Democracy for New Mexico

(Updated) NM Dem Prez Caucus: My View on the Blame Game

Update: I've been informed that Sen. Jeff Bingaman did indeed donate significant funds for the Caucus and also did outreach to get other constituencies to do the same when he was asked to help.
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This post is very long but I hope you'll hang in there with me. First, go read Heath Haussamen's update about the problems associated with New Mexico's February 5th Democratic Presidential Preference Caucus. Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian Colón explains what happened with the three Rio Arriba ballot boxes and asserts that the results on the top two candidates were called in to the Party in Albuquerque before the boxes left the caucus sites. Colón then takes responsibility for problems associated with handling the massive turnout on Caucus day:

Pointing out that turnout on Tuesday was much greater than the 105,000 who showed up in 2004, Colón said the story could have been about how the two Democratic presidential candidates inspired New Mexico Democrats to vote.

“What we can write about is how two candidates came and lit the state on fire in less than 10 days, and that’s amazing,” he said. “I regret that I allowed this other situation and the party’s organization to become the story instead of that.”

Colón has taken responsibility for the problems and apologized in other statements to local media as well. Why? Because he's an incredibly hard-working, sincerely caring, principled individual who doesn't have a habit of creating convenient scapegoats. Don't take my word for it -- ask other people like me who work within the Party structure. I'm a precinct chair and a member of the State Central Committee and I've seen the Party improve in leaps and bounds under his leadership. It's been like night and day.

New Energy in the Dem Party
In my view, Colón as Chair has been a huge breath of fresh air within a Party that was sluggish, lazy, anti-outreach, anti-transparency and downright nasty at times to rank and file Dems when John Wertheim was in charge before Colon. Wertheim was the kind of Party Chair who seemed to resent an influx of new faces into the Party as volunteers, ward and precinct chairs and elected members of the SCC. (Google his name within this blog to read about some of the epic battles activists had with Mr. Wertheim.) Colón has been just the opposite in my experience. Has he made mistakes dealing with an often raucous Party with a variety of factions and complex political alliances? Sure. But I think the Party has been operating incredibly well compared to how it functioned previously under Wertheim. It's a tough and time-consuming job for anyone.

How We Got Here
Certainly Colón and others were caught flat-footed when turnout surged on Caucus day. Although there was excitement about the presidential primary in other states where early contests were held, there wasn't much here until we got barnstormed in the week or so before our Caucus. Before that, with Richardson in the race and no interest at all in our Caucus from the other candidates, it was assumed there'd be no real contest here. After all, Bill Richardson insisted until the day he dropped out of the race that he was in it until Super Tuesday. Many of us believed him and figured the turnout would be rather light and made up mostly of those loyal to Richardson in the state.

By the time momentum picked up in the race, which really happened when Obama started being perceived as a serious challenger to Clinton, it was very late in the game for our caucus process.

The Role of Richardson and Other Dem Powerhouses
Even though Colón appears to me to be falling on his sword for Richardson, I want to point out that there are many within the Dem Party who should be held accountable in my view -- including Richardson himself. I'm especially appalled at what I consider to be a pompous, selfish, spin-loaded statement by the Governor about the situation, one obviously designed to protect his "national standing" and transfer the blame to someone else.

Everyone knows the early, Party-run and paid-for Caucus was Richardson's baby and part of his presidential run strategy. He "urged" the SCC to approve his plan to institute the Caucus and was heavily involved in the 2004 version. Contrary to what he says in his statement, that year's Caucus also had its serious problems, but the positive spin applied by his forces that year was strong enough to head off most negative media attention.

In addition, the '04 Caucus was clearly better funded by Party bigwigs and benefited from an influx of volunteers and other help steered to the process by the campaigns of Dem prez nominees like Howard Dean, as well as interest generated by a presidential primary debate held at UNM. Richardson's wide-reaching political network was also central to the process. That help wasn't there this time. That kind of money and attention from the top echelons of Dem power in the state wasn't there this time either.

