Democracy for New Mexico

Vote Now: MoveOn Town Hall on Iraq

Last night's MoveOn Virtual Town Hall on Iraq featured the Dem candidates for president answering questions on the Iraq war submitted by MoveOn members. Voting is now in progress for viewers to weigh in on how the candidates did. If you didn't get a chance to participate online live, you can watch video of the entire event or segments on each candidate, listen to highlights, download a podcast or read transcripts before voting. MoveOn will release the results of the vote tomorrow.

(Updated) Tonight: MoveOn's Virtual Presidential Candidate Forum on Iraq

UPDATE: A message from Richardson for President: Governor Richardson's portion, taped before he left for North Korea, will discuss his "New Realism" plan to end the war in Iraq. You can hear Governor Richardson online and broadcast at Air America Radio tonight. Could you go to a local MoveOn event to talk to people about the Governor's straightforward plan to end the war? Governor Richardson's plan to end the war is available online - it might be helpful for you to print out copies to take to the event. If you can make it tonight, we'd love to hear about it - leave your comments for us here and we'll put some up on the blog tomorrow.

From MoveOn.org PAC:
We're organizing three “Virtual Town Halls” to hear from 2008 Presidential candidates on the issues MoveOn members say are most important: Iraq, health care, and energy. On April 10th, at 8:00 PM MDT, we're focusing on Iraq.

MoveOn members are asking candidates the tough questions about their Iraq plans, and we're gathering in living rooms from coast to coast to hear the answers directly. Then we’ll talk together, and the next day, all MoveOn members will vote on who we think will do the best job in Iraq. It's a personal audience with the people who want our support, our time, our money, and eventually our votes.

Host your own, or join a Virtual Town Hall house party near you - enter your zip code .

How the Virtual Town Halls Will Work:

• Presidential candidates were invited if at least 10% of surveyed MoveOn members said they would like to hear what he or she has to say.

• MoveOn members voted to determine the questions that are put to the candidates. 

• Right after the virtual town hall meeting, MoveOn will survey its members to see which candidate they believe will do the best job of leading us out of the war in Iraq. Voting will go on until midnight PST on Wednesday, April 11.

• MoveOn will make the results of the support survey public on Thursday, April 12.*

• MoveOn will encourage its members to support their favored candidates’ campaigns by volunteering and contributing money.

* The results of this survey will not constitute the organization’s endorsement of a candidate. MoveOn may decide to hold an endorsement vote later in 2007.

MoveOn’s Role in Previous Campaigns:
Historically, MoveOn support has generated large contributions of members’ volunteer time and money to favored candidates. In the 2006 mid-term elections, MoveOn members contributed $27 million, made 7 million get-out-the-vote phone calls, organized 7,500 house parties, and held 6,000 in district campaign events. 

How to Participate in the Virtual Town Hall:

• MoveOn members will gather at house parties on April 10th to hear the candidates speak via an Internet based audio broadcast. They will also be able to see a map of all the parties participating and enter comments, some of which will be displayed during the intermission.

• The event will also be broadcast, with commercial breaks, on Air America XM Satellite Radio (channel 167).  It will be re-broadcast without commercial breaks on all Air America local affiliates during the following dates and times:

o Wednesday 4/11           8:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET      
o Saturday 4/14               10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET   
o Sunday 4/15                  8:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET

Gov. Richardson Touts DFNM's Paper Ballot Effort in Iraq War Message to DFA

"I don't support leaving a residual force in Iraq. We should get out lock, stock, and barrel." - Governor Bill Richardson

Democracy for America has asked the presidential candidates to respond to a request for a statement about their positions on Iraq. Here's the video response from Gov. Bill Richardson. In addition to strong statements about the Iraq war, Gov. Richardson comments on how much he enjoyed working with Democracy for New Mexico members on the successful paper ballot initiative passed during last year's legislative session. As I'm sure you recall, many of us worked hard on gaining passage for that landmark legislation (introduced by NM Sen. Linda Lopez) along with the wonderful grassroots election reform groups United Voters of NM, Verified Voting NM, Voter Action and others. (Click for post on bill signing.)

Here's what DFA's Executive Director, Tom Hughes, has to say about Gov. Richardson's message:

From Democracy for America:
Watch Gov. Richardson's Response "I agree." That is just one of Governor Bill Richardson's responses to DFA members who wrote comments in our Presidential Primary Petition on Iraq. We asked each of the candidates to oppose any escalation of the Iraq War, demand a swift end to the occupation, and propose a plan that brings our brave men and women home. I'm excited to make his video to you available today.

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/richardson

Governor Richardson has a long history in American foreign policy, including negotiating the release of two American prisoners in Iraq directly from Saddam Hussein during Bill Clinton's presidency. The Governor believes "we need to get out of Iraq this calendar year." He supports diplomacy that brings "a reconciliation of the three religious groups into a coalition government" and "surrounding powers in the region to deal with future security." What he doesn't support is leaving a residual force in Iraq. "We should get out lock, stock and barrel."

