Democracy for New Mexico

This Month: Two Picnic Events for Bernalillo County Dems

From the DPBC:
WHAT:  MEET AND GREET PICNIC FOR ALL DEMOCRATS
WHERE:  Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center
9800 - 4TH STREET NW, Albuquerque
WHEN: Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, Noon - 3 PM
FREE FOOD AND GAMES FOR THE KIDS!
*******************
From Ward 19A: Our Ward 19A meeting this month will be held jointly with Wards 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B. The meeting will be an indoor/potluck picnic, held at the Highland Senior Center, located at 131 Monroe NE on Wednesday May 16, 2007 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM. All Democrats are welcome.

State Representatives Gail Chasey and Sheryl Williams Stapleton and our State Senator Cisco McSorley will give a short speech/report on the recent legislative session with short question/answer period. We will also discuss the recent County elections and the State Central meeting held in Las Cruces. Cheryl Harris, our new county second vice chair, will talk to us about upcoming county events such as the May 17th,  Third Thursday meeting.

We ask that you invite your friends, neighbors and ward/precinct members to attend. There will be hot dogs and drinks; we ask that you bring a potluck/picnic item such as salads, desserts, casseroles and chips & dips. If you have any questions contact Cheryl Harris at 268-6628 or Richard Cooley at 268-2439.

Using the Iraq Supplemental to Steal Iraqi Oil

Today's must read: Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone's article, Pelosi's New Iraq Supplemental Is Outright Colonial Robbery. Excerpt:

Saddam Hussein rips off Iraqi people, America "liberates" said people from Saddam, then bludgeons them with Saddam's debts until they hand over the keys to the oil industry. Nice deal, yes?

The proposed Hydrocarbon Law is a result of pressure from the American government on the Iraqis to draft an oil policy that would adhere to the IMF guidelines. It allows foreign companies to take advantage of Iraqi oil fields by allowing regions to pair up with foreigners using what are known as "production-sharing agreements" or PSAs, which guarantee investing companies large shares of the profits for decades into the future. The law also makes it impossible for the Iraqi state to regulate levels of oil production (seriously undermining OPEC), allows oil companies to repatriate profits, and would also allow companies to hire foreign workers to man facilities. Add all the measures up and the Hydrocarbon law not only takes control of the oil industry away from the Iraqi state, but virtually guarantees that the state will profit very little from future oil exploitation.

... let's just say this about the Democratic Party. They can wash their hands of this war as much as they want publicly, but their endorsement of this crude neocolonial exploitation plan makes them accomplices in the occupation, and further legitimizes the insurgency. It is hard to argue with the logic of armed resistance to U.S. forces in Iraq when both American parties, representing the vast majority of the American voting public, endorse the same draconian plan to rob the country's riches. This isn't a situation in which there's going to be a better deal down the road, after Bush gets thrown out of office. Looking at it from that point of view, peaceful cooperation with the Americans is therefore probably impossible for any patriotic Iraqi; the economic consequences are too severe.

New Richardson Ad Takes Humorous Approach

Editor's Note: I like the new approach. It's not often we see political ads that are creative and humorous. What do you think? Click below, watch the ads and and let the Bill Richardson campaign know your thoughts.

From Dave Contarino, Richardson for President: You have to see our new ad. We just released it on YouTube. Our ads will be running in Iowa and New Hampshire. Raising our profile and earning votes in these states are essential elements of our campaign to elect Governor Richardson in 2008. The new spot is not your typical campaign ad. It makes a crucial point to key primary voters that Bill Richardson, a four-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is the experienced leader that America needs.

Click here to see Bill Richardson's new ad. It is sure to earn attention from voters and it shows that Bill's resume - Governor, Energy Secretary, and statesman - is exactly what America needs.

With more than 20 states holding primaries and caucuses in the two weeks after Iowa and New Hampshire, these two early contests are more important than ever. A strong start will give our campaign a wave of momentum that will carry Governor Richardson to the nomination.

