Democracy for New Mexico

NM-Sen: Udall Reports $2.1M in Fundraising for Quarter

Rep. Tom Udall's campaign for U.S. Senate in New Mexico announced today that he raised more than $2.1 million this fundraising quarter. Udall has consistently been the top fundraiser in New Mexico’s Senate campaign. In each of the finance reporting periods during the primary election, Udall outraised both of his potential GOP opponents combined.

Udall's fundraising success is reflected in his alternating series of four TV ads that are currently on the air. Steve Pearce, his GOP opponent, has yet to air a TV ad. You can see Udall's latest ad, "Tragedy," at his campaign website -- another in a series stressing that Udall is dedicated to "doing what's right for New Mexico."

Udall's website also has photos from his travels around New Mexico during the 4th of July weekend. Tom talks about what he learned from constituents during his holiday trip home during an interview (audio) today on NPR. The portion with Udall starts at about 4:22.

In campaign release, Udall Campaign Manager Amanda Cooper said, “We are so grateful to Tom’s strong, statewide base of committed supporters for making this our best fundraising quarter so far. Because of their generous support our campaign is able to knock on thousands of doors, have a strong statewide presence, and dominate the airwaves with hard-hitting TV ads. Together, we’re making sure that Tom Udall’s stong record of accomplishment and doing what’s right for the people of New Mexico resonates throughout the state.”

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Catching Up After the Fourth

Dem float in Capitan NM 4th of July parade*

The long Independence Day weekend has been a welcome respite from blogging and politics, but now it's time to jump back into the fray. Here are a few items to help you do just that:

Following on rumors bubbling up over the holiday weekend, the DNCC announced that Obama will give his nomination acceptance speech on the final day of the Dem Convention in Denver at Mile High stadium (er, Invesco Field), where the Broncos play. Pepsi Center, site of the Convention, holds 20,000. Mile High 75,000. All of Thursday evening's Convention events will take place at the stadium and the public will included in the festivities.

Iraqi prime minister al-Maliki is signaling he just might want to set a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops. Imagine that.

Nathan P. Small's post on Heath Haussamen responds very effectively to Jim Scarantino's claim that Rep. Steve Pearce's phony Dona Ana County public lands bill is a widely supported and effective way to protect the Organ Mountains and other natural jewels down south. But then, passing off an anti-public lands bill as being pro-public lands is something of a GOP habit.

The New York Times profiles Mark and Tom Udall and examines the pluses and minuses of their family's history of environmental activism.

Another photo from the Capitan NM 4th of July parade*

Contrary to the talking heads, Obama has Hispanic voters solidly behind him according to polling by Gallup. In June, Obama had the support of 59% compared to McCain's 29% nationally. And in data collected by Pacific Market Research and combined for the Southwestern battleground states, which include New Mexico, Obama is leading McCain 57 percent to 26 percent. Read the New Mexico Independent by Marjorie Childress for more.

An anti-worker business PAC is backing Darren White for Congress in NM-01.

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will appear at Netroots Nation in Austin on Saturday morning, July 19th to take questions. (You can submit your question at the link.) Our state should be well-represented at the blogger convention. Mary Ellen and I will be there, as will Matt of New Mexico FBIHOP and a number of other New Mexicans who participate at Daily Kos. Dem Congressional candidates Martin Heinrich (NM-01) and Ben Ray Luján (NM-03) will be panelists for a discussion on New Mexico: Case Study for the Interior West.

*Note: Photos sent along from Dem Ellen Wedum, who's running for the NM House in HD 59. She had this to say about the celebration in Capitan: "I was in the 4th of July parade in Capitan (which is actually 2 miles west of the border of House District 59 in Lincoln County) and both NM-02 Congressional candidate Ed Tinsley and his wife were there. Lots of Tinsley stickers around. Both HD 57 candidates, Democrat Mary Barron and Republican Dennis Kintigh, were there -- Capitan is in HD 57. My HD 59 opponent, Nora Espinoza, was not. She missed a fun parade. The Capitan main street is lined with trees and friendly people."

Meanwhile, NM-02 Dem Congressional candidate Harry Teague visited five communities during the holiday weekend.

