Democracy for New Mexico

NM-02: Dem Party to Hold 'Change for Change' Lunch in Las Cruces to Benefit Tinsley's Poorly Paid Employees

Tinsley backs tax breaks for the rich but is against a living wage for workers

What are you doing Friday? One idea: Come on down to the "Change for Change" K-Bob Employee Fundraiser!

As Vice President Dick Cheney prepares for his high-dollar fundraiser for Ed Tinsley in Hobbs, the Democratic Party of New Mexico will be holding a "Change for Change" fundraiser in Las Cruces. They'll be asking guests to give what they can, even change, to benefit Ed Tinsley's employees, who work for low wages without benefits at Tinsley's K-Bob's Steakhouse:

WHAT: Democratic Party of New Mexico will be holding a "Change for Change" Lunch to benefit Ed Tinsley's employees at K-Bob's Steakhouse. They'll be serving K-Bob's food and donating the money raised in the form of a tip for the hardworking men and women who work at K-Bob's Steakhouse.

WHO: Mayor Miyagishima and other special guests will stop by

WHERE: Young Park, 1905 Nevada Ave., Las Cruces

WHEN: Friday, September 26th at 12:00 Noon

Might also be a good idea to donate some time and/or money to the Dem Congressional candidate in NM-02. Harry Teague believes in treating workers right, including those he employs at his local businesses. We can't let someone like Scrooge Tinsley get anywhere near the Congress, now can we? Especially at a time like this.

NM-02: Teague Agrees to Special TV Debate on Economy

Teague at one of the community dinners he's been hosting

According to an AP story Democrat Harry Teague has agreed to debate NM-02 Congressional race rival Ed Tinsley on the economy and how it's affecting voters in southern New Mexico. The special economy debate will be taped October 23 at KOB-TV in Albuquerque and aired on October 25. The campaigns also are seeking to arrange a joint televised appearance in the El Paso TV market, which broadcasts in Las Cruces. The economy debate was added to a schedule that includes a forum October 8 on KRWG-TV in Las Cruces, a debate October 19 at KOAT-TV in Albuquerque and a forum October 21 in Hobbs.

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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)

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-02: Teague's Second Ad Stresses Connections With Ordinary People

Harry Teague, the Dem Congressional candidate in NM-02, is now airing his second ad district-wide on broadcast and cable TV. This ad focuses on Harry's contributions to his community and his long-time relationships with working people. His first featured Teague talking directly to the camera about his life. Both ads provide an opportunity for Harry to demonstrate who he is and what he believes in.

I think the ad spotlights Harry's natural warmth and down-home qualities, and the lines spoken by ordinary people come across as honest and heartfelt. Although it doesn't mention his GOP rival, Ed Tinsley, the ad effectively draws contrasts with Tinsley's reputation for nastiness and the fact that he's often accused of spending more time at his "second home" in the exclusive Las Campanas development in Santa Fe than he does at his property in Capitan.

Now's the time to donate to Harry Teague's campaign -- and get the added bonus of having your contribution matched dollar for dollar. I think you'll agree that we need to turn this seat BLUE -- and make sure that the extreme rightwinger Ed Tinsley doesn't get his hands on it.

Script for Second Ad:

"People" 30 Second Script:

Man #1: I've known Harry Teague for 19 years.

Man #2: 15 Years.

Man #3: 39 Years.

Group: We all know Harry.

Woman #1: He does things to help people.

Woman #2: Harry gave me a job when I really needed it.

Man #4: Harry helped my daughter fund her education.

Woman #3: My family with health care.

Man #5: I trust Harry Teague to do what's right

Man #6: Harry Teague will get things done for New Mexico.

Man #7: Harry's always helped working people.

Man #5: He's one of us.

Woman #1: Harry's always there for us.

Man #2: Harry will help bring change to Washington.

Harry: Hi. I'm Harry Teague and I approve this message because we do need to make a change in Washington.

Group: Yeah!

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NM-02: Talking About Guns, Tinsley Says He Has a "Rude Awakening" for Obama

Ed Tinsley, the GOP's Congressional candidate in NM-02 who's running against Democrat Harry Teague, has been caught in the act again. Tinsley's latest inflammatory remarks -- and what can be perceived as a threat to Barack Obama -- came at a recent candidate forum in Roswell. Tinsley was asked about his views on gun ownership and the Second Amendment. Instead of talking about his or his opponent's positions on the issue, Tinsley launched into a disturbing attack on presidential candidate Barack Obama, as you can see in the video clip above. Ed Tinsley said:

Well, I'll say this, somebody that certainly doesn't get it is Barack Obama when he says that our district clings to our guns and our religion out of frustration. I have a rude awakening for him and we'd love to have him as a guest at our ranch.

