Democracy for New Mexico

Large Turnout for Saturday's Progressive Community Kickoff (Vids, Photos)

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish speaks to the activists

See photo album at Flickr and event videos at YouTube.

Ed Yoon (blue shirt), Diane Denish, Defenders, America Votes folks

Saturday's Progressive Community Kick-Off Day of Action, hosted by the America Votes coalition and Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, was packed with participants energized to bring progressive change to New Mexico this November.

Droves of door-to-door canvassers took to the streets on issues like the economy, the environment, health care, education and family and women's issues before and after a rally and lunch at the offices of SEIU - Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund in Albuquerque.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish explains what's at stake

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, State Auditor Hector Balderas, UNM's Dr. Shadi Battah, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Campaign Manager Ed Yoon, and America Votes New Mexico Director Jennifer Ford were on hand to motivate the crowd and discuss what we need to do to ensure that progress is made a myriad of domestic issues.

Hector Balderas says we're part of a great movement for change

Educating voters on the issues and getting them out to vote will be the priorities, and anyone interested in helping can contact America Votes at 228-1452, Defenders of Widllife Action Fund at 255-2326, or any of the organizations that make up the expansive America Votes coalition.

Hector Balderas talks about reaching out to new voters with hope

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund plans to lead canvasses DAILY from now until November 4th. Many other America Votes coalition organizations will be active as well. Get hooked up and volunteer.

Hector Balderas and family ready for change

Also, if you haven't yet entered to win a 2008 hybrid car that will be awarded this November by the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, visit wrong4nm.org/.

And because M.E. promised, here's Hector Balderas Jr. explaining why his dad would make a great lieutenant governor.

Click on photos for larger versions. All photos and videos by M.E. Broderick.

See our complete photo album on this event at Flickr. View all our videos from this event on this YouTube playlist.

Important Note: We'd like to provide you with better digital photos and video clips but we need to buy better equipment to do that. We want to replace our current digital camera plus add a compact video camera within the next  month because we'll be the only New Mexico blog that's part of the official DNC State Blogger Corps at the Dem Convention in Denver. It will also be expensive to pay for our travel and hotel costs to attend the Convention, where we'll be seated with New Mexico's delegation.

If you'd like to donate for new equipment and/or help us with our Convention costs, just click on the Donate button on the upper left-hand corner of the page or contact me at dfnm_albq AT comcast.net to learn where to send a check. Many thanks to those who have donated so far -- you know who you are!

Technorati Tags:

Colorado Activists Set Up Defense Fund for Librarian Cited at McCain Event

Rachel Maddow reports on Denver free speech incident

Beware the wrath of foes of civil liberties if you intend to use your free speech rights anywhere near the McCain campaign events in Albuquerque next week. McCain will be here for two days -- at a big ticket fundraiser on July 14th at the home of car dealer Ken Zangara, and at a town hall meeting at the Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town the next day. (Doors open at 8:45 AM but all seats have been filled.)

McCain held what was called a "public" town hall meeting yesterday in Denver, but it turned out to be none too public as a peaceful and polite woman holding a sign outside the event was cited and threatened with arrest for "trespassing." ProgressNowAction, a network of Colorado grassroots activists, fills in the details with an email today, and asks for donations for a defense fund they've set up for Carol and others who may get caught exercising their rights:

This is what we're up against. 

Yesterday, Sen. John McCain's Secret Service detail had a 60 year-old librarian removed from a public plaza.  The librarian, Carol Kreck, was merely carrying a sign that said: McCain = Bush.

As our state moves to the national spotlight later this summer, you can bet there will be more occurrences like this. And you can bet we'll be there to document and publicize it [see video above].

... After you've seen it for yourself, I hope you'll pitch in and help us help Coloradans like Carol Kreck. Please make a donation today at the following link.

Here's the thing: while other people in line were sporting pro-McCain messages only the 60 year-old librarian was cited - for trespassing and ordered to appear in court July 23rd.  That's just wrong. And illegal. 

We believe her First Amendment Rights were violated and we're going to help her fight back.  We can't allow this instance to set the precedent for how Colorado treats its citizens who choose to make good on their freedom of speech during a critical election year.

Like New Mexico, Colorado is a battleground state this election cycle and has a good chance of turning Blue. Both presidential candidates are sure to visit often and then, of course, there's the Democratic Convention in Denver on August 25-28. Time to stake a claim for freedom of speech and help Colorado progressives prepare for the possibility of many more incidents like this one. Click to make a donation to our compadres to the North. I just did. Who knows? Since I'll be covering the Dem Convention as New Mexico's rep on the DNC's State Blogger Corps, it could be me that needs some help later this summer.

