Domenici Says Pearce Will Represent New Mexico Values

This morning, retiring six-term Senator Pete Domenici endorsed Republican Senate Candidate Steve Pearce at a Victory 2008 Rally in Albuquerque.

In this SPEECH Domenici told the crowd of about 150 GOP VIP's and volunteers it will take hard work for Pearce to win the election this fall because Democrats have more money, but he says, "Pearce represents the values of New Mexico."

Domenici , who's spent the last 36 years in Washington, believes Pearce will have a strong voice and never back down on raising taxes, the 2nd Amendment, and will never authorize partial birth abortions.

He's says if Udall is elected in November he believes the U.S. Senate "will veer dramatically left."

The six-term Republican showed the crowd differences in voting records and policy stands between himself and Pearce and Tom Udall. Domenici also warned Pearce's supporters he believe's Udall is too closely aligned to environmental extremists.

Domenici told A.P. Reporter Heather Clark, in this RESPONSE he wasn't surprised she asked him if the public would believe he was genuine with today's endorsement, because he'd decided late in the primary to endorse Heather Wilson.

Wilson, who just returned from Northern Africa, says in this SPEECH, that Udall should never serve in the Senate because he doesn't understand the mission of the labs and is weak on national security.

Wilson was introduced by Republican National Committeeman-Elect Pat Rogers. He told the crowd if McCain wins Wilson will likely have a cabinet level role or high ranking national security post.

Finally, Pearce got a chance to thank the crowd for their support.

In this SPEECH, Pearce says he'll fight to open up offshore drilling and pledged to never raise taxes.

The Senator is in New Mexico while Congress is adjourned. This is his public schedule for the remainder of the week.

On Friday at 10 a.m., Domenici will join Albuquerque-region business leaders and representatives to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sandia Science and Technology Park. International Programs Building, Sandia Science and Technology Park, 1066 Research Road SE.

And in Espanola on Friday night at 7pm, Senator Domenici will deliver remarks at the 12th anniversary dinner celebration for the LANL Foundation, proceeds for which will be used to endow a scholarship in his name.

On Saturday at 3pm, he’ll attend a tribute at the National alliance for Mental Illness. The (NAMI) ceremony is recognizing notable contributions to mental health awareness. The honorees include Domenici and his family for their commitment to improving the lives of Americans with mental illness. Central New Mexico Community College, Smith Brasher Hall, 717 University Blvd, SE.

Photos by MG Bralley

The Word Is: A Royal-Style Salute for a Man of Integrity!

Nearly 700 people honored retiring Senator Pete Domenici this weekend at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The sold-out "Here's to Pete" salute and fundraiser was hosted by New Mexico First, a statewide non-partisan organization, and sponsored by community groups and local businesses.

ABC Political Analyst Sam Donaldson was the master of ceremonies. In this INTERVIEW, he praised the Senator's legacy of bi-partisanship. Donaldson told me he believes Domenici will spend the remainder of his term working on the energy crisis, and will best be remembered as a fiscal hawk.

The event featured music, songs, comedy, flamenco dancing and even junior cheerleaders. Domenici baseball cards were included in the media kit, and video tributes played on the big screen in the Roy Disney Theater.

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, a Sandia High graduate, led the tributes by former staffers. In this SPEECH Napolitano told the crowed she learned a little math from Sen. Domenici after she graduated college in 1979. She says he taught her how to round up to the nearest 100 million.

Napolitano, recently listed as a Top 5 Governor by Time magazine certainly had a better weekend than her former Matador classmate, David Addington. He's the chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney. Read about his congressional testimony regarding the administrations treatment of prisoners at Gitmo here.

After her speech other interns and staffers appeared on stage and sang "God Bless Domenici," to the tune of God Bless America.

Domenici's daughter Clare and Sister Marianella Domenici, the principal at St. Mary's Catholic School, said in this INTERVIEW, that it was an emotional day for them. Clare said she's looking forward to spending some downtime, and going to Isotopes baseball games, with "my pop" after his retirement. And Sister Marianella said her brother looks better. She's pleased with his medical care and said it looks like everyone's prayers are working.

Domenici, sitting on a second level balcony, complete with red, white and blue banners and a U.S. Senate Seal, spoke to the crowd, from his heart, and without notes in this SPEECH.

