Democracy for New Mexico

Tom Udall Today: GOTV in Santa Fe, Rio Rancho Town Hall

Rep. Tom Udall, the Dem candidate for U.S. Senate, will campaign in Santa Fe and host a town hall meeting in Rio Rancho. Udall will be in Santa Fe, beginning with a breakfast meet and greet at Tomasita’s Restaurant. He will then tour the new home of the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market before travelling to Rio Rancho for a wide-ranging town hall meeting on his vision for New Mexico and the leadership he would bring to the United States Senate.

TOMASITA’S BREAKFAST MEET AND GREET
Tuesday, October 6th, 9–10 AM
Tomasita’s Restaurant, 500 S. Guadalupe St.
Santa Fe, NM 87501

SANTA FE FARMER’S MARKET TOUR
Tuesday, October 6th, 10–10:30 AM
Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, 1607 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501

RIO RANCHO TOWN HALL
Tuesday, October 6th, 6:00 PM
Vista Grande Retirement Center
4101 Meadowlark Lane SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

PAC505 Hosts "Test Press Tuesday" Debate Watch & Screen Printing Party

Click on image for larger version

PAC505 and The Trillion Space are fired up to present the second installment of their debate-viewing series, this Tuesday, October 7. Join us at The Trillion Space (510 2nd Street, near Marquette) for "Test Press Tuesday," where the debate will be projected, heard, and properly contextualized by an army of DJ's and artists, including Adam5100 from the East Bay. During the event, which begins at 4 o'clock, local artists will create original Obama designs and screenprint them onto shirts that you can take home for five bucks. Events like TPT will be remembered for transforming the Obama campaign into what it has become: a movement. Be there!

(Updated) Obama Campaign Counters McCain's Dishonest Tirade in Albuquerque Today; Audience Member Calls Obama a "Terrorist"

Update: Read this and watch their video clip. McCain asks, "Who is the real Barack Obama?" At least one member of the Albuquerque crowd yells out "terrorist." You can also hear it on Peter St. Cyr's audio of the speech, at about the 13 minute mark. In fact, if you listen to the audio, the crowd often sounds more like a mob than an audience, at least to my ears.

We also have Palin in Florida today. TPM says: "And later we have Sarah Palin with the same mob racket, getting members of the crowd to yell out "kill him", though it's not clear whether the call for murder was for Bill Ayers or Barack Obama. It didn't seem to matter. These are dangerous and sick people, McCain and Palin. Whatever it takes. Stop at nothing."

Where will we end up with McCain and Palin egging on the nuts in America, consciously or not, to ugly namecalling and violent threats? After all, according to the McCain campaign, they've just begun their move to the darkest of the dark sides of campaigning. It makes my hair stand up on end to think about it.
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Click for video of Cindy McCain's intro and John McCain's remarks before a couple hundred people at the UNM Sub in Albuquerque this afternoon (although the quality is poor). McCain's angry tirade against Obama, attempting to blame him for the financial crisis we're in today, begins at about 14 minutes. The quote cited below begins about a minute later. The entire appearance runs about 26 minutes. Short and nasty.

The newest version of John McCain is shamelessly hawking lies that he knows are lies. What else does he have left? Everybody knows that McCain has dedicated his career to deregulation of the kind that has put American and global finances into a deadly spin. His "economic plan" consists of more tax cuts for the rich and big corporations, coupled with threatened cuts to vital programs like Medicare and Medicaid at a time when seniors and our poorest citizens can expect to be hit even harder by economic instability and injustices. It's clear that McCain will depend almost entirely on vicious and dishonest attacks on Obama's character and ethics from here on out. The Obama campaign, however, is ready to call McCain out in no uncertain terms when he resorts to distortions, exaggerations and plain old lies.

Obama Campaign Statement
The Obama campaign issued the following response to Senator McCain’s fact-challenged attack in Albuquerque today:

“On a day when the markets are plunging and the credit crisis is putting millions of jobs at risk, the one truly angry candidate in this race kept up his strategy of ‘turning the page’ on the economy by unleashing another frustrated tirade against Barack Obama. And if John McCain is wondering why he’s lost his credibility, he should look no further than the out-of-context quote he took from a 2007 speech in which Barack Obama warned of the subprime crisis we’re now facing. Since then, John McCain has called for less regulation no fewer than 20 times, proving that he hasn’t learned any lessons from the last banking scandal he was involved in and would give us more of the same failed economic policies as President,” said Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor.

What McCain Said Today
Here are some of the dishonest accusations John McCain made in his remarks today in Albuquerque:

“Senator Obama was silent on the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and his Democratic allies in Congress opposed every effort to rein them in. As recently as September of last year he said that subprime loans had been, quote, “a good idea.” Well, Senator Obama, that “good idea” has now plunged this country into the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. To hear him talk now, you’d think he’d always opposed the dangerous practices at these institutions. But there is absolutely nothing in his record to suggest he did.

