Democracy for New Mexico

Heinrich to White: Oust Bernalillo County Republican Chair for Racist Remarks; Also, Info on C de Baca's Past

The crude, racists remarks made by Ferdinand C de Baca, the GOP's Bernalillo County Chair, are prompting outrage and on the national scene. As I posted yesterday, the comments by C de Baca were included in an by a BBC reporter who spoke with him on Thursday, at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque:

"The truth is that Hispanics came here as conquerors," he said. "African-Americans came here as slaves. Hispanics consider themselves above blacks. They won't vote for a black president."

Today Martin Heinrich, the Dem candidate for Congress in NM-01, issued a statement calling on his opponent Darren White to join with him and demand Chairman Fernando C de Baca be immediately ousted from his chairmanship of the Republican Party of Bernalillo County following his racist comments reported by the BBC yesterday.

"I find GOP Chairman de Baca's comments offensive, short-sighted, and horribly racist. Spewing such bigotry proves once again that the GOP leadership of Bernalillo County is far too out of touch with New Mexican voters, who --“ regardless of political party --“ are a proud people who celebrate our cultural and ethnic diversity. GOP Chairman de Baca should step down and apologize to all New Mexicans for his disgusting display of intolerance. And if he fails to do so voluntarily, then I would hope that Darren White and the rest of the Bernalillo County GOP party leadership oust him immediately."

GOP Response
A local McCain campaign spokesperson and a statement from Darren White's campaign today denounced C de Baca's statements, but Fernando himself has been incommunicado on the matter, as have Steve Pearce, Pete Domenici, Ed Tinsley, the Republican Party of New Mexico and other GOP candidates and members, at least as far as I know.

Criticism is not enough. How can the MCain campaign and the Republican Party allow de Baca to continue in a public leadership role? Doesn't that add up to sanctioning his remarks in a way, or at least tolerating naked bigotry within the GOP's official party structure?

C de Baca Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging
By the way, this isn't the first time that Ferdinand C de Baca has created controversy. Ferdinand once plead guilty to bid rigging, as noted in this post by NM Repub blogger Mario Burgos:

Here'€™s what the Albuquerque Tribune (7/24/96) reported about C de Baca'€™s 1996 bid-rigging conviction in California:

Fernando C de Baca, 58, of Albuquerque pleaded guilty Tuesday in San Diego County District Court to conspiring to inflate bids for asbestos removal at two malls owned by the Hahn Co. of San Diego. One of them was Coronado Center in Albuquerque.

C de Baca and his co-defendant, Thomas Sytko . . . agreed to pay a $600,000 fine. C de Baca’s share was $150,000 . . .

Robert Fellmeth, a former prosecutor and the founder of the Center for Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego School of Law, called the fines the largest he can recall for criminal antitrust violations in California.

C de Baca won the contracts in return for kickbacks to Sytko. The scheme netted the two men about $310,000.

C de Baca barely avoided a three-year prison sentence. In addition to the California fine, C de Baca also paid a $25,000 fine in a settlement with New Mexico prosecutors.

When he ran for the State Senate last year, this is how C de Baca characterized the bid-rigging/kickback episode when the Albuquerque Tribune inquired about his criminal record:

In 1996 I was convicted of an anti-trust violation in California and paid a fine. My case was reviewed by the Superior Court of California in early 2004. The charge was dismissed and expunged.

C de Baca is perceived as a member of the far right bloc in the GOP here, the same wing of the party that supports Rep. Steve Pearce, who's running against Tom Udall for U.S. Senate here.

If you read Burgos' entire post, you'll understand why Mario wanted to get this info out about C de Baca. Turns out that Fernando had pulled some shenanigans within the County and State GOP that were less than stellar in trying to promote the far-right power bloc he supports within the Party.

And think about this -- C de Baca is perceived to be aligned with the GOP forces that back Steve Pearce, the extreme rightwinger who's running against Dem Tom Udall for U.S. Senate here. I wonder if Steve Pearce agrees with C de Baca's comments. We'll have to wait and see.

