JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW SPANISH RADIO AD: "ARE YOU READY FOR OBAMA?"

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its latest Spanish radio ad, entitled "Are You Ready For Obama?" The ad highlights Barack Obama's record of voting to raise taxes on middle class families and his proposals for painful tax increases that will only further hurt those already struggling with higher gas prices, higher food prices and the threat of home foreclosure. The last thing we need to do is raise taxes that force families to make even tougher choices with less money in their pockets. The ad will air in key states.

LISTEN TO THE AD HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS7VC_pIRWo

English Script For "Are You Ready For Obama?" (Radio:60)

ANNCR: With the economy as bad as it is, gas prices going up, home foreclosures, and jobs being lost, we need to be careful about who we pick as our next President.

No doubt, Barack Obama is a popular figure, a celebrity who says the right thing. But will he do the right thing?

So here's the question you need to ask yourself, in these tough economic times, are you ready for a president who voted for higher income taxes on working families making $42,000 a year?

Are you ready for Barak Obama, for his tax plans that will hurt senior citizens.

Are you ready for the higher taxes on income, savings and the sale of your home that Barak Obama promises?

It's not that you're not ready. Barak Obama is not ready yet. Because when it comes to the economy, experience matters, and he just doesn't have it.

He says he'll give you change, but that's what he'll leave you with.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

ANNCR: Paid for by John McCain 2008.

National Recognition for NM Public Safety Program

100 Days and Nights of Summer Wins National Criminal Justice Association Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award

100 Days and Nights of Summer was recognized as an outstanding criminal justice program by the National Criminal Justice Association at the National Forum on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this month.

The program consists of 100 DWI checkpoints conducted throughout New Mexico during the 100 days and nights of summer (June through September). New Mexico law enforcement agencies held 232 checkpoints and made 2,216 DWI arrests during the 2007 100 Days and Nights of Summer traffic safety program.

“This program has been of the most successful and rewarding endeavors that the New Mexico State Police has participated in,” said Paul Cook, division director at the NM Department of Public Safety. “It is my opinion that this organization really deserves this recognition and I am proud to be associated with them.”

Preliminary statistics indicate traffic fatalities in New Mexico declined by 15 percent in June, July and August 2007 during 100 Days and Nights of Summer enforcement, compared to the same months in 2006.

The NCJA Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Awards are a way to seek out and share successful criminal justice programs. The purpose of these awards is to highlight programs that:

·
Address an important criminal justice issue;

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Demonstrate effectiveness based on program goals;

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Are a good example of used of federal funds to initiate the program; and

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Can be easily replicated in other jurisdictions.

For more information on NCJA, please visit www.ncja.org.

Denver Post Recommends Richardson for Vice President

After falling out of the media's list for top vice presidential contenders, Governor Bill Richardson may be back in the picture. On Sunday, the Denver Post recommended Barack Obama pick the New Mexico democrat to be his running mate.

The Post says Richardson "clearly leads" all other contenders, and is the most qualified to serve in the top job if needed. The post says Richardson has an outstanding record as a congressman, ambassador, energy secretary, and Western Governor. The paper's editorial says that make Richardon the "ideal" partner for Obama. The Dems will meet for their national nominating convention in Denver the last week of August.

Matthew Reichbach recently reported, on the NM Independent, that Richardson placed third in a StrategyOne research poll showing the publics opinion on possible VP candidates.

Colorado Dems Recruit Former NM Exec Director.

Matt Farrauto
The politically savvy Matt Farrauto, former NM Democratic Party Executive Director, is on the move. He’s just been hired as the Communication’s Director for the Colorado Democratic Party. He resigned his NM position in 2007 after Chairman Brian Colón was elected to replace John Wertheim.

In his P.J.'s Farrauto protests President Bush during a fund raising trip to Albuquerque for Sen. Pete Domenici in August 2007.

Farrauto has spent the last year working as an independent political consultant for Grassroots Solutions, volunteering for Hillary Clinton, and working as the Interim Campaign Manager for Steve Gaw in Missouri.

Farrauto was replaced with Attorney Laura Sanchez after a long search by Colon. Sanchez, underfunded and short staffed, took the fall for a mis-managed, problem-plagued Super Tuesday Caucus in February.

Joe Monahan described the debacle this way:

Sanchez, operating under the gun in what has been the week from hell for her and Dem Party chair Brian Colòn, also had to take time to fend off rumors that she was resigning or being fired. "I am here and working and not leaving," she told me.

