Biden Appears with Obama in Springfield

Denver, Colorado...

After being introduced as Senator Barack Obama's running mate at a rally in Springfield, Illinois on Saturday afternoon, Senator Joe Biden had nothing but praise for the man at the top of the ticket.

Biden said, "There's something about Barack Obama that allows him to bring people together like non one I've worked with and seen."

And he'll definitely be bringing people together here in Denver. More than 80,000 people are expected to watch him deliver his acceptance speech at Invesco Field on Friday night.

SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BARACK OBAMA/JOE BIDEN TICKET?

Following their rally in Illinois Obama and Biden are not scheduled to appear together again until Thursday.

Obama will hit the road. He's going to campaign in several battleground states on his way to his nomination in Colorado. Meanwhile, we've learned Biden is returning to Delaware to prepare for his convention speech before coming to town on Monday. A big Vice Presidential staff awaits him.

And we're preparing here as well. We'll be live blogging and reporting for 770KKOB, Fox Radio News and America tonight. The relatives we're staying with handed over the key to the house and we plan to finally see each other sometime on Friday for dinner.

Biden Really Wants to be in the Executive Branch!

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its latest television ad, entitled "Biden."

As the ad highlights, before he was selected to run on the Democratic ticket, Sen. Joe Biden questioned Barack Obama's lack of experience. Earlier in the presidential race Biden told Comedy Central host Jon Stewart that he'd be honored to run with or against McCain!



The ad will air in key battleground states. It's unclear if it's scheduled to run in New Mexico.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson who was on the short list for Vice President is taking the high road. Perhaps with Biden in the number two position he'll have a better chance at being appointed Secretary of State, a job he's said he'd love to have.

Richardson says he likes Obama's pick for Vice President:

"Joe Biden brings seasoned judgment, foreign policy expertise, and a great sense of humor to the ticket. Joe has paid his dues as a public servant and the Vice Presidential spot is a deserved capstone to a great career. Barack Obama has shown solid judgment by selecting Joe Biden as his running mate. Joe is someone that Senator Obama and our country can trust."

Check out Mark Bralley's photo essay on the Dem's trip to ABQ on Monday.

New Audio Player.

We're introducing a new audio player on the site before we head to Denver for the Dems convention. We searched high and low for it. Now we've found the one we like.

We're really pleased the player offers a time track feature. Now, if you can't listen to a complete audio file in one setting, just mark the time spot on the track, and comeback to the post when you have more time. When you restart the file just move the cursor to the exact spot you stopped at earlier.

So now, we just have to learn to operate the new web-friendly digital camera, shipped to us from New York, before we make the trek north to Colorado.

Obama Talks About Economic Security In Albuquerque.

Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama spent an hour talking to an all-women, invite only, economic security forum at the main library in downtown Albuquerque this morning.

LISTEN to the the group's discussion which ranged from equal pay, to the Iraq war, and read a NY Times blogger's take on the forum here.

Obama criticized John McCain's tax policies and say's he'll give tax relief, up to $1000 per family, to middle-class American families.

On Monday afternoon, Governor Bill Richardson revved up a crowd of more than a 1000 Obama supporters at a town hall meeting.

Here is the audio from the town hall meeting.

Boomp3.com

Clinton Delegate Ready to Cruise to Denver.

She's 54 years old, and a political novice, but Nila Lange, took a year off work and and her advanced studies to campaign for NY Senator Hillary Clinton. Now she's headed to Denver as a pledged delegate. It will be her first trip to a national political convention.

On Saturday, Lange attend a Democratic Rally in Rio Rancho. Lange told us in this AUDIO INTERVIEW she's still rooting for Barack Obama to pick Clinton for Vice President.

She also tells us why she thinks Clinton delegates will have a voice in Denver.

U.S. Chamber Endorses Steve Pearce for Senate

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced its endorsement Congressman Steve Pearce for Senate in New Mexico, praising his record of supporting the state’s businesses and workers.

"In the Senate, Steve Pearce will continue to be a champion for the people of New Mexico and an invaluable leader on important business issues," said Bill Miller, the U.S. Chamber's senior vice president and political director. "If elected, Pearce will continue to look out for businesses of all sizes."