Lawsuit Already Filed on First Amendment Rights
By the way, the ACLU and several advocacy groups have filed suit against the U.S. Secret Service and the city and county of Denver that says protestors and demonstrators may have their First Amendment rights violated by security restrictions for the Convention. One point of contention is a chicken-wire or chain-link fence that will be placed around the so-called "public demonstration zone" outside the Pepsi Center, which is the main Convention venue. Stay tuned.

Technorati Tags:

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

NM-Sen: 21st Century Democrats Endorses Udall

Yesterday, 21st Century Democrats endorsed nine "progressive leaders" including Rep. Tom Udall, who's running for Senate in New Mexico. According to their email, Udall and the others "represent a cross section of Americans who are dedicated to putting our country back on the right track."

21st Century Democrats is seeking donations to help them place what they call "highly trained grassroots organizers" in the field for the nine candidates. Every dollar they raise before the 4th of July will be matched by one of their longtime supporters -- doubling the number of organizers they can put on the ground. The nine candidates:

• Tom Udall - US Senate, New Mexico
• John Adler - US Congress, New Jersey
• Gary Peters - US Congress, Michigan
• Suzanne Kosmas - US Congress, Florida
• Larry Kissell - US Congress, North Carolina
• Hannah-Beth Jackson - State Senate, California
• Michael Calderin - State House, Florida
• Anton Gunn - State House, South Carolina
• Summer Starr - State House, Hawaii

Technorati Tags:

DFA Campaign Academy Draws Praise; Plus New DFA Nightschool Session Tonight on Getting a Campaign Job

NM-03 candidate Ben Ray Lujan, DPNM Chair Brian Colon

See more photos from this event at Flickr.

DFA Chair Jim Dean, NM-01 candidate Martin Heinrich, Jon Blair

Democracy for America's intensive, two-day Campaign Academy held at the UNM Law School in Albuquerque this past weekend was received enthusiastically by everyone I spoke with. Don't take my word for it -- read what two participants in the weekend training have to say about the experience. Check out posts about the Academy by and Suzanne Prescott.

Martin Heinrich (NM-01), DFA Chair Jim Dean, Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03)

DFA trainers Matt Blizek, Jennifer Coken and Michael Cook presented the bulk of the material, with Allan Oliver of Governor Richardson's office and Joe Casados of the Democratic Party of New Mexico providing specialized instruction in communications and the Party's VoterBuilder file. The Campaign Academy included lecture presentations as well as small, hands-on breakout sessions, and was jam-packed with info useful to anyone involved in progressive politics. The workbook handout alone was worth the (very reasonable) price of admission.

Michael Cook conducts breakout session

On Saturday, Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Brian Colon welcomed the attendees to kick off the weekend. We were also delighted to have DFA Chairman Jim Dean in attendance to remind everyone how critical New Mexico will be on November 4th and, most importantly, how dedicated we need to be to grassroots activism if we want to help create a True Blue New Mexico.

Allan Oliver leading breakout session on communication

Candidates Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Ben Ray Lujan (NM-02) and Jason Marks (PRC) were also on hand to say hello and soak up some knowledge. A bunch of studious staffers from Tom Udall's office and the Coordinated Campaign took advantage of the training, as did NM House candidates Janice Saxton (HD 22) and Craig Cosner (HD 67).

Energy was high throughout the two-day Academy, and DFA trainer Matt Blizek was full of praise about the level of engagement of participants. You could feel it in the air -- Dems are ready to put their grassroots activism on the line so we can win up and down the ticket in November.

More than 14,000 people across the country have been trained by DFA on the ins and outs of running for office, campaigning and volunteering effectively. If you missed this opportunity to attend the Academy in person, you can get similar training online on a variety topics via DFA's top-notch, interactive Night School program. Topic-specific materials, including mp3s, are available for download, or you can purchase DVDs. You can also subscribe to Night School podcasts to stay current on each month's offering.

Tonight: How to Get a Campaign Job
In fact, there's a new, hour-long Night School session on Getting a Campaign Job set for tonight, June 25 at 6:30 PM MDT:

Campaigns are gearing up in all 50 states right now, and they need passionate and well trained campaign staff. On Wednesday July 25th, Democratic GAIN President Amy Pritchard will be joining DFA Night School for an hour long training on 'Getting a Job on a Campaign'. We'll offer tips on touching up your resume and how to build and leverage your professional networks both on and offline as part of our Night School series.

