Democracy for New Mexico

DPNM Hosts 2008 Primary Night Watch Party

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

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

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Obama and Richardson in Las Cruces

These photos (click on images for larger versions) show Barack Obama appearing with Gov. Bill Richardson yesterday at a Memorial Day gathering of about 200 veterans and their families at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces and talking about veterans' issues. Gov. Richardson introduced Obama before a backdrop of the Organ Mountains. In his introduction of Obama, Gov. Richardson said, "He's a man of principle and impeccable character. He's a patriot who loves this country with all of his heart. He's an extraordinary leader, a once-in-a-generation leader."

Obama gave a short speech honoring veterans and describing ways he would work to vastly improve veterans' benefits. After his remarks, Obama took questions from the crowd. Obama and Richardson later made a surprise stop at the Las Cruces Veterans Memorial Park to lay two large wreaths honoring local veterans.

Thanks to Ellen Wedum, who's running for for State Rep in District 59, for passing along these photos taken by NM Rep. Nathan Cote of HD 53, himself a Navy veteran. In an article about Obama's visit in the Las Cruces Sun-News, Rep. Cote was quoted as saying Obama was knowledgeable about veterans issues. "I think it was extraordinary for Las Cruces and the vets of Las Cruces," he said of Obama's visit. The Sun-News also has a nice collection of photos and videos of Obama's visit.

And here's another photo of Obama, this time with the New Mexico flag, taken by Obama supporter Rep. Al Park (D-HD26) of Albuquerque:

Above is a video of Obama's remarks in Las Cruces provided by his campaign. Click for the text version of his speech. The Obama website also has photos of the wreath laying at Veterans Memorial Park. And be sure to check out the coverage of the Las Cruces events in today's New Mexico Independent.

More photos of the day's events at Yahoo News.

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NARAL Pro-Choice NM Presents ...

From NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico: Join us for our First Annual Young Professionals Event:

Young Professionals
Thursday, May 29, 2008, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Los Equipales, 4500 Silver Ave. SE, ABQ
Suggested Contribution: $50

Featuring special musical guest - Chokecherry Ranch! We hope to see you there! For more information, please call: 505-243-4443.

Special thanks to our esteemed host committee: Representative Al Park, County Comissioner Deanna Achuleta, City Councilor Michael Cadigan, Claire Dudley, Morgan Honeycutt, Joaquin Guerra, Kim Zamarin, Brian Nichols, Antonio Sandoval, Celeste Boyd, Helen Maestas, Greg Webb.

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SD 17: "Alligators" Uninterested in Shannon Robinson Scandals?

Longtime incumbent Dem State Senator Shannon Robinson is facing a tough primary challenge from political newcomer Tim Keller, who's campaigning hard in District 17 on issues like ethics and campaign finance reform, health care, education and local small business development. Robinson has been accused by many in the District of being out of touch with residents and neglectful of the community's needs for balanced economic development and investment. They say Robinson has been so caught up in finding less than respectable ways to fund his hobby -- the UNM Rugby Club -- and paying too much attention to serving the needs of politicos with power that he's no longer effectively serving his constituents.

The brouhaha about Robinson's (left) shortcomings and questionable practices has broken through into the media, with extensive coverage of his Rugby Club shenanigans related to funding from UNM and the Legislature, as well as his failure to report a rather long list of misdemeanor run-ins with the law in his answers to questions posed to him by the Albuquerque Journal. These scandals have also gotten their fair share of coverage in the local blogs. A good summary of the scandals -- and Robinson's history of fighting reform -- is contained in this post  by Heath Haussamen. However, one blogger has been strangely silent about the matter.

Joe Monahan and his "Alligators" have taken a "see-no-evil" stance when it comes to Robinson's transgressions. I see that this morning Joe finally mentioned Shannon Robinson's big problems with ethics and credibility, but only in passing:

Robinson has been the subject of some unfavorable newspaper pieces in recent weeks, but friends say he is off the couch and on the sidewalks to keep the seat.