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(Updated) NM-01: NM FBIHOP Interviews Heinrich Live Today at 4:00 PM on Blog Talk Radio

Update: You can now listen to the recorded version of today's 15-minute interview with Martin Heinrich:

I thought the interview went really well, with good questions from Matt about the important issues of today. And Martin's thoughtful answers demonstrated what he's always been known for -- clear thinking, common sense, wide-ranging knowledge and a dedication to meeting the future head on. Well done. Isn't this precisely the kind of Congressman we need as we move into a challenging, yet exciting future?
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I'm going to be listening to Matt at NM FBIHOP doing a live interview with NM-01 Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich on his Blog Talk Radio podcast this afternoon at 4:00 PM Mountain time. You should too. They'll be talking about "the real issues: the economy and how it is hurting CD1, the war in Iraq (remember that?) energy policy and other non "lipstick on a pig" issues that actually will matter to New Mexicans in four months."

The Party That Ruined America

Just read it: A Ripe Moment by James Howard Kunstler. Now repeat after me: "The Party That Ruined America." Say it again. Put it in every email, every blog comment, every diary, every post. Pass it on. Mention it to those you canvass and those you call. Tell it to your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues. It is the truth and we can use it to beat them, at last, as we must. And then we can see if that means anything. And it must. And it will, if we unite and make it so. (h/t to my fellow traveler in Ft. Worth)

Thursday: North Valley Candidate Forum

Candidates’ Forum
NM House District 15 & 17, NM Senate District 10
US Senate, US House of Representatives Dist. 1
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, 7 PM - 9 PM
Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center
9800 Fourth NW, Albuquerque
Sponsored by the Alameda North Valley Association

See agenda and participating candidates below.

AGENDA

7:00 – 8:00 PM: NM Legislature Candidates, Moderator, Debby Potter

7:00 PM: Announcement from Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office (poll workers needed)

7:05 PM: Introduction of NM Legislature Candidates:

Representative Edward Sandoval (incumbent), Ron Toya

Representative Teresa A. Zanetti (incumbent), Bill B. O’Neill

Senator John C. Ryan (incumbent), Victor Paul Raigoza

(Note: All the Candidates with the exception of Rep. Sandoval have confirmed they will attend the forum. Rep. Rick Miera will attend to represent Rep. Sandoval.)

7:10: Candidates’ Opening Remarks (2 minutes each), All Candidates

7:25: Question and answer session: 2-minute response per question. Prepared questions and select audience questions

7:50: Candidates’ Closing Remarks (1 minute each), All Candidates

8:00 – 9:00 PM: US Congressional Candidates

8:00: Introduction of US Congressional Candidates or their representatives

Congressman Tom Udall, Congressman Steve Pearce; Martin Heinrich, Sheriff Darren White

(Congressman Udall will be represented by Dr. Ray Powell, Congressman Pearce has not confirmed, Martin Heinrich will be attending, Sheriff White will not be attending nor will he be represented.)

8:05: Overview of Candidates’ Platform, All Campaigns, 15 minutes each

9:05: Adjourn

Note: If you have questions for the candidates please respond to this email. We will start the meeting on time so please try to be a little early. We invite you to attend this important meeting! Please share this information with your neighbor.

For additional information, please contact: Steve Wentworth – 505-897-3052 or Dr. Deborah Potter – 505-897-8621

NM-01: Heinrich Calls on White to Return Taxpayer Funding for Bush Fundraiser

The Heinrich for Congress campaign announced that Martin Heinrich hand-delivered a letter today to Darren White demanding he reimburse Bernalillo County for the expenses incurred when Darren hosted President Bush for a private fundraiser for his campaign for Congress in May. Four months later, Darren White has yet to reimburse the taxpayers for the $5,000 in expenses for a motorcade escort, traffic control, and security. In addition, taxpayers were also stuck with the bill for President Bush's fuel and expenses for Air Force One.