Yes, I think Richardson should own up to his share of the responsibility for the kinds of problems that arose with the Caucus this year. Busy with his presidential run and sucking up virtually every spare dollar in the state to fund his presidential campaign, Richardson obviously paid little attention to the 2008 Caucus or helping to make it a success. It was left almost entirely in the lap of Colón, other already hard-pressed State and County Party officers, the tiny State Party staff and hundreds and hundreds of volunteers around the state -- all of whom worked like dogs under very trying circumstances to run what amounts to a state election on a shoestring and a song.

This is a poor and sparsely populated state. We don't have thousands of big donors and experienced political operatives to help make something like this work like a charm. Our Party doesn't possess state of the art technology or highly skilled people paid to design and run its systems. Yet what happened here is being compared by many -- like the Albuquerque Journal's political reporters -- to state primaries that are run by state governments and caucuses in states where the Dem Party is flush with cash, much of it generated by the presidential campaigns.

Richardson, however, isn't the only one I think needs to step up and be accountable. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish has built up a personal warchest of more than a million dollars for a gubernatorial campaign that won't happen until 2010. Where was she in this process? Her email list must be in the thousands and her political network is large. Did she strongly urge her supporters to volunteer to help put the Caucus together and staff the Caucus sites? Not to my knowledge.

Where was Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez? I notice he was quoted in the paper today badmouthing the Caucus, but I don't believe he or his minions lifted one finger to try and ensure its success. How about Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall? Were their people out there urging supporters to help and donate for the Caucus? If so, I didn't notice.

I could go on.

Party Bigwigs vs. Party Grunts
The lack of interest and participation in the Caucus by most of the powerful officeholders, poobahs and big donors within the Dem Party has been palpable in my view, as it generally is in terms of anything to do with the grunt work of the Party. These faces are almost never seen at Party events or business-related meetings, or when work is to be done to make Party efforts a success. About the only time we see them is when they are running for office and seeking volunteers, donations and petition signatures. Or when they want to make a speech and get a big round of applause at big Party gatherings. Then they do their star power thing and leave before the, you know, boring business of operating a political party begins.

I want every bigshot in the Party -- including the Governor -- to publicly apologize for not doing more for this Caucus or anything else to do with operation of the Party. I want them all to apologize to the incredibly hardworking volunteers, county chairs and others who donated innumerable hours to this process under very trying circumstances -- and who pulled it off admirably in most locations despite the massive turnout and lack of support. I want them all to apologize to the 150,000 or more Democrats who turned out to vote on Tuesday and stayed the course to do so despite the lines, the weather and the chaos in some places. I want them all to apologize to the Dems who showed up to vote but never got the chance because of problems in the setup.

Ordinary Democrats are doing just fine. Grassroots and netroots interest and participation in Dem politics is exploding. More people are taking the time to be better informed than ever before. More people are donating time and money. More and more citizens are engaged and responding to the myriad of emergencies we face in our nation with passion. Many have even decided to run for office. The problems, in my view, originate in the business-as-usual, insider segments of the Party -- with the public officeholders and candidates and power brokers who believe they're rock stars and VIPs too high and mighty to get their hands dirty with mere Party matters. Too many concentrate solely on their own political expediencies, their own campaign fundraising and big donor asskissing, their own narrow interest in making personal political gains. Too many could care less about building the Party or serving the real interests of the people. They're much too involved with their own private empires.

Bottom line: I believe the problems with the New Mexico Dem Caucus reveal more about the disdain for the Party evident in its upper echelons, candidates and people who hold higher offices than they do about the failures of those forced to actually put it together and run it. We're tired of the massive egos and private agendas of too many of our candidates and those who are supposed to be representing the people.

This situation is just another example of the disconnect between those who inhabit Governor's mansions, statehouses, the halls of Congress, and other niches of privilege and the ordinary people who are the real backbone of the the Party and the nation. We're tired of doing all your dirty work for you and having you show up only to get your egos stroked or to blame all the wrong people for your own failures. Ask any ordinary Dem.

Also check out recent coverage on the Caucus at New Mexico FBIHOP, which includes many first-hand accounts of what went on at the Caucus sites, as well as m-pyre. Previous DFNM posts on this are available here and here and here.

