Richardson sees significant gain in new Iowa poll

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For the first time, Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign is experiencing a significant jump in a poll. American Research Group’s newest poll of Iowa, which was released yesterday, had Richardson at 5 percent among likely participants in the Democratic caucus in that important primary state. That’s up from 1 percent a month ago. Richardson has said repeatedly that he’s gaining in the polls, but this is his first significant climb in a scientific, independent poll. The newest survey was conducted April 27-30. Continue Reading

Bingaman, Domenici set example of bipartisanship

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A column in today’s Washington Post cites New Mexico’s two U.S. senators as an example of bipartisan cooperation that often goes unnoticed. David S. Broder has an excellent point: I joined most journalists in ignoring the Senate’s approval last week of the America Competes Act. U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Pete Domenici, R-N.M., were among a number of sponsors of the bill, but were two of the three who began the push for the legislation in 2005, Broder wrote. The bill authorizes $16 billion over four years as part of a $60-billion plan to double funding for the National Science Foundation over five years and funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science over 10 years. Continue Reading

White Sands to get new engineering battalion

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New Mexico’s senators announced today that the U.S. Army plans to station a new engineering battalion at White Sands Missile Range, increasing the base’s population by about 245. The move is part of a plan to increase the size of the Army by 65,000 soldiers in the next six years. The Army will move its 70th Engineering Battalion and reflag it as the WSMR 2nd Engineer Battalion in June of next year. “This move will be very good for the Army and WSMR,” said U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who serves on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “White Sands offers an ideal research and test facility for the Army and I have no doubt the military personnel who will be stationed there will be warmly welcomed by the entire region.” “This is terrific news for White Sands Missile Range. Continue Reading

Richardson picks economic development secretary

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Gov. Bill Richardson today announced the appointment of former state Rep. Fred Mondragon as the new secretary of the Economic Development Department. “Fred has the qualifications, ability and drive to continue attracting high-tech industries that will keep bringing good jobs to New Mexico,” Richardson said in a news release. Mondragon, who is currently director of Albuquerque’s Office of Economic Development, replaces Rick Homans, who became director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority on Tuesday. “I look forward to applying the successful principles and strategies on a statewide level that have resulted in so many companies choosing Albuquerque during the last couple years,” Mondragon said in the release. As director of Albuquerque’s economic development department, Mondragon participated in the recruitment or expansion of Tesla Motors, Verizon Wireless, Eclipse Aviation, Advent Solar and Albuquerque Studios. Continue Reading

Richardson gets back at FOX News

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In December, FOX News had some fun at Gov. Bill Richardson’s expense by turning his hypothetical answer to a question into a bogus announcement that he was running for president. Now, Richardson is returning the favor with a cheap shot of his own. The network reported six weeks before Richardson’s formal announcement that he told one of its reporters he was running for president. But the network never showed a clip of Richardson saying anything like, “Today, I’m announcing that,” or other such standard statements announcing a presidential run. What it showed was a clip of Richardson saying this: “But I’m not running as a Hispanic. Continue Reading

Newspaper unveils site covering Richardson’s run

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The Santa Fe New Mexican has been working on building a site devoted to comprehensive coverage of Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential run. The newspaper hired me several weeks ago to write 22 background articles, including a six-article biography and stories on Richardson’s stances on various issues and other interesting topics. The site made its debut today, and, though it looks like they’re still working out a few bugs, I think it looks great. One of the coolest features is a Google map that tracks Richardson as he jaunts around the nation. Check out the site when you get a chance by clicking here. Continue Reading