That's why we have to take every opportunity to talk directly to voters in these influential states. They need to know that Bill Richardson is the only candidate who has a proven record of negotiating peace in global trouble spots and that he's ready to do the same thing in the White House.

We're leveraging your investment in our campaign with a bold and aggressive media strategy aimed at raising our profile and earning pivotal votes. I have always believed that when voters learn that Governor Richardson invested in education, job creation, and alternative energy in New Mexico, they will side with us.

The new ad shows a mock job interview for President that gives new meaning to the words "over-qualified." The look on the Governor's face is priceless.

One of the secrets of Governor Richardson's success at governing, negotiation and foreign affairs is his ability to connect with people. His years of diplomatic experience have taught the Governor that sometimes the best way to reach out is to put others at ease with humor and self-deprecation.

But the message underscores a serious distinction. Bill Richardson has spent a lifetime in public service, preparing to meet our country's great challenges and to seize great opportunities. He is the only candidate with the wisdom and the sound judgment to take on the toughest dictators and to tackle global warming.

However, it takes something unconventional to get noticed in a crowded field. This new ad fits the bill. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Celebrate EmergeNM's 2007 Class

From EmergeNM: YOU ARE INVITED!! CELEBRATE  EMERGE NEW MEXICO'S 2007 CLASS!! Emerge is a political leadership training program for Democratic women in NM.

SATURDAY, MAY 19, AT 6:00 PM
Home of Randi McGinn and Charlie Daniels
(Call for directions)
Would YOU like to help EmergeNM get Women Democrats elected to public office?

SPONSORING THIS EVENT PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS!!
Call 505.920.6002
OR
$50 suggested donation at the event supports participants in this 7 month program that provides expert training and mentoring.

The Emerge mission is to identify, educate, and inspire Democratic women who want to pursue a career in politics at the local and state level in New Mexico. Emerge is dedicated to making a long-term investment in these future leaders by developing their political and media skills; expanding their knowledge of local issues; and connecting them with mentors.

www.emergenm.org
Julianna Koob
505.920.6002

Why Are You a Democrat?

We've started pointing our digital camera at Democrats and asking them to give a short explanation of why they support the Democratic Party. We intend to make this an ongoing project that we'll conduct in various places around Albuquerque and beyond as election season heats up. Here are our initial results, taken immediately after last week's DFA-DFNM Meetup in Albuquerque. The footage is rather primitive, taken with our digital still camera's video function, but we think the messages come out loud and clear:

Ana Canales, Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Cheryl Harris, Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Don Schiff, Ward Chair, 18B

Two More Hats in the Ring?

A little birdie (and it wasn't Bosco, Sunny or our seven parakeets) told me that . . . Javier Gonzales and Don Wiviott are two more Democrats considering entering the U.S. Senate Race to run against Domenici. Again, these are essentially rumors, but ...

In 1994, at only 27 years of age, Javier Gonzales was elected to the Santa Fe County Commissioner, where he served two four-year terms. According to the New Mexico Highlands University website, Gonzales works as a consultant at the global management firm, Accenture, and serves as the President of the NMHU Board of Regents:

Javier Gonzales is an Associate Partner in the Accenture Government Practice. His primary responsibility is to serve as the National Business Development Director for Local Government. Prior to joining Accenture, Javier served eight years as a Santa Fe County Commissioner. During his term as County Commissioner, Javier was elected to serve as the President of the National Association of Counties (NACo). Javier was the first Hispanic to serve as President in the organizations 66 year history as well as the youngest. Javier is a co-owner in his family business KSWV-AM 81 Radio Que Suave. It is Northern New Mexico's largest privately owned radio station.

His father, George Gonzales, was Mayor of Santa Fe from 1968 to 1972 and a County Commissioner before that. While on the County Commission, Javier is reportedly credited with helping to initiate Santa Fe County’s open space program, pass the County's first economic development plan and create the position of Health Policy Commissioner, among other things. Javier has also served on the Board of the National Hispanic Cultural Center and, according to this, he's also on the New Mexico First Board. Last month, Gov. Richardson appointed Gonzales to head a Higher Education Campus Safety Task Force in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy.