Gov. Richardson Releases Statement on NM Dem Prez Caucus

In response to various problems being reported about yesterday's New Mexico Democratic Presidential Preference Caucus, Gov. Bill Richardson released the following statement today:

SANTA FE, NM- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today issued the following statement regarding the state's Democratic Presidential caucus.

"I am proud that so many New Mexico Democrats turned out to vote in yesterday's caucus.  The unprecedented interest and activism in the primary process shows that New Mexicans take seriously their important role in choosing the next President.  Make no mistake, New Mexico's 26 delegates matter greatly."

"That said, I am deeply disturbed by the reports that problems and delays at polling locations may have kept people from voting.  As this very close election shows every vote is important, and every vote must count.  Anything less is unacceptable.  In addition the delay in results was extremely disappointing. I have expressed my frustration to Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colon and I told him that I stand ready to help the party in any way that I can."

"At the same time, I believe that New Mexico voters- Democrats and Republicans alike- must decide whether they want to preserve their early voice in the process in the future, and what form it should take.  Whatever the decision, we must pledge to voters that future caucuses and primaries are professionally run, inclusive, and provide accurate, timely results."

The Caucus was conceived by the Governor in 2003 to give New Mexico voters a real voice in the selection of the party nominees--as the state primary elections are in June--long after nominees traditionally have been chosen.  It has been wildly successful as over 100,000 Democrats turned out in the first caucus and 150,000 turned out yesterday.  New Mexico Democrats- and Republicans if they choose- now have a real voice in the nomination process.

This is a Democratic Party process--not done at taxpayer expense--run by volunteers and funded by the Democratic Party and its supporters.  Democratic voters must recognize that with their new privilege of voting early comes responsibility.  If they want a voice in the process-they need to support the Caucus with their time and financial contributions.

In 2004 Governor Richardson--through his personal efforts and those of his organization--ensured a successful first caucus--well organized, well funded, well-executed.  This year, his political organization was devoted to his Presidential run and his personal time is now devoted to the Legislature.  The New Mexico Democratic Party and New Mexico Democrats were wholly responsible for this caucus in the absence of the Governor's time and his organization.  Despite their best efforts, the enormous turnout overwhelmed Party officials in some places.

Blah Blah Tax Cuts, Blah Blah Fear, Blah Blah Surge

We've got ours!

That's what I got out of Bush's final State of the Union address last night. Between his smirking recitation of the inevitable laundry list of Repub wet dreams and the emptyness of his vision, it was hard to watch the TV screen. Witnessing the bored silver-spoon elitist lie and fingerpoint his way through another performance for the cameras was bad enough. Having to endure all those gutteral cheers from his side of the chamber, all the robotic jumping up and clapping, all the foaming at the mouth connected to his entry and exit, all the phony baloney pomp and circumstance was enough to make a grown woman retch. Were these the people's representatives or the pseudo-uppercrust paying tribute to a hot-house potentate? Did you see Rep. Chris Shays give Bush a kiss?

You'd never guess the straits we're in by watching our la-dee-dah President, a reptilian Cheney and a bunch of right-wing ideologues all vigorously practicing self adulation in public. I half-expected chants of "We're number one" or "USA, USA" to break out at any moment. They are so far removed from the suffering masses, the crumbling infrastructure, the self-immolating health care system, the leaking schools, the empty blocks of houses, the gas pumps and furnaces sucking up money, the pressures of getting and keeping a real job. The dead, dying and maimed in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Nigeria are mere abstractions. Whenever I view this annual spectacle I can't help imagining that many of the attendees are sitting there thinking, "I've got mine, and the hell with you." What can I say? State of the Union speeches bring out the worst in me.

But enough about my reactions. Here are some responses to the speech from local politicos:

Rep. Tom Udall (NM-03), running for U.S. Senate, released this statement:

"Although the new Congressional majority has succeeded in moving our nation in a new direction on many fronts, we still have many pressing challenges facing our country. I am hopeful that we can address them by working in the same bipartisan manner with which we have begun the year.