Madrid takes consulting job, also working for Edwards

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Former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid has taken a position as a consultant for a firm that represents some of the companies she took to court on behalf of New Mexico’s citizens during her time in office. Dickstein Shapiro LLP announced today that Madrid would become an exclusive consultant for its division that works on cases involving state attorneys general. The powerhouse Washington, D.C. firm represents more than 100 of the Fortune 500 companies and has, at times, also represented states in litigation. “Our alliance with Patricia will drive our state AG practice to new heights,” said Bernard Nash, head of Dickstein Shapiro’s state attorneys general practice. “Patricia was one of the most well-respected attorneys general in the country during her two terms. Her experience, judgment and credibility will enable us to better serve our clients.” Madrid, a Democrat, said the job helps her stay visible and active, but it’s also something she can leave immediately if she decides to run against U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., next year, which she’s considering. Continue Reading

Domenici scandal creates opportunity for a young, energetic Democrat to become an elite player

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The U.S. attorney scandal has created a ripe opportunity for an up-and-coming Democrat to jump into the top-tier of politicos in the party. Democrats are having trouble recruiting an elite candidate to run against the 74-year-old Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who was once untouchable but has watched his approval rating drop since mid-February, when the U.S. attorney scandal first broke. There is a good reason many of the top-tier Democrats don’t want to run against him: He’s Pete. Though his approval rating has fallen from 64 percent to 54 percent in two months, he still won’t likely to lose the election. But there are other reasons this is a great race for an up-and-coming Democrat. Continue Reading

Weh reaches out to GOP members around the state

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Following a serious challenge to his leadership this weekend, Allen Weh, chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, is reaching out. In a news release, he pledged to strengthen communication and “work toward strengthening the fundamentals of grassroots politics and recruiting top-tier candidates for upcoming elections.” “Our tasks are simply stated but they are not simply implemented. To succeed, we will all need to work together as a team from Raton to Las Cruces to Deming to Hobbs to Taos,” Weh said. “Being successful in 2008 will depend on staying focused on our priorities, effective political leadership throughout the state, having well-trained and organized counties, and a professional state party staff that can team with the Republican National Committee,” he said. C. Earl Greer was defeated by Weh 182-137 for the position of party chair at this weekend’s convention. Continue Reading

Richardson’s pick for favorite justice might hurt him

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Another of Gov. Bill Richardson’s statements from last week’s Democratic presidential candidate debate might come back to bite him. When each candidate was asked to name, without elaborating, their favorite Supreme Court justice, Richardson picked former Justice Byron “Whizzer” White. When asked to name a living justice, he named Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The controversy comes from Richardson’s career of strong statements in support of abortion rights. White was among the minority of justices who dissented from the 1973 opinion in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion, and Richardson’s naming him has upset some Democrats. Continue Reading

We need better jobs, not just more jobs

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By Dr. James “Jim” Kadlecek “Whatever is going to happen is already happening.” – Sylvia Porter Most every Monday, I have lunch with a bunch of “used-to-bes.” This little, informal group is composed mostly of guys who used to be politicians, engineers, teachers, federal employees, businessmen, etc. We even have a psychologist or two, and we also have a younger “wanna-be” in the group. Some are retired, some are not. Both political parties are represented. Occasionally, our group is significantly improved by the attendance of a member of the opposite sex. Continue Reading

Domenici’s approval rating continues to drop

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s approval rating continues to drop. Last month’s SurveyUSA poll, conducted March 12, found that 57 percent of New Mexicans approved and 35 disapproved of the job the New Mexico Republican is doing. It was the lowest approval rating for the senior senator since at least May 2005. Now it’s lower. The newest poll, conducted April 13-15 and released Wednesday, has Domenici’s approval rating at 54 percent, with 38 percent saying they disapprove of the job he’s doing. Continue Reading

Lyons is latest to prove need for contribution limits

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New Mexico Land Commissioner Pat Lyons is the latest politician to unwittingly make the case for placing limits on campaign contributions. Las Cruces developer Philip Philippou gave $20,500 to Blue & Red PAC last year. The PAC gave $17,642.50 of it to Lyons’ re-election campaign. Though everyone involved claims Philippou didn’t direct that the money be given to Lyons, the PAC gave it to the land commissioner on the same two days Philippou gave it to the PAC. Fair or not, there’s an appearance that Philippou used the PAC to funnel money to Lyons. Continue Reading