Democracy for New Mexico

Tonight & Tomorrow: Lt. Col. to Speak on "Progressive" Foreign Policy in Santa Fe, ABQ

From the National Security Network (NSN): NSN, founded in 2006 to revitalize America's national security policy, bringing cohesion and strategic focus to the progressive national security community, will host town hall meetings in Santa Fe and Albuquerque tonight and tomorrow. Lt. Col. Stephen Abraham (US Army Reserve Ret.) will be leading a discussions about Keeping America Safe and Safeguarding American Values.

The Santa Fe event will take place tonight, August 13, at 7:00 PM, at The Forum at the College of Santa Fe, 1600 St. Michael's Drive. The Albuquerque town hall is set for tomorrow, August 14, at 7:00 PM in Ballroom A at the UNM Student Union Building in Albuquerque. Free and open to the public.

Continue reading "Tonight & Tomorrow: Lt. Col. to Speak on "Progressive" Foreign Policy in Santa Fe, ABQ"

NM-02: Teague Cheered, Tinsley Booed for 'Cut Your Throat' Remark at ACI Forum

Note: Also see my later post reporting that Tinsley's awful remark earned him Keith Olbermann's Worst Person in the World award on Wednesday night.
************
Last week the Association of Commerce and Industry hosted Democrat Harry Teague and Republican Ed Tinsley at a NM-02 Congressional candidate forum in Las Cruces. One of the issues discussed by the two was the Iraq war. Now the ACI membership, similar to that of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is generally moderate-to-conservative and business-oriented. And yet they broke out in boos and cries of "shame on you" when Tinsley said his piece. And they clapped and cheered as Teague explained his position on Iraq. Watch the video above to see why.

By all accounts, the vast majority of Americans are fed up with sending $3 BILLION a week to a country that is now operating with a $79 BILLION surplus. They're fed up with undue sacrifices being required of our troops. And they're wary of the increasing violence and unrest at the Pakistani border in Afghanistan while we're mired in Iraq. In other words, most Americans agree with the Iraqi government that our troops need to begin to withraw as soon as possible.

Harry Teague understands these views, agrees with them and is clearly ready to bring them to Washington on behalf of the people in the Second District.

Tinsley, on the other hand, seems intent on using inflammatory rhetoric to personally insult his opponent and avoid talking about what's really going on. He mentions his two nephews who are serving in the miliary overseas and says, "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!" That's not a misprint. Tinsley uses that exact language to characterize Teague and his position on Iraq.

What kind of person would use that kind of language about someone like Harry Teague who has been well known and well respected in the District for decades?

Continue reading "NM-02: Teague Cheered, Tinsley Booed for 'Cut Your Throat' Remark at ACI Forum"

Lt. Gov. Denish, Obama Campaign Discuss Blueprint for New Mexico

Obama campaign reaching out in Taos

On a conference call today with reporters and bloggers, Obama officials discussed where the Campaign for Change stands in New Mexico and the tactics they'll employ to win this Fall. Participants included Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who's now a NM Co-Chair for Obama after previously backing Hillary Clinton, State Director Adrian Saenz, Deputy National Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand and others.

The main differences between the Obama campaign and past Dem prez efforts here: vastly increased and proactive voter registration activities, an emphasis on contacting registered Dems who don't vote regularly and outreach in every corner of the state, not just along the I-25 corridor.

An Unprecedented Hunger for Change: Lt. Gov. Denish spoke about her recent trips around the state, where she encountered what she called "an unprecedented level" of grassroots support for change and lots of activity already happening on the ground. She mentioned the registration advantage Dems have long had in NM and the importance of powerful GOTV efforts to reach Dems who vote only sporatically, as well as independents -- especially outside major population areas. Denish said that she'd never witnessed such a "massive mobilization" by a presidential campaign here, and it's only just begun.

Agressively Reaching Out to Rural Voters: NM Campaign Director Adrian Saenz said the campaign is "aggressively" going after voters in rural communities and small towns. Of the 23 field offices now open, 17 are in rural areas, including a recently launched office in Shiprock. Tomorrow an Obama campaign will open in Espanola. There'll be even more to come.

