Democracy for New Mexico

A Few Pics from ABQ Pridefest

Equality New Mexico booth

Another Albuquerque Pridefest has come and gone with Pride events coming up later this month in places like Santa Fe and Las Cruces. The Saturday morning parade up Central and events at New Mexico Expo on Friday and Saturday were all jam packed with people from all walks of life, whether GLBT or straight as an arrow. The Dem Party, Dem candidates, EQNM, Defenders of Wildlife and other activists and politicos participated in the parade and staffed booths to pass out literature and stickers and register people to vote. Here are a few photos from Saturday's Fest at what used to be called the New Mexico Fairgrounds.

Volunteers and MEB at the Dem Party of New Mexico booth

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Meet Jim Dean at June 21-22 DFA Campaign Academy in ABQ

Jim Dean at YearlyKos convention last year in Chicago

It's just been confirmed. We're very excited that the much-in-demand Democracy for America Chair, Jim Dean (who just happens to be the brother of DNC Chair Howard Dean) will be coming to Albuquerque to be a part of DFA's Campaign Academy in Albuquerque on June 21-22 at UNM Law School. Jim will attend Saturday's morning session and is expected to give another of his famous barn-burner speeches during lunch that day. RSVP for the Training Academy, and come on down and be a part of the action.

As I posted previously, the DFA Campaign Academy is a must-attend event for anyone involved with a progressive campaign in any capacity. The training empowers everyday citizens to manage successful campaigns, become grounded in the mechanics of successful campaigns and even run for office themselves. Co-organized by local activists in Albuquerque's DFA-Democracy for New Mexico, the training is shaped to fit the needs of local grassroots activists like you.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and a social event will be organized Saturday evening so you can mingle and network with other activists in your area. The training will run from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

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NM-Sen: McCain and Pearce Got Money from Controversial GOP Fundraiser Who Compared Rape to Bad Weather

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

According to an article in The HIll:

The Democratic Party is turning up the pressure on Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), saying he should return the money raised by a Texas oilman who once compared rape to bad weather.

McCain has already cancelled a fundraising event next week at the home of Clayton Williams, according to ABC News, after being asked about the remarks. Now, the Democratic National Committee is calling on McCain to return the $300,000 Williams has reportedly raised for him.

... Williams made national headlines when he was running for governor of Texas in 1990. [He eventually lost to Ann Richards.] A reporter heard him make the comparison between rape and weather. “As long as it’s inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it,” he was quoted as saying at the time.

Pearce and His Pal Clayton Williams
Turns out the GOP's Senate candidate in New Mexico, Steve Pearce, has also received money from the disgusting and demeaning Williams. According to OpenSecrets.org, Clayton Williams of Midland, TX donated $2,000 to Steve Pearce on January 15 of this year. He also gave money to Pearce last election cycle. Williams is one of the GOP's top fundraisers, so who knows how many thousands of dollars he "bundled" from others for Pearce's campaign.

But there's more.

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"Blackwater" Author Jeremy Scahill's Book Tour to Stop in ABQ

Nation Books author Jeremy Scahill will appear in Albuquerque later this month to sign and discuss his powerful book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. The event is cosponsored by KUNM Community Radio and Bookworks bookstore. A thoroughly revised and updated paperback edition of the revealing New York Times best seller was launched this month.

According to the publisher, the book tells the unauthorized story of the epic rise of one of the most powerful and secretive forces to emerge from the U.S. military-industrial complex, hailed by the Bush administration as a revolution in military affairs, but considered by others as a dire threat to American democracy.

Blackwater USA is the powerful private army that the U.S. government quietly hired to operate in international war zones and on American soil. With its own military base, a fleet of twenty aircraft, and twenty-thousand troops at the ready, Blackwater is the elite Praetorian Guard for the "global war on terror." Blackwater was also hired during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by the Department of Homeland Security, as well as by private clients, including communications, petrochemical and insurance companies.

Jeremy Scahill: Blackwater
Booksigning & Discussion
Friday, June 27, 2008, 7:00 PM
UNM Continuing Education Center
1634 University Blvd, Albuquerque, NM
Co-sponsored by KUNM Community Radio and Bookworks bookstore

Tickets on Sale at with proceeds to benefit KUNM. General admission $10.00 or buy a book with your ticket and receive admission for 2. Get your tickets at Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW) or at the door. Call (505)344-8139 for more info.

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Sandoval County Dem Women to Host Potluck

From Janice Saxton, President, Democratic Women of Sandoval County: On Wednesday, June 18, at 6:30 PM, the Democratic Women of Sandoval County will meet for a potluck dinner at UU Westside Congregation Church, 1650 Abrazo, Rio Rancho. Please bring a dish to share. Coffee, tea, and water will be available. There will be a business meeting beginning at 7:15 PM. The public is encouraged to attend. Guests are welcome. For info call Janice Saxton at 867-1139 or email jnjsaxton@msn.com.

NM-Sen: Have You Signed Tom Udall's Letter to Bush?

Rep. Tom Udall is sending a letter to George Bush urging him to support the troops and sign the new GI bill. He'd love to add your name to the letter. Monday's the deadline. New Mexico FBIHOP has the . You know what to do.

