Democracy for New Mexico

NM-01: 2008 1Q Totals for Heinrich and White

Heinrich's getting lots of attention from the netroots

Summary first quarter fundraising totals for two candidates in the NM-01 Congressional race have now been released ahead of the April 15th reporting deadline. Dem Martin Heinrich raised $200,000 this quarter, again matching the campaign's fundraising goal. That brings his total to an impressive $665,000 this election cycle in a primary race featuring three other candidates, in a state where all three Congressional seats and one Senate seat are open and filled with competitors chasing dollars.

Even better, Heinrich reportedly has nearly $350,000 in cash on hand, having run a fiscally prudent operation since he entered the race in August of last year. The campaign has emphasized grassroots outreach instead of expensive polling and consulting expenditures. As a result, a significant portion of Heinrich's financial support has come from small donors. He's received campaign contributions from more than 2,000 individuals to date.

In a statement Heinrich said, "I'm proud and humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received from folks across this district. For months, we have focused on building both the grassroots and fundraising infrastructure that we will need to win in June and in November – and our huge successes at the convention and in this most recent fundraising period are proof that this campaign has what it takes to succeed."

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, the GOP leadership's annointed candidate in the race, reportedly raised $233,000 in the first quarter of the year, bringing his total in the election cycle to about $447,000. He says he has approximately $300,000 in cash on hand, about $50,000 less than Heinrich even though White has only one nominal Repub primary competitor in Joe Carraro. Both the State Repub Party and the RNC have come out in support of White -- a rarity in a primary battle.

White's totals have to be disappointing to his campaign and the GOP alike. With little to no competition for donation dollars in the NM-01 Repub primary, you'd think White would be pretty much rolling in dough by now. Of course the Repubs have been lagging way behind Dem fundraising at all levels this election cycle. GOP donors have been mighty tight-fisted from the presidential race on down, reflecting a widespread lack of enthusiasm for both their candidates and their chances at a time when Repub positions on everything from the Iraq occupation to the economy are highly unpopular with the majority of voters.

Heinrich has consistently outraised all of his Democratic opponents, and is the clear frontrunner on the Dem side having garnered 56% of the delegate vote at the Dem's preprimary convention in March, double that of Michelle Lujan Grisham, his closest opponent. There's been no word yet on the first quarter fundraising totals from the other Dems in the primary race.

Also in the running are former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron, who entered the race right before the filing deadline, and attorney Robert Pidcock, a political newcomer. Both of them submitted additional petition signatures to get on the ballot after they failed to get the needed 20% of delegate votes for an automatic place on the ballot. Meanwhile, 600 of Vigil-Giron's petition signatures are being challenged by supporters of Lujan Grisham. If successful, the suit would keep Vigil-Giron off the ballot.

To see our previous coverage of the 2008 Congressional race in NM-01, visit our archive.

Technorati Tags:Martin Heinrich, Darren White, NM-01, campaign fundraising, New Mexico, Joe Carraro, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rebecca Vigil-Giron, Robert Pidcock

Thursday: DFA-DFNM Albuquerque Meetup

This month the Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup will feature Bruce Barnaby explaining the often confusing process that governs how NM delegates are elected to the Democratic National Convention and our Democratic National Committeeman and Committeewoman are selected. By the way, Bruce is running for DNC Committeeman this year. He's long been very active in state and local Dem Party affairs, including service on the Party's State Central Committee and Rules Committee.

We'll also have short presentations by Ed Yoon of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund and Deema Tabarra of Americans for Democratic Action. Both organizations have recently established chapters of their organizations in NM that will be very active in the coming months.

You'll also hear about an upcoming Candidate and Activist Training to be conducted by staff from the national group Democracy for America that's set for June 21-22 in Albuquerque, along with other announcements. And there are always a few candidates who stop in to reach out to the group. Click to join the Meetup group and/or RSVP.

National Politicos Converging on New Mexico

Hillary Clinton will be jetting in and out of Albuquerque on Sunday for a big-ticket fundraiser organized by former Ambassador to Spain, Ed Romero:

At Clinton's fundraiser, invitees will pay $2,300 to be "sponsors," while "friends" pay $1,000 for the catered event of Spanish tapas, wine and sherry. Romero declined to say how much Clinton hopes to raise.

