Remembering NM Troops Serving Overseas at Thanksgiving!

It's the time of year when we are reminded to give thanks, and we are reminded this morning that we are most thankful for the troops who have bravely served the country overseas.

Of course, New Mexicans are thankful for the many local men and women who have served in battle this year. On Monday, we talked to NM Veterans Affairs Secretary John Garcia about his legislative priorities for next year. He says he's preparing for the return of New Mexican troops who have been deployed overseas. Garcia also tells us about the collaborative efforts the state has with the Feds to ensure vets needs are met locally.

Listen to our interview here.



Millions of Americans are celebrating the annual Thanksgiving Day holiday Thursday with a traditional feast with friends and family. President George Bush is spending his last Turkey Day holiday at the Camp David presidential retreat outside of Washington, while his successor, President-elect Barack Obama is in Chicago.

The president thanked 7,500 military troops, just back from the Middle East for their service, two days ago at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. About 10,000 Fort Campbell troops have returned from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since October. But, other troops are scheduled to depart for the regions in the coming week.

Thanksgiving is even being observed in space. Today the astronauts and a cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station are marking the day. The U.S. space agency NASA says the crew of the orbiting outpost are dining today on a special freeze-dried meal of traditional foods including green beans and mushrooms, candied yams, cranapple dessert, cornbread stuffing and smoked turkey.

Earthbound citizens have lots of dinner options and most of them are not freezed dried. We found these great Paula Deen recipes featuring Honey game hens online at ABC News.

The United States has officially observed Thanksgiving since 1863, although the first Thanksgiving is believed to have taken place in 1621. UNM History Professor Ferenc Szasz talks about the founding of the national holiday of Thanksgiving by Abraham Lincoln in this interview with UNM's Senior Communication Representative Carolyn Gonzales.

We'll be off for the next few days sharing, caring and laughing with family and friends. We wish you and yours a safe and memorable Thanksgiving.

Last week we went Frozen Turkey bowling in Los Alamos with fellow blogger LP at the NMFBIHOP. Enjoy the video from our first experience with turkey bowling.

Patricia Madrid On Obama's Short List for Interior.

Former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid is believed to be on the short list for interior secretary.

Politico, an online web journal, reports Madrid, who was one of two woman appointed by Barack Obama' Latino Advisory Board during the fall election. Madrid was also a co-chair of the Democratic Party’s Platform Committee, is on the list with former Colorado Senator Ken Salazar.

Two New Mexicans, Bernalillo County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta and former Richardson energy advisor Ned Farquhar have been rumored to be on Obama's interior department transition team.

Governor Richardson had been on the list for the interior spot, but now appears to be the top contender to become Commerce Secretary.

UPDATED - SUNDAY 1:37PM

The Associated Press reports it's official: Richardson to be named U.S. Commerce Secretary

The official says Obama plans to announce Richardson's selection after Thanksgiving. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.

Richardson was energy secretary and U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton. Richardson would be the most visible Hispanic named to Obama's Cabinet.

Hat tips to Heath Haussaman and LP at NMFBIHOP

Photo: MG Bralley

Does Emanuel's Pick Signify Change ?

A Democratic aide reports Illinois Representative and former member of the Clinton administration, Rahm Emanuel has accepted a position as Barack Obama's Chief of Staff.

We talked to Rep. Emanuel this summer during a campaign stop in New Mexico for newly elected congressmen Martin Heinrich, Harry Teague and Ben Ray Lujan.

Listen to our interview with Emanuel here.



For more coverage on Emanuel's summer visit check out LP's coverage on FBIHOP.

After leaving the Clinton White House, Emanuel was an investment banker on Wall Street and later was elected to the House of Representatives from a heavily Democratic Chicago district. He quickly rose to become the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House.

Mitt Romney Says McCain-Palin Picking up Undecided Voters.

I partially failed as a backback journalist today. While I had a busy schedule of interviews planned, I didn't shoot any photos. So, I don't have an original pic for this post, but all is not lost. We've got another original newsmaker podcast from our interview with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

On Saturday Romney spoke with John McCain supporters in three cities, Farmington, Albuquerque and Las Cruces. I caught up with him this afternoon at the University Hilton just before 2pm.

We talked about agricultural policy differences between the candidates, the new farm bill, "spreading the wealth", independent voters and McCain's humor, after all he's appearing on S-N-L in just a few hours.

Romney thinks the Republicans are picking a majority of undecided voters at the end of this long campaign and that the polls are tightening.



Other's, like LP at NMFBIHOP are NOT so sure of that. LP reports Obama still has a 7 percent spread in New Mexico.

Romney who also spent time in Farmington and Las Cruces today also talked to NM Independent's Heath Haussaman by telephone.

He told Haussaman: I think we’ve got a real shot here,” Romney said. “Two weeks ago it looked impossible, but the polls that we’re seeing now, the people we’re speaking with, the sentiment we’re seeing, suggests that this is winnable.

After the interview Haussaman posted this online commentary.

Also, if you missed my September interview with Gov. Romney you can hear it here.

Local Supporters Chanting, Obama, Obama, Obama All The Way to The Voting Polls.

Updated: 10/26/08 3:35pm

If you missed the Obama rally in Albuquerque or simply prefer to avoid large crowds, estimated to be around 45,000 people, and want to hear the whole speech, or if you just want to relisten to his address here it is.


UPDATE:
For analysis, videos and photos from the Super Saturday field rally at UNM please read my colleagues coverage.

Political Reporter Kate Nash at Green Chile Chatter, LP at NMFBIHOP and Barbara and Mary Ellen at Democracy for New Mexico; and, for team blog coverage check out the NM Independent.

Nash covered both events. Her video, from the Obama rally, begins with George Lopez' funny introduction. Lopez says he came to New Mexico to get people to vote early, and to take home green chile to his brother.

You also have to check out Mary Ellen's video after the event with people walking, laughing and honking their car horns as they left the event feeling good about their candidate and the country.

To read more about John McCain's visit to Southern New Mexico and Dona Ana County read Heath Haussamen here. He's got lots of great photos of McCain smiling and greeting the crowd posted there as well.