Democracy for New Mexico

NM-Sen: Defenders of Wildlife Endorses Udall, Will Target NM in 2008 Elections

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund in Washington, DC announced this week that one of its main areas of focus during the 2008 elections will be the state of New Mexico. The group will focus primarily on electing Rep. Tom Udall, whom it is endorsing in his race for the U.S. Senate. In addition, it is likely to be very active in one or more of the three open seat House races in New Mexico. Ed Yoon, the group's field campaign manager during its successful 2006 campaign against former Rep. Richard Pombo (CA-11), has been designated as state campaign manager and has established an office in Albuquerque.   

"New Mexico presents a rare opportunity for Americans who care about conservation to increase their ranks in the Senate and House," said Action Fund President Rodger Schlickeisen. "Rep. Tom Udall has a stellar conservation record and we know he'd be a true champion for New Mexico in the Senate.  Conversely, Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson both have atrocious conservation records. They both sit on House committees that are vital to our nation's conservation efforts, yet both have voted repeatedly to provide tax breaks to polluting industries and undermine key laws that protect our air, land and water. Their horrible record in these key committees has earned them a place on our target list for 2008."

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Dia de Lobos Rally: 3/14/08 at the KiMo

From the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance:
Just twenty-three wild Mexican Gray Wolves are left in New Mexico today. Ignoring science and bowing to pressure from special interests, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has abandoned its legal obligation to protect, conserve, and recover the Mexican Gray Wolf - the most endangered mammal in North America.  Rather, conflicts (whether real or induced) are routinely resolved by killing or permanently removing wolves, risking the second extinction of this rare, ecologically important carnivore.

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NM-03: IBEW, Builders Endorse Luján

From Ben R. Luján' for Congress:
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 611 on Thursday joined all 18 unions of the New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council in endorsing Public Regulation Commissioner Ben R. Luján for New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District.

IBEW represents 2,600 electrical workers from across New Mexico. The Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents about 6,000 workers, is a collective of 18 union locals, and all 18 voted to endorse Luján.

"Commissioner Luján's labor record is impeccable. He has working American families in his heart and in his mind. That's what we look for when we choose a candidate - that working people are at the top of their list," said Antonio Cruz, political coordinator for Local 611.

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Albuquerque Tribune Adios

Decades-Ago Downtown Albuquerque

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." --Thomas Jefferson, 1787

“Here is the living disproof of the old adage that nothing is as dead as yesterday’s newspaper...This is what really happened, reported by a free press to a free people. It is the raw material of history; it is the story of our own times.” --Henry Steel Commager, historian, 1951

“News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.” --Lord Northcliffe

Eighty-six years of history. Eighty-six years of news and opinion, scandals and civic pride. Eighty-six years of original stories about the characters, the quirks, the unique economic, social and political landscape of Albuquerque and New Mexico. From the roaring 20s through the Great Depression and World War II, railroads and Route 66, the Manhattan Project and Ernie Pyle, Clyde Tingley and Harry Kinney, mesa and valley, cowboys and atomic labs, artists and rebels, brothels and churches, schools and sports, streets and alleys, board rooms and barrooms.

Rio Pecos Oil Company's Gas & Eat Cafe on site of Lobo Theatre.
Library of Congress 1943.

The Albuquerque Tribune was a newspaper that never succumbed to the lures of becoming a stenographic service for political press releases, that never gave up on journalism as a legitimate profession, that was never satisfied with the easy skim of a shallow story. This was a newspaper that served the people, not the political schemes and spin of the worst of us. This was a newspaper admired for the compelling prose of its columnists and the curiosity and grit of its reporters. It was ours, and now it's gone.

Why is it always the best ones that seem to go down early and hard?

