Democracy for New Mexico

Confirmed: Obama in Albuquerque & Santa Fe Friday

Economic Summit with Barack Obama
This Friday, February 1st, Barack Obama will be in Albuquerque, NM for a special Economic Summit at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  Doors open at 11:30 AM. You must get a free ticket.

Get Details and RSVP here: https://NewMexico.BarackObama.com/Albuquerque.

Rally with Barack Obama in Santa Fe
This Friday, February 1st, Barack Obama will be in Santa Fe for a special rally at the Witter Fitness Center Gymnasium at the Santa Fe Community College.  Doors open at 5 PM. You get a free ticket.

Get Details and RSVP here: https://NewMexico.BarackObama.com/SantaFe.

Confirmed: Ted Kennedy in Albuquerque & Santa Fe Tomorrow for Obama

From Obama New Mexico: Tomorrow, Thursday, January 31, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) will host "Change We Can Believe In" community gatherings in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Senator Kennedy will discuss with New Mexico voters why Barack Obama is the only candidate who can bring change we can believe in. Join us for one of these very special events.

Albuquerque: Salón Ortega, National Hispanic Cultural Center, doors open 10:00 AM. Get Details and RSVP for Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s trip to Albuquerque

Santa Fe: Jemez Room One, Santa Fe Community College, doors open 1:30 PM. Get Details and RSVP for Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s trip to Santa Fe

Details on NM appearances by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are still not confirmed. Bill Clinton will rally for Hillary in Albuquerque the same day Kennedy will be in town.

(Updated) Latest Rumors on Obama, Kennedy Visits to New Mexico

UPDATE 2:45PM: Ted Kennedy will also rally for Obama at Santa Fe Community College at 1:30PM on January 31. Click for more info.
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UPDATE 1:00 PM: I just got word from the Obama campaign confirming that Sen. Ted Kennedy will rally for the campaign on Thursday, January 31, at 10:30 AM at Salon Ortega at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Doors open at 10:00 AM. Nothing firm yet on the other possible events mentioned below.
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According to a knowledgeable source, the Obama campaign's advance team landed in Albuquerque last night to scout locations for events in Albuquerque and Santa Fe on Friday, February 1st. The team is expected to seek sites at or near college facilities that can accommodate the large crowds expected for the events. Early word is that Obama may appear on his own at the Albuquerque event, and that Sen. Ted Kennedy may possibly join him at the Santa Fe rally. Of course none of this is confirmed or official. Keep checking the Obama New Mexico site for updates.

Clearly, Obama is devoting significant resources to organizing in New Mexico. The campaign is opening a fourth field office in the state today, in Shiprock, and is reaching out strongly to the Navajo Nation. Obama also has offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces.

"Our support and organization in Shiprock reflects Senator Obama's strong commitment to tribal communities, including the Navajo people throughout New Mexico," said Carlos Monje, state director for Obama's campaign.

According to the latest Gallup polling, Obama's support is jumping nationwide:

Barack Obama has cut the gap with Hillary Clinton to 6 percentage points among Democrats nationally in the Gallup Poll Daily tracking three-day average, and interviewing conducted Tuesday night shows the gap between the two candidates is within a few points. Obama's position has been strengthening on a day-by-day basis. As recently as Jan. 18-20, Clinton led Obama by 20 points.

Clinton's lead in the three-day average is now 42% to Obama's 36%. John Edwards, who dropped out of the race today after Gallup conducted these interviews, ended his quest for the presidency with 12% support.

Here's a graph showing recent trends in Gallup's polling:

Click on image for larger version.

(Updated) Edwards to Quit Prez Race Today

Edwards campaigns in Seneca NC last week, where he was born

UPDATE: See below the fold for video of the speech.
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John Edwards will withdraw from the race for the Democratic nomination for president today at 11 AM MST during a speech in New Orleans, where he began his campaign. His top advisors have said he won't endorse another candidate today. Elizabeth Edwards and their three children will be at his side for the speech. Afterwards, Edwards will work with Habitat for Humanity at their New Orleans rebuilding project called Musicians' Village.

