Not surprisingly, responses from New Mexico officials and politicos to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address were divided along partisan lines.
First the speech. If you missed it, you can read the text by clicking here or watch it right here:
On to the New Mexico responses:
U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Democrat
The U.S. Capitol building (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
“I thought President Obama laid out a very good blueprint for how we can accelerate economic growth in our country – to create jobs now and to lay the foundation for a strong economy for the next several decades.
“I think it’s important for us to focus on rebuilding manufacturing jobs in our country, and to develop a labor force that can do the work that needs to be done. I also agree with the president that we need to focus on our own energy sources to meet our economic needs. All of that, I think, is very positive and would be good for the country.
“I hope the Congress will rise to the challenge and work with President Obama over the next several months.”
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, Democrat
“Tonight, President Obama struck the right themes in his State of the Union address. We’ve reached a crucial point in our economic recovery where strengthening the middle-class with continued job creation and skills training is paramount. So too is providing the proper incentives to continue generating manufacturing and homegrown, renewable energy jobs where states like New Mexico are already capitalizing.
“The president also emphasized the need to level the playing field for middle-class and low-income taxpayers. Today, millionaires and billionaires usually pay a lower tax rate than middle-class families who are struggling to pay the bills. The only way our nation will continue down the road of economic recovery is by investing in our middle-class families and giving them the opportunity to succeed again.
“It may be an election year, but we still have a responsibility to work through our differences to put our economy on solid ground.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, Republican
“Tonight, President Obama delivered the type of speech we have come to expect from his presidency – full of grandiose rhetoric and lacking in actual solutions. Once again, he discussed jobs and the American economy, just a week after he proposed yet another debt limit increase and killed the Keystone Pipeline project. Granted, President Obama did not create our economic situation, but adding $4.6 trillion to the national debt and three years of failed economic policies have made it worse. Meanwhile, the president fails to take responsibility for any of our economic crisis.
“He is looking at 2012, acting like the last three years did not happen.
“His record, however, speaks for itself. The president has continued to drive our nation’s economy into the ground, and is currently looking to lay blame and divide our nation while his previous promises remain unfulfilled. Instead of working on solutions to get Americans back on their feet, the president’s solution is to raise taxes. If the president’s intent was to pay down the debt with tax increases, this could be an honest discussion. However, he has demonstrated no intent in paying down the debt and will use tax revenues for additional spending.
“With 8.5 percent national unemployment, our country cannot afford to tie the hands of small business owners, any more than we can afford to destroy jobs on the president’s whims. In his rejection of the Keystone Pipeline, he has demonstrated intentions for decreasing the traditional energy industry. He is catering to special interests and taking the side of campaign contributors over the side of American energy and American jobs.
“New Mexico’s economy relies heavily upon the oil and gas industry, but the president has hinted that oil and gas is not needed. Decreases in this industry would devastate New Mexico. Americans deserve more than the political games played by this administration. They deserve solutions. It is time to take the necessary steps to put America back in business and return our nation to a place where people can work hard, play by the rules, and get ahead.”
U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich, Democrat
“Like the president, I believe our country is at a pivotal moment with much at stake, including the future of America’s middle class.
“As the son of an electrician and a factory worker, and now a parent myself, I know what it’s like to hope for a better future for the next generation. But right now the playing field is uneven. Tax rates for the ultra-rich are at record lows and income inequality is at a record high.
“Republicans have seized this pivotal moment to suggest that instead of fighting for our middle class, they want to double down on their failed economic policies and threaten our seniors with cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Millionaires and billionaires, like candidate Mitt Romney, pay lower taxes than middle-class working families – yet Republicans in Congress want to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.
“The Bush tax cuts have proven ineffective at stimulating job growth, and must be ended.
“My commitment remains stronger than ever to growing New Mexico’s economy, because parents deserve a fair chance at sending their kids to college, paying for quality health care, and saving for retirement. By investing in math and science education, encouraging innovation and manufacturing – both of which New Mexico is positioned to excel in – and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, we will grow our middle class and we will all be better off.”
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, Democrat
“Tonight, President Obama outlined a plan forward that will help lay the foundation for a stronger tomorrow and an America that is built to last. His agenda recognizes the struggles the people in New Mexico continue to endure and the need for job creation right now, while investing in areas that will create long-term economic growth to ensure that the United States truly remains the land of opportunity.
“As the president made clear, we must invest in our most precious resource – the American people. We need to strengthen our schools, put a college education in reach for more Americans, and ensure that the innovative spirit of America’s entrepreneurs has the opportunity to flourish and drive our economy forward.
“Restoring our manufacturing sector, investing in American energy, and unleashing new innovations are essential to creating good jobs in our communities. The president’s emphasis on incentivizing high-tech manufactures to build it here at home, cracking down on unfair trade practices, and making it easier for a start-up to develop that next big idea will spur economic growth in New Mexico. With our national labs and universities, we are positioned to be a leader in the effort to grow new businesses that will Make It in New Mexico.
“Over the past few years, the people of New Mexico have paid the price for an economy that for too long was not focused on Main Street, working people, and the values of middle-class Americans. Tonight, President Obama reaffirmed our commitment to the enduring American value that hard work and playing by the rules will open the doors of opportunity for all. Working together, I know that we can restore this principle that provides strength for all those seeking their piece of the American Dream.”
Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Monty Newman
“It is abundantly clear that President Obama has given up on governing and used the State of the Union to stage a campaign stump speech. The president showed no interest in using the State of the Union as a forum to put forth ideas that will get our nation on a path to prosperity. We’ve heard his glittering generalities and hollow rhetoric before. It is clear that Barack Obama’s team in Chicago is worried about the continual rejection of his broken promises and failed economic policies.
“This president has a record of failed policies and broken promises, which is why you listened to another speech with flowery metaphors, recycled rhetoric, and a doubling down on failed economic policies. Currently, 13.1 million Americans are unemployed and a record 46.2 million Americans are on food stamps. Our national debt and deficits have grown at an alarming rate, exceeding that of every president before him. The Obama economy has burdened hard working families and increased healthcare costs, adding to the ranks of the uninsured. The nation’s unemployment rate has stayed above 8 percent for 35 straight months. No matter how you dice the numbers, President Obama has failed the American people.
“The president’s administration has been completely ineffective and unable to turn our economy around. Fortunately for America, day after day, voters are beginning to realize that Barack Obama is wrong for our nation and they are ready to make him a one term president.”