A strong proponent of fiscal responsibility, Congressman Pearce helped spur business growth and job creation in the region by advocating for tax reform and energy exploration.

"On issues ranging from lowering taxes to reducing energy costs, New Mexico’s businesses and workers have no better friend in Washington than Steve Pearce," said Miller.

The U.S. Chamber plans to play a big role in the upcoming national elections, endorsing candidates who have demonstrated support for business priorities and will work to advance a pro-growth agenda in Congress. In 2006, 222 of the 277 Chamber endorsed candidates were elected.

Lame Duck Senator Says Follow the Money

N.M. Senator Shannon Robinson is speaking out about what he says was wide-spread "election fraud." He claims it was "the illegal actions of three non-profits" that contributed to a fraud on the voting public and his re-election defeat in June's primary

Listen to the AUDIO from our interview. It was taped just before he headed to Santa Fe for the Special Session.

Marjorie Childress over at the M-pyre blog has put together a summary of the latest opinions and news on this case. Visit her posts here and here to check out the non profits' viewpoint.

Photo: MG Bralley

Special Session Measures Pass!

Governor Bill Richardson praised the state House of Representatives for passing measures to help schools cover rising fuel costs, to expand eligibility for child care, to reduce the tax burden for working families and to supplement the 2008 general election budget.

“Tonight, the members of the House of Representatives took the first, bold steps to provide relief to working families who are hurting because of rising fuel costs and struggling to get health care for their children as well as cover child care costs,” said Governor Richardson. “The Senate, working as a committee of the whole, earnestly debated several bills and I understand they will continue their work tomorrow [Sunday].”

Bills passed on Saturday included:

HB 2 School Bus Fuel Costs

HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit

HB 6 General Election Funds

HB 7 Child Care Programs Funds

Governor’s Health Care Reforms Introduced in Santa Fe.

Governor Bill Richardson’s Health Care Reform Package has been introduced in the 2008 Legislative Special Session. The three bills introduced in the House and Senate focus on insurance reform, including covering all uninsured New Mexico children, consolidation of public programs, and electronic protection of patient privacy.

“My health care reform package will give 50 thousand uninsured children access to health care, will assure patient’s medical records remain private, will reform health insurance, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy,” said Governor Richardson. “This package is fiscally responsible, meets the urgent need to cover every child, and makes insurance more affordable at a time when state government can afford to help its citizens.”

Senate Bill 22, Health Insurance Reform is sponsored by Senator Mary Jane Garcia. This legislation focuses on insurance reform issues that include; guaranteed coverage despite pre-existing conditions, requiring insurance companies spend 85 percent of premiums collected on direct services, a phased in reduction of rate increases due to health experience for small employers and a requirement that children through age 18 enroll in a health coverage plan as well as the funds to cover all children eligible for public programs in the state.

Senate Bill 19, the Health Care Benefits Act is sponsored by Senator Tim Jennings. This bill creates the Health Care Benefits Administration and phases in consolidation of public health coverage programs which will lead to more efficient and effective administration.

House Bill 5, the Electronic Medical Records and Health Information Exchange Act is sponsored by Representative Peter Wirth. This Act will protect patient privacy during electronic medical record exchanges and clarify when and how electronic medical records can be used.”

Udall Calls War In Iraq A Foreign Policy Blunder

On Saturday morning, Page One Bookstore hosted a Town Hall Meeting for Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Tom Udall.

Listen to Udall's remarks delivered to about seventy people.


Udall says he entered public service to "stand up and do the right thing."

During the meeting, Udall told voters about his record in state government and in Congress.

He reminded them he voted against the war in Iraq from the beginning. He says historians will write that it was the country's worst foreign policy blunder ever.

Udall also spoke to the group about his record as NM State Attorney General. He told the group he's proud of his record fighting DWI, domestic violence and corruption in government despite it "not being very popular."

The candidate says his staffers are running a positive campaign.

"We have tried to keep it positive. Our objective is to introduce people to what we've been working on in congress."

Udall also analyzed several outside groups, who support his opponent, Republican Steve Pearce. He says they've come out with attack after attack. He believe that's one contrast voters have noticed between Pearce and himself.

Udall says he's campaigning and working to appeal to "the better interests" of voters by telling them what kind of U.S. Senator he'll be if elected in November.