Continue reading "Lt. Gov. Denish, Obama Campaign Discuss Blueprint for New Mexico"

NM-01: Heinrich Again in ActBlue Top Five Fundraisers

Heinrich with other Netroots All-Stars at Netroots Nation in Austin

Once again, NM-01's Dem Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich is among the top five fundraisers on ActBlue, this time for the week of August 4-10. Heinrich even beat out two of the netroots' most popular candidates -- Al Franken, who's running for the Senate in Minnesota, and Rick Noriega, who's the Dem Senate candidate in Texas:

1. Accountability Now | $146,210.97
2. Kay Hagan | NC-Sen | $36,083.47
3. Martin Heinrich | NM-01 | $20,475.90
4. Al Franken | MN-Sen | $19,652.58
5. Rick Noriega | TX-Sen | $14,786.13
6. Scott Kleeb | NE-Sen | $12,856.81
7. Jon Powers | NY-26 | $11,523.75
8. Gary Peters | MI-09 | $10,860.60
9. Russ Warner | CA-26 | $9,947.26
10. Annette Taddeo | FL-18 | $9,185.67

Most recently, Heinrich made ActBlue's top five for the week of June 30 to July 6th. Here's what ActBlue has to say about Martin Heinrich:

Continue reading "NM-01: Heinrich Again in ActBlue Top Five Fundraisers"

Barack, Johnny, Sir Paul and ABBA

With Russia invading Georgia and all hell breaking loose on so many fronts, we need some light news, don't we? Blender magazine asked Obama and McSame to name their top ten favorite songs. Even I find it hard to believe that two of Johnny's top three are ABBA songs. ABBA songs. Between the two of them no Beatles, one Stones, two Sinatras. Gotta love the Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Aretha and Roy Orbison.

Sen. Barack Obama
1. Ready or Not, Fugees
2. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
3. I'm On Fire, Bruce Springsteen
4. Gimme Shelter, Rolling Stones
5. Sinnerman, Nina Simone
6. Touch the Sky, Kanye West
7. You'd Be So Easy to Love, Frank Sinatra
8. Think, Aretha Franklin
9. City of Blinding Lights, U2
10. Yes We Can, will.i.am

Sen. John McCain
1. Dancing Queen, ABBA
2. Blue Bayou, Roy Orbison
3. Take a Chance On Me, ABBA
4. If We Make It Through December, Merle Haggard
5. As Time Goes By, Dooley Wilson
6. Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
7. What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
8. I've Got You Under My Skin, Frank Sinatra
9. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, The Platters

McCartney in NM: Speaking of music, Paul McCartney is getting his kicks by traveling Old Route 66 from Illinois to California in an old Ford Bronco with his new girlfriend, Nancy Shevell. They were spotted at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and checking out Ansel Adams photos at the Andrew Smith Gallery in Santa Fe over the weekend.

The Quay County Sun reports the couple was seen in Tucumcari on Thursday, visiting an antique shop and getting takeout from Del's Restaurant. Be sure to check out the photos in the Sun. McCartney and Shevell also attended the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup on Saturday. More details on the trip and some photos in the Brit tabloid, the Daily Mail.

Technorati Tags:

From the Inside: How Clinton Lost

A lengthy, compelling and ultimately devastating portrayal of the Clinton campaign by Josh Green of The Atlantic. There's also a collection of internal campaign memos. Green sums up the reason for Clinton's loss this way:

Above all, this irony emerges: Clinton ran on the basis of managerial competence—on her capacity, as she liked to put it, to “do the job from Day One.” In fact, she never behaved like a chief executive, and her own staff proved to be her Achilles’ heel. What is clear from the internal documents is that Clinton’s loss derived not from any specific decision she made but rather from the preponderance of the many she did not make. Her hesitancy and habit of avoiding hard choices exacted a price that eventually sank her chances at the presidency. What follows is the inside account of how the campaign for the seemingly unstoppable Democratic nominee came into being, and then came apart.

(Updated) NM-02: Teague Announces Debate-Forum Schedule

Update: Steve Pearce, Tom Udall, Harry Teague and Ed Tinsley will be participating in the forum. here for info on when and where it will be broadcast.

Harry Teague, the Democratic nominee for NM-02, announced his schedule of debates and forums. Harry is running to fill the seat left open by Rep. Steve Pearce. The schedule, which includes events across Southern New Mexico, will give voters the opportunity to contrast the Republican and Democratic candidates' positions on issues, including minimum wage and health care, according to the Teague campaign.

