Planned Parenthood targets McCain in new ad

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Planned Parenthood is running a new TV ad in New Mexico and other battleground states highlighting a recent non-statement by Republican presidential candidate John McCain about why health-insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control. “Ever use birth control?” the ad’s narrator asks. “Then you’ll want to hear this.” The ad then goes to video of McCain being asked by a female reporter to comment on why insurance companies cover the erectile dysfunction drug but not birth control. After eight seconds of uncomfortable silence, McCain says, “I don’t know enough about it to give you a informed answer.” Here’s the ad: What McCain actually said was, “I certainly do not want to discuss that issue. … I don’t know enough about it to give you a informed answer.” He was responding to a question about a campaign adviser’s statement that such action by insurance companies is unfair. Continue Reading

McCain’s N.M. vets coalition to launch in Las Cruces

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Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign will launch its New Mexico Veterans for McCain Coalition in Las Cruces on Tuesday. The event is the first official McCain campaign event in Las Cruces. U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson will serve as honorary members of the coalition but will not attend Tuesday’s luncheon. The event will be held at American Legion Post 10, 1185 East Madrid Ave. Continue Reading

N.M. now No. 2 for immigration-crime prosecution

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The New Mexico district climbed in April to No. 2 on the list of per-capita prosecutions of immigration-related crimes by the U.S. Department of Justice. With 217 prosecutions, the New Mexico U.S. Attorney’s Office trailed only the Southern California office in per-capita prosecutions in April 2008. A year earlier, New Mexico was fifth on the list, and it was also fifth five years ago. Following New Mexico in April 2008 were the west and southern districts of Texas, the Arizona district, the south Florida district and the east Arkansas district. Continue Reading

Richardson sets Aug. 15 special session date

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Gov. Bill Richardson announced today that he will call lawmakers into a special session for health-care reform, tax relief and road funding on Aug. 15. That’s 10 days before Democrats gather in Denver for their presidential nominating convention. The Republicans’ convention is a week later in Minnesota. The governor wants lawmakers to approve his universal health care plan, a $211 million relief package and a $200 million road-funding package. Continue Reading

Reporting independents’ numbers, and an apology

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Anyone who reads this site regularly knows that I’m a big fan of independents and minor-party candidates and fairly down on the two-party duopoly that controls American politics. That’s why I’m disappointed in myself for the big mistake I made last week. In reporting on campaign contributions to federal candidates during the last reporting period, I neglected to report on the two independent candidates seeking the 3rd Congressional District seat. One of the candidates, Carol Miller, called me on it in an e-mail sent this weekend: “It is hard to see your continued lack of inclusion as a mistake,” she wrote. There’s a good reason for that: This is the second time I’ve made this mistake. Continue Reading

Dodd joins speakers who will honor Domenici at NMSU

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U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, a former presidential candidate, will join a prominent and bipartisan group of politicians who will travel to Las Cruces in August to speak at a New Mexico State University conference honoring retiring Sen. Pete Domenici. Dodd will join former Secretary of State James Baker, U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, former U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan Jr. and Gov. Bill Richardson at the inaugural Domenici Public Policy Conference to be held Aug. 20-22 at NMSU, according to a Friday news release from the university. The other speakers had been previously announced. Dodd, a Democrat from Connecticut, and Domenici, a Republican, have worked together on mental health issues in the Senate. Continue Reading

McCain attacks Obama in new ad

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Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s new television ad accuses Democratic opponent Barack Obama of changing positions on the war for political gain. Meanwhile, the narrator of the 30-second spot says McCain puts his nation above all else. It’s airing in New Mexico and other battleground states and on national cable. Here it is: “Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan. He hasn’t been to Iraq in years. Continue Reading

