McCain Jokes with Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live.

Republican John McCain poked fun at his presidential campaign's financial shortcomings and his reputation as a political maverick in an appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

On election eve (Monday) McCain will make a quick stop in Roswell, NM around 3pm.

The presidential hopeful made a cameo appearance at the beginning of the show, with Tina Fey reprising her memorable impersonation of McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

McCain, who is trailing Democrat Barack Obama in most battleground state polls, also appeared during the show's "Weekend Update" newscast to announce he would pursue a new campaign strategy in the closing days of the campaign.

"I thought I might try a strategy called the reverse maverick. That's where I'd do whatever anybody tells me," McCain said.

And if that didn't work, "I'd go to the double maverick. I'd just go totally berserk and freak everybody out," the Arizona senator quipped.

Earlier in the show, McCain and Fey, portraying Palin, said they couldn't afford a half-hour campaign commercial on network television like Democrat Barack Obama aired earlier this week. They said they'd sell campaign products on the QVC shopping channel instead.

Among other things, McCain advertised a set of knives to cut through pork in Washington. His wife, Cindy McCain, briefly appeared to advertise "McCain Fine-Gold" jewelry, a play on the campaign finance law McCain authored with Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.

Fey, as Palin, advertised a set of "Joe" dolls commemorating Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack and her Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

The pretend Palin also pulled out T-shirts saying "Palin 2012" and said she wouldn't be returning to Alaska after the election.

"I'm either running in four years or I'm going to be a white Oprah," she said.

UPDATED: You have to hear this prank call a couple of radio DJ's made on Sarah Palin. Hat tip to Democracy for New Mexico.

YouTube has most of John McCain's past Saturday Night Live appearances post online.

Mitt Romney Says McCain-Palin Picking up Undecided Voters.

I partially failed as a backback journalist today. While I had a busy schedule of interviews planned, I didn't shoot any photos. So, I don't have an original pic for this post, but all is not lost. We've got another original newsmaker podcast from our interview with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

On Saturday Romney spoke with John McCain supporters in three cities, Farmington, Albuquerque and Las Cruces. I caught up with him this afternoon at the University Hilton just before 2pm.

We talked about agricultural policy differences between the candidates, the new farm bill, "spreading the wealth", independent voters and McCain's humor, after all he's appearing on S-N-L in just a few hours.

Romney thinks the Republicans are picking a majority of undecided voters at the end of this long campaign and that the polls are tightening.



Other's, like LP at NMFBIHOP are NOT so sure of that. LP reports Obama still has a 7 percent spread in New Mexico.

Romney who also spent time in Farmington and Las Cruces today also talked to NM Independent's Heath Haussaman by telephone.

He told Haussaman: I think we’ve got a real shot here,” Romney said. “Two weeks ago it looked impossible, but the polls that we’re seeing now, the people we’re speaking with, the sentiment we’re seeing, suggests that this is winnable.

After the interview Haussaman posted this online commentary.

Also, if you missed my September interview with Gov. Romney you can hear it here.

Longest Campaign Weekend of the Year

From our friends at the NewMexiKen blog:

God may have given us the 24 hour day, but it took humans to create something even better.

The 25 hour day. Enjoy the longest two-day weekend of the year.

[Not valid in Arizona or Hawaii.]

Remember to set your clocks back one hour tonight.

Uh Oh. Here we go again: Problems with Absentee Ballots.

Updated - Sunday 3:35pm

Steve Pearce's U.S. Senate campaign is upset and is calling for the removal of Michael Jimenez as the Director of Board of Elections in Dona Ana County.

Between 3,000 to 5,000 Dona Ana County voters who were supposed to have gotten their absentee ballots within 24 hours of making the request instead had them mailed to them at the last minute Friday night. Elections officials admitted to not observing state law when it came to getting the absentee ballots out in time. The problem was discovered when the wife of a candidate in Dona Ana County asked why some of their constituents had not gotten their absentee ballots yet, just days before the election.

"This is beyond unacceptable," said Congressman Steve Pearce. "Thousands of New Mexicans will not be able to vote as a result of this action. It should be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable."

