Richardson threatens to hold special session in May

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Gov. Bill Richardson is threatening to call a special session in May to deal with universal health care, saying he’s not pleased with the progress of Senate leaders who had agreed to work toward consensus in exchange for delaying the session until the summer. “The governor has tried to work with Senate leaders to move this issue forward and forge an agreement on health care before a special session,” Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said. “But Senate leaders have only met once, and there has been no progress whatsoever. The governor will now meet with House leaders, and he is inclined to hold a special session in May.” House Speaker Ben Lujan could not be immediately reached for comment. Every member of the Legislature is up for re-election this year, and a number are facing contested primaries on June 3. Continue Reading

Pearce claps for controversial ‘Tiger Woods’ comment

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At a veterans’ event in Washington on Wednesday, David Bellavia, a co-founder of the group Vets for Freedom, introduced GOP presidential nominee John McCain with a quote that is being discussed on television and the Internet. “You can have your Tiger Woods. We’ve got Sen. McCain,” he said. After applause, to leave no doubt that he was referring to Barack Obama, Bellavia said, as he gestured to McCain, “My friends, this is the real audacity of hope.” The Audacity of Hope is the title of one of Obama’s books. The situation is interesting in New Mexico because of who was standing next to Bellavia when he made the comments: U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who is running for Senate this year. Continue Reading

Heinrich raises $200K during first quarter of 2008

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First Congressional District Democratic candidate Martin Heinrich raised $200,000 during the first quarter of 2008 and had almost $350,000 on hand on March 31, according to a news release from his campaign. “I’m proud and humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received from folks across this district,” Heinrich said in the release. “For months, we have focused on building both the grassroots and fundraising infrastructure that we will need to win in June and in November – and our huge successes at the convention and in this most recent fundraising period are proof that this campaign has what it takes to succeed.” The news from the candidate many consider to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination comes as the likely GOP nominee, Darren White, announced that he raised $233,509 during the first quarter of 2008 and began the second quarter of the year with about $300,000 on hand. Heinrich’s release stated that he has raised $665,000 during the 2008 election cycle, which means he has spent more than $300,000. He has received contributions from more than 2,000 individuals. Continue Reading

Tribute to Domenici doubles as GOP fundraiser

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The Republican Party of New Mexico plans a tribute to retiring Sen. Pete Domenici next month in Albuquerque. The event is pricey because it is also serving as a fundraiser for the party’s Victory 2008 effort, according to the flier announcing the event. The May 9 event will be held at the Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana Blvd. NE. It begins at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $75 for those who want to attend the dinner and general reception and are as high as $1,000 for those who want to attend the dinner with priority seating, the VIP reception, the photo reception and the general reception. Continue Reading

Can America get back on the right track?

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A New York Times/CBS News poll released Friday found that 81 percent of Americans believe “things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track” in the United States. It’s the highest number of people to say that since the news organizations began polling in the early 1990s, and up 12 points from the 69 percent who were dissatisfied with the state of the nation a year ago. Who’s surprised? It’s become clear that America is probably in a recession. We’re fighting two wars, and one of them is incredibly unpopular. Continue Reading

White hauls in $233K during first quarter of 2008

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Republican Darren White raised $233,509 for his First Congressional District bid during the first quarter of 2008, and he begins the second quarter of the year with about $300,000 on hand, according to a news release from his campaign. White is the first federal candidate from New Mexico to publicly release information about his first-quarter fundraising. Candidates must file reports with the Federal Election Commission by Tuesday. White, during the fourth quarter of 2007 – his first in the race – raised just under $213,000, so he surpassed that during the first three months of 2008. In the newest quarter, according to the news release, 96 percent of White’s contributions came from New Mexicans, with 78 percent of his contributors giving less than $100. Continue Reading

Barnaby challenges Sanchez for DNC position

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Democrat Bruce Barnaby is challenging former Speaker of the House Raymond Sanchez later this month for the position of Democratic national committeeman for New Mexico. Barnaby, a longtime volunteer with the state Democratic Party, said in a letter sent Friday to the party’s state central committee members that he will represent New Mexico Democrats on a number of issues that come before the Democratic National Committee, including its 50-state strategy, which he supports, and discussion of a national presidential primary. “I will keep Democrats in New Mexico informed as these issues move forward, and I will seek advice and suggestions in open forums and meetings,” Barnaby wrote. Barnaby currently chairs the party’s state rules committee and has been a member of that committee since 2005. He is a precinct and ward chair in Bernalillo County and a volunteer at the state and county headquarters. Continue Reading