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"Pearce Wrong 4 NM" Hybrid Competes in Street Race Tonight

The thrills just keep on coming in New Mexico's U.S. Senate race:

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
Cordially Invites You to Witness as

The “Steve Pearce: Wrong 4 New Mexico Hybrid Car” Drives the Debate on High Gas Prices by Lining Up Against Albuquerque’s Best in a Race to the Finish



Featuring conversations with the crowd about their feelings on the high cost of gas and what they think of Rep. Steve Pearce and Rep. Tom Udall

When:  Thursday, July 3, 6:00 PM
Where: Albuquerque Dragway, 5700 Bobby Foster Rd. SE
What:  The “Steve Pearce: Wrong 4 New Mexico Hybrid” Will be Entering the Street Race Session to Prove that You Don’t Need High Gas Prices for High Speed Action

Enter to Win
See our previous post about the Action Fund's Prius hybrid, Steve Pearce's abysmal record on energy and how you can enter the drawing to win it.

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Today: Defenders of Wildlife Fund Launches Hybrid Car Giveaway

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund announced today that it will be giving away a 2008 hybrid car, to highlight Steve Pearce’s consistent and repeated votes against increased fuel mileage standards that could save New Mexican families $1,500 a year and reduce the impact of global warming.

See the Hybrid
The hybrid giveaway launch will take place today, Tuesday, July 1, at 12:30 PM, at the parking lot on Central Ave and 2nd SW, in downtown Albuquerque. Come on down, see the unveiling of the hybrid car and learn more about energy issues.

“We have decided to give away a free hybrid car to show our commitment to raising awareness for energy conservation,” Defenders Action Fund President Rodger Schlickeisen said. “With global warming, gas prices through the roof, and our unfortunate engagement in Iraq, energy conservation is an important issue for the environment, the American consumer, and for our national security.  This should not be a partisan concern, it is an American concern.” 

“Steve Pearce has accepted over $500,000 from the oil and gas industry, supported giving the industry billions in tax cuts, and consistently opposed any increase in fuel efficiency standards,” Defenders Campaign Manager Ed Yoon stated. “With New Mexicans paying $4 for a gallon of gas, we can no longer accept politicians who look out for the interests of big oil rather than those of the average citizen.  Steve Pearce is simply wrong for New Mexico.”

By driving a hybrid car, the average New Mexican would save $1,400 each year on gas alone, according to the Action Fund. If 92 people each drove a hybrid in New Mexico for one year, it would take $127,360 out of the pockets of the oil and gas industry, offsetting the average election cycle contributions made by the industry to influence Rep. Pearce’s positions. In fact, Rep. Pearce has received an average of $7.27 per hour from the oil and gas industry since taking office, 77 cents more than the hourly minimum wage in New Mexico. 

How to Enter the Drawing
The giveaway is open only to legal residents of the state of New Mexico who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry and have a valid New Mexico driver’s license. To sign up or for more information, simply visit our website at www.Wrong4NM.org.  No strings attached, the winner will be selected with a random draw in early November, 2008.

The Action Fund, which is known for its innovative and strategic campaign style, is supporting Rep. Tom Udall for United States Senate, as well as Martin Heinrich for U.S. Congress. In addition to its field operation, which knocked on over 25,000 doors during the month of May alone, the Action Fund has already run three television and two radio ads in New Mexico.

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Udall, Luján, Colón to Speak at Wednesday Opening of Dem Party Santa Fe Office

From DPNM: The Democratic Party of New Mexico is holding an office opening party for our new Santa Fe offices.

• WHAT: Santa Fe Office Opening Party
• WHO: Rep. Tom Udall, CD-2 Candidate Ben Ray Luján and DPNM Chair Brian Colón are scheduled to speak
• WHEN: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 PM
• WHERE: 720 St. Michael's Dr., Suite 2L; Santa Fe 87505

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After Midnight ...

