NM-Sen: Non-News News (Plus Sign Up to Support New GI Bill)

It's no surprise that Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are running negative campaigns against one another, including deceptively nasty TV ads, in their battle for the GOP nomination for departing Sen. Domenici's U.S. Senate seat.

It's no surprise that environmental groups are targeting Pearce and Wilson for their dismal voting records on the environment and energy issues.

It's no surprise that The Club for Growth, an extreme right-wing group, is backing Pearce over Wilson.

It's no surprise that now that Sen. Domenici is retiring, the tribute dinners and TV shows have begun, full of lavish praise and nostalgia, but lacking any serious reporting or criticism about his incredibly narrow-minded, right-wing voting record, especially during his last couple of terms. We'll just forget about Pete's lock-step support for all things Bush and concentrate on how much loot he brought the state during his 36 years in Washington. Then the GOP will start complaining once again about pork in the federal budget. Hey, it's their pork that's the problem, not ours.

I could insert videos of all the ads here, but you get the picture. I could insert material about the tributes to Domenici, but I'm sure you can imagine what's being said. Bottom line -- we know the chances are good that:

• Domenici will have even more buildings and programs named in his honor.
• Pearce and Wilson will deplete the already waning funds for GOP candidates during their nasty primary fight.
• Either one will be beaten badly by Dem Tom Udall come November as a Democratic juggernaut, led by Obama, sweeps the nation on election day (IF we help make it happen)
• At last we'll have a Senator ready and willing to address the genuine pressing issues of the 21st century with fresh thinking and an emphasis on finding ways to live in a sustainable manner on our planet.
• There will be no more calls to our U.S. Attorney to politicize the office and its actions.

Activist or Just Another Blog Reader?
The most important things we can do right now to help Rep. Tom Udall win the open Senate seat in New Mexico are to support his campaign with affordable donations and volunteer hours, or to do the same with the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund's efforts here. Devote less time to following the ins and outs of the TV ad wars and horse race data and more time to making things happen:

• Tom Udall for Senate
• Defenders Two Bad 4 New Mexico

Udall Posts First Action Diary on Daily Kos
On Thursday, Rep. Tom Udall made his first foray onto national blog Daily Kos with a diary asking folks to join him in supporting the new GI Bill, also known as the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act. The legislation would provide benefits similar to those made available by the original GI Bill of 1944, which helped vets returning from WW II.

Sign Up as a Co-Sponsor of the new GI Bill
Visit the Kos diary to learn more and sign up as a co-sponsor of the bill.

Technorati Tags:Tom Udall, Steve Pearce, Heather Wilson, NM-Sen, Pete Domenici, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, U.S. Senate, New Mexico, political activism