Democracy for New Mexico

(Video & Photos) Ted Kennedy Packs Hispanic Center Rally for Obama

Sen. Kennedy stumps for Obama

Sen. Ted Kennedy led a raucus rally for the Barack Obama for President campaign this morning at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The crowd packed Salon Ortega, and wound down the hallway and out of the building, to hear Sen. Kennedy's stump speech for Obama. You can watch video of the speech (and Gene Grant getting a Kennedy prediction for the Super Bowl) at the KNME website. Here's coverage by the Albuquerque Tribune.

Patsy Madrid & husband endorse Obama

There were also enthusiastic introductions by local politicos like former NM Attorney General Patricia Madrid, State Treasurer James Lewis and State Senate candidate Eric Griego who have formally endorsed Obama.

Obama supporters Miss Smith, Sen. Ted Kennedy after event

It was one of many spirited pep rallies in the February 5th Super Tuesday states in recent days for the surging campaign. Fired up -- ready to go. After his speech, Sen. Kennedy headed up north to appear at another Obama event today at 1:30 PM at Santa Fe Community College in the Jemez One Room.

Sen. Kennedy: Thumbs up for Obama, big day Tuesday


Eric Griego & Miss Smith (93-years-young) want change

The video clips above were taken after the Albuquerque event. See below the fold for more photos from the rally.

Continue reading "(Video & Photos) Ted Kennedy Packs Hispanic Center Rally for Obama"

Guest Blog: Brian Colón on NM Presidential Preference Caucus

This is a guest blog by Brian S. Colón, who chairs the Democratic Party of New Mexico. If you have a few hours to spare, please consider volunteering to help with the Caucus.

Dear New Mexico Democrats,
The New Mexico Presidential Preference Caucus is just days away! With 184 voting locations around New Mexico, we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. The Democratic Party of New Mexico needs your help! If you are interested in volunteering over the next few days to make this event as successful as possible, please contact us at 505-830-3650 to volunteer.

Next Tuesday, February 5th, New Mexico Democrats will have an opportunity to choose a nominee for President and take the first affirmative step this year towards ending eight years of a Republican White House. 

I encourage you to help with New Mexico’s turnout and vote at a Caucus Site on February 5th. Voting will be held between Noon and 7 PM. Remember that although this is called a “Caucus” this is actually just like a regular election in which you will cast a secret ballot vote for the Democratic nominee for president.

Continue reading "Guest Blog: Brian Colón on NM Presidential Preference Caucus"

NM-01: Important Endorsement for Heinrich from Fire Fighters

Click on image for larger version.

On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, Albuquerque Area Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 224) and the International Association of Fire Fighters formally endorsed Martin Heinrich's campaign for Congress in NM-01. Joined by scores of Fire Fighters sporting "Fire Fighters for Martin Heinrich t-shirts," IAFF Local 224 President Diego Arencón formally announced the endorsement.

President Arencón said, "Martin Heinrich is a strong and effective leader. On the city council, he always stood up for Albuquerque's Fire Fighters and made sure that we had the resources we needed to keep New Mexicans safe. I know that Martin Heinrich will stand up for our Fire Fighters and our safety in the Congress. IAFF Local 244 urges all Fire Fighters and all New Mexicans to support Martin Heinrich in his campaign to bring real change to Washington."

An early and enthusiastic endorsement of Heinrich by the international and local fire fighters union (IAFF and Local 224) is a major coup by the campaign. In years past the union endorsed Rep. Heather Wilson. They switched to Patricia Madrid in 2006, but did so very late in her general election campaign.

It's notable that the union decided to offer their endorsement during the primary election cycle this time, with several other Dems vying for the nomination. It also demonstrates that they evidently don't think much of the candidates on the Republican side -- Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White and State Sen. Joe Carrero. The union's early endorsement should translate into significant donations and lots of help canvassing and phone banking as Heinrich pursues the Dem nomination.

Continue reading "NM-01: Important Endorsement for Heinrich from Fire Fighters"

Confirmed: Obama in Albuquerque & Santa Fe Friday

Economic Summit with Barack Obama
This Friday, February 1st, Barack Obama will be in Albuquerque, NM for a special Economic Summit at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  Doors open at 11:30 AM. You must get a free ticket.

Get Details and RSVP here: https://NewMexico.BarackObama.com/Albuquerque.

Rally with Barack Obama in Santa Fe
This Friday, February 1st, Barack Obama will be in Santa Fe for a special rally at the Witter Fitness Center Gymnasium at the Santa Fe Community College.  Doors open at 5 PM. You get a free ticket.

Get Details and RSVP here: https://NewMexico.BarackObama.com/SantaFe.

Confirmed: Ted Kennedy in Albuquerque & Santa Fe Tomorrow for Obama

From Obama New Mexico: Tomorrow, Thursday, January 31, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) will host "Change We Can Believe In" community gatherings in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Senator Kennedy will discuss with New Mexico voters why Barack Obama is the only candidate who can bring change we can believe in. Join us for one of these very special events.

Albuquerque: Salón Ortega, National Hispanic Cultural Center, doors open 10:00 AM. Get Details and RSVP for Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s trip to Albuquerque

Santa Fe: Jemez Room One, Santa Fe Community College, doors open 1:30 PM. Get Details and RSVP for Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s trip to Santa Fe

Details on NM appearances by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are still not confirmed. Bill Clinton will rally for Hillary in Albuquerque the same day Kennedy will be in town.