Two weeks later Sanchez quit on February 19, 2008 and was replaced with Josh Geise who's birthday is Monday, August 4th.

Photos from MG Bralley

News Release from Colorado:

STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANNOUNCES NEW COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Denver, CO – (August 2, 2008) - Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Colorado Pat Waak announced that veteran Democratic political operative Matt Farrauto will serve as Communications Director for the state party.

“Because Colorado is hosting the Democratic National Convention and has become a competitive battleground state, we are enjoying a new degree of media attention. I am pleased that we could find someone like Matt Farrauto, who brings a unique set of qualifications and experience to the job of Communications Director,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak. “He has steady hand and a passion for Democratic politics.”

Matt Farrauto comes to Colorado from New Mexico where he served as the Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico from 2005 until late 2007. Prior to being promoted to Executive Director, Farrauto served as spokesman for New Mexico’s Democratic Coordinated Campaign.

Farrauto started his political career as a Press Assistant and Legislative Correspondent for U.S. Senator Russ Feingold before joining the Communications Department of Bill Bradley’s presidential campaign in Iowa. Later in 2000, Farrauto went on to work as a Communications Director for a U.S. Senate campaign in Vermont, and on a competitive statewide judicial race in Ohio.

From 2001 through 2004 Farrauto served as Communications Director for California Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), taking a break in 2002 to work for now-Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT).

Farrauto graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he majored in Political Science.

Former POW Says McCain Is Ready to Command!

The first naval aviator shot down in Vietnam, 61-year-old Everett Alvarez, is the grandson of immigrants from Mexico. Born and raised in Salinas, California, he spent 8 and half years as a P.O.W. in the Hanoi Hilton. Now he’s on the campaign trail for Senator John McCain. He spent part of Saturday in Albuquerque talking to Vets for McCain.

In this AUDIO INTERVIEW Alvarez, who is recognized as a war hero in his home town, has a high school named after him. Alvarez says he believes Hispanics Americans will give the likely Republican Party nominee their support this fall.

McCain will need a big percentage of Hispanic America votes if he hopes to prevail in the fall. In 2004, George W. Bush got a little more than 40%, but the G.O.P lost its footing with this largest minority voting block in the 2006 mid-term elections when the failed to garner more than 30%.

Alvarez talked to us about problems in the Veterans Administration, the new G.I. Bill, and a 20% increase in military suicides rates in 2007.

Alvarez, whose wife divorced him while he was imprisoned in Vietnam, wrote about his war time experiences in Chained Eagle and Code of Conduct.

Access to Information Key to Open Government Act

On Friday, New Mexico Attorney General and Attorney Pat Rogers addressed a crowd of lawyers at the Radisson Hotel in Albuquerque in conjunction with Medical Education Services and the Professional Development Network. King talked about the impact of technology on the legal requirements for public records and New Mexico's Open Meetings Act (OMA).

King gave a comprehensive overview of the ACT and IRPA including a discussion of current cases and complaints and how the OMA affects public bodies in conducting business. Afterward both King and Rogers talked to blog contributor Mark Bralley.

Pat Rogers

In this AUDIO INTERVIEW Rogers told Bralley having access to information in a timely and accurate manner is an important aspect of open government.

In this AUDIO INTERVIEW King talks about the OMA and his compliance guide.

King also talked about why he filed an immediate appeal to Thursday's Environmental Protection Agency's decision to issue an air permit for a 1,500-megawatt coal plant (Desert Rock) that Sithe Global Power and the Navajo nation plan to build south of Farmington in northwest New Mexico.

Gary King

King told Bralley legislative candidates need to comply with a state law prohibiting legislative candidates from raising money from now until after the special session. King says he'll send them a reminder and if they don't comply he'll investigate complaints.

1-19-34.1. Legislative session fundraising prohibition.

A. It is unlawful during the prohibited period for a state legislator or a candidate for state legislator, or any agent on behalf of either, to knowingly solicit a contribution for a political purpose. For purposes of this subsection, "prohibited period" means that period beginning January 1 prior to any regular session of the legislature or, in the case of a special session, after the proclamation has been issued, and ending on adjournment of the regular or special session.

