The Word Is: Udall Rallies for Vet Support this Fall.

(Saturday, June 7th) - Not even a week after the state's primary, Rep. Tom Udall was out on the campaign trail working a crowd of American Veterans who are disappointed in President George Bush's handling of veteran affairs and the president's threatened veto of a new G.I. Bill.

Geronimo Fragua, 83, from Jemez Pueblo, a WWII and Korean War Vet attended the event with his friend Joe Sando. Fragua fought with the 20th Armory/27 Tank Batallion and helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp.

Nearly 200 people decided to stand with the Democrat US Senate candidate, who served eight years as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs committee, as he signed this letter to President Bush. Udall wrote the letter urging the Commander in Chief to support a new G.I. Bill. The legislation provides the same education benefits to this generation of warriors that was previously provided to other returning troops.

Udall also encouraged others to sign the letter on his campaign's website.

During the noon-time rally at the Bataan Memorial Park Udall told the crowd that enhancing the bill is the right thing to do for soldiers returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I believe we can start doing what’s right for our veterans by ensuring victims of post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury get the care they need care,” said Udall. “We have a sacred responsibility to do what’s right by those who wear our nation’s uniform and those who they leave behind.”

Jim Buhaug a wheel-chair bound vet and First Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, introduced Udall to the crowd. Bauhug told photo journalist Mark Bralley in this AUDIO INTERVIEW it would be a mistake for the President to veto the bill.

“After World War II Congress passed legislation that helped veterans like my father get an education,” Udall said. “By investing in veterans, America built the strongest economy our country has ever known. Sixty years later, with American troops once again returning from war, it’s time for us to invest in our veterans again.”

There are nearly 200,000 Veterans in New Mexico.

Jessie Anzuras, an Army medic in Vietnam agrees with Buhaug and Fragua. In this AUDIO INTERVIEW Anazuras says the Bush administration has done a poor job handling veterans affairs. He says he knows how soldiers returning from the Middle East feel because he had similar problems after returning from Vietnam.

Udall, who talked with 770KKOB reporter Craig Kennedy on Tuesday night, traveled to the the veteran rally from Alamogordo's Holloman Air Force Base. On Friday, he joined the rest of NM's Congressional Delegation as they welcomed a new squadron of Raptor F22A jets to the 149th Fighter Wing.

Udall is a co-sponsor and strong advocate for enacting a New G.I. Bill into law. This bill would extend educational benefits on par with those provided to veterans of the World War II era to the 1.7 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Udall-backed G.I. Bill would extend veterans the benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. It would include a stipend for housing, books and other expenses. Currently, veterans ' education benefits cover only about 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education.

Under the legislation, any service member who has served three months active duty since September 11, 2001, is eligible for benefits, and any service member who has served at least three years will receive the full benefit package. Those who end their service before three years due to an injury may also qualify for full benefits. All branches of the military would be eligible, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.

For additional information on current benefits call the NM GI Rights Hotline or visit their website. The site also includes important statistics and the number of psychological casualties, traumatic brain injuries, service member deaths, and increasing number of veteran suicides per week which at last report was more than 125.

Earlier Saturday morning, Sen. Pete Domenici and other members of the congressional delegation attended a ceremony to rename the Albuquerque VA Medical Center in honor of Raymond G. “Jerry” Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient, Korean War veteran, and long-time VA employee and hospital volunteer.

Jerry Murphy dedicated over 20 years of his life, following his military service, to work at the Albuquerque VA Medical Center. He passed away on April 6, 2007. Wilson introduced the House version of the bill to rename the VA Medical Center in his honor and led the effort in the U.S. House to rename the hospital in her district.

“Jerry Murphy was a hero for his actions in Korea, but the way he chose to spend the rest of his life is what makes him so special to New Mexico's veterans,” said Rep. HeatherWilson , who was defeated by Steve Pearce in her Senatorial bid.

“Renaming the Albuquerque VA Medical Center in honor of Mr. Murphy will ensure that his life’s work is never forgotten. Jerry Murphy wasn’t buried in his Marine dress uniform. He was buried in his VA volunteer smock. That’s just the way Jerry was, and today, we honor him as he honored veterans with the way he lived his life.”

During the Korean War as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marines, Murphy led a mission to rescue wounded Marines pinned down by enemy fire on Ungok Hill. He was wounded in the engagement, and refused treatment until all the Marines were accounted for and treated. He also earned a Silver Star for bravery in 1952.

When he returned from Korea, Murphy went to work for the VA and served as manager for the regional office in New Mexico for 23 years. He continued to volunteer at the medical center after he retired.