This isn't the first time Governor Richardson has worked with DFA members. Last year, he worked with a local DFA group in New Mexico (Democracy for New Mexico) to pass verifiable paper ballots. According to Governor Richardson, "It's the law of the land here in our state and we did it together."

DFA members will continue to work together and pressure the presidential candidates on the most important issues. Our voices will be heard and our actions will continue to move America forward.

Thank you for everything you do,
Tom Hughes, Executive Director, DFA

P.S. Governor Richardson made this video specifically for Democracy for America. If you like what you see and hear, I encourage you to sign up for his campaign and help in any way you can:

https://richardsonforpresident.com

That said, this message should not be construed as an endorsement of Governor Richardson's candidacy. In the months ahead other candidates for president will be reaching out to Democracy for America members too, because you have the power to shape the presidential primaries in a way no one else can.

Editor's Note: John Edwards has also responded with a short video to DFA's call for a message on his position on Iraq. Click to read our previous post with his video.

Democracy for New Mexico is loosely affiliated with the national group, Democracy for America, which has its origins in the presidential campaign of Howard Dean when it was known as Dean for America. Click to learn more about DFA.

DFA-Democracy for New Mexico Meetups are held on the first Thursday of the month in Albuquerque. To become a member and join our email list, visit our Meetup site. You should also register at Democracy for America so you can be kept informed of their actions on the national level. Once registered, you can also join our DFA Link group. Although we still use Meetup for our meeting organization, members are urged to also register at our DFA Link page so they can receive important information from the national group.

Gov. Richardson on Daily Show, Hardball Tonight

In Albuquerque, this show will be seen tonight on Comcast Cable's Comedy Central channel 48 at Midnight, and rebroadcast at 2:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM on Thursday, according to TV Guide. Soon after broadcast, video clips are available at The Daily Show website. Richardson will also be on Hardball with Chris Matthews today, which airs on Comcast Cable's MSNBC channel 30 at 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 2:00 AM Mountain Time. Video clips and transcripts of past shows are provided at the Hardball website.

See First Presidential Forum on Health Care

From the Center for American Progress Action Fund:
Wouldn't you like to see Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson discussing the nation's most important domestic issue? You can. Join the Center for American Progress Action Fund and SEIU this Saturday, March 24th, at 10:15 AM MST for the nation's first Presidential forum on health care, live at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

During the event, you'll be able to:

• Watch a live video webcast of the forum
• Submit questions for the candidates in real time
• Follow along with live blogging by ThinkProgress
• Voice your opinions about the candidates

The Center for American Progress Action Fund is working to ensure that every American has affordable health care coverage, and we need national leadership on this issue. This forum will be the first opportunity to hear ideas from our presidential candidates on the same stage. We hope you'll join us.

Receive an email reminder.

Thanks,
Winnie Stachelberg
Senior Vice President for External Affairs
Center for American Progress Action Fund

Weigh in on DFA Presidential Pulse Poll

Democracy for America is currently conducting a presidential pulse poll with constantly updating live results. Click to vote for your early choice for the Democratic presidential candidate. Democracy for New Mexico is loosely affiliated with DFA, which emerged from the Dean for America campaign.

Win, Al, Win; Run, Al, Run

UPDATE: An Inconvenient Truth won best documentary, and Melissa's song for the film also got an Oscar. Think Progress has video of all the Gore moments from Oscar night.
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I'm pulling for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth to win the Oscar tonight in the documentary category. The film's director, Davis Guggenheim, has said he'll bring President-In-Exile Al Gore up on stage to say a few words if they win. Melissa Etheridge's song from the movie, I Need to Wake Up (above), is also up for an Oscar in the song category and she'll be performing it tonight at the broadcast. Here's the official website for the 79th Academy Awards, which will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneris this year (6:00 PM Mountain, ABC).

Then there's Jimmy Carter, who endorsed Gore for president today during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week:

Carter lavished praise on "(his) favorite Democrat) former Vice President Al Gore. "If Al should decide to run -- which I'm afraid he won't -- I would support Al Gore."

"His burning issue now is global warming and preventing it.  He can do infinitely more to accomplish that goal as in the incumbent in the White House, than he can making even movies that get -- you know, that get Oscars."

... Despite public pressure from Carter and others, the former President does not believe Gore will make a second bid for the White House saying, "I don't think he will.  I've put so much pressure on Al to run that he's almost gotten aggravated with me."

Carter told Stephanopoulos that he had not called Gore "lately" adding, "He almost told me, the last time I talked, 'Don't call me anymore.'"

... "I really have not expressed any public approval or endorsement or preference for any of the Democratic candidates except (Gore)."

If you haven't yet read it, do check out Run, Al, Run by Tim Dickinson in a recent Rolling Stone.

And, if you haven't yet seen An Inconvenient Truth, you can get a free DVD of the film at Share the Truth. If you've already seen it, you can also make a donation there to cover the costs for someone else to see it via the free DVD offer.