"The director of the Bureau of Elections [Dona Ana County] should lose his job and we should install someone who can oversee this election fairly and competently," he added.

"None of it passes the smell test and New Mexicans are tired of it," said Pearce. "If they're not trying to install officials with serious conflicts of interest, they are doing what they can to suppress votes. It's shameful and there should be a broad investigation into these kinds of tactics."

Governor Bill Richardson Gives us "The Word."

After voting in Santa Fe on Thursday, Governor Bill Richardson is back on the road campaigning for Barack Obama.

Traveling in Nevada today, Gov. Richardson called us just after noon. It's the last day of early voting in New Mexico and he's urging voters to get to the polls today. Richardson, who believes the Presidential race is tightening, says no one should be taking anything for granted.

He also said he's confident NM Secretary of State Mary Herrera, and all 33 county clerks are ready for a big turnout on Tuesday.

We asked him about his gaffe on KOA radio in Denver yesterday and he simply says that while he was campaigning in Charlottesville, Virginia (read more about his travel schedule here) when, "I just made a mistake. I've said before that anyone making under $250,000 a year would get a tax cut." He said, he expected the Republicans to jump on it, but that it's ridiculous and a last ditch effort."

Richardson, who announced his own presidential campaign on May 21st in Los Angeles, California, agreed with us that presidential campaigns in the United States are too long. He recommends the country set a time-limit, similar to most European countries and address public financing.

We wanted to get some insight into Barack Obama the man. Governor Richardson told us, "he has sound values and listens to everyone, including the student and even the janitor backstage at a debate. He's really brilliant. Kind of a quiet elegance."


Meanwhile, the governor is also urging voters in three counties, Bernalillo, Valencia and Sandoval, to support the Regional Transit Tax Measure and a constitutional amendment giving power to the governor to appoint a replacement Lt. Governor. Currently the state's constitution is silent on the issue. It may be needed by January if Richardson accepts a cabinet role in a Barack Obama administration.

He told me he's having fun on the campaign trail, but that he and Senator Barack Obama have not addressed a role for him in a possible democratic administration.

"I anticipate being governor for two more years," Richardson said. "I love my job, but you never preclude anything."

Richardson believes Obama will be successful in the West, despite new attacks by Republicans who are challenging Obama's agriculture positions in Iowa and other rural states.

During a conference call on Friday Republican Iowa Senator Sen. Grassley said, "Obama doesn't have a very good foundation. It's ludicrous to blame farmers for obesity and pollution."

Richardson says the attacks are a last ditch effort by the GOP who he says "sense the election is slipping away from them."

"I've run two state-wide campaigns and understand rural New Mexican farmers," said Richardson. "Obama understands the family farmer, advocates family farm subsidies, and supports conservation measures in the new farm bill."

Richardson also told us he's preparing for next year's legislature and says recent revenue shortfalls are a setback, and that they're taking some steps to curb spending now.

The governor said, "I'm still determined to offer health care solutions to every New Mexicans."

Despite a 7th trip to the state by John McCain tomorrow in Roswell, the governor says he doesn't expect another visit by Obama.

Hmm.. Perhaps the Illinois Senator will take us up on our offer of a brief 5-minute telephone interview.

Photos by: MG Bralley

Pouncing on Criminals: District Attorney Kari Brandenburg Makes A Compelling Argument for a 3rd Term.

The 2nd Judicial District Attorney, Democrat Kari Brandenburg, sailed to election victories in 2000 and 2004. This year, despite a coordinated attack by a serious Republican opponent, Brandenburg is making the case for re-election.

The District Attorney told us her office seeks justice and applies the law equally to everyone while developing partnerships with law enforcement, the courts, and attorneys.

Brandenburg has received the endorsement of all the top law enforcement associations, including the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies Association, The Chicano Police Officer's Association and the APOA.

Take a moment to listen to her speak about her qualifications, program successes and goals for a third term here.



During the interview, Brandenburg explains her Early Case Resolution program and how it is holding criminals immediately accountable, the mether initiative, and her office's felony DWI conviction rate. Brandenburg says she's got a 95% conviction rate in Felony DWI cases and the lowest dismissal rate in the state.