Here's the full text of Martin's letter to Darren White, dated September 16, 2008:

Mr. Darren White
Darren White for Congress
7208 Jefferson Street NE, Suite B
Albuquerque, NM 87109

VIA: Hand Delivery

Dear Darren,

It has come to my attention that your campaign owes the hardworking taxpayers of Bernalillo County nearly $5,000 for the fundraiser you threw with President George W. Bush on May 27th, 2008. While you sold your guests photos for $5,000, you stuck taxpayers with a $5,000 bill for your exclusive invitation-only party. I demand that you return every dollar immediately and apologize to all New Mexico taxpayers for burdening them with your tab.

But that's not all. How much did the private-party cost American taxpayers? Our struggling middle-class American taxpayers paid a whopping $113,036 for President Bush to idle his airplane at the Sunport while he wined and dined your top donors. Passing this bill off to our struggling working families is simply unacceptable.

With the price of gas nearing $4.00, healthcare and education costs skyrocketing, our middle-class New Mexicans are bearing the brunt of eight years of failed Bush Administration economic policies. As if the Bush administration hasn't already done enough to middle-class New Mexicans, now you and George Bush are sticking New Mexico taxpayers with another backhanded tax bill?

I hope that you'll now do the honorable thing and return every single dollar you owe taxpayers with an immediate apology -- middle-class families in Central New Mexico deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Martin Heinrich

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NM-01: New Heinrich Ad Uses Humor to Hit Bush-White on Energy

The new TV ad for our NM-01 Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich goes after the George Bush-Darren White energy policies that are "a drag on America's economy" and "holding America back." Instead of the anonymous voice-over that's commonly used to convey this kind of message, Heinrich appears in a humorous vignette where he cuts a runner loose who's being held back by having to pull a wagon holding a cigar-chomping curmudgeon who looks suspiciously like a shady oil tycoon.

In what seems like a nod to the recent Olympics, runners get set at the starting line wearing the flags of their nations. Are America's competitors wearing the flags of foreign oil producing nations? As the race gets into gear, the American runner is trailing. Martin to the rescue -- with his Apollo plan for energy independence -- and a pair of large shears. He cuts the line connecting the US runner to his burden and the American sprints to victory. The cigar chomping guy isn't pleased. When Martin says he's approved this message at the end of the ad, cigar guy says, "Yeah, but I don't!"

I think this is a welcome departure from run of the mill political ads and manages to communicate important criticisms of White's approach (and tout Heinrich's proactive approach) without rancor or anger. Darren White hasn't aired any ads yet in this contest, but judging from his campaign's recent low-life approach -- like absurdly trying to peg Heinrich as a "slick lobbyist" -- this funny ad should provide a nice contrast with White's mean-spirited messaging, whether on TV or off. (Update: White just released his first ad, a typical bio, saying he's "ready to lead" as an "independent voice." I won't put it up here because I think his campaign should be required to pay for every set of eyes it gets.)

I deem it a winner -- how about you? Let's help keep it on the air.

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NM-01, NM-03: Heinrich and Luján Tout Act Blue and Power of Small Donations

ActBlue, THE online donation place for Dem campaigns who get the power of the grassroots and netroots, has been featuring a different candidate each week who has effectively used ActBlue to garner substantial contributions -- most of them small donations from ordinary people. This week they're featuring NM-01 Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich, who talks about ActBlue in the video above. ActBlue says:

New Mexico's Martin Heinrich, challenging an incumbent Republican for the Congressional seat for New Mexico's First District, has raised more than $395,000 on ActBlue from more than 2,000 contributors like you, making it possible for Heinrich's insurgent campaign to top his opponent's by five points in the most recent Roll Call poll. That's your work, and something to be proud of.