Check out Tinsley's demeanor when he says the words "rude awakening." What do you think he has in mind when he says it? What do you think his words are meant to convey?

Making such statements is getting to be a disturbing habit with Ed Tinsley. This isn't the first time he's demonstrated a penchant for brutal and violence-tinged rhetoric. For instance, in 2002 when running in the GOP Congressional primary in NM-02, Tinsley was asked about his views on the death penalty. He answered,

"I would certainly like to take the people out and drag them behind my horse until their head popped off."

The Albuquerque Journal printed the quote and Steve Pearce, Tinsley's primary rival back then, used it against him. Pearce -- no shrinking violet in the inflammatory rhetoric department himself -- ended up winning the primary and the Congressional seat. (Pearce is now running for U.S. Senate in New Mexico.) The voters of New Mexico's Second District evidently didn't cotton to cruel talk like that back then, and I doubt they'll do so now.

Last month, Tinsley earned Worst Person in the World status on Keith Olbermann's Countdown and gained notoriety across the web for his nasty and personal statement at a candidate forum in Las Cruces -- where he said of his Dem competitor, Harry Teague,

"How am I supposed to call my two nephews over there [in Iraq] right now ... and tell them I'm running against a guy who will cut your throat!"

You can read about that incident in my previous posts here and here.

In an election cycle when genuine threats to Obama are not uncommon, it's downright scary to have a candidate for the U.S Congress make a statement that, at the very least, takes a threatening tone towards the Democratic presidential nominee. What is in Ed Tinsley's head -- and in his heart -- if he can make the kind of statements I've cited without blinking an eye? Tinsley likes to talk about All-American values, but his remarks seem to reveal a much darker view of the world -- a place where vigilante might makes right and fear tactics are employed without shame. Maybe that's why Dick Cheney will be down in Harry Teague's hometown of Hobbs later this month to raise money for Tinsley. Two Darth Vader peas in a pod.

Don't want a Congressman from New Mexico who talks like a reckless bully? Help get Harry Teague elected to represent NM-02. Click here to donate or volunteer.

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Udall, Teague to Speak at Dona Ana County Labor Day Breakfast; J. Paul Taylor to be Honored

The Doña Ana County Democratic Party is set to host their biggest event of the year -- the Sixth Annual Labor Day Breakfast. The popular annual event will take place on Monday, September 1st, at 9:00 AM at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.

U.S. Senate candidate Tom Udall (right) will deliver the keynote address. Harry Teague (left), candidate for U.S. Congress in the Second District, will also speak.

"Labor Day is the perfect time to celebrate the American labor movement and its ties to the Democratic Party," said Melinda Whitley, chair of the Doña Ana County Democratic Party.

"We are also delighted to honor J. Paul Taylor's years of service to the people of New Mexico during this event." The National Education Association (NEA) has chosen J. Paul Taylor (right) as this year's honoree. Taylor was a representative in the New Mexico State Legislature for nearly 20 years. Additionally, he served as a teacher, a school principal, and a tireless advocate for those in need.

Tickets for the event are $40 each, or $360 for a table of ten.  Please contact 575/532-1780 for more information.

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NM-02: Teague Up First With TV Ad

"Values"

Harry Teague, our Dem candidate for Congress in NM-02 down South, has the first TV ad up (see above) in the general election cycle in the race against the GOP's Ed Tinsley. I think Harry does a great job in the ad directly addressing viewers in an honest, genuine way. The ad is part of a campaign that will highlight Harry's compelling life story and long record of accomplishments. The advertising will be on district-wide broadcast and cable TV, as well as English and Spanish language radio stations. 

"To tell the voters where I want to take our country, first I need to tell them where I came from," said Teague. "I started working for $1.50 an hour at the age of 17 to support my family when my father became ill and he had no health insurance. From that beginning, I created a company that employs over 250 people. I know what it is like to go without health care and no one should have to experience that – that's why I give my employees health care, free college tuition and good wages. These things I've done as a businessman are the same things I want to do for middle class families in New Mexico."

To can also view the TV ad (titled "Values") at Teague's campaign website. The full transcript of the TV ad is below.