Here's a blogger whose "Alligators" are frequently weighing in on political rumors and scandals -- perceived or real -- and yet they've remained mum as a slew of well documented articles have reported on the more than questionable dealings of long-time incumbent Shannon Robinson. Just for starters:

Albuquerque Journal Stories (7 Stories; 2 editorials)

• 1/13/08, Money Scrum; UNM Think Tank Cash Diverted to Rugby
• 1/18/08, VP Knew of Rugby Funding
• 1/20/08, Editorial: Complex Handoff Pays Rugby Player Tutition
• 1/21/08, Rugby Figure Revised Downward; Auditors still say Cash diversion from UNM Think Tank to team improper
• 2/7/08, More State Cash for Rugby; UNM official says school didn't ask for $150K
• 2/9/08, Editorial: Rugby Scores Again
• 2/23/08, Rugby Flap Spurs Changes at UNM; School Tightens Spending Rules
• 5/11/08 Lawmaker/Coach Calls the Shots For UNM Rugby
• 5/13/08 Veteran Lawmaker Fails to Disclose Violations

Latest Robinson Scandal
Guess what? Today's Journal reports on ANOTHER accusation of cheating on the part of Robinson, this time leveled by two local environmental groups. Seems that Robinson used the names and logos of Environment New Mexico and Conservation Voters New Mexico on his latest flyer and campaign website in a way the groups believe is meant to suggest he's received their endorsements. He hasn't. Representatives of the groups are asking Robinson to stop circulating the flyers and remove the references from his website:

Environment New Mexico sent out a letter Thursday asking Robinson to stop distributing the flier and to remove certain references to the organization on his Web site.

Robinson said Friday that he had removed Environment New Mexico references from his Web site, www.reelectshannonrobinson.com, but that he had no way to recall the fliers.

Sandy Buffett, Conservation Voters New Mexico executive director, said the flier gives the wrong impression.

"It's outrageous he would try to confuse voters with the unauthorized use of our logo and brand," Buffett said.

Why is Monhan's Silence An Issue?
Monahan didn't mention the environmental groups' complaints this morning either. He did include two offhand slaps at Keller, who is running as a strong supporter of ethics reform and the need for some house cleaning in government. Change vs. business as usual.

I guess it's really not surprising given the mockery that's been aimed at ethics and campaign finance reform efforts by Monahan and his so-called "wall leaner" insiders. Shannon Robinson has been an impediment to a number of reform measures in the Legislature, so he's apparently on the Alligator love list. He's one of them -- he plays along with the insider club -- so they no doubt have a strong inclination to band together to protect Robinson and his power base.

I think it's important that Monahan be called on his omissions and distortions given that so many seem to view him as a neutral, "journalistic" reporter on local politics. Not exactly. If you look carefully, you'll see that quite often there's a clear agenda that shades his commenting, on this and other races. Nothing wrong with that -- unless you're selling yourself as being fair and impartial. If you're an advocate, you should make that clear and quit portraying yourself as "nonpartisan" and interested only in the facts. Get it, Joe?

DFA-Democracy for New Mexico has endorsed Tim Keller for Senate. Others that have endorsed Keller include:

• Albuquerque Teachers Federation
• National Educational Association, New Mexico
• New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association
• Conservation Voters New Mexico
• ACORN, New Mexico
• New Mexico Progressive Action
• Albuquerque Area Firefighters Local 244
• Sierra Club
• Albuquerque Journal

If you want to bring back honest government at the Roundhouse, please do what you can to support Keller's campaign.

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Action Alert: Dem Party Needs 500 Volunteers in 50 Days

Getting actively involved in this election cycle can be as easy as talking to folks who live in your neighborhood -- people within your own community, many of whom likely share your values and perspective. The Democratic Party's Neighborhood Volunteers Program will give you the tools you need to effectively reach out to folks in your area, encourage them to register to vote and convince them to cast a ballot for our candidates this November.

If we want to win, we need to work now at the neighborhood level to get people motivated and educated. Even if you've never been actively involved in politics, consider signing up with the Neighborhod Volunteers Program.

From the DPNM: The Democratic Party of New Mexico is launching a campaign to attract and activate volunteers who will help turn New Mexico blue with our Neighborhood Volunteers Program.

"The excitement is palpable as we gear up for the fall. By July 9th, we hope to have over 500 active neighborhood leaders well before the DNC convention in Denver," says Congressional District one organizer, Marisa Trujillo Demull.

Neighborhood Volunteers will be reaching targeted voters in their neighborhood through phone calls and door knocks between now and Election Day. Josephine Felder, who recently signed up as a volunteer says, "This is an historic year in New Mexico and we're seeing Democratic activism at an all time high.  People really want to be involved, take action and make sure their neighbors and other community members register to vote and help bring change to Washington."

Thanks to District one organizer, Marisa Trujillo Demull, and DPNM volunteer coordinator, Buck Glanz, the Democratic Party of New Mexico has already started what have been hugely successful phone banks and door to door canvasses. For more information about our phone banks and canvass activities in your area contact the DPNM office at 505-830-3650.

