Democracy for New Mexico

Tonight: Celebrate and Unify at the DFA-DFNM Meetup

One of our cakes from a previous celebration

This month's Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup will be a get-together to celebrate our primary victories (and commisserate over losses), come together to unify for a win in November and hang out socializing and sharing treats.

We hope to see many of our candidates and folks from the campaigns and other groups that will be working hard to elect Democrats this year to share in the festivities. If any of you are reading this, come on down! This Meetup is about celebrating with fellow grassroots activists and getting motivated for the work we must do in the months to come if we want to turn New Mexico Blue, Blue, Blue! Change is coming. And we're fired up.

All are welcome. You can RSVP and/or join the group and get on the email list here. As always, tonight's Meetup is at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church on the SW corner of Carlisle and Comanche in Albuquerque. It begins at 7:00 PM.

Time to Get Off the Stage, Hillary

I didn't go to the Dem Party celebration at the Albuquerque Convention Center last night because I've been to a few where the tense excitement morphed into achey depression as too many losses scrolled across the tv screens. Even the balloons and cheese platters didn't help. I couldn't take another one like that, although it turned out to be just the opposite this time. Wonderful wins for so many I supported.

But last night I wanted to watch Hillary Clinton give her concession speech in prime time and start applying her clout to unifying the Party behind our candidate. I wanted to take in every nuance of Barack Obama stepping up to the podium in victory, making history in an arena full of faces showing amazement at the audacity of of the achievement. He did it. We did it. We won, against all odds. But it was not to be. In a petulant and selfish display of I, me, mine, Hillary refused to concede. And even though Obama gave another shining, spinetingling speech, Clinton's reality-challenged spectacle in New York managed to drain more than a bit of the dazzle from a night that should have been all Barack, and all unity.

I will never forgive her and I don't think any Dem worth his or her salt should ever forgive her either. To call her performance classless and without grace is to put it mildly.

Hillary Wants ...
The word is that she's angling for ... something. She claimed she just wants to make sure all those "invisible" people she alone represents (according to her, anyway) get the respect they deserve. Right. And how does SHE respect these folks? By asking them to dig into their already picked pockets and cough up more dough to pay her campaign debts. She's that shameless.

The Clintons earned, what is it, $129 MILLION dollars since Bill left office? And she's hounding her vaunted working class base for more money to pay for the delusional ego trip she's been on for months -- despite no reasonable chance of winning. Oh she's a champion of the down and out, isn't she?

I've long had problems with the DLC-brand of pseudo-Democratic politics triangulated by the Clintons. I've long resented how they've mocked Howard Dean and activists and the 50-state strategy. But now I've lost all respect for them. Every iota of respect.

No Way
Clinton's campaign has been leaking nonstop about her interest in the VP slot. I hope Obama has the sense and the strength not to bite. Can you imagine the clearly vindictive and spotlight-addicted duo playing second fiddle to Obama? No, I can't either. The specter of Bill and Hillary on the campaign trail or in the White House again -- haunting Obama -- is now beyond distasteful after last night's delusion-fest in New York. The Clintons have now officially jumped the shark. Hey Hillary, time to get off the stage. The votes are in. And you lost.

Do the Right Thing
And if Hillary won't do what's right for our candidate and our Party, she should be hounded out of the picture by every Dem with an ounce of clout. Now. Right now.

I'm glad to see that Tom Udall endorsed Obama, as did 17 others so far today. Now it's time for the rest of the Dem leadership to be brave and tell Hillary exactly what she needs to do to start rallying the Party around Obama. Enough is enough. Perhaps most importantly, Hillary's supporters need to give her the news. Finally, some are.

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New Mexico Voter Registration Statistics: Independents Post Largest Percentage Gain

According to an AP story, voters eligible to vote in Tuesday's primary election in New Mexico total about 898,000 -- 543,615 Democrats and 354,272 Republicans. Since the 2004 primary here, Republicans have managed a 14% increase in registration and Democrats made a 9% gain in voter registrations in the state. In addition:

Currently, Democrats account for half of the state's registered voters. That's down slightly from June 2004, when Democrats represented 52 percent of all registered voters.

