Poll: Denish leads GOP field in 2010 election

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish leads all five Republican gubernatorial candidates in a new poll released by Public Policy Polling -- although it appears Pete Domenici Jr is within striking distance.

Denish leads Domenici by five percentage points, 45-40, but holds much wider margins against the rest of the Republican field.

“Even in this hostile political climate, Diane Denish holds a lead against all of her potential opponents," Denish campaign Communications Director Chris Cervini said in a news release. "That’s because New Mexicans view her as an independent voice and a champion for middle-class families and their jobs."

But, considering the poll's 3.1 percent margin of error a possible Denish-Domenici race is essentially a dead heat. Of course that race isn't even finalized. While Denish is running unchallenged, Domenici still needs to collect a minimum of 20 percent of his party's pre-primary delegates and win the June 1st primary.

Denish polls 18 percentage points higher than Allen Weh, 48-30 percent, and by 14 percentage points over state Rep. Janice Arnold Jones, 47-33. She also holds a 14 percentage point lead over Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, 46-32 percent, and the a similar 14 percentage point leader over Albuquerque Public Relations agency owner Doug Turner, 46-32 percent.

“Diane has developed a unique relationship with the people of New Mexico, and as Governor she’ll bring about a new way of doing business to Santa Fe. New Mexicans are looking forward – not backward – and Diane has the new ideas that will get our economy moving and help families make ends meet,” Cervini said.

Denish’s advantage comes in spite of significantly reduced popularity for Governor Bill Richardson. Only 28 percent of voters in the state approve of the job he’s doing with 63 percent disapproving. His 22 percent approval with independents and 7 percent with Republicans is not unusual for a Democratic official these days, but he’s even in negative territory within hisown party at a 42/47 spread.

"Given Obama and Richardson’s low levels of popularity Diane Denish is doing pretty well,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But a contest with Domenici certainly looks like it could be competitive.”

Denish is easily the best known of the Gubernatorial candidates with 75 percent of voters holding an opinion about her. They break down positively by a 41/34 margin. A plurality of voters has no opinion about each of the Republicans. Domenici is viewed favorably by 27 percent, followed by 17 percent for Martinez, 12 percent for Weh and Turner, and 8 percent for Arnold-Jones.Although Barack Obama’s approval has slipped into negative territory at 45/48, both of the state’s Democratic Senators have solid 48/36 approval spreads.

PPP, a Democratic polling firm, surveyed 990 New Mexico voters from February 18th to 20th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.1 percent. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Obama uses message to discuss economic progress

With the next G20 Summit approaching in Pittsburgh, President Barack Obama used his Saturday morning address to discuss the progress in stemming a global economic crisis. In the video, Obama talks about the impact of the Recovery Act, and pledges that lobbyists for big Wall Street banks will not prevent real reform for the future, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. September 19, 2009.

Roadmap to Recovery Commitments Met in New Mexico

In June, the President and Vice President announced their "Roadmap to Recovery," summer initiative. It was designed to accelerate the Administration’s economy recovery efforts, and included ten major projects – from putting more cops on our streets to keeping more teachers in our classrooms to giving more people access to health care – were announced.

Now we're getting updated reports on program efforts in New Meixco just 200 days after the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was rolled out.

Here are a few highlights:

• 14 health centers are providing expanded services to residents throughout the state.
• 2,000 new education jobs were funded in the second 100 days of the Recovery Act.
• Over $6 million was awarded to the state for summer employment programs. The goal nationally was to create 125,000 youth jobs during summer break.
• Over $5 million was awarded to 8 different law enforcement agencies, hiring or keeping on the street 28 law enforcement officers. Albuquerque did not receive any grant money to hire officers because of audit results with past awards.
• over $99 million was awarded to begin 3 airport and 4 highway projects at locations throughout the state.
• Work was begun on 81 different DoD construction and rehabilitation projects at locations throughout the state.

To view the national Roadmap to Recovery results and to see a project map click here.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009 as the country faced the greatest economic crisis in a generation. The Recovery Act is providing needed tax relief and financial assistance for hard-hit families and businesses, delivering aid to states facing record budget shortfalls and making hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in technology and infrastructure that create jobs and lay a new foundation for the U.S. economy.

Kennedy Remembered in New Mexico for Supporting Mental Health Care

Updated 10:19a

Tributes are pouring in on both sides of the aisle as American's wake up to the news that Senator Edward Kennedy died late last night after a year long battle with brain cancer. The Massachusetts senator fought right up until the end for health care reform, and now that battle will continue on capitol hill without him.

Kennedy, an early supporter of President Barack Obama's candidacy, campaigned in New Mexico for the then Illinois Senator in January 2008.

Photographer and blog commentator Mark Bralley captured this image of Kennedy who worked closely with New Mexico's Pete Domenici in the Senate. Their 10-year joint effort led to passage of the 2008 Mental Health Parity Act, which for the first time required insurance companies to cover mental illness on a par with physical illness.

This morning Domenici said Kennedy's death is especially sad to him:

The nation has lost a good and great man, and I have lost a close and valued friend. He was my friend, my colleague, and my ally in many legislative battles during our 36 years together in the Senate. His commitment to Mental Health Parity legislation, in my judgment was the key factor in that concept becoming law in the 110th Congress. Even battling his cancer, he would travel to the Capitol to move that legislation forward when I asked him to.

From civil rights and immigration, his earliest concerns, to education and workers rights, there were few major pieces of social legislation that did not bear his mark over his 47 years in the Senate.