B. It is unlawful during the prohibited period for the governor, or any agent on his behalf, to knowingly solicit a contribution for a political purpose. For purposes of this subsection, "prohibited period" means that period beginning January 1 prior to any regular session of the legislature or, in the case of a special session, after the proclamation has been issued, and ending on the twentieth day following the adjournment of the regular or special session.

Audio and Photos from 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

Nationally Renowned Columnist Gives Birth!

No, not to a baby, but to a brand new spiffy website!

Diane Dimond, a Highland High School graduate, and long time journalist is writing, anchoring and on the investigative trail. Criminals watch your step.

Dimond has been a columnist for the ABQ Journal since April, and was recently syndicated by the Huffington Post. She's also been mentoring me. Hopefully, my listeners and readers are noticing some improvements. Note: I'm not asking compound questions anymore because of her great tips.

She's also helping criminal justice students at Albuquerque's ITT school. Listen to this AUDIO of her spring time lecture at the school. She shared background, with the students, on her first big Albuquerque story about corruption in Bernalillo County Sheriff Joe Wilson's administration. She also reveals great background information on other big national stories she's covered including the Michael Kennedy rape case and other famous court cases. Listen to the lecture to hear about her interesting career journey through Washington, D.C., Hollywood, and New York.

On Monday she'll fill in for Nancy Grace on CNN Headline News, so check her out at 6pm Mountain Time. Also look for her column every Saturday in the Albuquerque Journal.

Also take time to check out her new "spiffy" website here. Also review her book, Be Careful Who You Love, about pop star Michael Jackson and the two molestation cases she reported first here.

Super Saturday: 100 Days Until The Election

It's a Super Saturday for campaigns statewide. Both Republicans and Democrats are working the phones and canvassing the streets mobilizing volunteers and trying to convince undecided voters.

Republican Party Executive Director and Communications Deputy Scott Darnell spoke with us at noon. He says he's excited that 60 volunteers from Arizona are spending the weekend working here.

BREAKING NEWS

In one of his final AUDIO INTERVIEWS, before he heads to Harvard University and the John F. Kenney School of Government, to earn a masters degree in public policy, Darnell (after months of urging by yours truly) finally admits (on tape) that he'll definitely be jumping on the New England Patriots bandwagon. Darnell also says he believes the outcome of many elections hinges on independent voters.

Of course you'll get one more chance to see Darnell on The Line, with Gene Grant, Jim Scarantino and Margaret Montoya, which is airs on the KNME's public affairs program New Mexico InFocus. I was honored to be included on the panel for Scott's last show which was taped on Thursday. Darnell's final segment airs on KNME on Friday, August 1st at 7pm.

Darnell Photo credit: MG Bralley

NM Dems Closing the "God Gap" - Part Deux

For years Republicans appealed to people of faith with their Moral Majority and faith-based programs. President Bush even promised to be a compassionate conservative.

Now Democrats want to broaden their appeal to churches and Christian groups.

770 KKOB's Morning Show Host Bob Clark talked with me about Clyburn's visit and the impact it may have on this fall's election.

Listen to AUDIO from the segment here.

Like President Carter, who promised "Never To Lie," Democrats say they "walk the walk, not just talk the talk." They believe their moral convictions are more in tune with the beliefs of Christians, especially regarding important issues on poverty, health care, the environment and the war.

Last week God's House church, in Albuquerque, hosted a prayer breakfast for Martin Heinrich. The keynote speaker was U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn.

You can read about the origins of the God Gap in this 2007 Time Magazine article.

From Publisher's Weekly:
Senior Time editor Amy Sullivan says trying to understand American politics without looking at religion would be like trying to understand the politics of the Middle East without paying attention to oil. Her fresh look at the God gap reveals the chasm's depths and offers a bridge across. Sullivan, an evangelical, discusses party process as the Catholic and white evangelical vote for Democrats declined sharply in the 1980s. The story of this shift is as fascinating as it is timely. Starting in the 1960s, she traces the Second Vatican Council's impact on Catholics and the rise of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, and the effects of these changes upon politics. Sullivan focuses with special sharpness on John Kerry, a case study in how to mishandle religion during a political race and challenges the conventional wisdom that the right was religious and the left wanted religion scrubbed from the public square. Evangelical and political conservatives may be related, but they are not synonymous, says Sullivan; Clinton, after all, is a genuine Southern evangelical. Sullivan's account argues persuasively and optimistically that politically liberal and theologically orthodox evangelicals can be brought back to the Democratic Party.