Democracy for New Mexico

Obama Quote of the Day: McCain's Flip-Flop on Offshore Oil Drilling

"John McCain's support of the moratorium on offshore drilling during his first presidential campaign was certainly laudable, but his decision to completely change his position and tell a group of Houston oil executives exactly what they wanted to hear today was the same Washington politics that has prevented us from achieving energy independence for decades. 

"Much like his gas tax gimmick that would leave consumers with pennies in savings, opening our coastlines to offshore drilling would take at least a decade to produce any oil at all, and the effect on gasoline prices would be negligible at best since America only has 3% of the world's oil. It's another example of short-term political posturing from Washington, not the long-term leadership we need to solve our dependence on oil.

Continue reading "Obama Quote of the Day: McCain's Flip-Flop on Offshore Oil Drilling"

June 28: Fundraiser for Maggie Toulouse Oliver Campaign

You are invited to a Fundraising Get-Together Honoring:
Maggie Toulouse Oliver - Bernalillo County Clerk
Hosted by:
Mathew & Christina Woodlee; Chris Garcia;
Joseph Garcia; Raul & Nasha Torrez; Laura E. Sanchez;
Erika Anderson; Mo Chavez
Saturday, June 28th, 2008; 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
At The Home of
Mathew & Christina Woodlee
7925 Derickson Ave., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
(Located near Wyoming & San Antonio)
$50.00 Suggested Contribution
(Any amount is most appreciated)

The Myriad Horrors of Too Much Money in Too Few Hands

Go ahead, read what Barbara Ehrenreich has to say and consider what the uber-rich are doing to the West and many other places of beauty and character. Meanwhile, the middle class deteriorates and people can't afford to go to the dentist, buy decent groceries or keep up with their rent or mortgages. Bravo corporatism, tax-free investment gains and the unrestrained "free market." Excerpt:

About ten years ago, for example, a friend and I rented a snug, inexpensive one-bedroom house in Driggs, Idaho, just over the Teton Range from wealthy Jackson Hole, Wyoming. At that time, Driggs was where the workers lived, driving over the Teton Pass every day to wait tables and make beds on the stylish side of the mountains. The point is, we low-rent folks got to wake up to the same scenery the rich people enjoyed and hike along the same pine-shadowed trails.

But the money was already starting to pour into Driggs -- Paul Allen of Microsoft, August Busch III of Anheuser-Busch, Harrison Ford -- transforming family potato farms into vast dynastic estates. I haven't been back, but I understand Driggs has become another unaffordable Jackson Hole. Where the wait staff and bed-makers live today I do not know.

Continue reading "The Myriad Horrors of Too Much Money in Too Few Hands"

NM Dem Party Demands That Pearce Return Tainted Money; GOP Going Off the Tracks?

CALLING STEVE PEARCE: Return the money from discredited Texan Clayton Williams, and repudiate his repulsive remarks about rape.

John McCain was forced to cancel a Texas fundraiser this past weekend hosted by oil man Clayton Williams after he was confronted with sexist quotes made by the monied GOP donor but has so far refused to return more than $300,000 his campaign Williams has raised for McCain. The most egregious prounouncement by Williams equated rape with the weather, saying "as long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it."

As I previously posted, Steve Pearce, the GOP's candidate for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, has gotten $4,000 from Williams going back to his 2006 campaign for Congress -- plus who knows how much more from donors "bundled" by Williams. The Democratic Party of New Mexico is now demanding that Pearce return the money.

"Steve Pearce and John McCain need to do the right thing and return every dollar they have gotten from their sexist and misguided friend, Clayton Williams," said Conchita Cruz, Press Secretary for the Democratic Party of New Mexico. "Pearce's silence on the matter is unacceptable, as Williams' words are disturbing and out of step with New Mexico values."

Continue reading "NM Dem Party Demands That Pearce Return Tainted Money; GOP Going Off the Tracks?"

NM-02: Sen. Bingaman to Host Benefit for Teague

Sen. Jeff Bingaman is hosting a barbeque fundraiser on June 21, 2008 at A Lodge on the Desert in Las Cruces for NM-02 Congressional candidate Harry Teague. See below the fold for details.

Continue reading "NM-02: Sen. Bingaman to Host Benefit for Teague"

True Blue New Mexico: Martin Heinrich on the Case for Change

Yesterday New Mexico FBIHOP and the DFNM blog launched True Blue New Mexico 2.0 with a post explaining what we're up to. Today we each have a special guest post by NM-01 Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich giving us his take on what's at stake this year:

I’d like to thank Democracy for New Mexico and New Mexico FBIHOP for this opportunity. The contribution that these and other blogs across the Land of Enchantment make is a testament to the strength of our American democracy.

Over at New Mexico FBIHOP, I talk about why this is a race that we can win and here, I’m going to focus on why we must win.