At last weekend's Dem meeting in Las Cruces, Gonzales hosted a packed event at the Double Eagle, where he treated the crowd to prime rib and more.

Don Wiviott is the developer of The Lofts, The Lofts at Marquez Place, and the Railyard, which are all innovative live-work unit projects in Santa Fe. He's also chaired the Santa Fe Development Review Committee.

Anyone out there know any other back stories on these two?

See our earlier Hats in the Ring post.

Heinrich's Letter on Entering the CD1 Race

Martin Heinrich at Dem SCC Meeting in Las Cruces
Photo by Tom Solomon

A reader sent me this letter from Martin Heinrich announcing his plans to run for the CD1 House seat currently held by Heather Wilson and outlining his platform. It was distributed at the DPNM State Central Committee meeting in Las Cruces last Saturday, so Heinrich's entry into the race looks pretty official to me. Even though I'm an SCC member, I didn't see this letter until today. Sometimes life is like that.  A business card from Heinrich's campaign manager with this info accompanied the letter:

POLITICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
WINNING CAMPAIGNS WITH INNOVATION
PHILIP MULLER
2118 Central Ave., SE #133
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
505-366-8919, evoter@aol.com
www.PoliticalTechnologies.com

New Mexico: Hats in the Ring

Lots of rumors, articles and blog entries around town about who's gonna run for what in the New Mexico Dem 2008 Congressional election cycle. Let's look at some of the names being bandied about.

1st CD House Seat Held by Rep. Heather Wilson:

Martin Heinrich: So far, current Albuquerque City Councilor Heinrich is the first to unofficially enter the race. He's got support leaked by the Governor's camp, a campaign exploratory office and strong support from the environmental community and other sectors of the Dem grassroots in CD1. He's taken an unpaid leave of absence from his job as New Mexico Resource Trustee. He's clean as a whistle in the ethics department, is strongly against the Iraq war, yet is a staunch supporter of Second Amendment gun rights, and he's known as a fair and practical negotiator across the aisle. Heinrich is smart, articulate and personable. He attended this past Saturday's Dem SCC meeting talking up his chances.

Heinrich's downsides: He's untested in terms of going up against a strong opponent. It's unknown whether he has the grit, toughness and scrappiness to stand up to the kind of assaults that come with the territory in CD1, given Heather's tradition of using Rovian tactics to tear down opponents. We've never seen him debate a formidable competitor. We've never witnessed how he would respond to withering media attention. He's not Hispanic in a district where non-Hispanics haven't generated support adequate to win in the past.

Eric Griego: Now working as an assistant secretary at the NM Economic Development Department, Griego is a veteran of Albuquerque's often bruising municipal political scene. Eric led a number of mini-insurrections against the policies of Mayor Martin Chavez when he was on the City Council, and ran a proactive, populist, muscular campaign against Chavez in the last mayoral election. There's no doubt that he's a smart, scrappy, tough-minded, ethical candidate who can hold his own in debates and under the withering eye of heavy media attention. He has a robust following in the grassroots and has maintained a public presence via his previous column in the Alibi and his current one in the Albuquerque Tribune, as well as a 10-week stint hosting , a political radio talk show, during the last Legislative Session. Though he has expressed some interest in running for this seat, he hasn't yet done anything to actively build support.

Griego's downsides: He may be perceived as too "progressive" for the district. He made a fair amount of "enemies" by taking on Mayor Chavez so passionately. It's unknown how he would do in the fundraising department or in reaching out to more moderate elements of the Party.

Louis Caldera: The former UNM President, reportedly forced out by the Board of Regents last January, is being mentioned of late as a more "centrist" possibility for CD1. He expressed his interest in a run in a recent Albuquerque Tribune article and was making the rounds at last Saturday's Dem State Party meeting in Las Cruces. He currently is a law professor at UNM. Caldera is the son of Mexican immigrants and earned degrees from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard Law School. He also served as secretary of the Army under Clinton. His military-related background might give him a leg up in running against Wilson, who graduated from the Air Force Academy. He's a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former member of the California General Assembly. His resume is varied and extensive.