You can view a video of the entire slide show put together by Gore, upon which the film is based, by visiting Climate Change Action.

(Updated) Watch First Dem Prez Candidate Forum Today on C-SPAN

UPDATE: You can watch the entire candidate forum on REAL video from C-Span. Click here.
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The first candidate forum for Democratic presidential candidates will take place today in Carson City, Nevada. It's sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The audience will consist primarily of the union members, a group John Edwards has courted for many months. All but one of the probable candidates will participate, including Gov. Bill Richardson. Only Barack Obama will miss the forum and instead will be at an event in Iowa. Nevada's primary caucus was moved up to January 19, 2008, just after Iowa's and before New Hampshire's primary, after receiving the approval of the DNC.

Each candidate will take the stage alone and answer a few questions. They'll also have a chance to making an opening and closing statement. The event will be aired live on C-SPAN TV at 1:00 PM MST, as well as video streamed live and audio streamed live at the C-SPAN website. ABC News has also indicated it will provide some coverage.

NM's Sandia Pueblo Seeks to Host Native American Forum of Dem Prez Candidates

According to an AP article in the Santa Fe New Mexican, Albuquerque's Sandia Pueblo is one of two tribes considered front-runners to host an historice "Prez on the Rez" forum of Democratic candidates for president to be held this summer. The Native American organizing group, Indigenous Democrat Network's List Education Fund, expects the event will attract hundreds of tribal leaders from across the country:

The Oklahoma-based group, INDN's List Education Fund, is putting together the event that's expected to attract most, if not all, of the Democratic presidential candidates, the Albuquerque Journal reported in a copyright story.

"I anticipate this is going to be the biggest political event in national American Indian history. Never has this been done before," said Kalyn Free, an organizer for the event and an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee.

Sandia Pueblo and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, whose reservation is near Palm Springs, Calif., are considered the front-runners to host the Aug. 23 event, according to former Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuart Paisano.

The forum will focus on Native American issues and a decision on the site for it is expected to be made next [this] week. INDN's List is a Democratic group which works to increase the number of Native American candidates seeking public office.

... Free said while political candidates in the past have viewed Indian Country as a potential source of campaign cash and votes in swing districts, on the whole, "we think we've long been ignored."

C-SPAN to Air First Dem Prez Forum: Carson City, Nevada, 2/21/07

As reported in Jeff Jones' Richardson Watch in the Albuquerque Journal:

GOING LIVE: Want to see how Gov. Bill Richardson stacks up during his first presidential candidate forum? If you've got cable TV, you're in luck: C-SPAN is planning to carry live coverage of next week's Democratic forum in Nevada. Richardson is among a field of eight Democratic hopefuls scheduled to take part in the Feb. 21 forum in Carson City.

The forum will be moderated by George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC's "This Week" news show. Each of the candidates will give a brief introduction and will field a series of questions. The event starts at noon PST (1 PM New Mexico time).

Other candidates scheduled to appear with Richardson are Sen. Hillary Clinton, former vice presidential nominee John Edwards, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Joe Biden, former Sen. Mike Gravel and Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

I'd imagine that C-SPAN will also be streaming the event on their website and/or providing video afterwards. Does anyone else find it odd that Barack Obama isn't participating? Or is it just that he doesn't intend to mount a serious effort in Nevada, which will hold its caucuses on January 19?

Further front-loading the Dems' primary schedule, California's legislature just voted to move their primary up from June to the first Tuesday in February -- making them the fifth presidential primary behind Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Ten other states already hold Democratic primaries on the first Tuesday of February. Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and a number of other states are also contemplating moving their primaries to that date.

The tentative 2008 Democratic presidential primary calendar:

Iowa caucuses: January 14

Nevada caucuses: January 19

New Hampshire primary: January 22

South Carolina primary: January 29

Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Vermont: Super Tuesday, February 5 (with many more states contemplating moving their later primaries to this date)

The schedule is still in flux, with New Hampshire upset about the DNC decision to allow Nevada to hold its caucuses before their primary, traditionally the second contest in the presidential candidate selection process.

What does it all mean? Most probably, that the Dem presidential nominee will be selected by the end of Super Tuesday. Any states holding their primaries after that date will make no difference in the selection process. Also, any candidates who want to stay in the race after Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada will be forced to come up with big bucks to pay for the expensive media buys and other campaign expenses needed to seriously compete on Super Tuesday. They'll have only two weeks to do so, making it that much harder for candidates not in the so-called "top tier" to succeed, at least in theory.

One factor to keep in mind: in 2004 Howard Dean raised more money than any other Dem candidate and he did it very quickly and mostly over the internet, with thousands of small donations. Whoever wins the hearts of the net roots communities could benefit from a similar outpouring of campaign contributions to keep them viable.

(Photo credit: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts; Bill Richardson shakes hands with DNC Chair Howard Dean at DNC Winter Meeting in Washington, February 3, 2007)