Democracy for New Mexico

McCain (The American) Chooses NM for First TV Ad: What Middle Class Tax Relief?

Repub prez nominee John McCain launched his first TV ad of the general election cycle right here in New Mexico (above). The GOP must be nervous about all the incredible Dem energy being generated in NM by the lively contests in all three Congressional Districts -- and Tom Udall's positives in his race to take Pete Domenici's Senate seat. With strong candidates for Congress AND the Senate, Dems have a really good chance of turning New Mexico Blue, Blue, Blue in November -- especially if the Dem prez candidate can trounce McCain and give the downticket contenders a ride on his or her coat tails.

An American President Americans Have Been Waiting For?
Even though New Mexico's TV market is one of the cheapest in the nation, McCain's melodramatically staged ad doesn't seem to provide much bang for the buck. Everybody knows by now that McCain is a war vet and that he was courageous when captured by the Viet Cong. I also presume that everybody knows McCain is an AMERICAN, a word that crops up repeatedly in the ad. I guess the emphasis is meant to contrast McCain with that Dem candidate with the "foreign sounding" name -- Barack Obama.

Weak and transparent, isn't it? The ad's deep-throated narrator intones, "John McCain: The American president Americans have been waiting for." As opposed to that funny-named mixed breed sorta kinda Muslim guy running on the Dem ticket. You know. Obviously, those old standbys -- jingoism and fear, Republican style -- will be omnipresent in the GOP spin this cycle. What else do they have to run on? The truth about their policies hurts.

Middle Class Tax Relief?
What will McCain actually do for America besides have a narrator insist that "she is worth protecting"?  The ad whips in a line about "middle class tax relief," but offers not a scintilla of info on what that means. It does an abysmal job of explaining how McCain's sloganeering will translate into policies that are good for working families. It asks New Mexicans to look for someone that can “walk the walk,” but McCain clearly isn't walking the walk when it comes to providing tax relief for middle class Americans.

Despite his previous opposition, McCain has been trumpeting the wisdom of Bush's massive cuts for the rich for months now, with nary a word about any help for the middle and working class folks. Suddenly he's worried about the economic fortunes of ordinary Americans? I guess McCain is now ready to say and do almost anything to try and get elected president, even if it doesn't quite fit his carefully crafted rep as a "straight talker."

Here’s what McCain’s tax relief plan actually offers, according to an indepth analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund:

• Provides only 9 percent of its benefits to the bottom 80 percent of taxpayers
• Provides 58 percent of its benefits to the top 1 percent
• Would require, if paid for, massive cuts in benefits for middle-class taxpayers

As a presidential candidate McCain not only embraces the Bush tax cuts but also proposes massive additional tax cuts that are even more tilted against the middle class.

According to another careful analysis by the CAP Action Fund, the centerpiece of McCain's economic plan consists of more tax cuts for large corporations, including almost $4 billion in cuts for the top five oil companies. This, despite the fact oil companies have been raking in record profits thanks to the high price of crude oil and the weak dollar.

Just Another Bushie
Although McCain continually wraps himself in the flag -- and exploits his past service to the nation to gain political leverage -- his policies clearly show he's more loyal to multinational corporations and the wealthy elite than he is to the majority of Americans. His economic policies favor the haves, not the have nots who've gotten such a bum deal over the past eight years. His economic proposals aren't designed to serve the traditional American values of offering opportunity and a level playing field to all, no matter how much patriotic verbiage is inserted into his ads.

Like Bush, it's evident that McCain serves the interests of the wealthy elites -- not those of the common man or woman in America. Look beyond the flag waving to the policies he's promoting and you'll see that all McCain is offering is more of the same cynical policies that got us into this economic quagmire to begin with. Just what America and Americans don't need.

Join Las Adelitas for Reception with Lt. Gov. Diane Denish: Blue State in '08

Nancy Denker of Focus Ink Invites You To

Please join Lt. Governor Diane Denish

for a candid conversation about
Blue State in '08: Women Taking Control
A Reception sponsored by:
LAS ADELITAS: WOMEN IN POLITICS

A fundraiser to help elect
Pro-choice Democratic Women to New Mexico State Offices
TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH, 5:30-7:30 PM

At the home of Ann Piper
715 Amherst Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (map)
Please RSVP to Toni Boersig at (505)-332-0740

We invite you to become a member of Las Adelitas: Annual Membership $50. Contributions Payable to Las Adelitas: Women in Politics (not tax deductible), 1410 Coal Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM  87104.

NM Sierra Club to Candidates: “You Have the Power2Change”

Left to right: David Melton of Sacred Power; Albuquerque City Councilor Rey Garduno; Odes Armijo-Caster of Sacred Power; and Michael Casaus, Sierra Club Southwest Regional Representative

At a press conference last week in Albuquerque in front of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Solar Carport with city government and renewable energy business leaders (above), the New Mexico Sierra Club launched a new effort to educate the public about what is at stake in the 2008 elections. Part of a national effort focused in nine states, the Power2Change campaign aims to educate the public and candidates about what is at stake in the 2008 elections; by defining the contrast between competing visions of our energy future -– positioning clean energy as an economic driver, and challenging candidates up and down the ballot, including the new President –- to move America towards a clean energy economy.