Dates and Sponsors: The televised debates will be sponsored by The Municipal League on August 15th, KRWG on October 9th, and by KOAT and the Albuquerque Journal on October 19th. In addition, Harry will be at the Mining Association Annual Convention Forum on September 4th in Grants, and the AAUW forum in October in Carlsbad.

Continue reading "(Updated) NM-02: Teague Announces Debate-Forum Schedule"

NM Sen: Tom Udall Starts Two-Week Tour of NM Tuesday in Sunland Park

The Tom Udall for U.S. Senate campaign announced that on Tuesday Rep. Udall will kick-off his campaign’s ‘Doing Right By New Mexico Tour’ in Sunland Park. According to a press release, Udall will travel the state for the next two weeks and exchange ideas with New Mexicans about how to get our country back on track. With a special emphasis on the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts, he'l listen to New Mexicans and tell them why he'll always do right by New Mexico in the United States Senate.

Udall’s schedule is as follows. All listed events are open to the media and all times are local. Tour Updates, event video and schedules can be found at here.

Continue reading "NM Sen: Tom Udall Starts Two-Week Tour of NM Tuesday in Sunland Park"

DNCC/Obama Unveil Convention Speakers and Themes

The Democracy for New Mexico blog was selected to represent our state on the DNC's State Blogger Corps at the Convention. We'll be reporting from Denver and will be seated with the NM delegation. We attended a recent gathering of our delegates and Dem officials and got a chance to interview many of them about their thoughts on the Convention. Keep an eye out because we'll be posting videos like this one with State Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, an early Obama endorser who'll be in Denver as part of Obama's team.

In a press release today the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America Campaign announced the themes for each night of the 2008 Convention, which will be held in Denver from August 25th through August 28th.

"The 2008 Convention is about ensuring that those peoples’ voices are heard and their call for change is heeded,” said Kansas Governor and Convention Co-Chair Kathleen Sebelius. “From Monday through Thursday, our Convention program will highlight the people of this country who want positive change and who believe Barack Obama is the leader who will listen to their concerns and get our country moving in the right direction again.”

State Auditor Hector Balderas talking with State Treasurer James B. Lewis at NM delegate gathering earlier this month

Monday, August 25 -- One Nation
Headline prime-time speaker: Michelle Obama.

Tuesday, August 26 – Renewing America’s Promise
Headline prime-time speaker: Senator Hillary Clinton

Wednesday, August 27 -- Securing America’s Future
The Vice Presidential Acceptance Speech
Headline prime-time speaker: Vice Presidential Nominee.

Thursday, August 28 – Change You Can Believe In
Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech

Continue reading "DNCC/Obama Unveil Convention Speakers and Themes"

Guest Blog: State Senate Candidate Victor Raigoza

This is a guest blog by Victor Raigoza, the Democratic candidate for State Senate in District 10. This race is ranked as one of the most important legislative pick-up opportunities this cycle for New Mexico Democrats, and Victor is a formidable candidate who deserves our strong support. We can win this one!

Brother and Sister Democrats,

I am ecstatic and honored to be the Democratic nominee for New Mexico's 10th State Senate district. I am especially excited at the prospect of being a part of this historic election cycle. Recently, stories which would indicate that we are not a united party have been reported in the press and blogs.  We have always been a party that prides ourselves on the size and inclusiveness of our tent and team. I believe we are Democrats because we all share a core set of values.

I am a Democrat because with every fiber of my being, I believe we have a responsibility to take care of each other. We have a responsibility to make sure that children are never hungry or denied access to quality education. We have a responsibility to protect our workers and our environment, our elders and our veterans. We have a responsibility to protect a woman's right to decide what happens to her own body. And, we have a responsibility to ensure that every human has access to quality and affordable healthcare. But I, as a Democrat, do not see these responsibilities as a burden. Rather, I embrace them and the opportunity they give us to make our community a better place.

If you agree, I am asking you to support my bid to become a New Mexico State Senate by clicking here to make an online donation now. Your contribution of $75, or whatever you're comfortable giving, will go a long way toward helping me bring our voice to the Legislature.

Continue reading "Guest Blog: State Senate Candidate Victor Raigoza"