See more photos from this event at Flickr.
All photos by M.E. Broderick

DFA-Democracy for America helped to organize and coordinate the Albuquerque Training Academy and is a Democracy for America coalition partner. DFA, headquartered in Burlington, VT, is our nation's largest progressive political action community. With over 675,000 members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.

Technorati Tags:

Thursday: America Votes Open House

America Votes New Mexico
Invites AV Partners, Friends, Family and Supporters
to Celebrate the Opening of Our New Offices
Thursday, July 12, 2008, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
625 Silver Avenue SW, Suite 185, ABQ
Drinks and Hors D'eouvres Provided
Click for FLYER
We Hope You Can Join Us for the Festivities
RSVP: Petra at psalazar@americavotes.org or 414-2807

Check out the groups that make up the America Votes coalition here.

America Votes is a coalition of the largest membership-based progressive groups in the country, representing a broad range of issues including the environment, civil and human rights, choice, education and labor. America Votes works with 47 national and more than 260 state-based partner organizations. The mission of America Votes is to coordinate the independent electoral activity of these groups to create a permanent progressive infrastructure nationally and in the states. Our coalition partners share innovative strategies and resources to maximize our electoral impact.

Ultimately, the aim of America Votes is to ensure that massive voter mobilization campaigns build a progressive infrastructure that will survive across election cycles.

Technorati Tags:

RSVP Now for DFA Campaign Academy in ABQ 6/21-22

Sample a recent training.

We're very excited to announce that DFA-Democracy for New Mexico will be welcoming folks from Democracy for America (DFA) in Vermont to Albuquerque later this month. They'll be presenting a top-notch two-day training academy on June 21-22 at the UNM Law School in Albuquerque. It's a can't miss event for anyone involved with a progressive campaign this Fall -- whether you're a volunteer, campaign staffer, candidate or contemplating a possible future run for office.

The acclaimed DFA Campaign Academy empowers everyday citizens to manage and work for successful campaigns, and even run for office themselves. Co-organized by DFA activists in Albuquerque, each DFA training is shaped to fit the needs of local grassroots activists. DFA is dedicated to building a grassroots infrastructure of skilled progressive activists in all 50 states, and highly successful training academy's have been held in many locations around the nation with more on the way.

Find out more and RSVP here: www.democracyforamerica.com/newmexico_training. If you're coming from out of town, we'll be posting info soon about nearby lodging at a group rate.

The DFA Campaign Academy brings together dozens of local activists and candidates for two days of intensive campaign training. Top campaign professionals give you a step-by-step guide to running a winning grassroots campaign. Sessions include: field planning and targeting, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and much more. Read more about the curriculum, the trainers and see testimonials about the training here.

Join the folks from DFA and dozens of local grassroots activists in Albuquerque for two days of energizing campaign training. To sign up or get more info visit www.democracyforamerica.com/newmexico_training.

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.

If you are a candidate running for office and plan on attending, please email DFA at training(at)democracyforamerica.com and let them know.

Campaigns are encouraged to send representatives from among their staff and volunteers to take advantage of some of the best campaign training available anywhere.

Technorati Tags:

(Updated) NM-02: Grant County Progressives Sponsor Silver City Dem Candidate Forum

UPDATE: I just learned that Harry Teague has turned down the invitation for the candidate forum as explained by the Grant County Progressives: "Harry Teague, district two Democratic candidate for Congress, is going to be a no-show. District two Democratic candidate for Congress Bill McCamley will definitely be attending for the whole event. Because of that, we have decided to invite all of the Democratic candidates for Grant County Commission Dists. 2 and 3 to join us at the Silco Theater to speak and answer questions in concert with Bill McCamley. Most of the commission candidates have already accepted."
*****************
From John Fridinger and Richard Earnhart, Silver City:
A number of local Progressives here in Grant County have voiced an interest in hearing what the two Democratic candidates running to replace Republican Steve Pearce in Congressional District 2 have to say. Several of us would like to help that conversation happen outside of the framework of a political party. 

We have gotten together to rent the Silco Theater for April 30th from 6:30-8:30 PM, and we've invited Harry Teague and Bill McCamley to come, meet, greet, and talk about their respective positions on issues important to Progressive members of this community. The format will be questions from the audience with answers from the candidates.

Progressive Forum for Congressional District 2
Democratic Candidates Harry Teague (invited) & Bill McCamley
Wednesday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 PM
Silco Theater, 311 Bullard Street, Downtown Silver City
Come early and bring a voting friend!