Republicans represented a third of the state's voters when registration rolls closed earlier this month for the primary election. They were 32 percent in 2004.

The biggest gain in registration in the past four years occurred with people unaffiliated with a political party.

So-called independents—"declined to state" a party affiliation, as it is called in New Mexico—total 161,116, an increase of 32 percent since 2004. That continues a trend in which independents are growing as a share of New Mexico's electorate. Unaffiliated voters account for 15 percent of registration this year, up from 13 percent in the 2004 primary.

Other stats:

• Total voter registration: 1.08 million, up 13% over 2004 primary
• 13% registration increase in the Albuquerque-area NM-01 since 2004
• 11% gain in NM-02 in southern New Mexico
• 13% increase in NM-03 in northern New Mexico
• Largest increase in voter registration: Sandoval County, including Rio Rancho, up 35%
• Dona Ana County had a 24% increase
• McKinley County, 19%
• Bernalillo County, 17%
• In 2004 primary, 187,821 Democrats, Republicans and Greens cast ballots, 23% of those registered and eligible to vote
• In 2000 primary, 223,490 Democrats, Republicans and Greens voted -- 28% of those registered that year

What does all this mean in terms of Tuesday's results? We can only wait and see. One thing I know for sure is that the Dem Party at all levels, as well as the Dem campaigns, need to put a lot more energy and time into increasing registrations for the Fall election. I'm pumped because Barack Obama is making that one of his top priorties, all over the nation.

Lt. Gov. Denish to Host Post-Primary Unity Rally & BBQ

Democrats Coming Together

Lieutenant Governor Diane D. Denish
Invites you, your family and friends to a

UNITY RALLY
Wednesday, June 4, 5:00 PM
The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino

201 California Street NE
Enter Gate 1 on Central - Party at the Jockey Club
PLEASE RESPOND TO 505-255-1282
or email mmares@dianedenish.com
Click for Flyer (pdf) - Pass It On

Free on Friday: Young Democrats Meet and Greet with Chelsea Clinton

Chelsea Clinton will be in Albuquerque tomorrow, Friday, May 30th, 2008, at the Marriott Uptown at 2101 Louisiana Blvd. NE at 5 pm for a "Meet and Greet" with young Democrats. Click for map. This event is associated with the Democratic Women's Convention. Tickets are free at the door. For more information contact Antonio Sandoval of the New Mexico Young Democrats at ae_sandoval@msn.com.

Please note that the Young Democrats of New Mexico has not endorsed any candidates in the primary season. We encourage and promote young people to engage in the political process.

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DPNM Hosts 2008 Primary Night Watch Party

The Democratic Party of New Mexico will be holding a Primary Night Watch Party on June 3rd, at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public. We expect most of the Democratic candidates, including Congressman Tom Udall, to attend. Polls close at 7:00 PM. Make sure you vote in the primary and then come on down to celebrate our victories:

Who:  New Mexico Democratic Party
What:  Primary Election Night Party
When:  6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Where:  Albuquerque Convention Center
San Miguel Room (2nd Floor - East Complex)
401 2nd Street NW , Albuquerque

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NM Dem Women Host National Convention in ABQ; Guests Include Chelsea Clinton, Valerie Plame

From DPBC e-News: The Democratic Women of New Mexico will host the National Federation of Democratic Women in Albuquerque on Wednesday, May 28th to Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at the Albuquerque Marriott Hotel.

The attendees will be touring Santa Fe and Acoma on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday evening, May 29th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, there will be a "Wild West Welcome" party at the Albuquerque Marriott. Everyone is invited to attend. Tickets are $50.00 per person and available at the door. Nominated by Democratic Women of New Mexico and receiving the NFDW award for "Outstanding Elected Democratic Women Official" will be will be our own Lt. Governor Diane Denish.

