White Questions Heinrichs Ties to Lobbyists

Campaign News Release:

Since Martin Heinrich is such a fan of attacking Sheriff Darren White, and Darren's past political associations, I wonder what kind of past Martin Heinrich is hiding from the voters of New Mexico?

What do we really know about Martin Heinrich – the paid consultant and lobbyist?

The people of New Mexico deserve to know who paid Martin Heinrich to lobby – local, state, and federal politicians, government officials, and government agencies and departments.

"Today we call on Martin Heinrich to fully disclose his extensive lobbying ties and relationships, and reveal his list of lobbying and consultant clients.

"The citizens of New Mexico deserve transparency when it comes to their elected officials, and candor regarding their past lobbying activities.

"The people of New Mexico have the right to know about your history as an operative and lobbyist, Mr. Heinrich. Who paid you?" said Stephen Schatz, Communications Director.

Martin Heinrich Said He Worked "With Local Elected Officials" And With Congressman Udall When Asked About His Work Lobbying Legislature On Behalf Of Wilderness Groups:

When Asked To Elaborate On His Lobbying Work With Legislature To Protect Wilderness Areas In Sandoval County, Martin Heinrich Said He Worked "For A Number Of Years … With Local Elected Officials."

Caller: "Hi. Mr. Heinrich, it's so great to talk to you. I was wondering – you were hired by a wilderness group to lobby the legislature and to protect wilderness areas in Sandoval County, and I think it was Roger Magdalena that sponsored a bill for you. Could you tell your listeners about that? I know they would be really proud to hear about that."

Heinrich: "You know, I worked for a number of years in Sandoval County working with local elected officials all the way up to the U.S. Congress to protect the Ojito Wilderness and to return some ancestral lands to the pueblo of Zia. It is something I'm really proud of. It's a piece of legislation that passed the House and Senate eventually, unanimously, that got enormous local support." -- 770 KKOB Radio Station, Albuquerque, NM, 8/6/08)

Martin Heinrich Touted Years Of Work Lobbying With Congressman Udall To Protect The Ojito Wilderness - Firedog.

Margo (Blogger): "Mr. Heinrich, this is such a pleasure. I will contribute as soon as I can in April. I am a fan of your Ojito Wilderness site; it provides inspiration that I use to draw landscapes." Martin Heinrich: "Thank you. I spent several years of my life working with Congressman Udall, the Pueblo of Zia, and many other good people to permanently protect Ojito. It is one of my proudest accomplishments and a great example of the conservation victories that can be achieved when you are willing to sit down with everyone involved." (Martin Heinrich, "Blue America Welcomes Martin Heinrich, Our First NM Candidate," - 3/22/08

In A 2004 Survey, Heinrich Lobbied In Favor Of Blocking Exploration In The Otero Mesa:

"The Southwest Environmental Center … Released An Analysis Of The Public Comments That The Bureau Of Land Management Has Accepted On Their Drilling Plan For Otero Mesa Prior To Issuing The Final Plan…"("BLM Comment Analysis, Petition Drive Show Support For Protecting Otero Mesa," Desert Journal. (1/23/04)


* 95 Parties Submitted Comments In Favor Of Blocking Drilling. "Of the comments accepted by the BLM, 95 parties submitted comments in favor of either more environmental protections or absolute protection from all drilling, including 16 citizen membership organizations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, plus 84 postcards." ("BLM Comment Analysis, Petition Drive Show Support For Protecting Otero Mesa," Desert Journal, (1/23/04)

* Martin Heinrich Lobbied BLM For More Environmental Protections For Otero Mesa. ("BLM Comment Analysis, Petition Drive Show Support For Protecting Otero Mesa," Desert Journal, (1/23/04)

Lobbying Congress For Extreme Special Interest Groups, Martin Heinrich Delivered Testimony In 2004:

Martin Heinrich Lobbied Congress On Behalf Of The Coalition For New Mexico Wilderness. "The testimony I will present today is on behalf of me and the Coalition for New Mexico Wilderness." (Statement Of Martin Heinrich Albuquerque City Councilor, Committee On Senate Energy And Natural Resources, Testimony, 2/12/04)

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STEVE PEARCE ON CREW's LIST!

This story was updated here.

For the second year in a row, the ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has named Congressman and United States Senate candidate Steve Pearce as one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress. CREW's 4th annual report, released today, said Pearce's inclusion on the list is a result of his "trading legislative assistance for campaign contributions," among other questionable ethics violations.

"CREW's report confirms that Steve Pearce is and always has been in Big Oil's pocket," said Democratic Party of New Mexico Executive Director Josh Geise. "As a Congressman Steve Pearce has consistently put the interests of Big Oil companies ahead of those of average New Mexicans, and as a Senator there's no reason to think he would act any differently."