"Values" 60 Second Script:

HARRY TEAGUE:  At 17 I went to work in the oil fields to help support my family and the values that I learned then ...

V/O: Harry Teague

HARRY TEAGUE: You're part of a team…and that we're all in this together…are still helping me today.

V/O: Looking back, Harry Teague understands the values he brings to the work place and to family started right here in Southern New Mexico making ends meet.

That's why he provides health care for co-workers and their families and scholarships for them and their children to keep opportunity here in New Mexico.

All his life Harry Teague has worked to bring people together…to get things done.

HARRY TEAGUE: Our professional politicians have their values upside down…its time to change that…this is our New Mexico.

V/O: Harry Teague will listen to us and go to Washington and put New Mexico first.  Not just a change in direction, a change in values.

Harry Teague ... Standing up for New Mexico.

HARRY TEAGUE: I'm Harry Teague, I approve this message because I believe in old fashion family values…hard work and giving back to my community.

End Script.

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Saturday: Teague to Tour Southern Dona Ana County

From the Harry Teague for Congress campaign:
Harry Teague, the Dem nominee in NM-02, will tour Southern Doña Ana County on Saturday. Teague will make stops in Sunland Park, La Union and Anthony, New Mexico.

"I look forward to again visiting and listening to voters in Southern Doña Ana County about important issues facing families in New Mexico," said Teague. "I want to bring change to Washington. The first step in accomplishing that is listening to what working families in New Mexico want."

At 1:00 PM Teague will tour the Women's Intercultural Center in Anthony; at 1:30 PM he'll meet voters at Ernesto's Restaurant in Anthony; at 5:00 PM he'll attend a coffee with Mayor Martin Resendiz in Sunland Park; at 6:00 PM he'll attend a coffee at the home of Saul and Maria Salinas in Sunland Park; and at 6:45 PM he'll visit with voters at La Union Station in La Union. For more information contact the campaign at Las Cruces at 575.993.5197 or in Hobbs in 575.397.2008.

NM-02: Tinsley's 'Cut Your Throat' Remark - From One Post on DFNM to Olbermann in Less Than 24 Hours

Countdown and ACI forum clips

The effectiveness and speed of the pipes and tubes of the internets can still shock me at times. I posted a YouTube video clip and accompanying story last night at 7:22 PM. As far as I can tell, I was the first person to cover the story. After any number of stops on the information highway (as they used to call it), the story ended up as part of Keith Olbermann's Worst Person in the World segment on tonight's Countdown. Zoom. From the little DFNM blog in out of the way New Mexico to the nation's TV screens in less than 24 hours. There really is nowhere to hide in this election cycle.

The clip from YouTube shows NM-02 GOP Congressional candidate Ed Tinsley and Dem candidate Harry Teague at an ACI candidate forum held last week in Las Cruces. The candidates are discussing Iraq, and Tinsley, without an iota of evident shame, brings up his nephews who are serving in the military in the Gulf and says this:

"How am I supposed to call my two nephews over there right now ... and tell them I'm running against a guy who will cut your throat!"

This low-life personal attack on Teague -- and blatant politicization of his own nephews' service -- is what earned Tinsley tonight's Worst Person in the World slot. Not Worse, Not Worser -- WORST. That's saying something.

Unfortunately, Olbermann didn't mention Teague by name in the segment. You know, Harry Teague, who's going to be the next Congressman from New Mexico's Second District. But it sure helped the cause to get Tinsley's words out there -- nakedly obscene to the world. CUT YOUR THROAT. Right.

It's also too bad that Olbermann didn't play Teague's measured and right-on-target come back to Tinsley's personal attack. If you haven't see it yet, it's right here in my original post and in the combo clip up top. Tinsley's self-serving and over-the-top words were met with robust boos. Teague's with spirited clapping and cheering. Now the 3,590 people who have so far viewed the video on YouTube, plus the nationwide audience for the TV show, plus all those who watch the video on the MSNBC site will know the truth about Tinsley and why no thinking, feeling person with a conscience should vote for him.

Voters in New Mexico's Second District -- what do you think? Should a guy like Tinsley -- who will  use his own nephews' military service as political fodder and use the term "cut your throat" in the same breath -- really be anywhere near the U.S. House representing you? I guess we'll see on November 4th.

To learn more about Harry Teague, visit his website. I also recommend taking a look at one of our previous posts that describes our recent visit with Harry in Hobbs on our way back from Netroots Nation.

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