On Friday, May 30th, the NFDW 37th Annual Convention begins with a welcome from Mayor Martin Chavez beginning at 9 AM at the Marriott Hotel. The luncheon's featured speaker is Valerie Plame Wilson. On Friday evening, Chelsea Clinton will also be on hand to "meet and greet" the attendees.

There will also be a special "meet and greet" Friday with the Young Democrats at the Marriott Hotel.  Tickets for the YD event are required and may be obtained by contacting Antonio Sandoval, NMYD President. The convention attendees will have their "meet and greet" Friday at the Balloon Fiesta Museum.

In addition to the featured speakers, there will be workshops by well-known New Mexico authors and experts to include: Sharon Niederman, Secretary of State Mary Herrera, Dr. Martha Burk and Cathy Napier, DNC Secretary Alice Germond and Sharon Grosfeld, DNC Executive Director for the Women's Leadership Forum, Expo New Mexico Director, Judith Espinosa and many others.

On Saturday, May 31st, 2008, Bernadette T. Vadurro, author of the award winning book, "Ameria's Conscience: Facing Threats to Democracy, the Middle Class and Our World," will be the luncheon keynote speaker. Young Democratic Woman, Monica Gomez of Dona Ana County, will be receiving an award for her contribution to the Democratic Party on Saturday. State Treasurer James Lewis and State Auditor Hector Balderas will be on hand Saturday night to address the group and participate in a live auction to include: Southwest Airlines TIckets, a George Bush Pinata, a one of it's kind commemorative donkey.

Registration for the convention is $180.00. Registration forms are available on line at:  www.nfdw.com. For more information:  kathymduffy@aol.com.

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Video: DPNM Protests Bush Fundraiser for GOP & White

The Tom Udall campaign liveblogged the Dem Party of New Mexico's demonstration in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque today protesting George Bush's fundraiser for NM-01 candidate Darren White and the state GOP. Click to see the recorded video of the event. Participants included reps from the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Tom Udall's campaign and UNM College Dems, as well as State Dem Party chair Brian Colon, NM-01 Dem Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich and Janice Saxton, Dem candidate in NM House District 22. KRQE News 13 has this video of Bush's arrival in Albuquerque and the protest in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

A major complaint raised by demonstrators centered on Bush's promise to veto the new GI Bill that would expand veterans' benefits and support every vet who's served since 9-11 with expanded financial support for a college education. John McCain, the presumed GOP nominee for prez, is also against the new GI Bill. I guess he supports vets, but only when George Bush tells him it's ok. A couple of quotes from participants about the close relationship between White and Bush:

DPNM Chair Brian Colon: "You know, Darren has been critical of the administration but he got a lot less critical when he had the opportunity to get some money from Bush's supporters. "That's not acceptable."

NM-01 candidate Martin Heinrich: "It's disappointing to see Darren White continue to embrace the president at a time when the administration's failed policies are hurting New Mexico families."

By the way, the Udall campaign is seeking 1000 donations between now and when the polls close for the primary election on June 3rd to offset the effects of the big bucks being raised today in New Mexico for Republican candidates. You know what to do.

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Action Alert: Dem Party Protest of Bush's Tuesday Visit to NM

From the DPNM: The Democratic Party of New Mexico will be demonstrating against George W. Bush's visit to Albuquerque to fundraise for Darren White:

• What: Demonstration against George W. Bush's war and his plan to veto the GI Bill! We don't support his war and we don't support anyone who uses him to raise money!
• When: Tuesday May 27th, 2008 from 11AM-12 Noon
• Where: Hartnett Park, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque: 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NE (MAP)

Come down and show Darren White and George Bush what Americans really think of the War! Don't forget to bring your SIGNS! More info.

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Reminder: Dem Party Picnic in ABQ Tomorrow

The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County
would like to invite you to a
Democratic Picnic
Saturday May 24, 2008, 12-4PM
at the
Spanish Village, EXPO NM
(300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Abq, NM)
FREE FOOD, FUN & MUSIC!
Music will be provided by
Supreme Court Justice Charlie Daniels & Judge William Parnall