"Much of what we heard tonight was reminiscent of the misdirected solutions offered by the president in the past, but demand real action, not just rhetoric. For example, in 2006, the President finally decried our nation's serious 'addiction' to foreign oil and at this time last year, he again noted our 'dependence.' Yet, when it really counted, and Congress was prepared to unleash a renewable energy revolution last year, the White House countered with a veto threat and the measure was subsequently scaled back. If we are truly serious about strengthening our energy security, and in turn our national security, now is the time to act boldly.

"In addition to our energy security, the President and the Congress must move immediately and collectively to address the looming economic recession to provide real relief to America's working families.  We also must increase access to health care, improve education, and bring to a close our nation's long and tragic war in Iraq.

"I urge the President to work with the Congress to address these and other problems in the year ahead.  Together we can find common ground to make meaningful progress for the American people."

Don Wiviott, NM-03 Congressional candidate, released this statement:

“President Bush's final State of the Union address was a sad reminder of how little progress Washington has made since 2001. We have heard the same litany of promises for seven years in a row, but the challenges we face have only grown worse. Gas prices are up. Health care is out of reach. Our military is stretched thin. The economy is squeezed, and partisan bickering is at an all-time high.”

”I'm running for Congress because Washington needs new energy and ideas. It's time to turn the page on empty promises and partisan gridlock. We need leaders who will work together to deliver results. In Washington, I will do more than just talk about gas prices, health care and America's leadership in the world. I will fight for real solutions that lift up the middle-class and keep our country safe.”

As reported in the Albuquerque Journal:

Senator Jeff Bingaman:
"There is a real opportunity for Congress and the president to work together, and I hope we can meet that objective." However, Bingaman said he was disappointed Bush didn't offer a change of direction in the Iraq war. "This was his last chance to try to change direction in Iraq and he pretty much said he would stay the course."

Senator Pete Domenici:
Bush's speech was "a more mellow and in-depth analysis of the problems we have to address." Domenici said he was especially encouraged by the president's request for a major budget increase for the America Competes Act, a math and science initiative that Domenici and Bingaman helped create."He's going to put the money in and we better fund it."

Rep. Steve Pearce (NM-02), who's running for U.S. Senate:
Bush's speech was infused with a broad theme of self-reliance, instead of reliance on government. "Trust in individuals was a theme that ran throughout. The president's call for a rapid economic stimulus package was "extraordinarily important."

Rep. Heather Wilson (NM-01), who's running for U.S. Senate:
Wilson said Bush ticked off an "ambitious list" of things he hopes to accomplish before the end of his term. She said Bush's stimulus proposal was sound, although "it may not be perfect. I wish it was more focused on small business." Wilson, a member of the House intelligence committee, also said she was glad to hear Bush cite the need to permanently fix U.S. intelligence laws.

(Updated) Dem Prez Campaigns Focus on New Mexico

Standing for Change in the Land of Enchantment

Lots of rumors and incomplete data are circulating about possible visits to New Mexico this week by Dem presidential candidates or their surrogates ahead of our February 5th caucus.

Barack Obama
The only semi-confirmed event so far is an appearance by Barack Obama in Santa Fe on Friday that appears on an event notice here for car pooling from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Obama may also appear at an event in Albuquerque. Word is that Sen. Ted Kennedy, who's officially endorsing Obama today, will visit New Mexico on behalf of the campaign later this week. Keep checking the Obama New Mexico page, where you can also sign up to volunteer and receive emails.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican,

Obama also will receive "a slew of new endorsements" from black, American Indian and other political leaders during a Tuesday news conference at the state Capitol, Fitzgibbon said. On the same day, Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima and other mayors and state representatives from Southern New Mexico plan to endorse Obama at a news conference in Las Cruces, he said.

Last Wednesday, more than a dozen prominent New Mexicans endorsed Obama at a news conference in Santa Fe.

According to Trevor Fitzgibbon, who's a state campaign organizer for Obama, "More than 100 campaign workers canvassed about 8,000 voters in Santa Fe and 16 other cities across the state during the weekend. It has been just a flurry of activity."

