2010 voters likely to reject incumbents

Last week, Dr. Howard Dean visited students, faculty, and Democrat activists at a public event on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque.

Reading polls and tracking public sentiment, Dean says it will be tough for the state's Democrats to keep its "all blue" congressional delegation in tact after the 2010 Election.



Incumbents in jeopardy

As Americans look ahead to the mid-term elections, they seem to be expressing the sentiment that anything new is preferable to anything old, -- such as an incumbent.

The real dynamic seems to be a revolt against insiders -- as voters say they would choose a challenger over an incumbent by a two-to-one margin (38 percent to 19 percent).

Americans dispense just about as much disdain for Republicans (42 percent favorable; 46 percent unfavorable) as Democrats (42 percent favorable; 48 percent unfavorable), according to a poll released nearly on February 5th.

On the other hand, the new kid on the block -- the Tea Party Movement -- fares better (35 percent favorable; 22 percent unfavorable), although more than four of 10 voters are unable to give an opinion or say they have never heard of the group.

It appears politicians of both parties had better take the Tea Party movement seriously, if for no other reason than voters see it as a legitimate phenomenon.

About half of voters (51 percent) think the Tea Party Movement is a “serious” group of people who believe government is too big and taxes are too high.

Still, one voter in five (20 percent) thinks Tea Partiers are on the “fringe” of politics with extreme right-wing views, while about a quarter (24 percent) is undecided.

NM Democratic Chairman Brian Colon Confident 33 County Strategy is Working!

In September the New Mexico Democrats set a goal of registering 30,000 new voters in 30 days. They registered a little more than 35,000. Part of the success is due to Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colon's 33 county strategy. With 16 days until Election 2008 Colon tells us the strategy is really a coordinated ground effort around the state. In this engaging interview, Colon says democrats are carrying the message of change to all four corners of the state.


Colon says his 33-county strategy is modeled after DNC Chairman Howard Dean's 50-state strategy and he's encouraged with the amount of young people participating in huge numbers.

Colon predicts a "clean sweep." He says he's confident the state's congressional delegation will be all-blue. He says after the election the Democrats are prepared to lead the country through this critical time in the nation's history.

He also said this year's legislative elections are important because they will determine re-districting following the 2010 census.

Earlier in the week, DNC Chairman Howard Dean made two 770 KKOB staffers honorary Vermonters. Listen to his interview with News Director Pat Allen and hear why?



Dean says this year's presidential election reminds him of the race in 1960. He says it's "Change" vs "More of the Same." Deans says he's looking forward to see how it plays out.

Dean says New Mexico is a critical swing state, and the Dems are putting an emphasis on the West and wants to win Colorado and Nevada as well as the Land of Enchantment.

Who knew 32 years after I first visited Montpelier, Vermont (during the country's Bi-centennial) with my family that I would be giving honorary "Vermonter" status. If Dean only knew that my dad parked the RV in front of the state capital so we could eat dinner on our way around all the revolutionary battlegrounds.

Thanks to LP at NMFBIHOP, who coverd Howard Dean's trip to New Mexico in August, and shot all these great photos.


Colon Photo Credit: MG Bralley

Madrid: Obama Will Help Heinrich Win CD-1!

DNC Platform Co- Chair Patricia Madrid

Working as an exclusive consultant for a busy Washington, D.C. law firm, attending conferences for state's attorney generals across the country, and preparing to put the final touches on the Democratic Party's National Platform, is keeping Patricia Madrid busy this Summer.

In this AUDIO INTERVIEW (recorded in early July) Madrid talks about her selection as co-chair of the platform committee by Howard Dean, party unification after a long primary battle, diversity, Hillary Clinton, and her long ties to former Presidential Candidate John Edwards.

Madrid reports she'll meet in Pittsburgh to finalize the platform draft on August 9th. It will be adopted in Denver during the national convention the last week of August.

Madrid also goes on the record with us. She believes her campaign in 2006 opened the door for Martin Heinrich to win the CD-1 race this fall and she doesn't rule out another campaign in her future saying, "I'll certainly look at every opportunity."

"The platform process will empower Americans in all 50 states to make their voices heard as they help write the document that embodies our Party’s values and vision for the future.” --Howard Dean

Last Friday, State Democrats met in Albuquerque to discuss positions for the platform. On August 1st, in Cleveland, hundreds of delegates will compile the first draft of the party platform. Then on August 13, in Pittsburgh, Madrid, along with co-chairs Judith McHale, a former cable broadcast executive, and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will review and finalize the document.

Republicans are also getting a chance to actively participate in development of their party platform ahead of their national convention in September.

Party faithful are providing input online at GOPPlatform2008.com.

Last weekend NM GOP interim Executive Director Scott Darnell
told me he understands likely nominee John McCain doesn't adhere 100% to the party guide. But, Darnell told me in this AUDIO INTERVIEW that McCain doesn't have to be perfectly aligned with the platform. Darnell says it's the platform, is a set of ideals that most Republicans can coalesce around.

UPDATE: Almost a week after our original post Heather Clark with the AP interviewed Madrid on her role on the platform committee. Read what Madrid said to Clark in the Las Cruces Sun.

Photo Credits: MG Bralley