From the beginning, Edwards' platform was the most progressive and populist of the top-tier Dem candidates. Refusing to take money from lobbyists and PACs, his campaign operated with significantly less funding than the Obama and Clinton campaigns, and received much less coverage by the traditional media. A number of his positions on issues were eventually adopted by the Dem frontrunners. According to an AP story by Nedra Pickler:

Edwards Speech Today in New Orleans

With that, Edwards' campaign will end the way it began 13 months ago - with the candidate pitching in to rebuild lives in a city still ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Edwards embraced New Orleans as a glaring symbol of what he described as a Washington that didn't hear the cries of the downtrodden.

Edwards burst out of the starting gate with a flurry of progressive policy ideas - he was the first to offer a plan for universal health care, the first to call on Congress to pull funding for the war, and he led the charge that lobbyists have too much power in Washington and need to be reigned in.

Now the question is whether Edwards' supporters will move primarily to Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. If he decides to endorse another candidate it will most likely be Obama given Edwards' labeling of himself and Obama as agents of change while dubbing Clinton a force for the status quo. Edwards' numbers have generally been in the teens in national polling.

Obama, Heinrich, Wivottt Winners of Sandoval County Dem Straw Poll

The Sandoval County Democratic Club and the Sandoval County Democratic Women's Club co-hosted a Straw Poll at a gathering last night in Rio Rancho. About 150 people attended.

In the presidential nomination poll, Javier Gonzales, the Chairman of New Mexico Highlands University's Board of Regents, spoke in support of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Former State Democratic Party Chairman John Wertheim spoke on behalf of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama beat Clinton by a 50-41 margin, while John Edwards finished third with 28 votes.

Martin Heinrich won the Straw Poll for NM-01 Congressional candidates with 83% of the vote. Michelle Lujan Grisham was second with five votes. In the NM-03 Congressional candidate poll, Don Wiviott won by a margin of 51-34 with Ben R. Lujan coming in second. The Wiviott campaign issued this statement about their win:

“I’m encouraged by the support I received in Sandoval County, one of the largest counties in the district. It is clear that Democrats are ready for a change from the “business as usual” politics of Washington,” Wiviott said. “I’ve spent my life promoting responsible clean energy solutions and creating jobs. I will fight for communities in northern New Mexico—both urban and rural—creating a place where our families can succeed and our children can get a great education, good paying jobs, and raise their families.”

Over the last two decades, Wiviott has built a successful New Mexico-based business and established himself as one of the nation’s leading “green builders.” His projects in Santa Fe, like the Lofts, have helped create jobs, grow the economy and protect New Mexico’s precious natural resources. 

The Third Congressional District contains all of San Juan, Mora, Colfax, Union, Harding, Curry, Roosevelt, Los Alamos, Taos, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Quay, and most of Santa Fe, Sandoval, and McKinley counties. 

If you're a bit confused about who's running for our three open Congressional seats and one open U.S. Senate seat, check out New Mexico FBIHOP's easy .

Retired Four Star General Tony McPeak to Stump for Obama in NM

Retired four-star General Tony McPeak will appear at events in Albuquerque and Las Cruces on Wednesday, January 30, on behalf of the Obama campaign. General McPeak served for 35 years in the US military, and he was the Joint Chief of Staff for the Air Force during the Gulf War. According to the NM campaign:

General McPeak’s endorsement of Barack speaks volumes about the confidence senior military advisors have in Barack due to his thoughtful opposition to the Iraq War and his deep desire to engage in increased diplomacy. "Barack has the ability not only to turn the page in Iraq," Gen. McPeak said, "he will forever transform the way we are viewed by the rest of the world."