Hillary Clinton
Nothing firm yet but rumors that Hillary and/or Bill Clinton will pay a visit to New Mexico before the caucus, perhaps on Friday or sometime next weekend.

UPDATE: Bill Clinton will be here Thursday to campaign for Hillary. Hillary herself may also visit Friday or over the weekend.

New Mexicans who have endorsed Clinton include Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez, former Gov. Bruce King, State Auditor Hector Balderas and former Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman John Wertheim. The campaign reportedly will hold a news conference later this week to announce further local endorsements. You can join the Clinton campaign's New Mexico effort here.

John Edwards
I haven't heard anything yet about an Edwards event here before the caucus. The only prominent New Mexican I've heard of that's backing Edwards is former Attorney General Patricia Madrid. You can sign up with New Mexico for Edwards here.

Noon Saturday: Insight New Mexico Radio

Insight New Mexico's second show of the year will be aired on Albuquerque's Progressive Talk Radio 1350 AM from Noon to 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 25, 2008. Cohosted by Heather Brewer and Javier Benavidez and produced by Suzanne Prescott, the weekly show covers the latest happenings at the Legislative Session and other local political news. You can call in live during the show with your questions and comments at 338- 4090. This week (pending what's going on in Santa Fe during showtime):

• Steve Terrell returns with another of his Roundhouse Roundups
• Rep. Gail Chasey will discuss HB 244, pro-choice legislation
• Laura Sanchez, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico will discuss the February 5th Presidential Preference Caucus and provide some insight into what it means in terms of the presidential election
• Sandy Buffett of League of Conservation Voters will give an update of pending environmental legislation

Support Insight New Mexico
If you'd like to help defray the costs of by becoming a sponsor or supporter, contact Suzanne Prescott at 505-304-3960 or Heather Brewer at 505-310-5957. Let's help keep the show on the air!

(Updated) Support True Blue New Mexico: Diss Rove and Cheney

UPDATE: We've posted a guest blog by Martin Heinrich about moving beyond the politics of Karl Rove, and in support of our True Blue New Mexico effort. Check it out.
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This is an effort organized by the New Mexico netroots including and this blog.

Have you heard? The Bush-Cheney-Rove machine is still going strong, working to maintain the far right's obstructive stranglehold on Congress and beyond. Turns out Karl Rove will appear at a fundraiser for the New Mexico GOP today in Artesia, NM. And in D.C. today, Dick Cheney will host a campaign fundraiser for Steve Pearce's Senate run. He's already done a similar event for Heather Wilson, the other Repub candidate for Senate here, with the same $5000/PAC and $2000/person price tag. Given how much Republican elites have gained financially during Bush's two terms, they have a lot of money to burn for the cause, don't they?

As usual, these Repub affairs will bring in big dinero for New Mexico's Bush cronies. What can we do about it? Fight back with True Blue New Mexico! We might not be able to match the big donations of BushCo, but we can certainly blunt some of their clout with hundreds of small donations from ordinary people.

We've set up a special fundraising page at Act Blue to support the campaigns of Senate candidate Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Bill McCamley (NM-02) and whichever Dem wins the primary in NM-03. Every dollar you donate from now until next Wednesday will go towards helping turn New Mexico's Congressional Delegation True Blue -- and fight back on behalf of Democrats against the relentless BushCo money machine. How can you resist?

The True Blue New Mexico Candidates
True Blue New Mexico is supporting current NM-03 Rep Tom Udall for U.S. Senate. Having voted against such travesties as the invasion of Iraq and the Patriot Act, Rep. Udall is a True Blue New Mexico progressive. His environmental credentials are impeccable and New Mexicans from every corner of the state respect Tom for his integrity, honesty and passion for Democratic principles like fairness and working for the common good. Think about what it would mean to New Mexicans from all walks of life to replace the pinched perspective of Pete Domenici with the forward-looking vision of Tom Udall -- while keeping right-wing Bush rubberstamps like Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson out of the Senate chamber altogether.