... it'll be too late. Too late to donate to one or all of our True Blue New Mexico candidates before the end of the second quarter campaign finance reporting period. Consider donating even $1 or $5 to help remake our state into a True Blue New Mexico. If we'd all do our part, the totals would rise dramatically. Lots of small donations can often overcome the influence of big donations from all the wrong people to the GOP candidates running against our Dems. But to make it work, we all have to participate.

Take Martin Heinrich's race for Congress in NM-01. Bush flew into town recently and raised more than $300,000 in whopper donations from GOP bigwigs for Repub Darren White. How do we help to undercut that advantage? By clicking here and donating even a few bucks to Martin Heinrich's campaign. Martin's aiming to raise at least $75,000 $100,000? online by midnight tonight. Can we help put him over the top?

You can plug in an amount at the top of the ActBlue page to be split among the five True Blue candidates or you can scroll down and give only to one or two. But I do hope you give something, whatever you can, before tonight at 11:59 PM.

Down-Ticket Races
Are you more motivated to give to candidates in down-ticket races? You can easily do just that on ActBlue too. Whether you live in their districts or not, onsider donating to these Dems in contested New Mexico legislative and other races:

New Mexico State House Races:

Janice Saxton (website)
Dem candidate for NM House in HD 22
ActBlue page

Ben Rodefer
Dem candidate for NM House in HD 23
ActBlue page

Ellen Wedum (website)
Dem candidate for NM House in HD 59
ActBlue page

Craig Cosner (website and address for check)
Dem candidiate for NM House in HD 67

More New Mexico House candidates

New Mexico State Senate Races:

Jeff Carr (website)
Dem candidate for NM Senate in SD 7
ActBlue page

Victor Raigoza (website)
Dem candidate for NM Senate in SD 10
ActBlue page

Tim Eichenberg (website)
Dem candidate for NM Senate in SD 15
ActBlue page

Jessica Wolfe (website)
Dem candidate for NM Senate in SD 21
ActBlue page

More New Mexico Senate candidates

Bernalillo County Clerk:

Maggie Toulouse Oliver (website and donation button)

Did I leave out a favorite candidate of yours? Let me know in the comments and I will add the name to my listing.

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(Updated) Monday: Join Protests of Pearce Policies at the Pump

UPDATE: Bryan Barash over at the Tom Udall blog was at two of this morning's protests and has feedback and photos. Check it out and also learn about the Udall campaign's new text messaging service, TextMyTom.
**************
From the Democratic Party of New Mexico: On Monday, locals will protest Steve Pearce's choice to support Big Oil, while New Mexicans suffer at the pumps.

WHAT: Pearce = Pain at the Pump protest
WHO: Outraged Consumers
WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Albuquerque, Clovis and Las Cruces, NM

• Albuquerque: Phillips 66, 4th and Montano; Diamond Shamrock, 2550 Central SE; Diamond Shamrock, 3440 Isleta Boulevard SW
• Clovis: Town & Country #248, 3412 North Prince
• Las Cruces: Brewer Oil Co Inc. Shell Self-Serve, 2512 E Lohman Ave.

"Pearce has repeatedly voted against measures that would help lower gas prices. New Mexicans deserve leaders that will fight for lower gas prices and not for Big Oil's record profits," Josh Geise, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

Pearce has opposed legislation that would:

• Make price gouging by Big Oil a crime
• Take away $14 billion dollar tax breaks from Big Oil
• Increase fuel efficiency standards to get more miles per gallon
• Require utilities to produce 15% of electricity through renewable energy like wind or solar energy

More Criticism of Pearce
Americans United for Change also issued a statement criticizing Steve Pearce on his energy stance, including his vote last week against legislation that aimed to lower gas prices and end profiteering by Big Oil barons and energy speculators.

“It’s almost unfathomable that at a time when his constituents are having to choose between putting gas in their cars or food on their tables that Rep. Pearce would block common-sense legislation that would provide tangible relief and lead the way to a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Caren Benjamin, deputy executive director of Americans United for Change, the progressive issue-advocacy group behind this summer’s Bush Legacy Tour.  (The Tour will stop in Albuquerque in August, on its way to the Dem Convention in Denver.)