Wesley Clark Challenges McCain's National Security Credentials

Auditioning to be Obama's VP? Gen. Wesley Clark is questioned on Morning Joe (above) about his statements challenging John McCain's claims to posses strong national security and military credentials. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Clark said:

"I know he's trying to get traction by seeking to play to what he thinks is his strong suit of national security," Clark said of McCain while speaking from his office in Little Rock, Arkansas. "The truth is that, in national security terms, he's largely untested and untried. He's never been responsible for policy formulation. He's never had leadership in a crisis, or in anything larger than his own element on an aircraft carrier or [in managing] his own congressional staff. It's not clear that this is going to be the strong suit that he thinks it is."

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NM-01: Heinrich Celebrates Victory and Unity (with Photos, Video)

Rebecca Vigil-Giron introduces and urges support for Martin Heinrich

Click to view the entire photo album of this event at Flickr.

Martin Heinrich hosted a festive, high-energy celebration last night at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. He welcomed his long-time supporters and reached out to those who may have backed other Dems in the June 3, 2008 Dem primary in NM-01. It was a victory party and a unity rally all rolled into one, and it was packed with Democrats excited about our prospects in November. True Blue energy was in the air.

Heinrich addresses the crowd, and Micah joins him

The event was co-hosted by primary rival Rebecca Vigil-Giron, and prominent Dems Clara Apodaca, Richard Romero, John Kelly and others. The festivities brought out a large and diverse crowd of Dems, from campaign staffers, to volunteers, to grassroots activists to officeholders and well-known voices within the Party.

We HAVE TO WIN this race ...

Martin welcomed people on the patio and then moved inside for more conversation and the speeches. In a very gracious move, Vigil-Giron introduced Heinrich at the event and gave a rousing speech urging everyone in the First District to come together and work for a win, no matter their background or which candidate they had supported in the primary. Whole lotta unitin' goin' on.

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Paper Ballot Surplus: Much Ado About (Almost) Nothing

The Albuquerque Journal seems to be ever-vigilant about certain types of perceived errors or wrongdoing on the part of Dems that can be used for political fodder. Lately, it's been hitting hard on the existence of a surplus of paper ballots for New Mexico's June 3rd primary. Given their continuing front-page coverage of this issue, you'd think it constituted a scandal of epic proportions. The problem is, their reporters don't ask the right questions to get at the facts or the real problems. Many Journal reporters seem to have that habit -- or at least that's how their editorial bosses make them look.

Almost Flawless Election in Bernalillo County
The Journal started out hitting Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who just happens to be a Dem running for re-election this Fall against Repub challenger Richard Abraham. By all accounts, Oliver ran one of the most problem-free elections in recent years on June 3rd. She added three more early voting sites, effectively communicated important voting info to the public, operated with maximum transparency and improved poll worker training. The election went off without a major hitch. No long lines. No shortage of ballots. Timely reporting of election results. Everyone who wanted to vote got to do so easily and quickly -- a real success in a county that has experience election problems in the past.

The GOP: Always Whining
The smoothly run election must have irritated GOP operatives who like to whine about fake "voter fraud," despite their accusations being found to be thoroughly without merit, time and time again. This is the bunch who is also up at arms because New Mexico switched to a paper ballot system that replaced dreaded touchscreen and other electronic voting machines proven to be unreliable and hackable. You know, the machines being banned all over the nation because they lack any verifiable way to ensure votes are counted accurately. The GOP hacks consider the switch to paper ballots a step backward, probably because paper ballots provide a permanent record of what goes down on election day.

Whipping Up a "Scandal"
It's common knowledge that the Journal has always been highly amenable to regurgitating GOP talking points. I think the paper ballot oversupply "scandal" is just one more instance of this propensity.

The Journal keeps repeating that it cost $1.3 million for the 1.5 million unused paper ballots that were shredded after June 3rd, and wringing their hands about how much this cost taxpayers. Oh, shame on the Bernalillo County Clerk for following the formula for ballot printing designated by the Secretary of State. This, after the Journal made it a virtual crusade to milk the story of insufficient ballots for February's Dem Party presidential caucus for maximum political gain. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

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News from SAGE Council

From SAGE Council:
The Native American Voters Alliance (NAVA) Get Out the Vote program such a success. Overall, we made over 11,000 phone calls and 1,000 doorknocks concentrating in Albuquerque as well as Laguna, Acoma, and Isleta Pueblos. Voter turnout doubled in Laguna and nearly tripled in Acoma. This is a huge success for NAVA as we prepare to move forward with the general elections. Thank you to our many volunteers who dedicated a lot of time and energy into making this victory possible!

Mt. Taylor Thunder Run: June 21st-22nd
SAGE will be doing a prayer run to Mt. Taylor June 21st and 22nd. The run is to honor and recognize the sacredness of Mt. Taylor. Runners will come from different directions and meet up at the base of Mt. Taylor. The run from Albuquerque will begin at the Petroglyphs the morning of the 21st and head west towards Mt. Taylor. Saturday night we will camp out at the base of Mt. Taylor. Sunday morning will begin with a prayer ceremony and then we will finish with the last leg of the run to the peak of Mt. Taylor.

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