He says he's enjoyed serving the big towns, little towns and the country. He said 36 years is a long time to serve, but it seemed like just yesterday that he first ran for the Albuquerque City Commission in 1966.

The state's junior Senator Jeff Bingaman attended the event. He told Eyewitness News 4, in this television interview, "We of course don't agree on everything, but there are a lot of things we have agreed on, and I feel good about some of the things we've accomplished."

Governor Richardson appeared via video. Richardson wondered aloud who's wife would make them shave their beard first.

Noticeably absent from the event were all three congressional representatives. Sam Donaldson later delivered him letters from the Representatives. However, both Congressional District - 1 candidates, Martin Heinrich and Darren White attended the event.

The Albuquerque Journal 's David Roybal wrote in Sunday's paper that Domenici's exit from politics will leave the state's Republican Party weakened, but former Congressman Manual Lujan disagreed. Learn why here.

Overall it was a testament to Domenici's service that so many people, from both parties showed up. Domenici said it best, "Nobody hates me"...and that is rare in politics today.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley

Word Is: White Shares the Green!

Listen to an exclusive interview with the Bernalillo County Sheriff at the end of this post.

Republican Darren White's congressional campaign will be getting a cash infusion this week when President George Bush makes a lunch-time visit to the Duke City on Tuesday. Elite members of GOP, including Sen. Pete Domenici, will gather at realtor Steve Maestas' home in the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque at noon to greet the president. Entry is $1000. A photo with the lame-duck president is $5k. Neither GOP senate primary candidate, Rep. Steve Pearce or Rep. Heather Wilson will attend. They'll likely be finishing up debate preparation before the face-off on KOAT later Tuesday night.

Last fall, before 6-term Senator Pete Domenici announced his retirement, the president raised $400,000.during a fundraiser at Village Mayor Larry Abraham's house. And, before the hotly contested 2006 CD-1 race Mr. Bush generated nearly $450k for incumbent Heather Wilson during an early trip to Albuquerque. Big donors have been tapped by senate and presidential candidates for their cash and because the president's popularity has declined, it is fair to say expectations are lower this trip.

White's campaign has raised $601,275 and has $383,039 cash on hand. Sources say they expect the president's trip to generate another $300k, but White doesn't get it all. A complicated formula developed by the national party is used to divvy the money up with the GOP's Victory 2008! Since April 1 White has collected $155,000. White says he "excited about the strong support he's receiving."

But White has opted out of buying television ads in his primary race against retiring State Senator Joe Carraro. He appears to be saving his resources for a full out battle this fall. He trails the leading democratic fundraiser Martin Heinrich who has received $733,763, but after fending off three opponents is left with only $205,884 cash on hand. Campaign finance reports for the CD-1 race are available on the Federal Election Commission's website.

A little more than a week before the campaign The Albuquerque Journal reports Heinrich, a former Albuquerque City Council president who has been campaigning for more than a year, had the support of 34 percent of likely Democratic primary voters, while former three-term Secretary of State Vigil-Giron had 23 percent. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who formerly led state agencies on health and aging, was third with 10 percent, while a political newcomer, Albuquerque lawyer Robert Pidcock, had 4 percent.

On August 27, 2007 I was in the presidential motorcade as it worked it's way back to the Kirtland Air Force Base. As the radio pool reporter I witnessed Albuquerque medics and police officers responding to the tragic motorcycle crash of Rio Rancho officer Germanine Casey. Officer Casey succumbed to his injuries after he struck a tree head on. Officer Casey had served with the Rio Rancho police department for 2 years and had previously served with the University of New Mexico Police Department. Another motorcycle officer was seriously injured escorting the president on a previous trip to the Town of Bernalillo. We've learned that officers have been told to slow it down a bit. Protecting the president is job one, but officer safety should not be jeopardized with these rolling roadblocks.
In April, during National Crime Victim Rights Week I spoke with the Sheriff White at the "Soar Above the Violence" event. White may be campaigning for congress, but he's definitely still on patrol looking for bad guys and helping provide resources to victims. He told me, "win or lose, I'll always be an advocate for crime victims."

During this five-minute interview, I learned White's own grandfather had been murdered in New York. If elected to congress he'll be the third sheriff to be actively serving in congress.

Photos: MG Bralley