"He was surely familiar with the people who were creating this problem. The executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have advised him, and he has taken their money for his campaign. He has received more money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac than any other senator in history, with the exception of the chairman of the committee overseeing them. Did he ever talk to the executives at Fannie and Freddie about these reckless loans? Did he ever discuss with them the stronger oversight I proposed? If Senator Obama is such a champion of financial regulation, why didn’t he support these regulations that could have prevented this crisis in the first place? He won’t tell you, but you deserve an answer.”

What Obama Really Said
Compare McCain's desperate detortion of Obama's statement with the real Obama quote in its full context:

“And we cannot help but see some reflections of these practices when we look at the subprime mortgage fiasco today. Subprime lending started off as a good idea – helping Americans buy homes who couldn't previously afford to. Financial institutions created new financial instruments that could securitize these loans, slice them into finer and finer risk categories and spread them out among investors around the country and around the world. In theory, this should have allowed mortgage lending to be less risky and more diversified.

"But as certain lenders and brokers began to see how much money could be made, they began to lower their standards. Some appraisers began inflating their estimates to get the deals done. Some borrowers started claiming income they didn't have just to qualify for the loans, and some were engaging in irresponsible speculation. But many borrowers were tricked into glossing over the fine print. And ratings agencies began rating bundles of different kinds of these loans as low-risk even though they were very high-risk. Most everyone knew that some of these deals were just too good to be true, but all that money flowing in made it tempting to look the other way and ignore the unscrupulous practice of some bad actors.” [NASDAQ Speech, 9/17/07]

McCain and the Fannie & Freddie Lobbyists
According to Senate lobbying records, a total of 26 McCain advisors and fundraisers have been registered lobbyists for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Seven of them are still registered, and another four terminated their registration in late September as the subprime scandal worsened.

SIXTEEN FANNIE MAE LOBBYISTS (TWO CURRENTLY LOBBYING)
Wayne L Berman, National Finance Co-Chair*
Aquiles Suarez, Economic Advisor
John Green, Capitol Hill Liaison
Dan Crippen, Health Care Policy Adviser
AB Culvahouse, VP Selection
Kirk Blalock, Young Professionals for McCain National Chair (Terminated 9/22/08)
Kate Hull, Young Professionals for McCain Fundraiser (Terminated 9/22/08)
Aleix Jarvis, Bundler (Terminated 9/22/08)
Kirsten Chadwick, Bundler (Terminated 9/22/08)
Richard Hohlt, Bundler*
Tom Loeffler, Bundler, Former General Chairman, National Finance Chair
Nicholas Calio, Bundler
Alberto Cardenes, Bundler
Michael Kennedy, Bundler
Peter Madigan, Bundler
Alison McSlarrow, Bundler

*currently lobbying (as of 7/31/08, no termination filed as of 10/6/08)

10 FREDDIE MAC LOBBYISTS (FIVE CURRENTLY LOBBYING)
Charlie Black, Senior advisor, Bundler
Bill Timmons Sr., Senior advisor for transition*
Carlos Bonilla, Former Economic Advisor*
Mark Buse, Senate Chief of Staff
David Crane, Senior Policy Adviser
Al D'Amato, Bundler*
Melissa Edwards, Young Professionals for McCain Fundraiser*
Susan Molinari, Women for McCain Steering Committee*
Juleanna Glover Weiss, Bundler
Don Sundquist, Tennessee Co-Chair

*currently lobbying (as of 7/31/08, no termination filed as of 10/6/08)

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Las Chance to RSVP for Saturday's Common Cause Annual Luncheon

From Common Cause New Mexico: Please join us on Saturday, October 11, for Common Cause New Mexico's annual luncheon. You don't want to miss this year's event! Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause's Vice President for State Operations, will deliver the keynote speech. A national expert in campaign finance reform and grassroots advocacy, Karen will share her insights into what it will take to move ethics reform forward in New Mexico. Please today.

Karen has been involved with Common Cause for two decades, as a member of the national staff, a volunteer and a state executive director. As one of the guiding forces behind Connecticut's adoption of full statewide public campaign financing in 2005, Karen has a unique and intimate perspective on how to effectively push for Fair Elections at the state level. Don't miss this opportunity!

Here are all the details:

• What: Common Cause New Mexico's annual luncheon; $20 includes a catered lunch, and all proceeds support our work in New Mexico

• When: Saturday, October 11 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

• Where: UNM Continuing Education Building (1634 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102)

• Who: Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause's VP for State Operations, and you!
  

Please register to reserve your spot! The deadline for RSVPs is Tuesday, October 7.

Thank you, and I hope you can join us on October 11 to hear what we can learn from the experiences of other states to get expansive ethics reform passed in New Mexico. If you have any questions, please call (505) 323-6399.

Steven Robert Allen
Executive Director
Common Cause New Mexico

Give to Common Cause:
Visit the CommonBlog: https://www.commonblog.org/

Monday: Join Harry Teague for Free Community Dinner (and Football Too) in Belen

Come Join Harry Teague for a Free Community Dinner!
Bring your Family and Friends and
Meet Harry Teague, NM-02 Candidate for Congress
Monday October 6, 2008, 6:00-8:00 PM
At the Sheriff's Posse in Belen, 10 I-25 By-Pass
Free Food and Football too!