In NM-01, True Blue New Mexico is backing former Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, who's been working hard within the local conservation and environmental communities for many moons. He's been instrumental in raising the minimum wage for Albuquerque, promoting smart growth over sprawl. He's won award after award for his work to preserve and maintain New Mexico's stunning landscapes. Now he's calling for an Apollo-style program to achieve energy independence and cut greenhouse gases. Against the Iraq invasion from the start, Heinrich wants to end the occupation as soon as possible and start using the billions being spent there to benefit our pressing human, clean energy and infrastructure needs here at home. Think what it would mean to New Mexicans if we replace Heather Wilson's hypocrisies with someone who really does care about the people. Side benefit? We can keep likely Repub candidate Darren White -- who chaired the Bush-Cheney campaign in Bernalillo County -- out of the halls of Congress and away from the fray.

True Blue New Mexico believes the fresh, creative, passionate voice of Bill McCamley needs to be heard in the U.S. House representing NM-02. Running a truly grassroots operation fueled by the people power of small donations -- and face-fo-face dialogue with voters all over Southern New Mexico -- McCamley is known for working hard while other candidates are hardly working. McCamley was a breath of fresh air during his service on the Dona Ana County Commission, pushing to tamp down the destructive effects of down and dirty sprawl development and inject the process with ethical, reasonable safeguards. He's helped solve long-standing battles over water and improved health care financing. With a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, McCamley is smart, organized and effective in whatever he tackles. In a diverse district, McCamley uses effective negotiation skills, honesty and common sense to bring people together to solve problems. Think of replacing Steve Pearce with a Congressman dedicated to creating solutions -- not pushing rightwing ideologies at any cost.

Because there are several excellent candidates in NM-03, True Blue New Mexico decided to raise campaign funds for the eventual primary winner. Green builder Don Wiviott, PRC member Ben Ray Lujan and Jemez Pueblo member Benny Shendo, among others in the crowded field up north, are running lively campaigns to get on the Dem primary ballot. Whoever wins, we hope the funds we raise for the eventual nominee in NM-03 will help them carry forward the progressive platform of current Congressman Tom Udall.

Many Small Donations = Big Mojo
The forces of the Bush-Cheney -Rove agenda may have the big donors and Beltway clout to try and have their way in New Mexico's Congressional districts. What they don't have is authentic grassroots-netroots people power -- the many coming together to support a common cause. If we all pull together and toss a few bucks into the effort right now, we can be instrumental in achieving a True Blue New Mexico. We can add a second Democrat to New Mexico's Senate roster and help transform our U.S. House delegation from 2 Repubs and 1 Democrat to all True Blue. Any donation, no matter how small, will help do the trick. We can't let Rove and Cheney go unanswered today, now can we?

For our previous coverage of these races, visit our archives:

• 2008 U.S. Senate Race
• NM-01 Congressional Race
• NM-02 Congressional Race
• NM-03 Congressional Race

Report Says Clean Energy Better for Navajo Economic Development than Desert Rock

Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment (Diné CARE) held a press conference in Santa Fe on Friday, January 18, 2008 and released a new report that spells out a host of renewable energy alternatives to Desert Rock, a controversial coal-fired power plant proposed for the Navajo Reservation. Dine CARE and other environmental groups have argued that Desert Rock, which would be the third coal-fired plant in the Four Corners region, would harm the environment and residents' health

The comprehensive report contains more than 160 pages and dozens of maps, pie charts and graphs showing how renewable energy projects would compare to Desert Rock. It also provides a comprehensive look at how the tribe's Diné Fundamental Law—based on centuries of customary, traditional, natural and common law—can be applied to the modern problems of resource management and energy development.

Investing in renewable energy development and energy efficiency could provide more jobs and economic benefits for the Navajo Nation than building the proposed $3 billion Desert Rock Energy Project, according to the economic analysis, prepared in consultation with Ecos Consulting.