Steve Pearce has been an unabashed advocate for opening Otero Mesa to more drilling while at the same time taking tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from some of Otero Mesa's largest lease holders, according to the report.



Read the full report here .

Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said today, "With soaring gas prices, a housing market in crisis, rising unemployment, and a nation at war, elected officials should be prioritizing their constituents' needs over their own self-interests. Unfortunately, the members of Congress listed in CREW's Most Corrupt report have decided that their personal needs are paramount to those they represent. This report holds them accountable for those choices."

Meanwhile the State Democratic Party of New Mexico says a lobbyist who use to work for The National Restaurant Association, while congressional candidate Ed Tinsley, was the president of the group.

The National Restaurant Association contributed more than $120,000 to 9 politicians under investigation or indicted for corruption. At least one of these contributions was given after one of these politicians was under investigation and while Tinsley served a Chairman of the association.

"If Ed Tinsley felt comfortable knowingly giving political contributions to corrupt elected officials, it makes you wonder what kind of ethical standards this Washington lobbyist would have if elected to Congress," said Josh Geise, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. "It's time for the people of Southern New Mexico to have a Congressman that represents them, not the special interests."

For at least part of that time, he served as the Vice-Chair of the National Restaurant Association Political Action Committee and the Chairman of the association. From 1998-2008 the PAC disbursed contributions to Congressman Tom Delay, Congressman Bob Ney, Congressman Don Young and Senator Conrad Burns - all indicted or convicted in connection to the Jack Abramoff scandal. The PAC also gave to Congressman Rick Renzi, Congressman "Duke" Cunningham, Congressman John Doolittle, Congressman Ken Calvert and Senator Ted Stevens - all convicted, indicted or under investigation for bribery, corrupt land deals or other crimes.

The Restraunant Association also made a contribution to Tom Delay on February 13, 2006, after he had been indicted by a grand jury in Texas in 2005 for violating campaign finance laws and after he gave up his position as Majority Leader in January of 2006. At that time, Tinsley was heavily involved with the National Restaurant Association - he had already testified before Congress on their behalf on at least two occasions and from 2004 to 2005 he served at the Treasurer of the organization.

Photo credit: MG Bralley

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Governor Richardson Appeals to Supporters Ahead of Redistricting!

We got this letter from Governor Bill Richardson this morning:

After my speech at the Democratic Convention, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) gave me some disturbing information.

Right now, the GOP is executing a plan to TAKE 38 governorships over the next three years. If they accomplish this, they will have the power to shrewdly alter election district borders and steal back Congress.

Why governors? Governors influence redistricting--the redrawing of congressional district lines, and all states redistrict in 2011 to make our government more representative.

But like Texan Tom DeLay, who led the underhanded, but legal, effort to create SIX new Republican congressional districts in Texas in 2003, the GOP wants to make government non-representative--to win by making it impossible for Republicans to lose.

The DGA is mobilizing right now--before the GOP plan gains momentum--to elect Democratic governors all across the nation. 11 states are at immediate risk!

Democrats have a 28-state majority of governors. But 47 governorships will be decided in the next three years, starting with 11 in 2008. And the Republicans have already raised close to $30 million. Their plan is to use this massive war chest to pick up 16 new governorships and gerrymander their way to a new congressional majority.

This is not Democratic propaganda. Just read these words from a spokesman of the Republican Governors Association:

We could feasibly see 25 to 30 congressional seats swing as the result of
redistricting...The odds are, if it is a Republican in the governor's chair, the
seat will end up in GOP hands.

Republican governors = manipulated districts = 25 to 30 more congressional seats in GOP hands!

This is old-school, back-room politics at its worst, and if they succeed, our democracy will suffer for years to come.

One thing is clear--the Republicans expect to lose at the ballot box for a long time to come, unless they get their 38 governors and give themselves an unbeatable edge.

So let's give them the defeat they expect and deserve starting with this year's races.

Please join in giving the DGA the resources it needs to protect our democracy.

Let's show the GOP that we take our democracy seriously. That means the American people--in every state--get to decide.

Sincerely,

Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico
Former Chair, Democratic Governors Association

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Rep. Wilson Refutes Allegations in Talking Points Memo!

An online report on the Talking Points Memo's Muckracker's blog this morning is being refuted by NM Representative Heather Wilson late this afternoon.

TPMmuckraker reported:

... the indictment of former Jack Abramoff associate Kevin Ring, filed yesterday, suggests that Wilson's office was tied in to Abramoff's corruption network at a level not previously known. And John McCain's 2005 investigation into Abramoff's fleecing of Indian tribes, which McCain conducted as chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, made no mention of that fact.

