Democracy for New Mexico

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.

Help Choose DFA's First 2007 Endorsement

From
Democracy for America:
Democracy for America has launched our 2007 Grassroots All-Star Campaign today. DFA's Grassroots All-Star is the candidate who shows the highest amount of people-powered support by the end of the our campaign. We choose seven excellent candidates who lost by a hair in 2006, ran solid grassroots campaigns, and have announced they will finish the job in 2008. You choose who wins!

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/AllStars

iIn 2006, Jerry McNerney won the DFA's Grassroots All-Star Endorsement and went on to win his congressional seat. Here is what Congressman McNerney had to say about it in the e-mail we sent today:

DFA's early endorsement helped me win a seat in Congress, showing that bottom-up, people-powered grassroots organizing works. Your Grassroots All-Star vote changed the race, helping us attract significant early support from the netroots and crucial media attention.

The National Journal has this to say about Jerry's race:

Even after McNerney's impressive primary upset, the DCCC was not sold on his viability. But over the summer, he began picking up extensive "netroots" support and captured the imagination of liberal Internet activists. He also won the "Grassroots All-Star" online voting contest run by Democracy for America, a political action committee inspired by Howard Dean. The group's endorsement triggered campaign contributions for McNerney from around the country.

Now it is up to you to help us find the next Grassroots All-Star. Please vote for one of the seven great candidates right now:

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/AllStars

You have the power to move America forward.  Thank you for using it.

Charles Chamberlain , Political Director
(Cross posted at Daily Kos )

Editor's Note: Democracy for New Mexico (DFNM) is loosely affiliated with the national group, Democracy for America (DFA). Both our local group and DFA national grew out of the Dean for America presidential campaign. Click to learn more about DFA, get on their mailing list and join DFA Link or visit their .

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.

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.

DFA: Edwards Wants You to Know Where He Stands on Iraq

From Democracy for America:

Hear Senator Edwards' Response

Last month, Democracy for America members petitioned the presidential 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. We delivered over thirty thousand signatures and comments to every candidate and asked them to respond.

Senator John Edwards took time to shoot a video response to you and we are excited to make it available today.

Senator Edwards believes Congress should use their funding authority "to force George Bush to steadily bring troops out of Iraq." He believes troop levels should be "capped initially at one hundred thousand" and wants all combat troops out of Iraq in about a year. Senator Edwards closes his remarks with a thank you:

"Thank you for organizing at a grassroots level and building a movement to try to end this war in Iraq... and for helping build a movement to deal with all the big issues that matter in this country."

This video is just the beginning.

Over the next several months, DFA members will work together to pressure the presidential candidates on the most important issues. The road to the Democratic nomination is a long one and each candidate will be working hard for your endorsement and your vote. Victory in 2008 is up to us.

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

P.S. John Edwards is the first candidate to answer your call for a direct response. 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://www.johnedwards.com

That said, this message should not be construed as an endorsement of Senator Edward'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 Notes: 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.

DFA-DFNM Meetup Tonight

It's that time again. If you plan on attending our Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup this Thursday, February 1, at 7:00 PM, at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church at Carlisle and Comanche, please RSVP now or sign up to be a member of the group and get our emails: https://dfa.meetup.com/160/.

This month's Meetup will focus on what's going on at the NM legislative session and how to get involved with lobbying, contacting legislators and tracking bills of interest. Plus PAUL STOKES of United Voters NM will explain the election reform bills to be considered this year in Santa Fe and nationally.

Also, ANA CANALES will discuss her candidacy for Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County. Other candidates for this office are encouraged to speak to our group as well. Please contact me if you'd like to do so by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of this site.

DFA-DFNM ABQ Meetup Tonight

Our regular monthly DFA-DFNM Albuquerque Meetup takes place tonight, December 7th, at 7:00 PM at the First Unitarian Church Social Hall at Carlisle and Comanche. Click here to join the group or RSVP for the meeting.

Our speakers this month include:

DANA MILLEN, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Heath Security for New Mexicans Campaign presenting their plan for universal healthcare.

MAGGIE TOULOUSE, an applicant for Bernalillo County Clerk, discussing your issues of concern for the person who will fill the clerk slot vacated by our new Secretary of State, Mary Herrera.

JOE CASADOS & ANGELA CHAVEZ, DPNM Field Coordinators, who will talk about 2006 election lessons learned, and brainstormwith us about future party building and outreach strategies.

Petition: Put Paper Ballots on National Dem Agenda

From Democracy for America: On Election Night, DFA-endorsed candidate Barbara McIlvaine Smith was down by 19 votes in her race for the Pennsylvania state house.  She refused to concede, saying, "It is not about winning or losing... It's about making sure our democracy is intact."

Earlier this week the count of absentee and military paper ballots concluded, and Barbara won by 23 votes -- switching the Pennsylvania House from Republican to Democratic for the first time in 12 years.

This powerful victory happened because every paper ballot was counted.  But across America votes are increasingly being cast electronically with no paper record.  Had the election in Pennsylvania been conducted electronically there is no saying how the race might have been decided.

You helped elect a new Democratic House and Senate in Washington, D.C.  It's time to put our majority into action.  Ask Speaker Nancy Pelosi to put paper ballots on the agenda in the new Congress's first 100 hours:

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/paperballots

The danger of paperless elections is clear. Look at Sarasota County, Florida.  They use paperless touch screen voting machines. In the hotly contested Congressional race there, Election Night ended with Republican Vern Buchanan ahead of Democrat Christine Jennings by less than one-quarter of one percent. This triggered an automatic recount.