Click for more info:

• Town Hall Event in Albuquerque with General McPeak
• Foreign Policy Discussion in Las Cruces with General McPeak

(Updated) Latest on Prez Candidate Visits to NM

UPDATE 1/31/08: The start time for the Bill Clinton rally at UNM's Johnson Center has been changed to 2:00 PM.
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Clinton Campaign
According to the Clinton campaign website, Bill Clinton will host a Solutions for America rally supporting Hillary's campaign at UNM's Johnson Center in Albuquerque on Thursday, January 31, 2008 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM 2:00 to 4:00 PM. If you plan to attend you should RSVP here or call (877) 447-2408. KNME will reportedly be streaming the rally live online. Bill Clinton will also be attending a big dollar fundraiser in Santa Fe Thursday morning. If you've got a spare $2300, Beth and Steven Moise would love to have you.

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton are also rumored to be visiting the state before the February 5th Dem Caucus, but no details have been released.

Obama Campaign
Barack Obama is expected to visit both Albuquerque and Santa Fe this Friday, February 1st, but the only details released so far are about carpooling Friday to Santa Fe on Obama New Mexico site. Sen. Ted Kennedy will also be stumping for Obama in New Mexico. According to this article on a WaPo blog about the Clinton and Obama camps courting Gov. Bill Richardson for his endorsement, Sen. Kennedy may visit Northern New Mexico as early as Wednesday night.

Battle of the Endorsements (Updated)
Obama's campaign held events today at the Santa Fe Roundhouse and in Las Cruces and announced additional local endorsements:

• Former Gov. Jerry Apodaca
• NM State Sen. Dede Feldman (Albuquerque)
• NM State Sen. John Grubesic (Santa Fe)
• NM State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino (Albuquerque)
• NM Rep. Gail Chasey (Albuquerque)
• NM Rep. Dan Silva (Albuquerque)
• NM Rep. Joni Gutierrez (Mesilla)
• NM Rep. Jeff Steinborn (Las Cruces)
• NM Rep. Nate Cote (Las Cruces)
• Former Indian Affairs Secretary Benny Shendo, Jr. (Jemez Pueblo), who's running for Congress in NM-03
• Santa Fe School Board Member Angelica Ruiz
• Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima
• Sunland Park Mayor Jesus “Ruben” Segura
• Las Cruces City Councilor Miguel Silva
• Las Cruces City Councilor Nathan Small
• Las Cruces City Councilor Sharon Thomas
• Doña Ana County Commissioner Dolores Saldaña-Caviness
• NM Insurance Commissioner Mo Chavez
• Deputy Cultural Affairs Secretary Troy Fernandez
• Former State Sen. Leonard Tsosie
• Former Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuart Paisano
• Laguna Pueblo Lt. Gov. Rich Luarkie
• Former State Rep. Bob Perls of Rio Rancho.

Last Wednesday another campaign press conference revealed these endorsements for Obama.

Recent local endorsements announced by the Clinton campaign include:

• NM Secretary of State Mary Herrera
• Santa Fe Mayor David Coss
• Española MayorJoe Maestas
• Las Vegas Mayor Henry Sanchez
• Taos Mayor Bobby Duran
• Portales Mayor Orlando Ortega
• Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker
• Former President of the Navajo Nation Peterson Zah

Previously announced endorsements of Clinton came from Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, former Gov. Bruce King and State Auditor Hector Balderas.

To see our previous posts on the 2008 Dem Presidential race, visit our archive.

(Updated) Three Kennedys Endorse Obama

UPDATE: Add them to the list: Author and 60's activist Tom Hayden endorsed Obama.
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There was another time, when another young candidate was running for President and challenging America to cross a New Frontier. He faced public criticism from the preceding Democratic President, who was widely respected in the party. Harry Truman said we needed “someone with greater experience”—and added: “May I urge you to be patient.” And John Kennedy replied: “The world is changing. The old ways will not do…It is time for a new generation of leadership.” So it is with Barack Obama. He has lit a spark of hope amid the fierce urgency of now. -- Sen. Ted Kennedy endorsing Obama

So I’m asking for your hands. I’m asking for your help. And I’m asking for your hearts. And if you will stand with me in the days to come - if you will stand for change so that our children have the same chance that somebody gave us; if you’ll stand to keep the American dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity and thirst for justice; if you're ready to stop settling for what the cynics tell you you must accept, and finally reach for what you know is possible, then we will win these primaries, we will win this election, we will change the course of history, and light a new torch for change in this country – and “the glow from that fire can truly light the world."  -- Barack Obama, accepting the Kennedy endorsements, January 28, 2008, at American University in Washington

Text and video clips of the endorsement speeches of Caroline Kennedy and Sen. Ted Kennedy, and acceptance speech by Barack Obama here.