Rep. Hamilton endorses Greer in CD2 race

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State Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City, has endorsed C. Earl Greer in the Second Congressional District race. “I’ve met a lot of Republicans in my 10 years in the New Mexico House of Representatives,” Hamilton said in a news release from the Greer campaign. “I know Earl is integral, bright and hard-working. It is without hesitation I support Earl’s candidacy; he truly represents our conservative values.” Greer said he is “honored and humbled” to have the endorsement of Hamilton. “Because she is an extraordinary New Mexican leader and great Republican, her endorsement means a lot to me and my campaign,” he said. Continue Reading

Vigil-Giron vows to fight petition challenge

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First Congressional District Democratic candidate Rebecca Vigil-Giron is vowing to fight on despite a legal challenge that alleges she didn’t gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. The lawsuit was filed in district court in Santa Fe on Friday by three supporters of another Democratic First Congressional District candidate, Michelle Lujan-Grisham. It alleges that Vigil-Giron submitted more than 600 signatures that weren’t valid, which would leave her 100 short of the 1,214 required to qualify for the ballot. A hearing has not yet been scheduled in the case. “I think it’s unfortunate that Grisham does not want the voters of Congressional District One to make the decision of who their choice will be to represent them in this open seat by eliminating me from the equation,” Vigil-Giron said. Continue Reading

Three congressional candidates run new TV ads

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Three Democratic congressional candidates in New Mexico hit the airwaves this week to try to increase name recognition and get their messages to voters. In the Second Congressional District, Harry Teague is up on cable with two ads, while in the Third Congressional District, Ben R. Luján is running his first ad this week and Don Wiviott is beginning his third. Here’s a rundown on the ads: Harry Teague Teague’s first 30-second ad, titled “Leadership,” focuses on his plan to end the war in Iraq and use that money to instead expand employment and health-care opportunities and improve education. The second ad, titled “Results,” introduces Teague as a Hobbs oilman who helped create more than 2,000 jobs in Lea County and provided health insurance and educational scholarships for his employees. A news release from the Teague campaign stated that the ads show Teague’s commitment to getting results on issues that matter most to New Mexico families. Continue Reading

Most voters in poll pick Gonzales in GOP CD3 primary

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Marco Gonzales will win the Republican Third Congressional District primary on June 3. Of 106 voters, 74, or 70 percent, said Gonzales will win, while 32, or 30 percent, picked Daniel East to win. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

A shrewd Richardson helps himself by helping Obama

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Bill Richardson is nothing if not shrewd. The governor has built one of the most impressive résumés of any politician in the nation because of his ability to sense an opportunity and capitalize on it. He rescued hostages because he was willing to take risk. He catapulted himself back onto the national stage after scandal at the Department of Energy during his tenure as cabinet secretary by returning to a state where he knew how to work the system and become one of the most powerful governors in New Mexico history. Last month, he perceived the perfect time to endorse one of his former opponents in the presidential race. Continue Reading

State to hold pro-spaceport meeting in T or C

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State officials hoping to convince Sierra County voters to approve a tax increase to help fund Spaceport America will hold a town hall meeting there on Tuesday. New Mexico State University Business Dean Garrey Carruthers, state Sen. John Arthur Smith and spaceport Executive Director Steve Landeene, all supporters of the project, will promote the spaceport to voters in Sierra County at the meeting. According to a news release, they will discuss “how Spaceport America will improve the quality of life in Sierra County.” Voters will decide on April 22 whether to raise the gross receipts tax by 1/4 of a percent. That would provide a little more than $2 million for the spaceport project and also allow the state to collect a tax in Doña Ana County that was approved by voters last year that would provide about $49 million. The town-hall meeting will be held at Hot Springs High School’s gymnasium at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Continue Reading

Denish leads Democratic attack against McCain

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Lt. Gov. Diane Denish led a Democratic charge against Republican GOP Presidential candidate John McCain today that was timed to coincide with Republican activity in New Mexico. She and others met at the Barelas Community Center in Albuquerque today and accused McCain of having a voting record “that shows the GOP’s presidential nominee has repeatedly voted to harm New Mexico and New Mexicans,” according to a news release from Denish about the event. Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee is holding its annual state chairmen’s meeting at the nearby Santa Ana Pueblo. McCain’s campaign manager is scheduled to speak to the group tomorrow. McCain is traveling the country this week to give positive speeches about his past to introduce himself to voters. Continue Reading

Guv responds to new allegations about endorsement

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Gov. Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Barack Obama is earning him national headlines again today because of allegations that he told the Clintons that Obama couldn’t win the presidential race. A Richardson spokesman says the governor never said that. It’s the latest in a string of back-and-forth exchanges between the governor and the Clinton campaign that has kept Richardson in the national news since he endorsed Obama on March 21. The newest exchange began late Wednesday when ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, the former communications director in Bill Clinton’s administration, reported on the conversation Richardson had with Hillary Clinton when he told her he was endorsing Obama. Richardson has said the conversation was heated, but neither has publicly revealed details. Continue Reading