America needs more Jim Kadleceks

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By Heath Haussamen “So, while it is appropriate to congratulate our legislators for the incremental work they do, let us keep it in perspective. It is the values and the productive activity of the participants in our enterprise system that fuels our society, and it is the compassion and good works of many individual citizens that is of far greater importance.” — Jim Kadlecek Since learning on Monday of Jim Kadlecek’s death, I have reread most of his 32 columns that have been published on this site since January 2007 and found no better quote to sum up his view of politics. Jim sought a transparent and honest government ruled by citizens, not elected or administrative officials. Jim believed that government can make a difference in people’s lives but real change is incremental and takes place at a grassroots level, through the hard work and passion of people who spend their lives serving others. That’s how Jim lived. Continue Reading

Regents to host public farewell reception for Martin

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The New Mexico State University Board of Regents will host a public farewell reception for outgoing President Michael Martin on Wednesday. The reception will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road. Martin is leaving on July 31 to take the job of chancellor at Louisiana State University’s main campus in Baton Rouge. The regents this week appointed university Executive Vice President and Provost Waded Cruzado to be interim president. She’ll take over on Aug. Continue Reading

Balderas touts Obama’s economic plan

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State Auditor Hector Balderas promoted the economic plan of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama today in a conference call with reporters. He said, during the call hosted by the Obama campaign, that the economic situation in New Mexico and across the nation is deteriorating, and only Obama offers solutions. “We’re greatly concerned. Unemployment is up nearly 1 percent and it is greatly impacting the New Mexico families,” Balderas said. “… Increased gas costs, health insurance rising in New Mexico and basically straight job losses for six months, it’s greatly impacting the families in New Mexico.” Balderas said Obama presents help in the short term with a $1,000 tax credit for working families and in the long term with a $50 billion economic-stimulus plan. Continue Reading

Funeral arrangements for Jim Kadlecek

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A funeral for Jim Kadlecek will be held Sunday in Greeley, Colo. The funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. There will be a reception following at 3:30 p.m. at the Regency Hotel, 701 8th Street in Greeley. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family has asked that people donate to three organizations. Continue Reading

Senate, House hopefuls to attend Farm Bureau forum

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A number of federal candidates, including both U.S. Senate hopefuls, will attend forums on July 26 at the summer gathering of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau in Mescalero. It will be the first time Republican Steve Pearce and Democrat Tom Udall will appear together at a forum since becoming their party’s nominees for U.S. Senate. According to a news release from the Farm Bureau, 2nd Congressional District candidates Harry Teague, the Democrat, and Ed Tinsley, the Republican, will also attend. The news release stated that “most” of the U.S. House candidates from New Mexico will attend, but didn’t name anyone except Teague and Tinsley. The forum for House candidates begins at 9:30 a.m. Senate candidates will address the Farm Bureau at 11 a.m., according to the news release. Continue Reading

Dems’ fundraising tops that of GOP in federal races

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Democrats outraised Republicans in every federal race in New Mexico during the last reporting period. In the 2nd Congressional District race, Democrat Harry Teague raised $377,084, including an $80,000 loan he made to his campaign, from May 15 to June 30, according to the report he filed with the Federal Election Commission. His Republican opponent, Ed Tinsley, raised 314,485, according to his FEC report. Teague’s advantage came only because of his self-financing. In the 1st Congressional District race, Democrat Martin Heinrich raised $510,571, according to his FEC report. Continue Reading

Guv now says special session may be held in August

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It appears that Gov. Bill Richardson may change his mind yet again on when he wants to hold a special session. The governor said today at a news conference that he might move up the date of the special session, which now includes health-care reform, tax relief and road-construction funding, to early August to speed aid to struggling New Mexicans, The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Kate Nash is reporting on her blog. Richardson said last week he would call the special session in early September, just after the Democratic and Republican parties’ presidential nominating conventions ended. He said then that the session’s agenda would include tax relief. That was the first time he indicated that it would include more than health-care reform. Continue Reading

Cotter tops Garcia in non-scientific poll

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The majority of those who voted in the last non-scientific poll on this site said Republican Lee Cotter will unseat Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, later this year. Of 315 voters, 177, or 56 percent, said Cotter will win the Senate District 36 race, while 138, or 44 percent, said Garcia will win. Don’t forget to vote in the new non-scientific poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that Garcia is the minority whip. Continue Reading