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NM-Sen: Boots Made for Walkin' - Happy Birthday Tom Udall!

Click on photo to get the details on Tom Udall's boots

Rep. Tom Udall flew back to New Mexico yesterday for two main reasons: to cast his (paper) ballot on the first day of expanded early voting in Santa Fe for our June 3rd primary, and to celebrate his 60th birthday today with his family.

Happy Birthday, Congressman Udall! Now about those boots ....

Mary Ellen caught up with Rep. Udall at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds where the media was invited to witness his voting. The only other person to show up was fellow-blogger Julia Goldberg. (You can read her account of the Udall voting experience here.)

Julia tried to get Udall to reveal who he's supporting in the NM-03 Congressional race and who he'll endorse for the Dem prez nomination, but it was no dice. Tom's the tall and silent type when it comes to revelations like these it seems, though he's a super friendly guy and down to earth as all get out. Take his boots, for instance. They're well worn, patched up and broken in. Udall seems as comfortable in his boots as he is in his own skin -- a trait we like in our politicos and our friends here in New Mexico.

It's clear that Tom Udall has walked many miles in his boots -- in the halls of Congress, on the campaign trail, along the sidewalks of our cities, the sandy paths of the high desert and the stream beds in the mountains. The boots tell a tale of hard work for constituents, moseying and mingling and touching base on the ground in every corner of the state.

Some slick pols like George Bush wear boots too, but they're almost always brand new boots without a crack, crease or speck of dust in sight. Udall is the real deal, as are his boots. Unlike Bush, who's afraid of horses (a fact), Udall heads out on horseback whenever he gets the chance. Martin Heinrich shared an anecdote the other day about a six-hour trail ride he enjoyed with Tom recently. Six hours. Martin admitted he had a bit of trouble walking when he finally dismounted. Tom got off the horse and didn't wince once. I bet he had his old boots on, too.

Asked about the state of his boots, Udall told the story of the famous photo of Adlai Stevenson and the hole in his shoe, worn into the leather by tireless political work and equally tireless campaigning. As Stevenson said then, better a hole in the shoe than a hole in the head. Amen.

Bucks to Honor the Boots & Birthday
To honor Tom Udall's 60th birthday today -- and show him how much we appreciate all those miles he's walked for us in his down home boots -- we're gonna donate a buck for each year that Tom's been on the planet to his Senate campaign. Click to do the same. If we want Tom Udall as our next Senator from New Mexico, we need to help him NOW. Just do it.

Oh, and about that voting yesterday ...

It was an intimate gathering in a distinctly New Mexican location -- 4H and animal feed company signs on the walls of an old fairgrounds barn. Tom's wonderful wife, Jill Cooper Udall, drove up in a Prius and met him in the parking lot. They chatted up the bloggers and the intrepid poll workers, voted and got on with their busy lives. It all went down very quickly. You can vote early and easy too -- click here to find out how.

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5/22: East Mountain Ward Hosts Dem Candidate Forum

From Ron Humphreys, Ward Chair: Ward 20C, which includes many  parts of the Bernalillo County East Mountain area southeast, from Carnuel to Chilili, will be having a forum to allow the candidates for office to express their qualifications. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish will lead off the meeting. The meeting will be held at Los Vecinos Community Center in Tijeras, (1/4 mile west of the stop light), from 6:30-9:30 PM on Thursday, May 22nd.

Invited and expected to attend are the Dem Congressional candidates for CD-1, the Bernalillo County Dem candidates for Clerk and Treasurer, the Dem candidate for Senate District 19 and various candidates for the Judiciary in Bernalillo County. All invited speakers are Democrats, but the meeting is open to the general public, and all are welcome and invited to attend.

Dem Party of Bernalillo County Picnic Set for May 24

The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County
would like to invite you to a

DEMOCRATIC PICNIC

Saturday May 24, 2008, Noon - 4:00 PM
at the
Spanish Village, EXPO NM
300 San Pedro Drive NE, Albuquerque

FREE FOOD, FUN & MUSIC!

Music will be provided by
Supreme Court Justice Charlie Daniels
and Judge William Parnall

Click for FLYER - Pass It On

Everyone Welcome
Invite Your Friends, Neighbors & Family

Laurie Weahkee Chooses Obama; Barack Catches Clinton in Superdelegates

I'm sure you've heard by now that New Mexico add-on delegate Laurie Weahkee, the Native American Voters Alliance Coordinator at Albuquerque's SAGE Council, has publicly endorsed Barack Obama for president. I'd like to welcome Laurie to the Obama fold -- I know there was a lot of pressure applied by the campaigns of both candidates. Weahkee was one of nine superdelegates and a union leader who endorsed Obama on Friday. Obama is now about even with Clinton in the superdelegate count, depending on the source that's doing the counting.