“The choices we make in 2008 will define our future, especially when it comes to the election and energy issues,” said Michael Casaus, the Sierra Club’s Southwest Regional Representative. “The contrast could not be sharper -– we can move forward to a clean energy economy that creates jobs, saves consumers money and solves global warming, or we can continue the expensive, polluting policies of the past.”

The Power2Change campaign involves a new grassroots organizing effort in the community. Over the next four weeks, the New Mexico Sierra Club activists will document and release examples of clean and polluting energy sites within each state, collect and deliver petition signatures demanding elected officials help build a clean energy economy, and recruit volunteers to meet with elected, business and community leaders and to participate in the many Earth Day events from April 16th through April 27th.

The Sierra Club’s Power 2 Change Report highlights examples of clean energy leaders and their polluting opponents, with a specific section focusing on New Mexico. There is a tremendous potential for renewable energy production in the Land of Enchantment, and more manufacturing companies such as Schott North America, Inc. are locating here for that reason. Proposed coal power production and uranium mining on Navajo and Pueblo Indian lands, on the other hand, exemplify the backwards energy choices that will threaten the health of communities and condemn our children to the worst consequences of climate change. The full report is available to read here or to download here (pdf).

“We’ve got a message for candidates at every level that we have the power to change direction,” said Michael Casaus. “We have the technology, know-how and power to build a clean energy future. What we have lacked is the political will and leadership. We need to challenge all our elected officials, including the next President, to provide the leadership we need to move us forward.”

CUANM Campaign School: Building Political Capital for the Future

From the Credit Union Association of NM:
Campaign school open to all prospective candidates: Running for public office, whether on a local, state or national level, is challenging. Qualifications, strategy, fund-raising and budget, and working with the media are just a few of the aspects candidates need to consider before tossing their hats in the political ring.

The Credit Union Association of New Mexico (CUANM), in conjunction with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), is holding a Campaign School on April 29, at the CUANM Albuquerque office to encourage and help potential candidates. The event is nonpartisan and all candidates or anyone considering running for public office are welcome.

Guest speakers include New Mexico political strategist Joe Monahan, Secretary of State Mary Herrera, CUNA senior vice president of political affairs Richard Gose, CUNA political director Trey Hawkins and national political media strategists.

These campaign professionals will discuss ways to sharpen campaign skills and manage strategies, as well as presenting information on fund-raising, communications, legal concerns, motivating voters, working with volunteers and many other issues candidates will encounter.

Who should attend? Candidates for local offices, city council, mayor and county commission; state Legislature and other statewide offices; campaign managers, fund-raisers, volunteer coordinators, political party leaders and community activists. Whether you are Republican, Democrat, third-party supporter or independent, the information at this school is valuable.

The CUANM Campaign School will be Tuesday, April 29, from 8:30 AM to 4 PM at the CUANM office at 4200 Wolcott Ave., Albuquerque, in the Journal Center.

Cost is $25 and includes lunch.

To register, go to www.cuanmlearningcenter.org and click on the Campaign School registration link. Or contact CUANM vice president of governmental affairs Juan Fernández at 505-338-4233, 800-366-6628 ext. 2233, 518-698-7842 or via e-mail at juan@cuanm.org.

DNC Seeking Applicants for Candidate Training for LBGT People of Color

From Parag Mehta at the DNC:
Please forward this info and the flyer linked below to any LGBT people of color you know who might be interested in running for office.

The Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute is partnering with the Democratic National Committee and the National Black Justice Coalition to host a training for LGBT candidates of color - including African, Asian, Hispanic, Native and Pacific Islander Americans. It will take place in Baltimore, Maryland from April 23-26, 2008. To learn more or apply, please go to: www.glli.org/training. Scholarships are available. Click for flyer (pdf).

Friday: Reception Supporting Deanna Archuleta for Bernalillo County Commissioner

PLEASE JOIN
LT. GOVERNOR DIANE DENISH

STATE AUDITOR HECTOR BALDERAS
SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN
SENATOR CISCO MCSORLEY
SENATOR JERRY ORTIZ Y PINO
REPRESENTATIVE GAIL CHASEY
REPRESENTATIVE DANICE PICRAUX
AND
Jim Baca, Eric Griego, Norty Kalishman,
Richard Romero, Stuart Paisano

FOR A RECEPTION IN SUPPORT OF
DEANNA ARCHULETA
FOR
BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3

FRIDAY, MARCH 14TH
5:30-7:30 PM
SCALO RESTAURANT
3500 CENTRAL SE
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO  87106
Suggested donation $100

CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO: Friends of Deanna. Can't attend?  Send your checks to Friends of Deanna at P.O. Box 291, Albuquerque, NM, 87103. Please RSVP to Ariel Bickel at (505) 321-6867 or atbickel@yahoo.com.