Note: President John F. Kennedy gave one of his most notable speeches at American University in November 1963, regarding nuclear disarmament and peace.

For our previous coverage of the 2008 Presidential primaries and caucuses, visit our archive.

(Updated) Dem Prez Campaigns Focus on New Mexico

Standing for Change in the Land of Enchantment

Lots of rumors and incomplete data are circulating about possible visits to New Mexico this week by Dem presidential candidates or their surrogates ahead of our February 5th caucus.

Barack Obama
The only semi-confirmed event so far is an appearance by Barack Obama in Santa Fe on Friday that appears on an event notice here for car pooling from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Obama may also appear at an event in Albuquerque. Word is that Sen. Ted Kennedy, who's officially endorsing Obama today, will visit New Mexico on behalf of the campaign later this week. Keep checking the Obama New Mexico page, where you can also sign up to volunteer and receive emails.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican,

Obama also will receive "a slew of new endorsements" from black, American Indian and other political leaders during a Tuesday news conference at the state Capitol, Fitzgibbon said. On the same day, Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima and other mayors and state representatives from Southern New Mexico plan to endorse Obama at a news conference in Las Cruces, he said.

Last Wednesday, more than a dozen prominent New Mexicans endorsed Obama at a news conference in Santa Fe.

According to Trevor Fitzgibbon, who's a state campaign organizer for Obama, "More than 100 campaign workers canvassed about 8,000 voters in Santa Fe and 16 other cities across the state during the weekend. It has been just a flurry of activity."

Hillary Clinton
Nothing firm yet but rumors that Hillary and/or Bill Clinton will pay a visit to New Mexico before the caucus, perhaps on Friday or sometime next weekend.

UPDATE: Bill Clinton will be here Thursday to campaign for Hillary. Hillary herself may also visit Friday or over the weekend.

New Mexicans who have endorsed Clinton include Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez, former Gov. Bruce King, State Auditor Hector Balderas and former Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman John Wertheim. The campaign reportedly will hold a news conference later this week to announce further local endorsements. You can join the Clinton campaign's New Mexico effort here.

John Edwards
I haven't heard anything yet about an Edwards event here before the caucus. The only prominent New Mexican I've heard of that's backing Edwards is former Attorney General Patricia Madrid. You can sign up with New Mexico for Edwards here.

Last Day to Mail Absentee Ballots for 2008 NM Prez Caucus

If you requested and received an absentee (mail-in) ballot for the February 5, 2008 NM Presidential Preference Caucus, today is the deadline for mailing your completed ballot to the Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM). Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail and postmarked by midnight tonight, January 28th, 2008 in order to be counted.

If you don't mail in your absentee ballot for some reason, you can still vote in person at a Caucus site on February 5th according to this FAQ posted on the DPNM website:

If I request a ballot and don't return it, can I still vote at the Caucus site?

Yes. Only voters who request a vote-by-mail ballot and return it to the Democratic Party of New Mexico will be ineligible to vote again at a Caucus site. A voter's vote-by-mail ballot is not cast until it is received by the Democratic Party of New Mexico. If a voter requests a vote-by-mail ballot, but does not return it, she/he will still be able to cast a ballot in person on Caucus Day. However, vote-by-mail ballots post-marked by January 28th but received after Caucus Day will be checked against the records of people who voted on Caucus Day to ensure that only one vote is counted per voter.

If you have questions, contact the DPNM at 505-830-3650; 1-800-624-2457 (toll-free); 505-830-3645 (fax) or email info@nmdemocrats.org.