Last week, ActBlue covered NM-03 Congressional candidate Ben Ray Luján, who gives his take on ActBlue and grassroot power above. ActBlue describes Luján:

Ben Ray Luján is the Democratic nominee for Congress is New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. A Public Regulation Commissioner and three time former chairman of the Commission, Luján has built a reputation as a dedicated fighter for renewable energy, firefighting services, and improved health care. Before his election to the Public Relations Commission, Luján served in the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department. Luján is running to fill the seat currently held by Tom Udall (D-NM), who is running for the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Pete Domenici (R-NM). Luján has raised more than $86,000 on ActBlue this cycle.

ActBlue has raised a phenomenal $63,276,420 online since 2004. You can help raise that total and easily make a donation -- even $10 helps -- to Martin, Ben Ray and other True Blue New Mexico candidates on the New Mexico netroots ActBlue page. Or click here to find candidates running for other offices in New Mexico. Every dollar counts.

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Obama Says Enough: How about YOU?

Enough is enough! Read about Obama's stand here.

CUT DOWN READING BLOGS. CUT DOWN WATCHING TV. CUT DOWN EMAILING THE CHOIR. GET OUT THERE AND VOLUNTEER TO REGISTER VOTERS, KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE PHONE CALLS. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY OCTOBER 7 TO VOTE THIS FALL. HERE'S HOW. ENOUGH WITH THE PROCRASTINATING. ACT NOW.

Enough of things like this: Pretty much the only criticism of Palin that's been written by a certain New Mexican who's forever claiming to be a "journalist" is -- get this -- "Palin’s views may be overly simplistic and fail to recognize the complexities of living on this planet." Meanwhile, absurd criticisms of Obama by him and others go on and on and on, right here in New Mexico's alleged "new" media and in the trad media all over. Tells you a lot about which candidate is viewed as a serious threat to the status quo, doesn't it? And who pretty much likes things just the way they are as long as they've got theirs.

Our entire safety net, our justice system, our constitution, our planet and so much more are all at risk if we don't win this time, and yet so many continue to treat this whole thing like a game, a gotcha opportunity, a laughing matter, a chance to get attention. This is no time for "neutrality" -- it's imperative that we all take sides. In no uncertain terms. And with everything we've got. Or else not much will matter after November 4th.

Everybody Knows
Everyone knows that McCain and Palin are shams. Everyone knows they're hypocrites. Everybody knows they're an integral part of the awful stuff that has come before -- and that the power elite want to be continued to completion. They are owned and operated by amoral (and immoral) corporate plutocrats, neocon arms dealers, corrupt lobbyists, Halliburton, Wall Street, Lockheed Martin, Countrywide Mortgage, criminal bankers, pharmaceutical companies, Exxon and many other members of the have-the-public-pay-the-costs-and-give-me-the-profits-crowd. There's not even a shred of doubt about it. Look at who gives them money, look at who runs their campaign, look at who writes their speeches, look at who gains from their policies and neglect of policies.

P.T. Barnum All Over Again
It's just that some people prefer not to admit what they know to be true because they get the dog whistles, the undertones, the code words being used by McCain-Palin and their surrogates and 527s. Yes, the GOP campaign plays -- as it always does -- to the lowest common denominator, the most shameful instincts of those the GOP has managed to scare into submission during the Bush years. They wink and nod to the worst in human nature -- signaling to people that Obama is the "dangerous other" and that they are as American as apple pie. Oh, trust us, despite all the inconvenient facts and facts and facts to the contrary available to anyone who looks.

P.T. Barnum all over again, but way, way nastier and much more dangerous. Gutter politics at their worst. What McCain and Palin are good at is play acting and saying what they're instructed to say. They pose, they preen, they lie and dissemble. They raise distractions trying to make people forget about the obscenities that the past eight years have brought -- and how they have no meaningful solutions to ANY of the problems real people face.