Mark Bralley contributed photos and audio to this report.

The word is: Tinsley says immigration policy is broken!

He's been a rancher and a successful restaurateur, now Ed Tinsley is the Republican Nominee for New Mexico's Congressional District Two. He faces Harry Teague in November. Tinsley spoke with my colleague radio anchorman Gary Garrison at 770KKOB Radio right being declared the winner in Tuesday's primary.

AUDIO INTERVIEW HERE.

Photo: MG Bralley

The word is: Wilson Relying on a Big Bernalillo County Turnout

Live Blog: 10:16pm

Republican Congressional Candidate Darren White is back in his suite after thanking his supporters for their hard work in his overwhelming victory.

Unofficial results: White, 16,345 - Carraro 7,880.

I was invited upstairs for an one-on-one interview with Mr. White. He tells me he wants to talk about the issues in this fall’s campaign, but expect Democrats to run a negative campaign against him. At the same time White says Heinrich is too liberal and doesn't represent the interests of the first congressional district in New Mexico.

White says he hopes to “shake things up in Washington, D.C.”

If elected he’ll be the third sheriff serving in congress. Listen to his comments here.

AUDIO INTERVIEW

8:20 pm

Rep. Heather Wilson arrived at the Hotel Albuquerque (Old Town), which is the Republican's headquarter hotel, just after 8pm. Wilson told reporters it’s not difficult for her wait for results in a tight election. She says all of her races have been close. I asked her what she told her children before coming to the hotel. She smiled and said, "I told them to put their shoes on."

AUDIO INTERVIEW

6:45pm

Steve Pearce will fly back to Washington at 6am on Wednesday morning. Tonight, he's watching results at the Albuquerque Hilton. He says he campaigned all day trying to get out the undecided votes in Bernalillo and Sandoval County.

AUDIO INTERVIEW

Word is: Domenici Calling on Republicans to Vote for Wilson.

Listen to Domenici's endorsement of Rep. Heather Wilson HERE

Deja vu? Wilson triumphantly raises her hands, clasped with Senator Domenici's, after declaring "victory" in a CD-1 special election 10 years ago. Photo by: MG Bralley.

Heather Wilson for Senate Campaign Manager Chris Collins says Senator Pete Domenici is calling Republicans throughout the state this weekend with automated telephone calls, and encouraging them to support Heather Wilson's campaign.

Wilson's team hopes Domenici's endorsement swings a large number of undecided voters their way, especially after they reviewed a poll in Sunday's Albuquerque Journal showing Wilson trailing Re. Steve Pearce by 6 percentage points.

Both candidates joined Sen. Domenici at the NM Veteran's Memorial Park on Monday to listen to Presidential Candidate John McCain before back-to-back debates this week.

Wilson's campaign team, inspired by the endorsement, will put on an all out push to the wire, trying to convince Pearce's supporters to change their minds. They'll also fight to the end to persuade a large percentage of undecided voters to go for Wilson.

The Journal's poll shows nearly 16% of registered republican voters have not made up their minds in the senate primary race.

Domenici announced his endorsement late Friday afternoon, just three days before the June 3rd Primary. Heather Wilson learned of the endorsement through a reporter just prior to the start of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association debate held last night.

The move came after he said he would not make any primary endorsement.

"Senator Domenici wanted to call Republicans throughout the state to let them know why he voted for Heather Wilson for Senate, and to encourage them to do the same. He wanted to personally convey, once again, his desire to see Heather Wilson elected to the United States Senate,” said Collins.

"Having brought her in to politics I have the utmost confidence in her ability to serve New Mexicans and America," Domenici told KOB TV. "I do want to tell all New Mexicans that today I cast my vote for Heather Wilson in the Senate race."

Domenici says he cast his vote for Wilson on Friday.

“I am deeply honored to have earned Senator Domenici’s support,” said Wilson. “Our campaign has great momentum heading into Tuesday’s election and we’re very encouraged.”

In his weekend statement, Domenici says, he hopes primary voters join him in voting for Heather Wilson.

"I voted for Heather Wilson because out of state special interest groups like the Club for Growth are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars unfairly distorting her record and trying to influence this election," Domenici said. "Heather Wilson is exceedingly qualified to fill my shoes in the Senate. She will support our labs, our military bases, our natural resources, and do what’s best for New Mexico."

More than 898,000 voters are eligible to vote on Tuesday. Less than 23% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2006 primary.

Be sure to Vote in our poll on the right side of the page.

Photos: MG Bralley

The Word is: Udall Isn't Taking Anything for Granted this Fall!

