Democracy for New Mexico

Today: Defenders of Wildlife Fund Launches Hybrid Car Giveaway

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund announced today that it will be giving away a 2008 hybrid car, to highlight Steve Pearce’s consistent and repeated votes against increased fuel mileage standards that could save New Mexican families $1,500 a year and reduce the impact of global warming.

See the Hybrid
The hybrid giveaway launch will take place today, Tuesday, July 1, at 12:30 PM, at the parking lot on Central Ave and 2nd SW, in downtown Albuquerque. Come on down, see the unveiling of the hybrid car and learn more about energy issues.

“We have decided to give away a free hybrid car to show our commitment to raising awareness for energy conservation,” Defenders Action Fund President Rodger Schlickeisen said. “With global warming, gas prices through the roof, and our unfortunate engagement in Iraq, energy conservation is an important issue for the environment, the American consumer, and for our national security.  This should not be a partisan concern, it is an American concern.” 

“Steve Pearce has accepted over $500,000 from the oil and gas industry, supported giving the industry billions in tax cuts, and consistently opposed any increase in fuel efficiency standards,” Defenders Campaign Manager Ed Yoon stated. “With New Mexicans paying $4 for a gallon of gas, we can no longer accept politicians who look out for the interests of big oil rather than those of the average citizen.  Steve Pearce is simply wrong for New Mexico.”

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Udall, Luján, Colón to Speak at Wednesday Opening of Dem Party Santa Fe Office

From DPNM: The Democratic Party of New Mexico is holding an office opening party for our new Santa Fe offices.

• WHAT: Santa Fe Office Opening Party
• WHO: Rep. Tom Udall, CD-2 Candidate Ben Ray Luján and DPNM Chair Brian Colón are scheduled to speak
• WHEN: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 PM
• WHERE: 720 St. Michael's Dr., Suite 2L; Santa Fe 87505

Technorati Tags:

After Midnight ...

... it'll be too late. Too late to donate to one or all of our True Blue New Mexico candidates before the end of the second quarter campaign finance reporting period. Consider donating even $1 or $5 to help remake our state into a True Blue New Mexico. If we'd all do our part, the totals would rise dramatically. Lots of small donations can often overcome the influence of big donations from all the wrong people to the GOP candidates running against our Dems. But to make it work, we all have to participate.

Take Martin Heinrich's race for Congress in NM-01. Bush flew into town recently and raised more than $300,000 in whopper donations from GOP bigwigs for Repub Darren White. How do we help to undercut that advantage? By clicking here and donating even a few bucks to Martin Heinrich's campaign. Martin's aiming to raise at least $75,000 $100,000? online by midnight tonight. Can we help put him over the top?

You can plug in an amount at the top of the ActBlue page to be split among the five True Blue candidates or you can scroll down and give only to one or two. But I do hope you give something, whatever you can, before tonight at 11:59 PM.

Down-Ticket Races
Are you more motivated to give to candidates in down-ticket races? You can easily do just that on ActBlue too. Whether you live in their districts or not, onsider donating to these Dems in contested New Mexico legislative and other races:

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NM Voices for Children Releases Report on Immigrants and Economy

When we consider a controversial issue like immigration, it helps to have the facts in hand. The more controversial an issue becomes, the more likely it is that unsubstantiated myths and muddled, distorted logic become part of the dialogue. New Mexico Voices for Children cuts through the often negative propaganda about immigrants with a just-released a report entitled, "Immigrants and the New Mexico Economy: Working Hard for Low Wages," which documents the positive impact of immigrants on the state's economy:

The current debate over immigration – and particularly over immigrants without legal residency status – often centers on whether or not this group of people contributes to the economy or diminishes it. A 2006 Fiscal Policy Project report, “Undocumented Immigrants in New Mexico: State Tax Contributions and Fiscal Concerns,” concluded that undocumented immigrants contribute more in state and local sales, income and property taxes than the state spends to educate their children.

“Immigrants and the New Mexico Economy: Working Hard for Low Wages” concludes that immigrants make a very significant contribution to the New Mexico economy while at the same time they have a very small impact on national safety-net programs.

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Bill Richardson to Raise Money in NM for Hillary Debt?

According to ABC News:

Clinton ally James Carville may have called him "Judas" when he endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in March, but that isn't stopping Gov. Bill Richardson D-NM., from offering to raise money to help Sen. Clinton retire her significant campaign debt.

"We've been asked to help. So in principle we are going to help," Richardson told ABC News after addressing members of the Democratic Leadership Council in Chicago at the centrist group's annual gathering. "I think the party needs to come together," he added.