“This is just another – particularly egregious – example of how some members of Congress are putting loyalty to their corporate sponsors and to President Bush’s conservative corporate-driven agenda above the needs of the people they were elected to represent,” Benjamin added.

In lock-step with President Bush and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rep. Pearce voted against the “Use It or Lose It” bill, which would compel the oil industry to start drilling on the 68 million acres which they are currently warehousing or be barred from obtaining any more federal drilling leases until they demonstrate that they are diligently developing those lands.   

“Clearly, Rep. Pearce is out of touch with the needs of the people of New Mexico,” Benjamin said. “He must be held accountable.”

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NM-Sen: 21st Century Democrats Endorses Udall

Yesterday, 21st Century Democrats endorsed nine "progressive leaders" including Rep. Tom Udall, who's running for Senate in New Mexico. According to their email, Udall and the others "represent a cross section of Americans who are dedicated to putting our country back on the right track."

21st Century Democrats is seeking donations to help them place what they call "highly trained grassroots organizers" in the field for the nine candidates. Every dollar they raise before the 4th of July will be matched by one of their longtime supporters -- doubling the number of organizers they can put on the ground. The nine candidates:

• Tom Udall - US Senate, New Mexico
• John Adler - US Congress, New Jersey
• Gary Peters - US Congress, Michigan
• Suzanne Kosmas - US Congress, Florida
• Larry Kissell - US Congress, North Carolina
• Hannah-Beth Jackson - State Senate, California
• Michael Calderin - State House, Florida
• Anton Gunn - State House, South Carolina
• Summer Starr - State House, Hawaii

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Tom Udall Votes Against NM National Lab Cuts

Rep. Tom Uall (NM-03) was the sole nay vote yesterday against a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water FY09 budget proposal that includes spending cuts related to nuclear weapons for New Mexico's two national labs.

Provisions in the bill would reportedly eliminate about $145.3 million in funding for a billion dollar plutonium pit production program at Los Alamos National Labs and effectively shut down the so-called Reliable Replacement Warhead project. It also cuts about $100 million in construction funds -- mostly for LANL's Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement (CMRR) project, which is already being built. The new CMMR building is designed to replace several aging strucures involved in nuclear materials research. The measure would also reduce spending related to nuclear weapons at Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque.

Udall released a statement explaining his vote and stressing that he believes the labs need to look to the future and expand their mission beyond a Cold War focus. Excerpt:

“For more than a year, I have worked extensively with our labs to encourage growth in new areas of research as a way to ensure their long-term viability and to move towards the future. In addition to their indispensible role maintaining our essential nuclear arsenal, I believe the labs’ work should grow in the areas of nuclear nonproliferation, homeland security, counterterrorism, intelligence analysis and expanded energy research. We also must provide adequate funding for the cleanup of hazardous legacy waste from the labs.

“By collaborating with the lab leadership and the NNSA, I believe my goals of diversifying the labs and growing them in new areas are beginning to be realized. But there are still obstacles in our path.

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. Udall must balance what he clearly understands is necessary to ensure a future for the labs with protecting New Mexico jobs while the labs transition to a 21st century mission quite distinct from its now obsolete Cold War focus. He frames his vote against the cuts against this background:

“Today, the House Energy and Water Subcommittee’s Appropriations proposal was brought before the full committee for a vote. And although this legislation contains many good provisions, it does not provide a path to the future for our national laboratories, and I could not support it. This bill not only cuts critical programs that are essential to the strength of our labs and the security of our nation, it rescinds funding that LANL and Sandia have already been promised and have budgeted for the current fiscal year.

In other words, Udall indicates he's voting against the cuts because they aren't accompanied by adequate new spending for a change in mission for the labs, and because the bill rescinds promised funding that has shaped the labs' budgets in the current year.

Moving Into the Future
Ultimately, Udall's vote is meaningless, except in political terms. He was heavily outvoted on the committee and change is coming to the labs one way or the other. Lab supporters can either stubbornly resist the inevitable or see the handwriting on the wall and embrace a shift in direction. It's evident that a majority of the Congress views the current focus of our national labs on making more nuke weapons as wasteful and out of tune with 21st century concerns.