Solar power plant design prototype

The report compares sources of clean energy, such as solar and wind power, with coal, assessing economic factors such as short- and long-term employment, financial risks, environmental and health impacts, potential costs of carbon pollution, and profitability for the tribe. When the estimated economic benefits and costs of the proposed 1,500-megawatt pulverized coal power plant are weighed against benefits and costs of renewable energy development, the analysis determined that “developing clean-energy resources rather than coal provides a net economic advantage.”

“Wind, solar and energy-efficiency technologies, which are cost-effective, reliable and available, would provide greater Navajo economic development and lower cost electricity than Desert Rock, with fewer negative consequences and more sustainable benefits,” concluded Ecos Consulting co-author Chris Calwell. “Burning coal to produce electricity is not even the best, let alone the only form of economic development for the Navajo Nation.”

This claim counters the assumptions in the recent Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Desert Rock prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. The federal government’s analysis predetermined the need to use Navajo coal resources without considering alternative forms of economic development and energy resources already available to the tribe.

The report states that Northern Arizona University found potential wind capacity on tribal lands in northeastern Arizona to be over 11,000 megawatts. There's also the possibility of more than 48,000 megawatts of solar generation on Navajo land, according to the report.

Click to read the entire release.

To obtain a copy of the report by Ecos Consulting, please send an email to:

• Dailan Long, email: dailan.jake@gmail.com
• Lori Goodman, email: kiyaani@frontier.net

To keep current or to get involved in activism on this issue, visit the Desert-Rock-Blog and the website of Diné CARE.

You can find some of our previous coverage of this issue here and here, including links to additional posts and other sources of information.

Sunday Morning: "Eye on New Mexico" Ethics Debate

Tune in this Sunday, January 20, at 10 AM on KOB-TV 4 to the local current events show "Eye on New Mexico" to see Common Cause New Mexico's executive director Steven Robert Allen discuss the crucial ethics reforms being considered during this year's legislative session. In an occasionally heated debate with political blogger Mario Burgos and co-hosts Dennis Domrzalski and Nicole Brady, Allen argued strongly for the need to pass bills to create:

1. voluntary public campaign financing for statewide executive offices such as governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and treasurer;
2. campaign contribution limits (New Mexico is one of only a handful of states with no such limits); and
3. an independent ethics commission to investigate complaints against public officials.

These bills are the major recommendations of the 2007 Ethics Reform Task Force, a bipartisan group charged with designing new ethics policies in the wake of a series of governmental corruption scandals and allegations in New Mexico.

If you can't watch the program live, you can download or subscribe to podcasts of all "Eye on New Mexico" shows at their website. To stay current on the ethics and campaign reform issue, visit the website of Common Cause New Mexico. Our previous posts on the 2008 NM Legislative Session can be found in our archive.

Noon Saturday: Insight New Mexico Radio Returns

Weekly call-in radio show returns to the airwaves for its second year on Albuquerque's 1350 AM Progressive Talk Radio this Saturday from Noon to 1:00 PM thanks to the efforts of executive producer Suzanne Prescott. Co-hosts Heather Brewer (left) and Javier Benavidez (right) will focus on what's going on at the New Mexico Legislative Session in Santa Fe and other timely political topics. Brewer previous served as the communications director for Patricia Madrid's 2006 congressional bid and is now the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico. Benavidez is now on staff with Conservation Voters New Mexico and formerly worked as an aide to Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich.

The special guests on tomorrow's show will be: the always indefatigable Rep. Mimi Stewart (left), who'll discuss the proposed Domestic Partnership Rights and Responsibilities Act, which she sponsored; New Mexico Human Services Department Secretary Pam Hyde at 12:30 to talk about the proposed health care legislation; next up Mary Feldblum, discussing the Health Securities Act; and last but not least Santa Fe New Mexican political reporter Steve Terrell (right), who'll be calling in to share his in-the-know views on the session (even if he won't share his pecans, chile or BBQ sauce).

Listeners are encouraged to call into the show LIVE with comments and questions at 505-338-4090.