... Gov. Richardson then mentioned that he has seen some hopeful signs of the party stitching itself back together and that he is "going to be involved in a debt event for Sen. Clinton in New Mexico." He later added that the event has yet to be scheduled.

Remember, Gov. Richardson is also working on getting rid of campaign debt from his own presidential run. According to the AP, it's now down to about $285,000 -- no match for Clinton's debt of about $10 million owed to vendors plus $12.2 million in personal loans to her campaign. Maybe the Governor can host some two-fers, not to mention some events for our THREE U.S. House races and U.S. Senate race.

Richardson was in West Palm Beach, FL this weekend too, at a dinner for prominent Dems:

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(Updated) Monday: Join Protests of Pearce Policies at the Pump

UPDATE: Bryan Barash over at the Tom Udall blog was at two of this morning's protests and has feedback and photos. Check it out and also learn about the Udall campaign's new text messaging service, TextMyTom.
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From the Democratic Party of New Mexico: On Monday, locals will protest Steve Pearce's choice to support Big Oil, while New Mexicans suffer at the pumps.

WHAT: Pearce = Pain at the Pump protest
WHO: Outraged Consumers
WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Albuquerque, Clovis and Las Cruces, NM

• Albuquerque: Phillips 66, 4th and Montano; Diamond Shamrock, 2550 Central SE; Diamond Shamrock, 3440 Isleta Boulevard SW
• Clovis: Town & Country #248, 3412 North Prince
• Las Cruces: Brewer Oil Co Inc. Shell Self-Serve, 2512 E Lohman Ave.

"Pearce has repeatedly voted against measures that would help lower gas prices. New Mexicans deserve leaders that will fight for lower gas prices and not for Big Oil's record profits," Josh Geise, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

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Eric Griego on 'We The People' Wednesday

WE THE PEOPLE: Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Eric Griego, NM Senate District 14
Victorious Candidate who followed his ideal of grassroots--clean money--donations and defeated the big money special interest backed campaign of the incumbent by a wide margin.

Comcast CABLE Channel 27, 1st and 3rd Wednesday - 6 PM
or ON THE WEB:  www.quote-unquote.org
Click for Channel 27's [3rd oval down] Media Stream
Mickey Bock, Host; Judith Binder, Producer
Mission: Truth and Transparency in Government

Noted Foreign Affairs Expert to Speak at League of Women Voters July Luncheon

From the League of Women Voters/Central New Mexico:
Patricia Kushlis, Ph.D, a former career Foreign Service Officer and international affairs specialist in Europe, Asia, the US, politics, public diplomacy and national security -- who now blogs on foreign affairs at WhirledView -- will speak at the next League of Women Voters/Central New Mexico luncheon. Dr. Kushlis will be the keynote speaker and address the topic: "The World's View of the United States: How Can We Fix It?"

The meeting will be held at the Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel on July 10, 2008 at 11:45 AM.  Reservations are required. Contact the League office at (505) 884-8441 by 10:00 AM on Monday, July 7th to make reservations. The cost of the luncheon is $16.00 at the door. For more information about the League, visit www.lwvabc.org.

Richardson Gives Dem Radio Address; Praises Obama on Energy Plan

Gov. Bill Richardson delivered the Democratic radio address this week, and praised Sen. Barack Obama for his ability to bring change to Washington and help American families struggling with the high cost of energy. Richardson, who served as Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration, applauded Obama for his dedication to ending the country’s dependence on foreign oil and his commitment to investing in alternative energy sources.

Richardson also stressed that that John McCain’s support for expanded offshore drilling will do nothing to help struggling families and a faltering economy. He says McCain offers gimmicks and quick fixes instead of substantive, long-term solutions to our energy and climate woes.

The transcript of the radio address is below. To listen to the address, click here (mp3).

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U-N-I-T-Y: Today and Saturday

Barack and Hillary: Unity in Unity NH Today

Following on the heels of today's rally in Unity NH with Barack and Hillary, tomorrow there will be more than 4,000 Unite for Change events across the country. Last time I looked, 39 of them were organized in New Mexico, including house parties, a picnic and a gathering at a burger joint.

There's still time to RSVP for an event or create your own. Click here. According to Obama '08, "You'll gather -- not just with Obama supporters, but with anyone who's tired of the politics of the past and ready for something new -- to discuss our common vision for the future. And you'll start planning how to build this movement across the country in the weeks and months ahead."

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