Unfortunately, so far, they've convinced the media clowns to play along. It gets ratings. It's like a political version of some tawdry "reality" show. It's easy to cover for the lazy among the press corps and TV "analysts." It's "new." And it doesn't upset the bigshots who hold the reins.

Now or Never
So what can we do to counteract all this? WE CAN BEAT THEM ON THE GROUND. Remember, they may have the edge with shills playing the fraudulent "fair and balanced" game, but we have the power. We have the people. We have the passion. We have the brains. We have the hearts. We have the arc of history. And we have the truth.

CUT DOWN READING BLOGS. CUT DOWN WATCHING TV. CUT DOWN EMAILING THE CHOIR. GET OUT THERE AND VOLUNTEER TO REGISTER VOTERS, KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE PHONE CALLS. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY OCTOBER 7 TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER. HERE'S HOW. ENOUGH WITH THE PROCRASTINATING. ACT NOW.

This is shit or get off the pot time. If we fail to do this, it will be our fault if we are on the receiving end of another four years of damage and destruction of everything we hold dear. There's no more time to waste:

Obama New Mexico

Tom Udall for Senate

Harry Teague for Congress NM-02

Martin Heinrich for Congress NM-01

Ben Ray Lujan for Congress NM-03

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NM-01: Martin Heinrich Going 100 Miles an Hour

Mary Ellen happened to run into NM-01 Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich today as she was visiting the Obama campaign office at Central and Carlisle and he stopped to fill us in on how his campaign's going with 58 days until the election. As he says, "If we turn out this year we're gonna turn New Mexico Blue -- top to bottom and North to South -- and it's all up to YOU."

Click to visit the Heinrich campaign's Voting Center where you can request a voter registration form, see if you're already registered to vote and get all the info you need on voting. You can vote by mail, you can vote early or you can vote on election day, Tuesday, November 4th.

THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH! If you're not registered, start the process NOW.

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NM-01: Roll Call's SurveyUSA Poll Has Heinrich Leading White 51-46%

Good news is breaking out all over for Dems at this point in the 2008 election cycle, including New Mexico's First Congressional District. A poll conducted by SurveyUSA for Roll Call shows Dem Martin Heinrich leading Repub Darren White by a margin of 51-46%. The poll of 631 likely voters was conducted August 26-28 and has a 4-point margin of error. As Roll Call reports:

To House Democrats, New Mexico’s 1st district has been like Moby Dick to Ahab. Democrats have spent 40 years trying to wrest the Albuquerque-based seat — a perpetual swing district on the presidential level — from the Republicans’ hands.

But a new poll conducted exclusively for Roll Call suggests that 2008 may finally be the Democrats’ year.

The article admits the race is no "slam dunk" for Dems, but points out that results of the same poll regarding the presidential race in NM-01 may mean that Heinrich will get an additional boost from an Obama victory in the District. Presidential coattails can be mighty:

But White and Republicans have one apparent political trend to worry about: According to the poll, the 1st district is no longer a swing district in the White House election.

In 2004, Sen. John Kerry (Mass.), the Democratic presidential nominee, carried the district by just 3 points. In 2000, former Vice President Al Gore won by 1 point. But in the Roll Call poll, Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) led presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), 55 percent to 41 percent.

This suggests that White, who is better known than Heinrich, is running against a Democratic headwind in the Land of Enchantment. And if Obama is so far ahead in the 1st district, his chances of carrying New Mexico in November are excellent, because the state’s 3rd district is a Democratic stronghold, and the 2nd district almost always goes Republican in White House elections.

And get this:

To hold this district, Republicans will try to paint Heinrich as an out of touch liberal. But in the poll he was leading among self-described moderates and among Independents.

The Roll Call article also analyzes the poor favorable-unfavorable numbers for Heather Wilson and John McCain in the poll and how that also favors Heinrich. Things are definitely looking up in the First District -- so now's the time to rachet up the action. Donate what you can afford in terms of money and time to the Heinrich campaign.

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