Be sure to check in at the show's website and blog at for more info, including helpful links. If you can't listen live, you can stream or download a podcast (mp3) of the shows, which will be available a day or two after broadcast right here. In fact, you can still listen to last year's shows, co-hosted by Eric Griego and Suzanne Prescott, at the podcast site. There's even one show that includes yours truly. This year Eric's busy running for a state senate seat in District 14 and serving as executive director at New Mexico Voices for Children.

Support Insight New Mexico
If you'd like to help defray the costs of Insight New Mexico by becoming a sponsor or supporter, contact Suzanne Prescott at 505-304-3960 or Heather Brewer at 505-310-5957. Let's help keep the show on the air!

ACLU Files Federal Suit Over Shielding of Protestors at Bush Visit to Los Ranchos NM

Albuquerque police car and mounted unit block road to Bush event  in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque on 8/27/07 (Photo by Terry Riley)

From the ACLU:
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico filed a lawsuit in federal court today on behalf of several New Mexico residents and advocacy organizations who were made to stand more than 150 yards away from the site of a fundraiser being attended by the president as they peacefully protested the views of the administration, while a group of people expressing support for President Bush were allowed to stand only a few feet from the fundraiser site.

“People who disagree with the president have as much a right to be heard as those who wish to praise him," said Catherine Crump, staff attorney with the ACLU. “The unequal treatment of the ACLU’s clients violates their constitutional right to free speech.”

On August 27, 2007, President Bush was in New Mexico to attend a fundraiser for Senator Pete Domenici at the home of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Larry Abraham. In anticipation of the presidential motorcade, several individuals, including the ACLU’s clients, gathered along the street leading to the mayor’s house holding signs expressing their disapproval of the Iraq War.

According to the ACLU’s lawsuit, law enforcement officials forced the peaceful protestors to stand 150 yards away from the motorcade route, on the opposite end of the street from where the president would arrive, where they were blocked from the president’s view by a wall of parked police cars and officers on horseback. A group of people holding a banner reading “God Bless George Bush! We Pray for You!” was allowed to stand only a few feet from the fundraiser site, in plain view of the motorcade.

Demonstrators line up at last summer's protest in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque in the North Valley (Photo by Terry Riley)

“Law enforcement officers gave Bush supporters front row seats and made those who disagreed with the president stand behind a wall of cars and horses,” said Peter Simonson, ACLU of New Mexico Executive Director. “Officials went to great lengths to shield the president from viewing the people who disagreed with him, which just isn’t how a free society should operate.”

The New Mexico lawsuit comes in the midst of an ongoing challenge by the ACLU to a White House policy that unlawfully excludes individuals perceived to be critical of the administration from public events where President Bush is present. The policy is laid out in the official Presidential Advance Manual, which includes a section called “Preparing for Demonstrators.” In that section, the manual directs members of the presidential advance team working at the site of a presidential appearance to “work with the Secret Service and have them ask the local police department to designate a protest area where demonstrators can be placed, preferably not in view of the event site or motorcade route.”

The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jeanne Pahls, Rebecca Wilson, Alma Rosa Silva Banuelos, Carter Bundy, Merimee Moffitt, Laura Lawrence, Stuart T. “Terry” Riley, Mary Lou “Mitzi” Kraft, Jason Call, and the organizations Stop the War Machine and CODEPINK Women for Peace, Albuquerque chapter.

Attorneys in the lawsuit are Catherine Crump, Chris Hansen and Josh Hsu of the national ACLU and George Bach of the ACLU of New Mexico. The defendants are the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, the City of Albuquerque, the Albuquerque Police Department and certain John/Jane Does.

More Info:

• The ACLU’s complaint is available online here (pdf).

• Click for more information about the ACLU’s work to protect free speech at presidential events and see today's post about the suit on the ACLU blog.

• Check out ChrisWeigant.com for a post about this issue that includes some great photos of CodePink from last summer's protest at Bush's Los Ranchos visit. His report is cross-posted at The Huffington Post, where Chris is a contributor.

• Daily Kos has a diary by the ACLU today on this matter.

• See our previous post on Bush's visit to Los Ranchos with photos from the protest by Terry Riley, as well as links to videos of local TV coverage, newspaper stories and more.