The guest list will include Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, former state Democratic Party chairman John Wertheim and former Ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame, who says she was outed as a CIA operative after her husband criticized the Bush administration's handling of prewar intelligence on Iraq.

Payback for Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama? I wouldn't be surprised. What I am surprised about is that the hosts are seeking funds for Clinton's lagging prez campaign at a time when local cash donations are in high demand here. With all three U.S. House seats and Domenici's U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, Dem candidates in New Mexico are scrambling hard for contributions, especially after so many resources went to support Gov. Richardson's prez run. Reports are abundant that the Clinton campaign is running out of cash and delaying payments to vendors, as pressure builds from many quarters for her to withdraw from an increasingly unwinnable race and Obama continues to snag endorsements from prominent superdelegates.

GOP Tamaya Huddle
Meanwhile, out at Santa Ana Pueblo's Hyatt Regency Tamaya near Bernalillo we've got a big meeting going on this week of the GOP State Party Chairs from all over the nation, led by Republican National Committee Chair Mike Duncan (right). Duncan has made it clear that the Repubs will be targeting New Mexico with everything they've got in the 2008 election cycle:

"New Mexico is a battleground target state for us," Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan told The Associated Press. "We recognize it's going to be an important state for us."

Darren White: GOP Beltway Fave
Besides touting the prez campaign of John McCain, the RNC is also taking sides early and rallying around the Congressional candidacy of Darren White in NM-01 -- to the detriment of the Party's other primary candidate, State Sen. Joe Carraro.

It's unusual for the national or state party to openly take sides in a contested primary race, but Duncan said party rules allow that when requested by a state's RNC members. New Mexico's three RNC members, who include state chairman Allen Weh, submitted a letter to the national party asking it to treat White as the presumptive nominee. The letter was sent after White received 85 percent of the vote of delegates at the party's preprimary nominating convention in mid-March.

Of course the RNC will be pushing hard for Darren White -- he was the Bush campaign's chair in Bernalillo County in 2004. Repub bigwigs know that Darren's loyalty will always be given first and foremost to the Beltway rightwing establishment. If elected (heaven forbid), he'll be a dependable supporter of the insider Repub agenda whether it benefits New Mexicans or not. White has always answered to the demands of the GOP extremists in DC. What's worse is that he seems to sincerely believe in the policies that have brought us a quagmire in Iraq, an economic tsunami at home, a compromised Constitution, a broken health care system and a dearth of good-paying jobs.

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.

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).

Sandoval County Dem Women: April 2 Potluck

From the Democratic Women of Sandoval County: On Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 PM the Democratic Women of Sandoval County will meet for a potluck dinner at UU Westside Congregation Church, 1650 Abrazo, Rio Rancho. Please bring a dish to share. Coffee, tea, and water will be available. There will be a business meeting beginning at 7:15. The public is encouraged to attend. Guests are welcome. For info call Janice Saxton at 867-1139 or email jnjsaxton@msn.com.

Missing the Point on Richardson's Endorsement of Obama

It's been interesting to read the commentary about Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama for President last Friday. I think much of it misses the point. Analysis has focused on two questions -- whether the endorsement will sway Hispanic (or other) voters and whether it was made by Richardson to try and secure a future post in Washington. Speculation on both counts appears to be rather meaningless at this point in terms of the race at hand.

The bottom line is that unless Clinton gets overwhelming victories in all of the 10 states with upcoming primaries, she can't come close to Obama in terms of the popular vote, states won or pledged delegates captured. Even if she won all of the contests by a margin of 60-40, a definite pie-in-the-sky scenario, she'd still likely be behind in all three categories. As anyone who's studied the numbers knows, the only way Clinton can snatch the nomination away from Obama would be to a) destroy him personally or completely undermine the integrity of his campaign or b) strong arm enough superdelegates to overcome his healthy delegate lead and/or convince them Obama can't win in November.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

In his endorsement speech, Richardson made a point to decry the negativity that's cropped up in the race as Hillary's chances for victory have weakened. It seems clear he's signaling to other superdelegates and so-called "party elders" that if this race -- that's unwinnable for Hillary unless she concentrates on gutter politics -- is allowed to continue there will be damage done to our eventual nominee with every passing news cycle.