On November 20, state election officials certified Buchanan as the winner by 369 votes, despite the fact that there were 18,000 "under-votes" in the county.  An under-vote is when a machine reports a vote cast for another office, but not for the Congressional seat.  The percentage of under-votes in Democratic leaning Sarasota County was far higher than in surrounding counties.  And many voters reported that their votes were not recorded on their electronic ballot. Some said the machine skipped the race while others couldn't find the race listed at all. 

Currently this contest is being litigated in the courts.  But the results of this election will be forever in doubt because there are no paper ballots to review. This is unacceptable.  Congress has the power to mandate that all elections take place using paper ballots.  Ask the new Democratic majority to make it a priority.

The Democrats are committed to an impressive agenda in the first 100 hours of the Congress.  They will raise the minimum wage, require Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices, implement the 9/11 Commission security recommendations, cut the interests rates on student loans, and broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds.  But Democrats can't stop there.

Let's restore America's faith in Democracy too.  Let's make sure that in the first 100 hours the Democratic majority makes paper ballots mandatory:

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/paperballots

Thank you for doing your part,
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

Hold Howard Accountable: Sign the Card

I'm sure by now you've heard about James Carville's nasty comments about Howard Dean's performance as DNC Chair. Yes, it's terrible indeed when Dems win 30 or so House seats, regain the Senate and take back 6 governorships, many more state legislatures and a myriad of local offices across the nation. According to the arrogant and misguided Carville, who's married to one of worst examples of Repub rightwingnuttery in the form of Mary Matalin, Dean should be "held accountable" for us failing to win 50 House seats. He's traveling the chattering class circuit proclaiming that Dean should step down as DNC chair because his record at the DNC is "Rumsfeldian." Guess Carville is jealous that people are now paying more attention to Dean's 50-state strategy than they are to him and his outdated advice. Below is a post on the matter by Jim Dean, Howard's brother, who heads Democracy for America. 

Posted by Jim Dean on DFA's Blog for America on Friday, 11/17/06: This is truly a great country.  Where else can you work on one successful election in 1992, lose for the next fourteen years, and still get press? You got to hand it to James Carville; he can still get ink.  But maybe we’re the only ones that can’t remember James Carville predicting that the Democrats should easily gain 50 seats in the House BEFORE the election.  So why should that stop him from insisting that we should have won 50 seats AFTER the election?

I agree with a powerful and important guy like Jimbo. Howard should be held accountable. Hold him accountable for putting resources into Montana, where Jon Tester won a critical Senate seat. Hold him accountable for supporting Jerry McNerney in California, who ousted Richard Pombo. Hold him accountable for helping state parties nationwide to support competitive campaigns in places where Democrats haven’t won for years. Hold him accountable for helping return checks and balances to what was once a rubber stamp Congress.

Today is Howard's birthday. Tell him that you know our success was a direct result of his strategy and the work of activists at the local level:

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/happybirthday

Send your message of thanks and support to Democracy for America's founder and sign the birthday card today. Howard put the strategy in place.  But it was you who powered the effort in so many ways. We've got the power!

*********************

Where it all began: Dean for America Meetup back in the days of the 2004 presidential primary season on Albuquerque's West Side with Dr. Ken Harper's Deanmobile van. Many grassroots and netroots activists motivated by Dean's fresh approach back then are continuing today, active in almost every aspect of progressive and Democratic politics. Thank you Howard!

Remember: From Dean's electrifying early speech out in California in March 2003 that got so many of us off the couch and into political activism:

What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting the President's unilateral intervention in Iraq? ... As Paul Wellstone said, I'm Howard Dean, and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.

... I want my country back! We want our country back! I am tired of being divided! I don't want to listen to the fundamentalist preachers anymore! I want America to look like America, where we are all included, hand in hand. We have dream. We can only reach the dream if we are all together - black and white, gay and straight, man and woman. America! The Democratic Party!

Here's an audio version of the speech.

The Meetups continue with our monthly Albuquerque DFA-Democracy for New Mexico Meetups. Join us.

Watch the Video: 14 Days to Put Lamont Over the Top

Watch Ned's Message to DFA

From Jim Dean at Democracy for America:
Three months ago, Joe Lieberman led Ned Lamont in the polls by more than forty points. But you took a chance on Ned and thousands of DFA members around the country pitched in to help his insurgent campaign. The result? Two new polls show that Ned Lamont has surged into a narrow lead over Lieberman. 

Now we have the chance to put Ned Lamont over the top. Ned has recorded an exclusive video for DFA members to give you an update on the final 14 days. Click here to watch the video and find out how you can get involved:

The story of an insurgent, people-powered candidate moving to the top of the polls against the Democratic establishment is not new. My brother, Howard, was in a similar position three and a half years ago in the 2004 presidential primary. I don't need to remind you about what happened when the Beltway Democrats placed a giant target on his back and took aim. Let's make sure that history doesn't repeat itself with Ned Lamont.

We have a plan to fight back and win. Over the next few weeks, we'll be working closely with DFA members in Connecticut towards a Lamont victory on August 8. DFA members will be pounding the pavement and knocking on doors in a massive effort to get out the vote. Click here to watch Ned's video and find out how you can get involved:

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/nedlamont

It's going to be close -- now let's close the deal.  Thank you again for everything.

Sincerely,
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

P.S. After you watch the video from Ned, don't forget to sign-up for tonight's DFA Night School workshop about breaking into the Mainstream Media:

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/nightschool

Editor's Note: Democracy for New Mexico is loosely affiliated with the national group Democracy for America. To subscribe to DFNM's email list, go here and join our Albuquerque Meetup group. To get on the email list for the national group, register at DFA Link.