Democracy for New Mexico

Desperate GOP Does Desperate Things, Including Fake Ad vs. Diane Denish

Diane and Herb Denish: He finished the laundry last nite

I make it a general policy to refrain from giving free publicity to GOP-related attack ads that don't amount to a hill of beans in terms of real TV air time. The game is simple. The Repub Party or some related group sends out a video of something they claim is a TV ad. Almost always, the "ad" is a negative hit piece on a Dem candidate -- with no documentation for the wild and crazy claims. The outfit makes a small media purchase for a couple of thousand dollars worth of cheap cable time, and then depends on media coverage of the claims in the "ad" to provide free air time for the slurs.

The TV news media almost always bite, and air the ad for free during their "news" broadcasts. Little or no effort is made to determine whether the accusations in the "ads" have any merit.

This past Sunday, the New Mexico GOP tried it with a dishonest and sordid ad attacking the integrity of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish ... and the election isn't until November 2010. Talk about panic mode on the part of the GOP poobahs. As State Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colón said in a press release, "The Republican Party of New Mexico is already desperately beginning the negative attacks that often come from a party running scared."

We learned today from DPNM Executive Director Josh Geise that the New Mexico GOP "ad" is, in fact, a scam, just as I thought. "They have not purchased any air-time on network TV and have only placed a $4,000 buy on cable. It amounts to a video press release at best. Desperate people do desperate things," Geise said in an email.

Today, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish sent an email to supporters lamenting the slimy GOP attack "ad" and asking for support for what will no doubt be a long, hard slog to the finish line. Check out her email below the fold, and sign up to support the Denish campaign:

Email to supporters from Diane Denish:

It started as a pretty standard Sunday night around the Denish household. I was getting a little laundry done.

But the Republicans had other plans for this weekend - namely, starting the earliest and most negative TV campaign in New Mexico history. Their latest attack ad is up, and boy is it slimy.

I can't let this attack go unchallenged. And I won't. But I need your help to fight back.

Republicans are scared by my strong standing in the polls and our sound policies for New Mexico. This ad shows how far they are they are willing to go and that we are going to have to fight to set the record straight and win in 2010.

It shows that we can't rest for a second in standing up to their attacks. And it shows just how hard we're going to have to work to win next year.

That means running a campaign that has the resources and the grassroots support to tell the truth to New Mexico voters. I hope you'll join me.

I'm not surprised that rather than trying to rebuild their devastated party around new ideas, or plans to help get us out of the ditch that President Bush put us in, Republicans have gone negative and personal on me - first in the press, now on TV.

I can understand why Republicans wouldn't want to talk about how I've actually been an advocate for greater transparency in government throughout my own career. Or why they'd ignore my plan for an open, honest state government that would help make New Mexico's government more responsive to average citizens. Or why they'd fail to notice that I'm leading the way by personally disclosing my campaign finances way more than the law allows.

And I can understand why they don't want to talk about why I've got a plan to help New Mexico be ready to compete in the 21st Century economy, with a real commitment to education and real opportunity in every corner of the state.

What surprises me is that they've started the desperation tactics so early. It's clear that they want to make every last minute of the sixteen months between now and election day 2010 a mudfight. Well, we can't let that happen. And for that, I need your help.

I really need you to get even more involved than you already are - yes to donate to help us fight back, but also make sure your friends and family know my real record by asking them to join our online campaign.

Help us send a message that we can and will run a campaign on the real issues that matter to New Mexico families.

Thanks for your support.

Sincerely, Diane

P.S. I let Herb finish the laundry, and I immediately went to work getting the word out that we weren't going to stand for these false attacks. I hope you'll join me in getting that message out.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Diane Denish, Inc. - Ted Martinez, Chair

Last Chance to Express Your Views at Online Health Care Debate

Today is Day 4 and the last day of the debate on health care reform at the ABQ City Seeker page at the online Albuquerque Journal. I got a little pointed in my summary of the arguments of some of the other participants, and they're responding in good debate form. Join the fray, but keep it civil. Click to access today's thread. Click for Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 of the debate. If you read all the posts and comments I think you'll agree that the threads are thought-provoking and educational. Thanks to all who participated and those who'll add their thoughts today.

Dem Women of Sandoval County to Meet 7/15

From the Democratic Women of Sandoval County: Our group will meet on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers at the Bernalillo Town Hall, 829 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo. Meet and greet at 6:30 PM. Our invited speakers will inform us about the new transition town movement.