Mr. McCamley has accepted and we are on his schedule, and though we don't have a confirmation from Mr. Teague's campaign at this writing. We hope that he makes the right decision to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

The Democratic Party Primary is on June 3rd. Only registered Democrats can vote in the June primary.

Both of these candidates want your vote. Meet them face to face, make up your minds, help them to win in June and then most importantly in November.  NOW is the time for us to begin to get rid of the Bush administration clone Steve Pearce.  Let's let these two fellows know what really matters to Progressives.

This event is co-sponsored by the Grant County Progressives.

To see our previous coverage of the 2008 NM-02 Congressional race, see our archive.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

Happy Birthday, Cocoposts

For a state with a small population New Mexico has one of the finest collections of progressive bloggers in the country. (For comparison, check out another large but low population state like Maine.) Over the past several years New Mexico's progressive blogsphere has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of the number of blogs, their quality and the degree of networking that goes on among them. Moreover, each blog seems to have carved out a distinctive niche, its own unique angle on things, amidst the larger community. Go click on the links located down a bit on my left-hand sidebar under the heading NM Blogs to see what I mean.

A key piece of the New Mexico blogging community is Coco's fine blog at https://cocoposts.typepad.com/. Cocoposts, Albuquerque People, Places, Politics, Planning and a Big Dog, is also one of the most unusual. Coco provides indepth insight into New Mexico's development empire and our archaic planning process, along with a myriad of observations on places, animals, food, movies and more. Why do we read it? Because we want to understand and we want to do it with a chuckle. Thank you, Coco. And happy third birthday to Cocoposts!

(Aside ... want to see the first Cocopost from March 20, 2005? Click here. Hat tip to SP.)

Guest Blog: Why New Progressives Should Support Obama

This is a guest blog by Eric Griego, Moe Maestas and Javier Benavidez:

It is rare in American politics that a leader emerges who inspires people to look beyond their political party, their race, or their gender.  A leader who truly restores faith in the idea that we are all in this together and that it is still possible to change America for the better.  We believe Barack Obama is that leader.

With a few notable exceptions, the two remaining Democrats have similar platforms.  Obama has been a strong and steady opponent of the war in Iraq.  Clinton voted to go to war.  Obama has the most progressive position on immigration, including a path to citizenship. Clinton flip flopped on the issue of issuing drivers’ licenses to immigrants to protect public safety.  While Clinton is as hawkish as conservative Republicans on using diplomacy, Senator Obama believes we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate with some of our toughest enemies.  Not with a blank check and no agenda, but with an earnest resolve to move diplomacy where we can.  Instead of forcing people who cannot afford insurance to buy it, Obama’s healthcare plan focuses on cutting costs.  Clinton’s plan looks a lot like the failed and underfunded Massachusetts model.

Almost 50 years ago, another young Senator inspired a nation with his message of unity and bold change for America.   His name was John F. Kennedy.  Like Senator Obama he challenged Americans to believe that we could change history by making America work for all of us again.  He was not the typical candidate.  He was young.  He was from a religious group (Catholics) that had never fielded a Presidential candidate.   Some people at the time said he was a gamble.  However, his bold plan for America changed the course of history.

One of JFK’s closest allies in the U.S. Senate, was a man, who grew up in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood, Senator Dennis Chavez.  Dennis Chavez co-chaired the national Viva Kennedy campaign, which helped deliver not just the state for Kennedy, but most of the Hispanic vote nationwide. It was the first time that Hispanic voters were mobilized enough to determine the outcome of a national campaign.

Sadly, the Clinton campaign is claiming that Hispanics are monolithic and according to her pollster, Sergio Bendexin, will not support a Black candidate.  The myth of a brown-black rift is just that – a myth.  A fairytale if you will.  As Time magazine pointed out, Hispanics have helped elect several big city Black mayors from Harold Washington in Chicago to Wellington Webb in Denver.  Here in New Mexico Obama’s state campaign co-chair James Lewis was elected by an overwhelming Democratic majority – most of whom were Hispanic.

This should not be a black vs. white election, or even a black vs. brown election.  It should also not be a man vs. women election. It should be a future vs. the past election.  An innovation vs. the status quo election.  Color, gender or age should be irrevelant.

In the end, the differences between Obama and Clinton are minor compared to the Republican alternatives.  Both Obama and Clinton are more than qualified to be President.  The real question is whether we want a new direction, a fresh approach, a new way.  For those of us who are trying to be part of a new kind of politics here in New Mexico, we think Obama offers the best hope for our future. 

We hope you will join us.