Rep. Tom Udall is airing commercials and hitting the campaign trail, but hasn't had a chance to defend his record after it was attacked by both Pearce and Wilson during their Tuesday night debate.

I gave him the chance. In this AUDIO INTERVIEW, Udall says he's always been a supporter of both national labs.

Staffers say Udall hasn't watched the first GOP U.S. Senate primary candidate debate yet, but said he was aware of some of the attacks on his voting record by both Rep. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson.

Udall with his wife Jill standing behind him (left) has a large lead, in public opinion polls, over both of his potential general election opponents. Thursday night, Udall told a crowd, at his Albuquerque headquarters grand opening, that they should not take "anything for granted." He says the State and National Republican party are prepared to use "swift boat" tactics to narrow the public opinion polls.

Udall (a New Mexico Super Delegate) says he'll decide who he'll support in the Democratic presidential race after the June 3rd Primary. He says several issues will influence his decision. First he'll talk to both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama about their stand on issues affecting the West and particularly New Mexico. He says he wants to know how they'll deal with poor education, state wide poverty, border security, public lands and water issues.

Udall Photo:
Mark Bralley

Word is: Lt. Governor Surveys Mexican Border!

Lt. Governor Diane Denish flew in a NM National Guard helicopter along the Mexican border in Southern New Mexico on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. She says the troops and border guards are doing a good job patrolling the area, but the Federal Government needs to continue funding the operation and the state needs to provide housing assistance.

General Kenny Montoya, Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman and Col. Richard A Clark Jr showed Denish new ground surveillance systems they are using to apprehend immigrants caught crossing the border illegally.

In this TELEPHONE INTERVIEW (via cell phone) Denish told me that the drug-cartels are responsible for more than 266 violent murders, south of the border, this year alone. She says many critically injured indigents come across the border for treatment and leave without paying their bills. She hopes Governor Richardson calls a special session in August to deal with health care issues like this.

Denish also says the soldiers and border agents assigned to the area still need affordable housing in Deming. Currently, most personnel commute from El Paso and Las Cruces. Denish says she'll ask the Mortgage Finance Authority to provide resources in Deming and Columbus.

Meanwhile we've learned the Lt. Governor will receive the top honor from the volunteer service commission. The award recognizes her for being the "architect" of the state's Blueprint for Civic engagement. On Saturday, May 31, Denish will be recognized in Atlanta as the American Service Commission’s “Friend of ASC” awardee. It is the major honor given by the group, which oversees 52 state commissions on volunteerism, the largest administrators of AmeriCorps funds in the nation.

Tom Brannen, executive director of the Commission, said the Lt. Governor was nominated by the chair of its board, Bill Basl, executive director of Washington State’s volunteerism commission.

“This award goes to leaders who have done things to benefit our sector,” Mr. Brannen said. “Lt. Governor Denish, as chair of the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism, has been the architect of the Blueprint for Service. We wanted to honor her for showing leadership on what our state governmental leaders are doing. Lt. Governor Denish is blazing the trail for that.”

The Blueprint for Civic Engagement, published in 2006, provides a framework for engaging New Mexicans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based activities that address the state's human, educational, environmental, public safety, health, housing, and other needs. Thanks in part to the document’s guidance, New Mexico has been one of the few states in the nation to see an increase in federal volunteerism money that support programs like AmeriCorps.

“We know that when people are engaged in their communities, they become healthier, happier and more committed to the public good,” Lt. Governor Denish said. “That’s especially true for our youths, who are otherwise at risk of truancy, dropping out and other illegal behaviors. Civic engagement is good for everyone.”

Past winners of the award are Robert Goodwin, past president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation; Eli Segal, the founder of AmeriCorps; and Rosie Mauk, former director of AmeriCorps, the domestic version of Peace Corps.

Gregory Webb, executive director of the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism said: “Lt. Governor Denish's leadership in the development of the Civic Blueprint has served as a roadmap not only for New Mexico, but for other states as well. Recently, the State of Colorado sent a delegation to meet with me to discuss how Colorado could emulate a similar plan for their state. This is a theme I am hearing more and more from other states from across the country."

Photos: 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

The Word is: Harris is Having a Super Time!

A life-long democrat speaks out on political campaign finance, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, and why he thinks Governor Bill Richardson would make a good vice president.

Former U.S. Senator Fred Harris supported George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign (this b/w photo was taken at Old Town's La Placita Restaurant). Four years later he criss-crossed the United States in a motor home four during his own bid for the democratic nomination. This August he'll be in Denver for the nominating convention. Harris is an at-large Super delegate and former Democratic National Party Chairman. He's supporting Barak Obama, but said he originally backed Governor Bill Richardson for president.