Laurie Weahkee's official statement released late Friday by the Obama campaign:

“Today, I’m proud to announce my support as a presidential delegate for Barack Obama. After the primary elections in Indiana and North Carolina, it is now absolutely clear that Barack Obama will be our nominee.  I’d like to applaud both Senators Clinton and Obama for their commitment and dedication. In particular, I’d like to recognize Senator Clinton for her many years of service to this country, and for laying the groundwork for women across this country to run for office.  It is time for all of us to unite behind Obama as we head into a difficult general election.  Obama has proven that he can campaign in a difficult environment and still inspire thousands of new voices to take part in the democratic process. As a Native American woman, I’m proud to support Obama, and I ask all of us to now join together and start building the movement for victory in November.”

The New Mexico Independent has an excellent interview with Weahkee, where she goes into more depth about the reasons she decided to endorse Obama and describes her reaction to the local Clinton campaign's challenge to her selection:

... I was a little disappointed by the aggressive tone of the New Mexico Clinton campaign to challenge my selection as a delegate, because I really was at that time undecided. The aggressive tone from folks here locally just added into the my overall sense that the Clinton campaign was really aggressive. It was disappointing. I was truly undecided and they were already putting me in one camp or another. I just felt it was a bad representation on Hillary Clinton and her overall campaign.

I'm sure you recall that Laurie Weahkee won the election to become New Mexico's at-large, unpledged add-on delegate at the April 19 Dem Party State Central Committee meeting, and that the procedure was challenged unsuccessfully by the Clinton camp.

One of the criteria Weahkee cited as a basis for making a decision on an endorsement was the candidate's positions on Native American issues. Here are Obama's Principles for Stronger Tribal Communities. Also check out a Native American Times article on Weahkee.

Weahkee was heavily involved for many years in working to preserve the spiritual and physical integrity of the Petroglyph National Monument on Albuquerque's West Mesa in the midst of heavy sprawl development in the area. Here's a 1999 article from the High Country News that provides good background info on the issue. Here's a statement about the Petroglyphs written by Weahkee, and this article from the now defunct Albuquerque Tribune reports on the controversial extension of Paseo del Norte through the Petroglyphs that was punched through in June 2007 despite the protests and legal challenges of Weahkee's group and others.

Rep. Tom Udall is now the only so-called superdelegate in New Mexico who hasn't yet chosen sides. Until Udall makes his endorsement, it's a 6-5 split for Clinton among New Mexico's supers:

Governor Bill Richardson (Obama)
Lt. Governor Diane D. Denish (Clinton)
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (Obama)
Congressman Tom Udall (Undecided)
DPNM Chairman Brian S. Colón (Obama)
DPNM Vice Chairwoman Annadelle Sanchez (Clinton)
DNC Committeeman Raymond G. Sanchez (Clinton)
DNC Committeewoman Mary Gail Gwaltney (Clinton)
DNC Committee Member Fred Harris (Obama)
DNC At-Large Member Mayor Martin Chavez (Clinton)
DNC At-Large Member Christine Trujillo (Clinton)

Add-On At-Large Unpledged Delegate Laurie Weahkee (Obama)

A complete list of New Mexico's 42-member delegation, which includes four alternates, is here. Clinton won 14 of New Mexico's 26 pledged delegates as a result of our presidential preference caucus on February 5th. She won the state by about 1000 votes, although she lost both the First and Third Congressional Districts to Obama. All the margins were tight.

Petroglyph photo by Isaac Eastvold.

Technorati Tags:Laurie Weahkee, Barack Obama, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Democrats, superdelegates, SAGE Council, Native American Voters Alliance, Petroglyph National Monument, Hillary Clinton

Tonight on NM In Focus: In-Depth Interview with Sen. Pete Domenici

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, a rare and in-depth interview with retiring Senator Pete Domenici conducted by David Alire Garcia followed by a discussion about the Senator's impact with Gene Grant and regular panelists Margaret Montoya, UNM School of Law / UNM School of Medicine; Scott Darnell, Communication Director, Republican Party; and Jim Scarantino, Weekly Alibi Columnist.

Tonight at 7:00 PM on KNME-TV; repeats on Sunday at 6:30 AM. You'll also be able to see video of the episode here when it's uploaded.