But, Wilson denies knowledge of her staffer's email and said, "I'm proud of the work that I did with Senator Bingaman and Senator Domenici to settle the Sandia Land Claim, " Wilson said.

Wilson admits she has had an ongoing relationship with members of the Sandia Pueblo and other tribes and even worked on legislation mentioned in the staffer's emails, but seems to say those emails followed final legislative action.

Abramoff has admitted he gave gifts to federal officials who provided favors to his clients. More than a dozen people eventually were implicated in a corruption scandal, including Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney, who resigned in disgrace after being convicted of accepting illegal gifts. Several key congressional aides also were convicted, as was a deputy secretary in the Interior Department.

Abramoff was sentenced earlier this month to four years in federal prison.

An examination of the unnamed Wilson staffer's emails, presented in the indictment, seems to indicate that Wilson was actively involved in helping Ring and Greenberg Traurig (where Ring worked at the time), retain their contract to represent the Sandia Indians. And Ring's Greenberg partner -- most likely Abramoff himself, but certainly a member of Abramoff's team at Greenberg -- believed he had the power to affect decisions made by Rep. Wilson concerning the tribe's interests.

"We have worked with whomever the Pueblo has chosen as its representatives and with tribal leaders directly on matters of concern to the Pueblo," said Wilson.

Wilson believes the T'uf Bein Shur Preservation Act (2003) was important to the Sandia Pueblo, neighboring cities, Sandia Tram, homeowners at the base of the mountain and nearby farmers and event ranchers.

"Regarding the March 2003 e-mails between two rogue lobbyists concerning whether they would continue to be retained by the Pueblo, I am not sure whether to be amused or offended that they were operating under the delusion that I would help them retain their contract, or that losing their contract would hurt the Pueblo's longstanding relationship with me. As my constituents, I represent the Pueblo regardless of who they hire to represent them. At no time did I take any action on behalf of Greenberg Traurig with Sandia Pueblo."

The Representative says all proceeds from Kevin Ring's fundraiser for her re-election in May 2003 were donated to charities in accordance with FEC Commission Rules.

Democracy for New Mexico and NMFBIHOP are also following this developing story here and here.

Photo Credits: MG Bralley

White Prepares to Air 1st TV Ads

With only 58 or so days until the election Republican Darren White plans to launch his first television ads sometime this week. His opponent who has the financial support of the DNCCC has had several ads running throughout the last month.
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UPDATED: The first ad will be primarily a bio piece introducing (or reintroducing Darren White) to the voters. I thought he might respond to the direct mail "hit" pieces sent by Heinrich's camp.

Governor Palin Talks To Local Reporter Before Handlers Break It Up!

This blog post really started to develop last Thursday.

After catching up on some sleep from my adventures at the DNC in Denver I knew I had to try and get a one-on-one interview with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin during her trip to Albuquerque for a rally.

I got my first break when I was invited to cover radio chores for the local press pool. Yet, I knew the odds of getting an interview were against me. Only recently has Palin agreed to be interviewed by ABC's Charlie Gibson, and that's not until later this week up in Alaska. Other than ABC she isn't talking to my media mates.

I've been called a "pushy" reporter, because I'm usually the one who asks the first and last question at news conferences. And frankly these kinds of media events favor photographers with long range lens. So I was on a mission this weekend to get some audio for the radio pool. All I wanted was to be able to talk to Sarah Palin on tape.

At every stop along her journey in Albuquerque I asked her handlers if they could give me just a few minutes to talk with her about state issues she may have to deal with if elected, including drilling on the Otero Mesa, healthcare, and even western water compacts.

After being denied at every stop, and at every turn, I even thought about calling the hotel operator and asking to be put through to Todd and Sarah Palin's room. Now that's assertive, but maybe too assertive. I figured the secret service would bump me off the tour if I tried the hotel operator tactic.

This morning, I settled in for another long Sunday morning of waiting for the just the right moment. It finally came during a photo op trip McCain and Palin took to a local restaurant famous for their salsa and chile.

Just before 1pm, the press crews were herded off to an outside garden patio. I lingered just a minute to say "hello" to a waitress I knew from working there a few years ago, and somehow got stuck between McCain, several diners, and the photographers.

At that moment, I saw Palin finally walking onto the patio. She was coming my way. I quickly turned on my recorder, and when she smiled and stopped in front of me and I welcomed her to New Mexico.

Here's the audio from our :32 second conversation.