Remember, Richardson made his endorsement soon after it became clear that neither Michigan nor Florida would be having a "re-do" of their discredited primaries. Any seating of the now barred delegates from those two states will reflect a fair and rather even distribution of delegate numbers between the Clinton and Obama camps, not any significant gain by Clinton. The handwriting is on the wall and Richardson made a strong pitch for the Party to begin rallying around the inevitable winner. There's no up side to allowing the Clinton campaign to damage our nominee despite having virtually no chance of victory based on conventional measurements.

The Numbers
Obama has won 30 contests to Clinton's 14, and has 1418 delegates to her 1251, a margin of 167 according to his campaign's math. And AFP reports that only about 500 pledged delegates are still up for grabs, while quoting the independent website RealClearPolitics.com that puts the superdelegate count at 248 for Clinton and 213 for Obama as of Sunday. Obama has nearly a 750,000 lead in the popular vote. On Sunday on Fox News Richardson said, "The Democrats (should) come together and look at who's ahead when it comes to delegates, when it comes to the popular vote, the number of states." Bingo.

As the Baltimore Sun :

Democratic strategist Steve Murphy said the Clinton campaign is "like a lawyer with a losing case. You file every motion imaginable and hope to hit pay dirt ... The Obama candidacy would have to collapse for her to win," said Murphy, a Democratic consultant not aligned with either campaign. "Their real strategy is to buy as much time as possible in the hope that that will happen."

Tell It Like It Is
There are not many Dems who have the chutzpah or clout to confront Hillary and the former President with the facts, and be heard. I firmly believe that if Hillary were any other candidate in a similar situation, she would have been "encouraged" to get out of the race weeks ago.

As it is, even those within the Clinton campaign's inner circle who have accepted the realities in this race are reportedly fearful of speaking their truth to the former President and First Lady. But Richardson, with his close relationships to Bill and Hillary and his experience within the Clinton administration, has both the standing and the nerve to urge the power duo to face the music. Richardson has the prominence on the national stage necessary to attract big media attention to the dilemma and underline the dangers of continuing down this path so that fellow superdelegates and opinion makers get the message.

Richardson may well gain some voters for Obama, and he may well be angling for a future job in Washington, but neither factor will change the shape of the race one iota. I think the real meaning of his endorsement has to do with convincing the Party that we need to begin closing down the nomination process so we can concentrate on confronting McCain and gaining strength for the general election.

Despite the fact that Clinton's chief strategist, Mark Penn, has claimed that Richardson's endorsement is meaningless -- too little too late -- I notice that the Clinton camp's number one media mouthpiece, James Carville, wasted no time in coming forth to demean Richardson. His "Judas" remark shows just how worried the Clintons are about Richardson calling attention to the fact that the sun is finally beginning to set on their dreams for a restoration.

Richardson https://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-responded this way to Carville's slur:

"I'm not going to get in the gutter like that. And you know, that's typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton. They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency." Richardson was energy secretary and United Nations ambassador for President Bill Clinton, and the Clintons seem more than a little angered at his endorsement of Clinton's rival.

The strong blow back from the Clinton campaign and their allies demonstrates how much persuasive power Richardson still has with other power players in the Party. At least I hope so, for the good of the Party and the nominee who's pretty much sealed the deal.

Gov. Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

Note: Also see my later post with videos of Gov. Richardson's endorsement speech at a raucous campaign rally in Portland, OR, and Barack Obama's thank you.

According to an AP report, Gov. Bill Richardson will appear with Barack Obama today at a campaign event at 12:30 PM PST in Portland, Oregon to formally endorse him for president. Here's the message that was emailed to supporters at 1:10 AM explaining the Governor's decision:

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.

To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,

Bill Richardson

An AP story reports,

"I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world," Richardson said in a statement obtained by the AP. "As a presidential candidate, I know full well Sen. Obama's unique moral ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation."

... Richardson praised Hillary Clinton as a "distinguished leader with vast experience." But the governor said Obama "will be a historic and great president, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad."

... "There is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a commander in chief when our nation's security is on the line. He showed this judgment by opposing the Iraq war from the start, and he has show it during this campaign by standing up for a new era in American leadership internationally," Richardson said.