This year, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Earth is heating up. Gas prices are out of control. Wages are stagnant. Millions lack health care. And, we’re stuck in an endless war.

After two terms of the failed policies of George Bush and Dick Cheney, it’s time for real change.

On the Albuquerque City Council, I took on the tough fights and delivered for working families. I fought for an increase in the minimum wage not because it was easy – but, because it was the right thing to do. We brought people together across party lines to give hard working New Mexicans a raise.

In Congress, I’ll take on the tough issues.

I’ll work to end the war in Iraq, bring our troops home and invest the $300 million a day that we’re spending over there turning America’s economy around and helping middle class families here.

I’ll work to break America’s oil addiction and create jobs by investing in the clean technologies of the future. And, I’ll work to make sure that all Americans have access to high quality, affordable health care.

Continue reading "True Blue New Mexico: Martin Heinrich on the Case for Change"

Compare and Contrast

Click on photos for larger images.

First the "spouses for life." Later the cruel reactions. Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, who have been a couple for 55 years, were among the first same-sex partners to legally exchange marriage vows in California Monday.

Del and Phyllis were pioneering lesbians and feminists. Even I can't truly know what they went through in the early days of their relationship, although it was still very brutal when I had my first gay relationship in the late 60s. In 1955, Martin, Lyon and six other lesbian women formed the Daughters of Bilitis, the first major lesbian organization in the United States. Lyon was the first editor of DOB's newsletter, The Ladder, beginning in 1956. Martin took over editorship of the newsletter from 1960 to 1962.

Continue reading "Compare and Contrast"

(Updated) Gore to Endorse Obama Tonight: Watch It Live

Update: You can see a video of Gore's endorsement of Obama here.
************
At long last. Al Gore has sent out an email to supporters (see below the fold) announcing that he will endorse Barack Obama for President tonight at 6:30 PM MDT at an Obama rally in Detroit. You can watch a live-stream of the announcement at BarackObama.com.

Continue reading "(Updated) Gore to Endorse Obama Tonight: Watch It Live"

Pitch In to Create a True Blue New Mexico

New Mexico FBIHOP and the Democracy for New Mexico blog are re-launching the True Blue New Mexico campaign today -- this time with the Democratic candidates for all the federal races.

You can donate at the True Blue New Mexico ActBlue fundraising page, where you'll find the full slate of Democratic candidates New Mexicans can vote for come November.

This year, voters around New Mexico and across the country have voted for change in record numbers, and not just for presidential candidate Barack Obama but for more local races as well. Progressive candidates already shocked incumbents in state Senate and House primaries earlier this month.

This Is Our Moment
In 2008, New Mexicans have a chance for a true change -- a golden opportunity to make a True Blue New Mexico. There are more Democrats than Republicans registered in the state, and Democrats control both the state Senate and House. Yet in federal offices, Republicans hold a 3-2 advantage, including a 2-1 advantage in the House. This year, that can change -- and change dramatically.

When Sen. Pete Domenici decided to retire due to medical problems, it created a scramble for his seat that eventually enveloped the entire House delegation. All three representatives decided to run for the Senate seat. Candidates for their now-open House seats popped up everywhere.

After the dust settled, Democrats were left with five great candidates for federal office: Sen. Barack Obama in the Presidential race, Rep. Tom Udall in the Senate race, Martin Heinrich in the 1st Congressional District, Harry Teague in the 2nd Congressional District and Ben Ray Lujan in the 3rd Congressional District.

Continue reading "Pitch In to Create a True Blue New Mexico"

Richardson Wins Our Dem VP Straw Poll

A week ago Sunday we posted our straw poll to discover your favorite Dem VP candidate, and the results are in. Check below the fold for complete results. Your top choices were Gov. Bill Richardson (21%) and John Edwards (15%), with Hillary Clinton and Gen. Wesley Clark tied for third with 11% each. VA Senator Jim Webb finished a close fourth with 10%. Trailing the field and getting zero votes were former Senator Sam Nunn, GOP Senator Chuck Hagel and VA Gov. Tim Kaine.

According to an article in the Virginia Pilot, Sen. Webb is getting significant online buzz, second only to Hillary. "A Google news search last week for "Jim Webb and running mate," produced 1,717 hits. A "Jim Webb and vice president" query brought 2,413 responses. Webb's totals eclipsed those of every other Democratic prospect, save Clinton, a special case thanks to her quest for the top spot and status as a former first lady."

Meanwhile, talk seems to have dissipated about a VP slot for Richardson, and his recent international travels indicate he might be more interested in become Secretary of State in an Obama administration. In recent weeks Richardson has been negotiating deals and meeting leaders in places like Mexico, Israel, Germany and Spain. Pressures on Obama to pick Hillary to fill out a "unity ticket" also appear to be waning given the problems inherent in having Bill Clinton looking over Barack's shoulder.

Continue reading "Richardson Wins Our Dem VP Straw Poll"