Results of Santa Fe, Other Municipal Elections

According to this unofficial summary of the results of the Santa Fe municipal election by the Santa Fe New Mexican, all of the amendments to the city charter passed including ranked-choice voting and public funded elections. In Council District 1: Bushee 2,100, Garcia 798. In Council District 2: Romero 2,024, Dobyns 701. In Council District 3: Lujan 731, Chavez 867. In Council District 4: Ortiz 1,368. You can learn what passage of the charter changes means in this New Mexican article.

KRQE has election results for Rio Rancho, where Tom Swisstack won the mayoral race and the higher education initiative passed, and other municipal elections held around the state on Tuesday.

NM Dem Presidential Preference Caucus: Only Chance to Vote for Dem Prez Nominees

I spoke this morning with Ana Canales, who chairs the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County. She expressed concern that some Democrats seem to have misconceptions about the NM Dem Party's February 5, 2008 Presidential Preference Caucus and our later state primary election on June 3, 2008.

February 5th Dem Caucus
Just to be clear, the only opportunity for registered Democrats to vote for their favorite Dem presidential nominee is at the February 5th Caucus. The Caucus will take place at 184 polling places around the state, and is organized and paid for by the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

You will need to know your precinct number in order to find your Caucus polling place. Type in your address here to determine your precinct if you live in Bernalillo County. Statewide, you can check to see if you are registered to vote and find your precinct number by using the Secretary of State's Voter View tool. Your caucus polling place may or may not be the same as the one where you usually vote in regular elections. Check here to determine the location of your February 5th caucus polling place. This page has Caucus locations for all precincts in all New Mexico counties.

Polls will be open from Noon to 7:00 PM on February 5th. There will be no early in-person voting, and the deadline is past for requesting an absentee (mail-in) ballot. So is the deadline for registering as a Dem if you've been unregistered or registered as an independent or with a party other than the Democratic Party.

June 3rd Primary
There will be no presidential nominee choices on the June 3nd Dem primary ballot. Only state reps and senate (legislative) candidates and those competing for U.S. House and Senate slots will be running to be Dem nominees in the primary this year.

On the Republican side, they'll be choosing their nominees for president, as well as those competing to get on the Repub ticket in state races and U.S. House and Senate slots. Unlike the Democratic Party, Repubs in NM have not created an early caucus here for their presidential nomination race.

All clear now?

Dem Women: Apply Now for Candidate Training

From Emerge New Mexico:
Have you considered running for office? Do you know a fantastic woman who should run for office? Help her get the training and support she needs to run and win. Encourage her to Emerge! Emerge New Mexico seeks Democratic women with evidence of political leadership experience or meaningful workplace or community involvement to apply to its program.

The Emerge program provides seven Saturdays of training and networking over seven months. Training includes fundraising, public speaking, campaign strategy and planning, fieldwork, media skills and messaging, ethics in politics, labor and endorsements, and running an anti-racist and culturally competent campaign.

Applications and organizational information can be located and downloaded at www.emergenm.org. Applications for the 2008 class are NOW being accepted— APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15, 2008!

Emerge's model is successful: over 60% of Emerge graduates nationally hold public office. In 2007-08 so far, another 15% of graduates are running for office. Emerge is proud that 46% of our graduates are women of color. Emerge New Mexico is part of Emerge America, with 7 state affiliates nationally.

JOIN US IN IDENTIFYING WOMEN TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF New Mexico. Please share this information with women you think may be interested in emerge!

For more information: please contact:
Anita at 505-899-0392
Emerge New Mexico
PO Box 27207
Albuquerque, NM 87125
www.emergenm.org

Apply Now for Emily's List Candidate Training

From Emily's List:
On January 10th and 11th, EMILY's List will be offering a terrific training opportunity for pro-choice Democratic women in New Mexico and surrounding states. We would like to extend an invitation for you or someone you know to participate in the training.

As you may know, EMILY's List is a political donor network and political resource for pro-choice Democratic women candidates. EMILY's List has initiated a program designed to recruit and train women to run for and serve in elected office in the states. 

The program will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico and begins on the evening of Thursday, January 10th with a welcome reception and short session. Friday, January 11th (8:30 AM to
5:00 PM) will be filled with training on campaign planning, fundraising, message development, voter contact, direct mail and other important campaign issues. 

The program, including materials and meals is free, however space is limited.  Partial participation is not possible -- you must commit to attending the full program in order to be allocated a seat at the training.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please respond to this invitation as soon as possible by contacting Michelle Stephenson, Political Opportunity Program Assistant, at (202) 419-3073 or mstephenson@emilyslist.org.  You will then get more information on the location and lodging information.