rile up the conservative base in the district.

It's hard to believe in this era of global warming and creativity exploding in the area of renewable energy, but Snyder is trying to bag Eichenberg for his support of "green-collar" jobs. In a recent mailer, Snyder says Tim's plan for creating renewable energy jobs "could take years to accomplish in New Mexico," and adds, "that's time we don't have." You can see the mailer here (PDF). Clearly, Snyder has a lot in common with U.S. Senate candidate Steve Pearce, who also resides permanently in the age of oil and claims renewable energy jobs are way down the road. In the photo (above left) they look like two peas in a pod, don't they?

Maybe This Is Why
Recent campaign contribution reports show that Republican Diane Snyder received more than $18,000 in donations from big oil and gas and affiliated PACs -- including Chevron Corporation, Yates Petroleum, ConcoPhillips and the Navajo Refining Company. So I guess you could say she has a vested interest of sorts in holding back change -- and the potential creation of thousands of jobs in New Mexico. Just like right-wing Steve Pearce -- who just happens to be behind in the latest polling by 20 points in his race with Rep. Tom Udall.

Green Revolution Is Happening Now
We don't have to wait for years to see green jobs coming our way. Better known "green" companies in Albuquerque include Advent Solar and Schott Solar, which broke ground in early 2008 and is expected to create as many as 1,500 jobs at peak production in an eventual $500 million complex. Many more are ramping up and contemplating start-ups here. As Rep. Tom Udall often says, New Mexico could become the Saudi Arabia of solar, wind and other renewables -- if we make the right investments and provide the right incentives. Tim Eichenberg puts it this way:

"New Mexico is perfectly positioned to become the nation's leader in the new energy economy. But to be the leader, you've got to lead. Therefore, it's of the highest urgency that we invest now to capture our share of this industry and make sure New Mexico gets these jobs for our people. Senator Snyder's opposition to renewable energy only makes sense when you look at her campaign contributions", says Eichenberg. "Frankly, during her time in the legislature Snyder has acted more like an elected 'lobbyist' for special interests like the oil industry. She should have been working hard representing her constituents in District 15."

Donate Some Time or Money to Tim
More info can be found about Tim Eichenberg at his website. We need to help Tim win this race and get rid of one more Republican legislator who's clinging to the past and beholden to special interests. We need another dynamic and creative legislator who sees the true value of a green economy -- and the thousands of jobs it can bring. Please donate or volunteer some time to the Eichenberg campaign whether you live in his district or not. We'll all benefit if Tim defeats the backwards looking Diane Snyder.

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