Caldera's downsides: He's never run for public office in New Mexico. He's not a native New Mexican and his relationships with some segments of the local community have reportedly been less than satisfying. It's unknown how he would handle himself in a combative race under pressure and much public scrutiny. He's fairly new to the state and hasn't established a significant core of political supporters. His past experience is mostly bureaucratic in nature. He's built no credibility with the Democratic grassroots.

Others: NM Reps Gerald Ortiz y Pino and Al Park, City Councilors Debbie O'Malley and Michael Cadigan, Bingaman staffer Terry Brunner and even Mayor Chavez have been mentioned as possible candidates in this race. However, none of them has gone on the record as being serious about about a run. Still, one or more of them could decide to enter the race if the others more actively pursuing a candidacy come up empty handed.

Note: New Mexico FBIHOP has a poll up asking your preference on the CD1 race. .

2nd CD House Seat Held by Rep. Steve Pearce:

Al Kissling: Kissling has announced he'll do a repeat of his run against Pearce in the 2006 race, where he got about 40% of the vote against the ultra-rightwing Pearce. A political newcomer in '06, the liberal Rev. Kissling has a varied and compelling background, and worked very hard to gain traction in the 3rd CD without much in the way of campaign funds or Party support. His strengths include his honesty, passion for the issues and endurance in grassroots campaigning.

Kissling's downsides: He's already lost once in the district. He hasn't shown any taste for raising the funds needed to run a serious race.

Bill McCamley: Just 29, McCamley is an ambitious up and comer on the Dem scene. He won his first time out as a candidate for Dona Ana County Commissioner, and also serves as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Rural Development Response Council. He has a strong interest in "smart growth." An energetic fresh face, McCamley has declared his candidacy early and can be expected to run a hard primary race against Kissling. He has appeal with younger voters and those concerned about how Dona Ana County grows.

McCamley's downsides: He's inexperienced and may be considered to be too young by older voters. It's unknown how he would handle media pressure and how much money he could raise for the race.

U. S. Senate Seat Held by Pete Domenici:

Most prominent Dems are waiting to move on this race until the fallout from the U.S. Attorney firing scandal becomes more defined, and questions about Domenici's health and mental status are resolved. In the meantime, two grassroots candidates viewed as outsiders have declared they'll be running in the Dem primary for this seat. A recent Albuquerque Tribune article reports on the backgrounds of announced contenders Leland Lehrman and Jim Hannan, both Santa Fe-area residents. The pair were courting Dems at Saturday's SCC meeting in Las Cruces. Lehrman is running on a hard left platform, while Hannan is focusing on such issues as preserving Social Security, securing universal healthcare and improving auto mileage standards. It's unclear how much support either could get from Party regulars at a preprimary convention or a primary election. The article also quotes attorney Geno Zamora as interested in a possible run. Zamora ran an unsuccessful but generally well received campaign for the Dem Attorney General slot against Gary King, who went on to win in the general. He recently launched a consulting firm, Zamora Strategic Advisors.

Perhaps most intriguing is the idea of State Auditor Hector Balderas running for this Senate seat. Although Balderas hasn't said anything about a run, his name was on the lips of many Dems last weekend in Las Cruces, as a potential candidate for either the Senate or the CD1 Congressional seat. Over the course of his relatively short political career, first as a NM Rep from Wagon Mound, and now as State Auditor, Balderas has built a big buzz among Dems as being the Real Thing in terms of smarts, credibility, poise and top-notch ethics. He's very well liked and respected among Dems in many sectors of the Party, and his future in politics is viewed as bright indeed.

Balderas gave a well-received speech at Saturday's SCC meeting that touched on a number of foreign policy issues, using his recent trip to Pakistan as a jumping off point. He came off as mature, serious and seasoned beyond his years. Hector is definitely one to watch, if not for this election cycle, then certainly for future contests.