NM-01: New Heinrich Video On Protecting Our Liberties

Check out the great new video by NM-01 Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich. Heinrich stands with other Democrats with spine who are aren't afraid to defend the Constitution, our civil liberties and the rule of law in these dangerous times. He's critical of those on both sides of the aisle who've taken the path of least resistance by going along with Bush on the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping and other serious threats to our freedom. It's really satisfying to see that Heinrich is right out front taking a firm stand on this issue, while others cower in the corner more fearful of garnering criticism than of seeing our democracy trashed.

I'm not the only one impressed. See today's coverage of the video by Matt Stoller on Open Left. Excerpt:

Glenn Greenwald has gone over all the legislation passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities, including the Patriot Act, the authorization for the war in Iraq, the FISA legislation, Kyl-Lieberman, the Military Commissions Act, condemning Moveon, etc.  What we have in DC is bipartisanship, elites getting along to take away our rights and to move us towards an authoritarian state. 

Now it's relatively easy to make these arguments as a blogger or an outsider critic.  It is extremely difficult to do it as Heinrich is doing it, as a leading candidate in a Congressional district who is seeking support from the political institutions he is criticizing ... It seems to me that Heinrich is actually using his campaign to lead, and he will hopefully be one of a group of Democrats injecting new blood into a now morally bankrupt Congress.

Continue reading "NM-01: New Heinrich Video On Protecting Our Liberties"

Tonight On We The People: Martin Heinrich

WE THE PEOPLE
Guest: Martin Heinrich, Democratic Candidate
New Mexico First Congressional District
Watch - Think - Call-in! (505) 346-1633
New Day and Time: Wednesday, January 30th, 6 PM
Albuquerque Comcast Cable Channel 27

Not a cable subscriber? Watch simultaneously on your high-speed computer: https://www.quote-unquote.org. Click for Channel 27s Media Stream ---> down the page on the Right.

WE THE PEOPLE is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state, and federal governments. THANKS FOR WATCHING! Mickey Bock, Host; Judith Binder, Producer.

(Updated) Latest Rumors on Obama, Kennedy Visits to New Mexico

UPDATE 2:45PM: Ted Kennedy will also rally for Obama at Santa Fe Community College at 1:30PM on January 31. Click for more info.
**************
UPDATE 1:00 PM: I just got word from the Obama campaign confirming that Sen. Ted Kennedy will rally for the campaign on Thursday, January 31, at 10:30 AM at Salon Ortega at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Doors open at 10:00 AM. Nothing firm yet on the other possible events mentioned below.
**************
According to a knowledgeable source, the Obama campaign's advance team landed in Albuquerque last night to scout locations for events in Albuquerque and Santa Fe on Friday, February 1st. The team is expected to seek sites at or near college facilities that can accommodate the large crowds expected for the events. Early word is that Obama may appear on his own at the Albuquerque event, and that Sen. Ted Kennedy may possibly join him at the Santa Fe rally. Of course none of this is confirmed or official. Keep checking the Obama New Mexico site for updates.

Clearly, Obama is devoting significant resources to organizing in New Mexico. The campaign is opening a fourth field office in the state today, in Shiprock, and is reaching out strongly to the Navajo Nation. Obama also has offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces.

"Our support and organization in Shiprock reflects Senator Obama's strong commitment to tribal communities, including the Navajo people throughout New Mexico," said Carlos Monje, state director for Obama's campaign.

Continue reading "(Updated) Latest Rumors on Obama, Kennedy Visits to New Mexico"

(Updated) Edwards to Quit Prez Race Today

Edwards campaigns in Seneca NC last week, where he was born

UPDATE: See below the fold for video of the speech.
*************
John Edwards will withdraw from the race for the Democratic nomination for president today at 11 AM MST during a speech in New Orleans, where he began his campaign. His top advisors have said he won't endorse another candidate today. Elizabeth Edwards and their three children will be at his side for the speech. Afterwards, Edwards will work with Habitat for Humanity at their New Orleans rebuilding project called Musicians' Village.

From the beginning, Edwards' platform was the most progressive and populist of the top-tier Dem candidates. Refusing to take money from lobbyists and PACs, his campaign operated with significantly less funding than the Obama and Clinton campaigns, and received much less coverage by the traditional media. A number of his positions on issues were eventually adopted by the Dem frontrunners. According to an AP story by Nedra Pickler:

Continue reading "(Updated) Edwards to Quit Prez Race Today"

Obama, Heinrich, Wivottt Winners of Sandoval County Dem Straw Poll

The Sandoval County Democratic Club and the Sandoval County Democratic Women's Club co-hosted a Straw Poll at a gathering last night in Rio Rancho. About 150 people attended.

In the presidential nomination poll, Javier Gonzales, the Chairman of New Mexico Highlands University's Board of Regents, spoke in support of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Former State Democratic Party Chairman John Wertheim spoke on behalf of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama beat Clinton by a 50-41 margin, while John Edwards finished third with 28 votes.

Martin Heinrich won the Straw Poll for NM-01 Congressional candidates with 83% of the vote. Michelle Lujan Grisham was second with five votes. In the NM-03 Congressional candidate poll, Don Wiviott won by a margin of 51-34 with Ben R. Lujan coming in second. The Wiviott campaign issued this statement about their win:

Continue reading "Obama, Heinrich, Wivottt Winners of Sandoval County Dem Straw Poll"