The message is clearly being sent that nuclear weapons activities should be put on hold until the U.S. develops a comprehensive new strategy for the coming decades. And it's also clear that that strategy will strongly emphasize nuclear non-proliferation, research on renewable energy production, nuke waste cleanup and intelligence analysis -- not a new generation of nuclear weapons.

I think it's unfortunate that Udall felt compelled to vote against the cuts, but I also believe the brunt of the blame for our current situation should go to Sen. Pete Domenici and his cohorts. Domenici, by focusing almost exclusively on "protecting" the labs' historical Cold War mission way beyond its usefulness and meaning in the real world, has effectively jeopardized the labs' ability to transition to a mission that makes sense in today's much changed geopolitical and energy climate.

The transition should have begun long ago, but because Domenici and others have stubbornly resisted change, the transition will be harder on New Mexicans and may even mean an abandonment of Sandia and LANL. Change or die. Unfortunately, Domenici and others who continue to cling to a Manhattan-Project-style mentality are actually increasing the odds that the labs will be judged to be expendable as we move forward into an era far removed from the Cold War.

Despite his vote yesterday, it's plain that Tom Udall gets it, and just as plain that Steve Pearce, his GOP rival in the U.S. Senate race, does not.

Read the coverage by the Albuquerque Journal and the Santa Fe New Mexican.

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NM-Sen: New Udall Ad Stresses Looking Out for New Mexico Interests

Tom Udall, running for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, launched a new TV ad today called "Desert." It points out how many in Washington view New Mexico as "nothing but desert" and don't think about our people or jobs. Udall then explains that he's been an advocate for preserving Cannon Air Force Base and expanding the mission of Los Alamos National Labs to counter-terrorism and energy research so that the Labs will continue to prosper. The ad ends with Udall saying, "We have to do what's right for New Mexico."

In a press release, Udall Campaign Manager Amanda Cooper said, “Tom Udall has fought to protect New Mexico’s economy, job base and families. He successfully defended Cannon Air Force Base when the BRAC Commission targeted it for closure. And Tom Udall has fought tirelessly for the future of LANL by working with the lab to encourage growth in new areas of research such as nuclear nonproliferation, homeland security, counter terrorism, and intelligence analysis to ensure their long-term viability and to move towards the future.”

Udall's previous ad, Crush, about the ways in which the Bush economy is crushing ordinary people, has become something of a hit on YouTube, with almost 2500 viewings. That's a lot for a Senate race video. You can see all of Udall's TV ads and campaign videos here.

Other recent Udall news:

The latest Rasmussen poll has Udall up over Steve Pearce by a whopping 58% to 30% -- for a 26 point lead. Last month, Udall's lead was 18% in a Rasmussen poll taken before the GOP June 3rd Senate primary where Pearce narrowly beat out Heather Wilson. Not only is Udall the choice of 86% of Democrats and 26% of Republicans in this month's poll,  he has a commanding 46% to 27% lead with independents, a major improvement from the ten-point lead he had last month.

Udall received the endorsement of the New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police at the group's convention in Roswell on June 21st.

According to a Udall press release, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved legislation yesterday that includes $26.4 million earmarked for two construction projects at Cannon Air. About $18 million will be used be used to build an aircraft maintenance hangar for C-130 aircraft and about $8 million will be used to build a training facility for CV-22 aircraft crews. The legislation also includes funding for more veterans affairs claims processors, affordable military housing and help to veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental illnesses.

Rep. Udall voted no on FISA last Friday in the U.S. House, saying the bill "would compromise the constitutionally guaranteed rights that make America a beacon of hope around the world."

Udall answers questions about LANL, the reliable replacement nuclear warhead, water rights, land grants and more at La Jicarita News, which calls itself "A community advocacy newspaper for northern New Mexico."

Tom Udall is one of the local netroot's True Blue New Mexico candidates and we urge you to donate what you can to his campaign before the FEC's quarterly reporting deadline on June 30th.

If you can't afford a monetary contribution right now, consider calling the campaign at (505) 884-3055 in Albuquerque and volunteering some hours. There's a lot to do if we want Tom Udall as our next Senator.

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