Obama said he was "deeply honored" to have Richardson's support.

"Whether it's fighting to end the Iraq war or stop the genocide in Darfur or prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, Gov. Richardson has been a powerful voice on issues of global security, peace and justice, earning five Nobel Peace Prize nominations," Obama said in a statement.

DPNM Needs DNC Delegate Applicants TODAY for Affirmative Action Status Groups

I posted earlier today about the 5:00 PM deadline for applying to be a delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver this August and/or for registering to vote for these delegates at the April 19, 2008 Congressional District Conventions to be held in each of our Congressional Districts.

Now I've learned from Lynn Jacobs, Chair of the DPNM Affirmative Action Committee, that the Party is short of applicants for several affirmative action status groups. Such applicants are needed in all three CD's. Click to download a delegate application.

THE SIGNED APPLICATIONS MUST BE FAXED, EMAILED OR HAND-CARRIED TO NM DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS BY 5:00 PM TODAY. THE FAX # IS 505-830-3645.

We especially need applicants, both male and female, who are NATIVE AMERICANS (all CD's); AFRICAN-AMERICANS (all CD's); HEARING (all CD's), SIGHT(all CD's) and MOBILITY (especially in CDs 2 & 3); and DISABLED. 

We would like to see more applications from LGBT - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (all CD's);  ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLAND AMERICANS (all CD's); YOUTH - Under 40 (all CD's - could be combined with other status groups).

Currently, the largest number of affirmative action status groups applications are from Hispanics. All Democrats registered to vote in New Mexico are eligible and encouraged to apply to be a Delegate.

Please contact any friends and relatives who might be interested and have them fax a signed form to headquarters by 5:00 PM today.

More Info:

Democratic Party of New Mexico
1301 San Pedro NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
info@nmdemocrats.org
Fax (505) 830-3645
Phone: 505-830-3650 (main) · 1-800-624-2457 (toll-free)

Register TODAY to Vote for NM Delegates to Denver Convention

If you want a say in who represents your Congressional District as a pledged delegate or alternate to the Democratic Convention in Denver on August 25-28, of if you want to run for a delegate slot yourself, you must act today. On April 19, 2008, Conventions will be held in all three of New Mexico's Congressional Districts to elect pledged delegates and alternates. In order to vote for pledged delegates and alternates to the DNC Convention who will represent the presidential candidates as allocated by our Dem Presidential Preference Caucus last month, you must either be:

• a current member of the Party's State Central Committee, in which case you automatically get to vote and don't need to file an additional form, or
• a delegate to last Saturday's State Preprimary Convention, in which case you must submit a form to register to participate, or
• a registered Democrat who participated in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Caucus on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by casting a vote at a caucus site or by mail, in which case you must file a form to register to participate.

The district delegate registration form, available here for download, must be completed and received by the Democratic Party of New Mexico by 5:00 PM TODAY, March 20, 2008, indicating you wish to serve as a delegate or alternate to the District Convention. (See below for email address and fax number.) In order to vote at a District Convention, you must do so in person. No proxy voting will be allowed. A total of 17 pledged delegates and 3 alternates will be elected at the District Conventions, and will be equally apportioned by gender and by Congressional District.

Click for more info on each of the three District Conventions to be held on April 19, 2008:

• First Congressional District, Highland High School, Performing Arts Center, Moved to National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque. Registration 8:30 AM, Convention 10:00 AM.
• Second Congressional District, New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces. Registration 9:00 AM, Convention, 10:00 AM.
• Third Congressional District, Taos Convention Center, Taos. Registration 9:00 AM, Convention 10:00 AM.

There are a number of loyal, active Democrats who are running to be pledged delegates to the national convention to support either Clinton or Obama. You can also run to be a DNC delegate if you file this pledge form by 5:00 PM TODAY, March 20, 2008.

Check in at the DPNM's 2008 DNC Delegate Center Page to learn more. Or click to see the delegate plan rules governing the selection process. If you have any questions, contact the Democratic Party of New Mexico:

Democratic Party of New Mexico
1301 San Pedro NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
info@nmdemocrats.org
Fax (505) 830-3645
Phone: 505-830-3650 (main) · 1-800-624-2457 (toll-free)