Bottom line on the Senate race -- still too early to know how the field will shake out. What we do know is that Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez most likely won't be a part of it. He came out early as supporting another run by Domenici, stating that Pete has his vote -- not a good way to garner rank and file Dem support for future political ambitions. Of course Chavez could conceivably enter the race if Domenici pulls out, but I think his very public support for Pete would be a definite downer for most Dem primary voters.

My guess is he'll stick with a primary run for Governor against Diane Denish, as he's also expressed his distaste for running for Congress. He's already busy raising money under an exploratory committee called Marty Chavez for New Mexico. Again, I think his past alliances with Republicans will make a win against Denish difficult at best. If there's anyone who has strong support across the board in core Dem political circles, it's Diane Denish.

Let Them Eat Cake: DFA-DFNM Meetup Tonight

Counting votes for SCC at DPBC Central Committee Meeting

Our regular monthly Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup is set for tonight at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church at Carlisle and Comanche. Tonight's agenda will feature the newly elected Democratic Party of Bernalillo County officers -- Chair ANA CANALES, 1st Vice Chair JIM BUHAUG, 2nd Vice Chair CHERYL HARRIS -- in a discussion about the Party's plans for the coming months, your suggestions and how we can help. We'll also be hearing from JENNIFER FORD of America Votes - New Mexico and what they're up to.

STAY AFTER THE MEETING FOR CAKE and mingling in celebration of all those who won Democratic Party elections including State and County Party officers, ward and precinct officers, County Central Committee members and State Central Committee members, as well as everyone who ran for office and everyone who's working for change.

If you'd like to join our group, visit our Meetup page. You can also RSVP for tonight's Meetup at the site. We also suggest you sign up at DFA Link-Up, which gets you on the mailing list for the national group Democracy for America, with which DFNM is loosely affiliated.

See our previous post for more on the DPBC elections, as well as a Flickr album of photos from the Bernalillo County Party meeting. Click here and here for posts on the DPNM State Central Committee meeting in Las Cruces.

NM Dems Ready to Win in 2008

New DPNM Chair Brian Colón and wife, Aleli, at Friday gathering in Las Cruces

I'm definitely on a natural high. So if this seems like a "puff piece," so be it; I'm thinking positive. All the events at this weekend's gathering of the NM Democratic tribes in Las Cruces seemed packed with enthusiastic, upbeat, hopeful crowds set on brainstorming and uniting to win everything in sight in the 2008 election cycle.

From the State Party's opening fundraiser Friday at the Mission Inn, to Mayor Marty Chavez's outdoor dessert buffet in the Mission Inn's courtyard afterwards, to Javier Gonzales' free feed at the Double Eagle restaurant that evening, to Lt. Gov. Diane Denish's burrito breakfast Saturday morning at Las Cruces High School, to the day's business meeting and elections, to the late-lunch gathering at DNC Committee member Mary Jane Gwaltney's house after the meeting, to golfing at the local country club, to Team Colón's victory celebration Saturday night at Hotel Encanto, and to many other smaller confabs and strategy sessions -- a productively good time was had by all. (And that doesn't even count our lunch at La Posta de Mesilla on the way back home.) Dems from around state were talkative, engaged and determined to come together to defeat Repub forces at both the local and national levels.

Chair Melinda Whitley, Stephanie DuBois, Mary Gail Gwaltney, Christy French, Art Terrazas and everyone else from the Dem Party of Dona Ana County pulled out all the stops to host a delightful Dem weekend, from the locally grown pecans and guest packets to the friendly welcomes and helpful advice from officers and rank and file Dems to those driving in from all corners of the state. There were Dems from all walks of life and from all kinds of backgrounds, dressed in a myriad of outfits -- from cowboy hats to formal wear, from antiwar teeshirts to business suits, from turquoise and squash blossom necklaces to peace symbols. There were vets of decades of political battles and those who had never attended an SCC meeting before.