Brandenburg, who supports the death penalty, also talks about her victory, earlier this year, in district court, against the Capital Jury Project. That group tried to get the death penalty thrown out of consideration in accused deputy killer Michael Paul Astoraga's case. The matter is now being appealed to the state's Supreme Court.

Since becoming district attorney in Bernalillo County Brandenburg says she's developed programs and partnership with law enforcement agencies including an Auto Theft Task Force. the courts and defense attorneys. She's proud of the $6.2 million in grant money awarded to her office, but say's if she's re-elected she'll go back to Santa Fe in January (during the legislature) to get even more resources for her busy office.

Brandenburg also tells us why she believes her office, and the court, made the right decision in offering a controversial plea deal to former Marine Elton John Richard.

Finally Brandenburg speaks out on the alleged voter registration fraud and her involvement in referring some cases directly to former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias.

Obama on Halloween: Yes We Carve!

Click the Logo for
Great Shots of Creative
Pumpkin Carving.

If Senator Barack Obama's
earns the confidence of voter's on Tuesday
and heads to Washington as the 44th President,
he seriously needs to take his
creative advertising team with him.

TRICK OR TREAT!

If they can
solve the country's
problems with the same
ingenuity as they've demonstrated with
targeted media buys like the one above,
then I believe the country's
future is bright.

Bruce Springsteen Offers Fans a Halloween Treat.

The rocker has posted a free download of a new song, ``A Night With the Jersey Devil,'' on his website. The song has a blues beat, and Springsteen sings about 16 witches casting 16 spells.

Springsteen writes:

If you grew up in central or south Jersey you grew up with the 'Jersey Devil.' Here's a little musical Halloween treat. Have fun!

There's also a video showing Springsteen as the legendary Jersey Devil. Earlier this week, Springsteen announced that he and his wife would not hold their annual elaborate Halloween display at their Rumson mansion. The couple said they were worried about people's safety because the event attracted too many visitors.

Do Darren White's Deputies Threaten Ballot Box Integrity on Election Day? Sheriff Demands Apology for Accusations.

Darren White says Martin Heinrich's campaign owes Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies an apology after the Democratic Congressional Candidate raised some serious questions regarding their election day integrity on KOB TV's Eyewitness News 4. See the report here.

We just received a copy of this letter from Darren White to Martin Heinrich:

10/30/2008

Mr. Heinrich,

On Wednesday, October 29, 2008, your campaign laid out a very public charge on KOB-TV that you do not trust the deputies of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department to uphold Election Day ballot integrity, protection and security.

Your cheap political smears, claiming our deputies cannot be trusted, attack every law enforcement officer in the State of New Mexico, and I call on you to personally issue an apology to the deputies of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department.

Also, your campaign operative, Jason Burke, should be informed that the deputies serve the citizens of this county, first and foremost. Just like the employees of the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office, who are dedicated professionals, they would never compromise an election because their boss’ name is on the ballot.

And for the record, the officers of the New Mexico State Police despise being referred to as “troopers.”

Martin, desperate political attacks against law enforcement officers is repugnant and unbecoming for someone who portends to represent the people of this community in Congress with dignity.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department has always provided Election Day security with unquestioned commitment to the process. The department provides ballot protection so the system is just and fair for everyone involved – Democrats and Republicans, incumbents and challengers. In no way will this election be decided by the deputies.

The deputies and other law enforcement officers of this community put their lives on the line every single day for our citizens. It is a disgrace that you would raise public suspicions about their integrity, honesty and professionalism, for the sake of a political stunt – a week before Election Day.

On the one hand you defend the actions of a convicted eco-terrorist, while on the other hand you question the integrity of our police officers. I believe this is a revealing look into your thinking and why so many believe you are the most extreme candidate ever nominated in this district.

Again, I call on you to personally and publically apologize to the law enforcement community of New Mexico. The comments of Jason Burke, acting as your representative, were out of line and downright false and represent the worst kind of politics and outside interference in New Mexico’s election process.

You should know better, Martin. This is no way for you to conduct a campaign for Congress on the backs of dedicated civil servants and law enforcement officers.