At 77, Harris is still active in presidential politics, but he spends most of his time writing. His extended bibliography includes books on poverty, race, American government, the shift to republicans in the 1980's, and the rise of national politics.

On May 19th, Harris, a "new populist Democrat" spoke at a book signing at the UNM Law School. He's published "Does people do it? If people does it, I can do it." In this engaging memoir, he describes how he met life and political challenges head-on.

During a January 2008 Barak Obama Rally at the Albuquerque Convention Center, Harris, who has encountered the likes of John and Robert Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon, listens to Barak Obama.

Hillary Clinton narrowly beat Obama after a hand count of provisional ballots by state party officials

For now, only one Superdelegate in New Mexico, Rep. Tom Udall has not announced who he's supporting in Denver this August. Perhaps he is unwilling to aliente 50% of the democratic base he'll need in this fall's general election against either Steve Pearce or Heather Wilson.

Harris, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate when he was just 33 years old, has maintained a reputation as a down-to-earth man of the people whose advocacy included American Indian causes.

My interview with Harris, was originally broadcast on 770KKOB morning host Bob Clark's program.

Photos: MG Bralley

The Word is: It's NOT Over!

Former United States Attorney David Iglesias got straight to "to the point" as he addressed 300 people at the Albuquerque Academy. His new book, In Justice: Inside the Scandal That Rocked the Bush Administration, is scheduled to be released nationally on June 2nd.

Iglesias' local supporters were the first to get a copy of the hardcover "tell all" during a brief lecture on May 18tth at the Albuquerque Academy when Page 1 hosted his first book signing. The event came less than a month after six-term U.S. Senator Pete Domenici received a written admonition from the Senate Ethics committee. On Sunday, May 25, 2008, Iglesias told NY Times Magazine reporter Deborah Solomon he's a disillusioned Republican, and he that believes Domenici's punishment was "a roughly fair result."

The wrist-slap was for the senator's telephone call to Iglesias in October 2006, less than a month before the closely contested Congressional District 1 (NM) race between incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson (R) and Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D). Domenici allegedly wanted to know if voter-fraud cases were going to be prosecuted in the State of New Mexico.

Iglesias has always claimed prosecutors, who have the power to take life, liberty and property, must remain independent of the political process. He told the crowd there are still five on-going investigations involving "attorney gate." He stressed his book is not about losing his job 18 months ago; rather, Iglesias, reminded the crowd, the scandal is about "the separation of powers and the rule of law."

Cindi Iglesias says what happened to her husband is unconscionable and inexcusable. And, Iglesias told supporters he's speaking out because the scales of justice need to be blind.

Before signing individual books, Iglesias told the the crowd his firing was a life altering event, and he was infuriated when he heard supervisors lie to congress about the nature of his firing. The crowd roared with laughter after he said if he could go back in time he'd tell Heather Wilson, "You'll be sorry," referencing her telephone call to his office inquiring about sealed indictments. He says Wilson apologized, but continues to spin the truth during her U.S. Senate primary campaign. Iglesias admits he should have called Washington to report the two congressional inquiries immediately.

He says his coming forward isn't about what's Right or Left, but what's Right and Wrong. The crowd cheered when they learned Karl Rove may have a legal target on his back for his role in Iglesias' firing. Rove who has been speaking publicly, and on cable television about the matter, has been held in contempt by the U.S. Senate for failure to appear. Rove claims executive privilege, but the President says he was never involved in any discussions with U.S. Attorneys; so, it's doubtful the privilege extends to Rove. He has also been served a subpoena from Congressman John Conyers to testify on July 10, 2008.

Check out the book and listen to Iglesias' account of the scandal.

Photos: MG Bralley

Upcoming Posts

Still ahead this week:

Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias introduced his new book "In Justice" to a crowd of about 300 people at the Albuquerque Academy on Sunday. Visit the blog, on Thursday, to listen to his comments on the scandal that is rocking the Department of Justice and may affect the outcome of the U.S. Senate Campaign in New Mexico's G.O.P. Primary.

On Friday plan to visit the blog to hear directly from former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, a life-long At-Large DNC member, and 1976 presidential candidate. He tells us why he's supporting Barack Obama, and why he thinks New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is on the short list to be vice president.

Come back on Saturday for a bonus post. This weekend we'll post an exclusive interview with Sheriff Darren White. He's running for congress, but still on patrol in Bernalillo County. White says "win or lose" he'll be an advocate for crime victims for the rest of his life and remembers how hard it was on his father after his own grandfather was murdered.