I can't tell you how many times I heard people comment about the pleasures of being in a room or restaurant or patio full of fellow Dems. Everyone was in and out of conversations about the recent presidential debate and Bill Richardson's chances, BushCo's latest fiascos, who's gonna run for the seats of Heather and Pete, tales of Dem victories and losses past, what we have to do to build the Party and win in the future, and just about any other topic you might imagine that has anything at all to do with Democratic political goals: We the people. Liberty and justice for all. Peace and prosperity. Economic fairness, a fair shake and fair trade. Unity out of diversity. A helping hand and equal opportunity. Universal health care and a top notch education. Ending the war NOW and treating our returning vets with the dignity and honor they deserve. Renewable energy and green technology. Family values of the inclusive kind.

Not all was sweetness and light, of course. With opinionated, passionate Dems, it never is. There was a fair amount of grumbling about the Judicial Council's decision on the Taos County controversies and challenge, about Dems who won't speak truth to power, about the tepidness of some candidates and office holders, about this faction or that being out to lunch. Of course there are still problems and prejudices within the Party and without.

But all in all, this was a Party uniting around Brian Colón as Chair -- with almost 80% of the votes -- and bubbling with energy ready to be aimed at Repub opponents in every race. It was also a Party where grassroots activists and ordinary Dems ran for and won many offices and committee slots down ticket. I think we have an abundance of strong, active Dems at every level of the Party and from all three Congressional Districts. Party building and reform, reachout, fundraising and seeing that candidates take positions with backbone are just some of the goals on the minds of Dems -- along with victories up and down the ticket of course. 

New State Chair Colón's wife Aleli and son Rafael together gave a terrific nominating speech for Brian -- including a bilingual segment by Rafael. Colón himself spoke of his very modest beginnings and how Democratic programs and genuine family values helped give him a lift up and onto the road to his present successes. He said it's now his turn to give back so Democratic priniciples can help others. As for the other nominees for State Chair, Raymond Sanchez's nominating speech for Michael Olguin was full of reminders about the kinds of liberal victories they and others like them had helped bring to life over many years of service, while 27 year old Gideon Elliot spoke of the need to reach out to younger voters, who are increasingly registering as independents instead of Dems. Let's hope these candidates and their supporters will now unite behind Colón and work hard on the very issues they highlighted in their campaigns.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish (above) received a couple of standing ovations from the crowd -- one when she was introduced and one after giving a rousing speech with more than a few tidbits from Lee Iacocca's intro to his new book, "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" including the gist of this gem:

Am I the only one in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course." Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic.

Denish also pointedly mentioned that we all need to work to get rid of Sen. Domenici -- not give him a free ride as some Dems seem to be doing. Can't agree more. No Dems supporting Pete!

State Auditor Hector Balderas spoke eloquently about how we can regain a positive role on the world scene through diplomacy and a generous spirit, and how critically important it is to do so. Outgoing State Chair John Wertheim received many words of thanks and a parting gavel, we heard from reps from the offices of Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Rep. Tom Udall, and from Attorney General Gary King. We greeted and mingled with other Dem officials in the crowd, including current Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, 3rd CD Congressional primary candidates Al Kissling and Bill McCamley; Senatorial primary candidates Leland Lehrman and Jim Hannan, House Speaker Ben Lujan; State Reps Mimi Stewart, Al Park, Joseph Cervantes, Joni Gutierrez, John Heaton, Mary Helen Garcia and Mary Kay Papen; State Senators Michael Sanchez, Ben Altamirano and Mary Jane Garcia; Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez; ex-UNM President Louis Caldera and many others. Perhaps most importantly, ordinary Dems from all over the Land of Enchantment talked the talk and promised to walk the walk to make our Party stronger, larger, fairer and more active between now and the 2008 elections.

I know, my take is rather colored by the upbeat mood I found at the gatherings, but I think it's pretty accurate. If you attended any of the weekend's events, what did you think? What's important as we head into another election cycle? What do we want from our new leadership team? What do we need to contribute to achieve those goals? Let the brainstorming continue....

Note: More photos will be available in online albums shortly. All photos in this post by Mary Ellen Broderick. Click on images for larger versions. Also see our previous post on our new Democratic officers and committee members.