Yes, we all know that newspapers are on the way out, or at least on the road to a very different kine of existence. We can't stop time or change. But we can at least stop and think about the gifts this particular newspaper gave us -- holding up a mirror for 86 years to our flaws and triumphs, our people and our places, our arts and our sport and our vanities, with accuracy and heart. Adios Albuquerque Tribune. Your readers mourn you. There's a gap in the civic center of our civic lives. I expect it will be difficult to fill it.

Modern Albuquerque

Read and remember:

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Should Clinton Withdraw from the Race?

A compelling concept on a day featuring a Clinton-Obama debate in Austin, TX where she must decide whether to attack Obama on the low road or move beyond her personal presidential ambitions. Tonight's debate: CNN, 6:00 PM MST.

State Senate District 14: Eric Griego Launches Campaign Website

From Eric Griego for State Senate:
I am excited to announce that I have launched my campaign website. I hope you will take time to visit the site, www.EricGriegoforNewMexico.com. I would appreciate your feedback.

Now that the legislative session is over, my fundraising efforts are kicking into high gear again. With the website up, contributions can be made online.  If you haven't done so already, please consider helping my efforts to make progressive change in New Mexico by making a contribution today. To donate, please click here.

Thank you for your support!

PS:  The Governor may call a special session of the state legislature.  If he does, my fundraising efforts will again be put on hold in accordance with state law. Please make a contribution today before the blackout period begins. See below the fold for info on how you can help collect petition signatures.

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NM-01: Martin Heinrich Endorsements Week, Day 3

The third in a series of six endorsement announcements to be made over six workdays by the Heinrich campaign: Today, the United Transportation Union (UTU) local, state and federal divisions officially endorsed Martin Heinrich's campaign for Congress. The UTU represents transportation workers in New Mexico such as railroad workers. Read more about the UTU endorsement, as well as the announcements made on days one and two of six about endorsements, at the Martin Heinrich blog. Three down, three to go ...

NM Senate District 17: Tim Keller Announces His Candidacy

From the Tim Keller Campaign:
This Sunday will mark the launch of Tim Keller's Democratic Primary campaign for State Senate, District 17, in Albuquerque's Southeast Heights:

Official Campaign Launch
Sunday, February 24, 2008, 2:00-4:00 PM
El Norteno Restaurant
6416 Zuni Road SE, Albuquerque

A native of Albuquerque, Tim will bring new and ethical leadership to Santa Fe.

"I am running for office because the needs of our district are substantial. As a state senator, I will fight for working families in our district. It's that basic. I will champion affordable and accessible healthcare, ethical government, better education, safer neighborhoods, and new jobs."

Hosting the event are local neighborhood and community leaders as well as elected officials. With his family and neighbors present, Tim will discuss how with the right leadership, meaningful legislation can be passed at the state level.

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Udall Offices Seek Summer Interns

From the Office of Rep. Tom Udall:
U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-NM, welcomes interested college students to apply for the summer internship programs in his Capitol Hill and NM district offices. Each year, selected students gain a unique perspective of the U.S. House of Representatives while working in Udall’s Capitol Hill office. Additionally, Rep. Udall offers internships in his district offices.

“Participating in my internship program provides valuable insight into the legislative branch of government,” Udall said continuing, “I am proud to say that many former interns have built on their experience in my office to complete their education and lead successful careers.”

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NM House District 47: Brian Egolf Campaign Events

From Brian Egolf for State Representative, House District 47 in Santa Fe: With just a few weeks to go before candidate filing day, I'm asking you to help me get onto the ballot. Over the next several weekends, the campaign has organized a series of canvasses that will go door-to-door in my district to collect voters' signatures on my nominating petition. This is the only way I can get on the ballot for the June 3 primary, and I hope you can give some time to the campaign by volunteering today to help.

The canvasses will be February 23, March 1, March 8, and March 16. All four will start at 1:00 PM at my office (208 Griffin Street) in downtown Santa Fe. You can find all the information and RSVP by clicking . Please take a minute to volunteer today -- your help will make a huge difference to the campaign.

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