Refreshments will be served. The public is encouraged to attend. Guests are welcome. For info call Director and Program Chair Janice Saxton at 867-1139 or email jnjsaxton@msn.com.

Weigh in on Day 3 of the Health Care Reform Debate

We're on Day 3 of the 4-day health care reform debate happening on the ABQ City Seeker page at the online Albuquerque Journal. Today's assignment was a tough one, as moderator Charlie Eisenhood came up with special questions for each of us to answer based on what we had argued on previous days. You can find today's posts here. Once again, we need your input in the comments section to spark the kind of back and forth that makes debates compelling.

I've been involved with health care policy wonk stuff in the past, so I've long known that the issues surrounding health care's many intersecting aspects make for complicated and and multi-layered analyses. This experience, however, has certainly underlined that view. It's easy to get into the weeds with complex details and ever-widening arguments. There's really no way to deal adequately with even some of the important issues in a mere four posts -- but I think we've all made good on trying. I hope you'll take the time to read what everyone has to say, even if you can't manage that right now.

Thanks to all of you who have participated so far. Visit again and keep the discussion going. If you haven't been over there yet, come on down. Click for Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 of the debate. Tomorrow we'll be posting our summaries.

Join In: Day Two of Health Care Reform Debate

As I posted yesterday, the Albuquerque Journal's online ABQ City Seeker page is featuring a discussion on health care reform that will appear thru this Friday. A variety of folks were invited to post their views, including yours truly, Brian Colón, Todd Sandman, Dr. Vicki L. Perrigo and Paul Gessing. Today, conservative blogger Mario Burgos joined the mix. Unfortunately, the Republican Party of New Mexico declined an invitation to participate in the online debate.

You are encouraged to read yesterday's posts, and check out the comment thread at the bottom of the page to see how the debate is developing. There's a new crop of posts up today, which you can access here. After you've read thru yesterday's and today's posts, please express your opinion on what's being discussed in the comment thread. We need your input to keep the conversation lively and interactive. Everybody seems to have an opinion on health care reform. Make sure your's is in the mix.

(Updated) Help Me Out at Online Discussion on Health Care Reform

Update: The Republican Party of New Mexico was invited participate in the bi-partisan online health care reform discussion taking place this week hosted by the Albuquerque Journal. Upon learning of this, Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian S. Colón -- who IS participating -- said, "The Republican Party continues to prove that they are the party of no ideas. As health care costs spiral out of control and more than 23% of New Mexicans are without insurance, the state GOP has no ideas on how to fix a broken health care system.

"Voters made the right decision in November sending an all Democratic delegation to Washington. Our Party is working to implement the change voters so desperately need while the Republican Party continues to be the party of no ideas. Despite having multiple candidates who have announced for Congress, the NM GOP apparently still can't find anyone with an idea of how to fix our ailing health care system." I second that emotion.
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Charlie Eisenhood, an Albuquerque Journal reporter who produces the newspaper's online ABQ City Seeker page, invited me and four other Albuquerqueans to participate in a discussion on health care reform that started today and will continue through Friday. Joining me in the online conversation are Brian Colón, who chairs the Democratic Party of New Mexico; Todd Sandman, who serves as director of public and government relations for Presbyterian Healthcare Services; Dr. Vicki L. Perrigo, an Internist/Dermatologist; and Paul Gessing, President of the libertarian-leaning Rio Grande Foundation.

Today and every day thru Friday, each participant will be discussing what he or she believes is the best way to reform the health care system. Today each of us answered a series of questions posed by Eisenhood, but the remainder of the week's agenda will be determined by each other and by the commenters. That means you.

Our online exchange needs your participation to make it truly lively, diverse and though-provoking. Regardless of where you stand on the health care debate, visit the debate page at ABQ City Seeker, read what the main participants and the commenters have to say and add your views. Then check back often thru Friday as the interplay among the contributors and commenters picks up energy and expands -- but only if you do your part to liven up the debate.

Santa Fe County Dems Meeting to Feature AG Gary King

From the Santa Fe County Democratic Party: The public is welcome to attend and ask questions of New Mexico Attorney General Gary King at the next Santa Fe County Democratic Party meeting on Wednesday, July 15, at the NEA Building at 2007 Botulph Road in Santa Fe.