Monday: Gov. Richardson Stumps for Obama in Northern NM on Register for Change Tour

Bruce Springstein, Register for Change event Sat., Philadelphia

This Monday, October 6, Gov. Bill Richardson will headline a series of “Register for Change” events in Northern New Mexico. He'll travel to Taos, Mora, Las Vegas and Santa Fe to talk to New Mexicans about the importance of this election as the October 7th voter registration deadline approaches. See details below the fold.

On Sunday, Gov. Richardson and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish attended the 97th Annual Northern Navajo Nation Shiprock Fair and urged members of the community to support Barack Obama and register to vote before the October 7th deadline. The Governor rode on the Democratic Party of New Mexico float and the Lt. Gov. rode on the San Juan County Democratic Party float.

Register for Change Forum in Taos at 8:30 am
Taoseno Restaurant
819 Paseo del Pueblo Sur
Taos, New Mexico 87571

Register for Change Forum in Mora at 12:00 pm
Cowboy Kitchen
Main Street, Hwy 518, Mile marker 29 (across from court house)
Mora, NM

Register for Change Rally in Las Vegas at 2:00 pm
Campaign for Change Field Office
213 Plaza ST.
Las Vegas, NM 87701

Register for Change Rally in Santa Fe at 4:00 pm
130 Grant Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501

The Voter Registration Deadline in New Mexico is October 7th. Voters can request to Vote By Mail up until October 30th, and Early Voting takes place between October 18th and November 1st. New Mexicans can register to vote or fill out a Vote By Mail application request by coming into any Campaign for Change office across the state, by visiting their county clerk’s office or downloading a registration form at www.voteforchange.com.

(Updated) McCain to Speak at UNM Rally Monday, Plus Dems Counter-Rally

Update: From the DPNM - Join the Democratic Party of New Mexico, Young Democrats of New Mexico and the University of New Mexico College Democrats to show the McCain Campaign that New Mexicans are rejecting McCain's Health Care Tax! Press Conference followed by a Voter Registration Rally with live music and free Obama posters! Mesa Vista Plaza at UNM on Monday, October 6, at 11:00 AM.
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John McCain's campaign has announced the candidate will appear at a rally at the University of New Mexico tomorrow, Monday, October 6, 2008. The event will take place at the Student Union Building at 1:00 PM. Doors open at 11:30 AM. McCain is scheduled to arrive in Albuquerque around Noon, according to What's the Word, and then he'll fly out immediately afterwards to Nashville, where Tuesday's second Presidential Debate will be held. There's no info yet on either the McCain or NM GOP websites, so it's unknown whether tickets will be necessary.

Tuesday: Speaker Pelosi to Headline Women Leaders' Benefit Reception for Heinrich, DPNM

Governor Bill Richardson
& Senator Jeff Bingaman
Invite You To Join
Speaker's Council
Ms. Clara Apodaca, Ms. Jackie Hall & Mr. J.D. Bullington, Mr. David Buchholtz, Mr. Kevin Calnan, Mrs. Elena & Mr. Gary Goodman, Mrs. Shana & Mr. Greg Levenson, Mr. Bruce Malott, Mrs. Catherine Davis-Query & Mr. Bryan Query
Hosts
Mrs. Suzanne & Mr. Jim Gollin, Ms. Kathy Love, Honorable Patricia Madrid & Mr. L. Michael Messina, Mrs. Deborah & Mr. Earl Potter, Ms. Jane Wishner
For an Elegant Reception Featuring Women Leaders
Nancy Pelosi - Speaker of the House
Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish
Julie Heinrich
With Special Guests
Speaker Ben Lujan, Mayor Martin J. Chavez
NM 3rd District Democratic Nominee Ben R. Lujan
To Benefit
Martin Heinrich, New Mexico's 1st District Democrat
And the Democratic Party of New Mexico
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
At the home of Elena & Gary Goodman, Albuquerque
For more information, download the Full Invitation (PDF)

Contribute and RSVP online here. Download the RSVP Form (PDF). For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Ryan Sears at (505) 243-3429 or Ryan@MartinHeinrich.com.

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Thursday: House Party to Help Re-Elect Maggie Tolouse Oliver as County Clerk

Please Join Ann Piper, Blair Kaufman, Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton, Commissioner Deanna Archuleta and Carmie Toulouse
for a SE Heights House Party for
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Bernalillo County Clerk
Thursday, Oct 2 • 5-7 PM
At the home of Ann Piper and Blair Kaufman
715 Amherst Dr. SE (corner of Amherst & Santa Clara)
$50 suggested contribution - all contributions appreciated!
Click for FLYER (pdf)

If you can't attend, please consider making an online donation to Maggie's campaign so we can make sure her excellent work as County Clerk can continue.

LWV to Launch Voters' Guide at Candidate Reception in ABQ

On Tuesday, October 7, from 5 to 6:30 PM the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico will launch its 2008 General Election Voters' Guide at a free reception for the public, members of the press and candidates running for office in Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties. The event will be held in the Foyer of the Simms Center for the Performing Arts on the Albuquerque Academy campus. More than 120 candidates have been invited. A large mock-up of the front of the Guide will be unveiled during the ceremony. Call 884-8441 for more information.

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