Sincerely,

Darren White

----------

County Clerk Maggie Toulouse-Oliver says anyone from either political party is allowed to observed the transfer of ballots to her election warehouse.

U.S. Senate Candidates Make Final Appeals. Udall Says No Golden Parachutes With Taxpayer Money.

Photo: MG Bralley

Well, the two candidates for U.S Senate in New Mexico are making their closing arguments and final appeal to voters. Today Democrat Tom Udall released his final ad. The gals at Democracy for New Mexico posted the video of his television spot here.

Republican Steve Pearce, who wants to replace six-termer Pete Domenici (who I'm writing a an article for ABQ the Magazine) talked to morning host Bob Clark at 770KKOB on Monday. You can listen to the interview (without commericials) on line here.

Meanwhile, in response to news reports that six major financial institutions receiving “bailout” funds from the federal government may pay their executives billions of dollars in bonuses, U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., sent the following letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson:

Dear Secretary Paulson:

I am writing today to express my ongoing concerns about compensation for executives whose financial institutions are receiving taxpayer dollars through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA).

As part of the EESA, the Treasury Department announced its plans to invest $125 billion in nine of our nation's largest banks. I have been extremely troubled by recent news reports that these institutions have spent or reserved over $100 billion for employee compensation and bonuses this year. This is nearly the same amount that they spent last year. Institutions receiving billions in taxpayer dollars should not be spending excessive amounts on bonuses.

I understand that you have worked to establish some compensation standards for some of the companies receiving federal assistance. I am requesting that you continue to work vigilantly on this issue and create further restrictions on compensation for those companies that continue to receive the EESA taxpayer-funded assistance.

Additionally, recent news reports have suggested that banks receiving money from the Treasury are not planning to use that money to extend loans, which is critical to freeing up credit and getting our economy moving again. It seems that financial institutions feel that they can afford to pay their executives exorbitant bonuses, but they cannot find the resources to provide credit to America's businesses in order to rebuild our economy. I urge you to do everything in your power to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used to fix the American economy, not spent on massive bonuses for corporate executives.

I voted against the EESA because I felt that this $700 billion package did too little to protect taxpayers, too little to support homeowners, and nothing to prevent Wall Street from repeating the mistakes that got us into this crisis. One of my biggest concerns—which was shared by the thousands of my constituents who contacted me—was that the bailout package failed to ensure that executives who ran their companies into the ground would not receive millions in taxpayer-funded compensation. My constituents do not want their tax dollars being used to line the pockets of failed corporate executives. At a time when New Mexico's middle class is struggling, taxpayers should not be forced to spend their hard-earned money providing unearned compensation for some of America's wealthiest citizens.

If financial institutions have their way, the executives who made the bad decisions that led to this crisis will be rewarded. Despite ruining their businesses, they will be given more money in a day than most Americans will save in a lifetime. Even worse, this injustice will have been paid for with taxpayer dollars. My constituents know that this is unfair and unhelpful. I know that it will only encourage corporate executives to make more unwise and reckless decisions in the future. Please act swiftly to protect our tax dollars and our economy.

Again, I ask you do everything in your power to address this troubling situation. I look forward to working with you in the future and to your response.

Sincerely,

Tom Udall

Member of Congress

UPDATED: PEARCE PICKS UP AWARD FOR PRO WORKER POLICIES

Congressman Steve Pearce received an award for supporting pro-growth, pro-worker policies in Congress. The National Association of Manufacturers presented Pearce with the "Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence" which goes to members of Congress who score at least a 70% on NAM's Key Vote Score Card. Pearce scored 95% by NAM's evaluation.

"Rebuilding our manufacturing base is going to be a key component of getting our economy back on track," said Pearce, a former small businessman. "It's the way we create wealth and good paying jobs for New Mexico and the country."

Key votes included expanding access to America's energy resources offshore, certain free trade agreements, protections for intellectual property and workers' rights.

"The best way to create jobs is to lower taxes for individuals and businesses," said Pearce. "I am proud to support the pro-growth policies that will help our economy and enable New Mexico families to get ahead."