The county party’s monthly business meeting starts at 6:30 PM, and all Santa Fe County Democrats are encouraged to attend. At 7:00 PM, the party hosts a forum with King. All are welcome to attend and ask questions of the attorney general. Both the meeting and forum are free and open to the public. Click for contact info for county party officers.

DCCC Responds to Entry of Steve Pearce into NM-02 Race

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) responded quickly and with sharp criticism to Steve Pearce's announcement today that he'll run to recapture his previous seat in the U.S. House from New Mexico's Second Congressional District in 2010. The title of their reaction pieces says it all: "The Steve Pearce Legacy: Rising Debt and Limitless Hypocrisy."

According to the DCCC, Pearce’s announcement "smacks of the same kind of hypocrisy New Mexicans heard over and over again during his time in Congress during the Bush Administration."

“With his reckless fiscal leadership having helped create the problem, Steve Pearce’s rhetoric about fighting for New Mexico families just doesn’t match up with reality,” said Andy Stone, Western Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Pearce’s record is dripping with the kind of hypocrisy that New Mexicans rejected in the last election.”

• Despite all of his rhetoric about the economy, Steve Pearce and George Bush’s reckless leadership created the economic crisis, growing the federal debt by $2.3 trillion from $3.5 trillion to $5.8 trillion;

• Pearce talked a good game about supporting our men and women in uniform but voted against funding for veterans’ programs 14 times, even opposing a bonus for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan;

• Pearce voted against border security funding and agents at least seven times despite giving lip service to the need for border security;

• Pearce hailed the decision to award a COPS grant to the Las Cruces Police Department, but voted to slash Community Oriented Police Services funding; and

• Pearce said he opposed privatizing Social Security in his 2002 campaign, but then turned around and advocated for President Bush’s risky privatization plan.

Expect the DCCC to treat Stevan Pearce's challenge to Dem incumbent Harry Teague as one of the premier races in the nation. They'll be fighting for Teague and raising funds for his campaign with a special vigor from here on out. We got rid of the dismal, extremely right-wing Pearce once. Rest assured that the battle to keep him from returning to Washington will be fierce, well-funded and full of facts that effectively undermine the lies and distortions that define far-right GOP candidates like Pearce. A total failure in his run for U.S. Senate against Tom Udall, Pearce now thinks he can regain his seat using the same hogwash talking points he used in the past. Times have changed, Steve. And so have the voters.

Second DPBC Pancakes and Politics Will Feature Judges

NM Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino (L), a candidate for Lt. Gov.,
at last month's breakfast

The first Pancakes and Politics gathering hosted by the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County was held on May 30th, featuring Rep. Martin Heinrich. This month, the pancake feast continues with a chance to meet with judges and mingle with fellow Dems:

YOU ARE INVITED TO PANCAKES AND POLITICS 2
Hosted by the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County
Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Hall
501 San Pedro SE, Albuquerque
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 8:30 AM
$10.00 per person
Special Guests:
Judge Linda Vanzi
Judge Rob Robles
Judge Tim Garcia
Judge Gerard Lavelle
Judge Beatrice Brickhouse
Judge Alan Malot
Judge Brianna Zamora

Note: You can now follow the DPBC on Twitter and Facebook.

DPNM Urges Participation in Health Care Day of Service Saturday

From the Democratic Party of New Mexico: The DPNM will hold health care service events across New Mexico on Saturday, June 20th, to draw attention to the need for immediate health care reform. From all four corners of New Mexico, dozens of communities with more than 400 volunteers statewide will give back to their communities by participating in the Health Care Day of Service sponsored by the Democratic Party of New Mexico. See below the fold for info on scheduled events.

President Obama has outlined health care reform principles that will reduce costs for family, businesses, and government, protect our choice of doctors and insurers, and assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans.

"Twenty three percent of New Mexicans are uninsured and countless others have inadequate coverage," said Brian S. Colón, Chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. "Families across New Mexico are struggling to pay for skyrocketing health care costs. Our health care system is broken and the time to fix it is now. That is why Democrats across New Mexico are coming together to give back to their communities and call for reform. We can't wait any longer."

Click to read about Santa Fe service events.

In Albuquerque, Chairman Colón and more than 50 volunteers will gather at 2:00 PM at PB&J Family Services at 1101 Lopez Road SW in Albuquerque to help out.

For a full list of events across the state visit the DPNM website. For more information, contact the DPNM at 505-830-3650 OR info@nmdemocrats.org.