Governor Bill Richardson, who studied in Boston, learned about Kennedy's death in Cuba, where he is on a trade mission. Richardson said Kennedy was a gladiator for protecting people who need help.

He was probably responsible for my first victory in Congress, and became a political mentor of mine. His legacy is one of legislative excellence, compassion and as a protector for those who have been left behind.

Senator Jeff Bingaman said Kennedy's extraordinary list of accomplishments were not just a function of his passion and ideals, but also his pragmatism and ability to reach across party lines to get done what was needed for the good of the country.

His leadership will be particularly missed in the Senate at this critical time for health care reform. The American people have lost a great champion, but his legacy will endure.

Domenici said he respected Kennedy's willingness to work for compromise:

I always knew from our earliest interaction that I could trust his word, that he would dedicate himself with all of his energy to any cause that he championed, and that he was willing to work for compromise to get the legislative work done, but would never compromise his fundamental beliefs. His help behind the scenes on many issues from fiscal policy to national health care policy - often made the difference between legislative success and failure.

The issue the lifelong Democrat called the cause of his life was healthcare. It was what kept him on the line to the Capitol through months of medical treatment during the past 15 months. Of course he did not live to see his latest bid for comprehensive healthcare insurance enacted into law.

Freshman U.S. Senator Tom Udall said Kennedy committed his life to fighting for Americans who could not fight for themselves:

His tireless drive to provide access to health care, civil rights, and improve education for all will forever serve as a model for true public service.

Even New Mexico's Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish offered her toughts on the Massachuetts Senator's passing.

Ted Kennedy was sent to the Senate by the people of Massachusetts, but he was a public servant for the entire nation. The Senator was a true statesman in every sense of the word. His legislative accomplishments have bettered the lives of countless American workers, children and families. He championed the cause of female athletes through Title 9. And he fought for health care for American families every day, even in his closing days. Senator Kennedy was a man who gave his last full measure of devotion to the American people.

For Pete's Sake

After all the memorials and tributes, perhaps the Democrats will decide to truly honor Kennedy, by knuckling down and passing a comprehensive health care plan this fall.

His spirit, patriotism and dedication to realizing a greater vision for America will be missed.

Obama Visits Rio Rancho for Credit Card Town Hall.

President Barack Obama, who flew into Kirtland Air Force Base late last night, after a commencement speech at Arizona State University, is working his way to Rio Rancho High School's basketball gym where he'll host an hour-long Town Hall meeting around 10:15 this morning. About 2000 people have already packed the gym

We learned that Albuquerque's Chris Lardner will introduce the President. She and her husband, Scott, sent an email message to Obama complaining that as soon as they put their daughter's tuition on their credit card the company increased their interest rates to nearly 30% from 9.24%.

Lardner just told the crowd she expects to be treated fairly, and raising her interest rate to 30% was "ludicrous and wrong." She's hoping Obama and congress makes unethical tactics illegal.

Obama is expected to address the increase in consumer complaints against credit card companies. He's already asked congress to send him a Consumer Credit Card Bill of Rights measure that he can sign by Memorial Day.

Last week, the U.S. House of representatives passed a version. This week the Senate is debating the proposal.

Congress has been swamped by consumer complaints about excess fees, suddent interest rape increases, and hard to read contracts .

Lawmakers, like New Mexico Congressman Harry Teague say the time has come to provide tighter guidelines, and consumer protection in the form of a Credit Card Holder's Bill of Rights. Some groups are demanding a freeze on interest rates hikes.

One in five Americas are paying more than 20% interest on an average balance of $7,000 dollars.

The Senate's version does not have a interest rate cap, but would prohibit credit cards from increasing rates unless a customer falls 60 days behind in their payments. It also requires credit card companies to provide a billing statement at least 21 days before a payment is due.
Congress also wants to make it more difficult for the banks to provide cards to those under age 21.

The crowd here is chanting, "Obama, Obama," but he's running already twenty minutes late.

On a trip to Espanola last year, Obama stopped at the Range Cafe in Bernalillo and was more than 90 minutes late.

We just learned that CBS News is reporting the motorcade made a wrong turn and actually had to make a U-turn.

We've spent a day trying to determine how Rio Rancho was selected as the site for the town hall. Some political insiders have speculated that it was just part of a two-day western swing, others say it was a political calculation to boost Governor Bill Richardson's lagging approval ratings and to build a bigger democratic base in Rio Rancho.

One person told us it's because New Mexico has been so proactive in tightening guidelines on predatory lending.

Multiple Democratic officials have been spotted in the crowd including Lt. Governor Diane Denish, Secretary of State Mary Herrera, State Auditor Hector Balderas, and State Treasurer James Lewis. County democrats are also sitting in a special VIP section.

It's 10:30 and Obama has just begun speaking. He say's "it's always nice to get out of Washington for awhile."

Obama is introducing Bill Richardson, whom he calls one of the finest governors in the nation.

New Mexico's congressional delegation stayed in Washington. They are not attending the meeting.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley

Obama Address: Global Challenges and Renewed Alliances.

In Europe, President Barack Obama has arguably had one the best weeks of his young presidency.

In this week's video address, filmed aboard Air Force One, and before North Korea blasted it's rocket test into the Pacific Ocean, the President discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges we face, as well as our potential to address them through renewed international alliances.

Blooper of The Day!

Does President Barack Obama dislike members of the media so much as to wipe his snot on them?

Yikes.

At least it's not water torture or Bush-like sophomoric nicknames.