Now you're probably wondering why I didn't start with a hard hitting question like what she thought about the government taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but I didn't want to scare her off. After she started talking I planned a more important question to generate a newsworthy repsonse, but just after we started McCain's long-time traveling press secretary Brooke Buchanan broke us up. Despite the fact that Palin seemed to be enjoying her conversation, looking me in the eye, and smiling. When you listened to the tape does she sound like she's irritated talking to me? Not at all!

Almost instantly the secret service directed me back to the bus.

Eventually I was rescued by one of the local handlers (thanks KL). Actually I think one of the staffers directed Palin my way so I wouldn't go home empty handed. Photographers can always get a shot for their pools. Audio is harder to get for the radio crews.

It turns out TV crews in other cities have sparred with Brooke.




As we got ready to leave the restaurant, McCain and Todd Palin went to the cashier's stand to buy some salsa to take with them. After ringing up a little more than $8 bucks in locally made products the two men were heard haggling about who would pay the cashier named Savannah. In the end, I understand John McCain whipped out a $20 and they families left the restaurant and headed back to the airport where ABSOLUTELY NO REPORTERS were allowed to go near Palin.

I'm sure Gov. Palin will be back to town. I'm also sure I'll try again.

Photo credit: Peter St. Cyr

No Tickets. No Worries. We've Got the Audio.

Robert Duvall, who's seen in this picture standing between Sen. John and Cindy McCain, joined his own wife, Luciana Pedraza, and introduced the newly minted Republican ticket, at the Albuquerque Convention Center this evening for a big post convention rally in the Duke City.

Only 6,000 supporters got tickets to the McCain-Palin rally in Albuquerque tonight.

You actually may be luckier than they were. Supporters, who had to hunt for parking downtown, sweated in the sun waiting for hours to get into a 32-minute rally, and then only heard speeches way to familiar to the one's they heard earlier during the GOP Convention in the week in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Except for that one comment on earmarks from Gov. Palin, who's been defending her own record in Alaska. She decided to use her time in Albuquerque tell the crowd that Barack Obama has requested almost $3 billion dollars in earmarks during his time in the U.S. Senate.

"Just wait until President McCain puts a stop to that," Palin Said. Meanwhile, our ABC colleague Jack Tapper summarized all of Saturday's political punches here, as the battle of pork continues. I just wonder when either of the parties is going to tell us what they're going to do about the failing Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs. I've heard they'll likely go into conservatorship.

Anyway, here's the good news for you is there's no line here for you to stand in, no protestors shouting at you, (although they may use the comment page at the bottom of the post later to make their voices heard), and the bottom line is we're not charging $6.00 for parking either.

Still we've got the audio of their speeches just for you.

So sit back and enjoy their brief comments here, but download the audio to your i-pod only if you dare.

McCain spoke last, but get's top billing on this post.



And here is Governor Sarah Palin.



Photo credit: MG Bralley

Thirty Two Minutes and McCain Rally is Over Already.

Live Blogging from National Press Pool Risers set up inside the ABQ Convention Center.


Actor Robert Duvall introduced Senator John McCain and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and moments later the Straight Talk Express pulled directly inside the Albuquerque Convention Center Hall filled with 6,000 local supporters cheering his arrival while Van Halen's "Right Now" blared over the speaker system.

After the WWF style show fog cleared and the American Flag was finally spread out full again, the two families (McCain's wife wearing a weird combination of green and orange and world champion snowmobiler - 1st Dude Todd Palin) all made their way to the center of the hall.

Each pledge to put "Country First" and after 32 minutes the rally was over. To read about what happened before I arrived with the national press tour read LP's blog here.

McCain and Palin in Albuquerque.

The Straight Talk Express landed at Cutter @ 227pm and now we're headed to KNME where the candidates will be using the studios for a satellite interview. Following the interview Sen. John McCain, his wife Cindy (who's sporting a bandage around her wrist from a ruff handshake) and VP pick Sarah Palin will check into their hotel for a brief afternoon rest before tonight's rally at 7pm.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley

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Protestors Meet Supporters Downtown.

I just pulled into the Marriott North with John McCain's Straight Talk Express after spending a little more than an hour at KNME. We heard he may have taped a segment for one or more of the Sunday morning news shows.

Now he's preparing to introduce Governor Sarah Palin, who arrived at the hotel ahead of McCain, to some 6000 New Mexicans.

Our field reporter tells us protestors at civic plaza are shouting "Bush-McCain ... More of the same" at McCain supporters who are still standing in line at the convention center waiting to get in the facility for the 7pm rally.

McCain supporters are responding with chants of "USA USA".

Policen our sources say, are not interfering with the protestors at this point.

Following tonight's rally McCain and Palin will spend the night in ABQ and may have one or two surprise stops in town Sunday morning before heading to another rally to deliver another stump speech
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