New Mexico politicians talk about Palin

New Mexico politicians carrying water for both major-party presidential candidates talked about the selection of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin today during conference calls with reporters.

Their comments come as Palin prepares to address delegates to the Republican National Convention and a televised audience this evening. In the midst of an intense media vetting of her surprise candidacy, many are eagerly awaiting Palin’s speech.

Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said today on a conference call from Minnesota, where the GOP is holding its convention, that he’s confident Palin will knock down most of the controversy during tonight’s speech. He said he’s impressed with the Alaska governor.

“Given one or two appearances in New Mexico by Gov. Palin, she may very well end up being stronger here than John McCain,” Domenici said. “She knows the issues that are New Mexican and she probably will be extremely conversant in the energy issues… and many of those things that are going to be part of our life and our livelihood.”

His sentiments were echoed by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who joined the state’s retiring senator on the conference call. She said the Democrats’ ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is “Washington-centric.”

“There’s a very strong East/West division in this presidential race,” Wilson said. “… I think that Gov. Palin will understand Western issues better.”

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a Democrat, was critical of Palin during a separate conference call with reporters today. She cited Palin’s record as a small-town mayor of accepting congressional earmark money in saying Palin has “a record of supporting the Washington establishment.”

“She’s under investigation,” Denish said. “She’s a small-town mayor. She doesn’t have the experience to step into the job of president.”

In addition, Denish said, Palin falls short on women’s issues. She said McCain’s selection of Palin “really goes more to his judgment.”

The GOP convention

Domenici and Wilson also spoke about their party’s convention. It’s Domenici’s 10th, and he said he’s proud that this year New Mexico’s delegation is prominently seated in the front. The delegation got to see last night “the best remarks that any Democrat has ever delivered on behalf of a Republican candidate in my 10 conventions” when Sen. Joe Lieberman spoke, Domenici said. He added that he was “very proud” of Lieberman.

Wilson said Lieberman’s speech and the evening “was really about putting country first.” Tonight, she said, the focus will shift to reform when Palin and others speak.

“I’m looking forward to hearing her speech tonight. She’s a great compliment to McCain in that she’s a reformer, a governor, she’s not a government insider,” Wilson said.

Domenici said Palin is “a real person and she has handled some real problems.” Specifically mentioning energy, Domenici said Palin is “a candidate who knows so much about the problems that we have in the lower 48.”

‘Time to end the double standard’

Domenici and Wilson both said the question of whether Palin can be a mother and vice president at the same time is unfair.

“We don’t do that for men,” Domenici said.

Wilson said Obama has spoken “very eloquently about the importance of fatherhood” and no one has questioned whether he can be a father and president at the same time.

“It’s time to end the double standard,” she said.

Wilson was asked whether she was disappointed that McCain didn’t select her as his running mate. In response, she said, “I think that Sen. McCain has chosen a great vice president to complement him and someone who is from outside Washington. … You want a running mate who complements your strengths, not somebody who is too close to it.”

Domenici then asked Wilson whether she had answered the question, and she said she did. Wilson, who like McCain is an elected official in Washington, is also a military veteran and considered by many to be an expert on national-security issues.

Obama focuses on women

During her conference call, Denish announced the unveiling of the New Mexico Obama for Women group. She said the movement will focus on registering women to vote and encouraging them to vote by mail and talk to other women about Obama.

The lieutenant governor said there’s a sharp contrast between Obama and McCain on women’s issues. Obama co-sponsored equal-pay legislation, she said, while McCain opposed it. Obama voted to increase health education, while McCain voted against extending insurance coverage to pregnant women and infants.

“On issue after issue, I think Barack Obama has shown and will continue to show that he’s going to fight for women,” Denish said.

She added that she’s excited to meet and stand with Obama’s wife when she visits New Mexico on Thursday.

Denish was joined on the call by Teresa Brito-Asenap, a teacher from New Mexico who spoke at least week’s Democratic National Convention. Brito-Asenap said the double standard for women in America won’t change under McCain’s leadership, but Obama will change it.

“This campaign is about empowering our communities right here in New Mexico to be a part of the change we need,” she said.