Politics from New Mexico Independent

McCain, Palin wow supporters with a big entrance in Albuquerque

Matthew Reichbach — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:21:16 GMT

Republican presidential nominee John McCain was introduced Saturday night by Hollywood actor and Oscar winner Robert Duval at the Albuquerque Convention Center. But Duval wasn’t the biggest surprise of the night. That came in the way McCain entered the convention center: in an entrance worthy of any rock star, the Straight Talk Express drove straight into the convention center, emerging from a smokescreen to ignite thousands of supporters.

Dems protest McCain's appearance

Matthew Reichbach — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:54:52 GMT

Before John McCain and Sarah Palin's rally on Saturday night, the Democratic Party of New Mexico and others protested at Civic Plaza, on the corner of 3rd and Tijeras, well out of sight of the long line for those waiting to enter the McCain rally.

Three elected officials spoke at the event. Albuquerque city councilwoman Debbie O'Malley was up first and gave an at times sarcastic speech about Palin's experience -- or lack thereof according to O'Malley. The city councilor recounted her own elected experience, then said, "How can that experience possibly compete with the former mayor of Wasilla?"

Her most cutting line was a parody of a Palin line at the Republican vice presidential candidate's speech. "There is a difference between Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin," O'Malley said. "Lipstick."

ABQ charter review task force hears reasons for being

Marjorie Childress — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:20:07 GMT

Member’s of the Albuquerque city charter review task force heard from several city councilors last night about why the task force was formed. The Mayor also gave his thoughts to the group about Albuquerque’s form of government. It was the second meeting of the task force, which is just getting under way for what looks to be a lengthy process of twice-monthly meetings.

Formed by the City Council, the task force will analyze the charter and make recommendations for revisions by April of next year. Albuquerque adopted its current Mayor-Council form of government in 1974, and this task force will be the third convened since then, the other two being in 1988 and 1998.

Mr. 'Short, Bald and Honest' runs for county commission

Heath Haussamen — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:30:00 GMT

Remember Greg Sowards, the Republican who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money to spread his catchy slogan -- short, bald and honest -- when he was running for Congress earlier this year? Though he lost that race, many Las Crucens will get another chance to vote for him in November.

Heart's Wilson sisters say Palin in "NO WAY" represents them as women

Marjorie Childress — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:37:19 GMT

As John McCain wrapped up his speech at the Republican National Convention last night and was joined on stage by Sarah Palin and their respective spouses, I noticed that they were playing the song “Barracuda,” a classic 70’s rock anthem by Heart.

Not being up on every aspect of Sarah Palin’s life history, I couldn’t help but speculate on the meaning of that. This morning I found out: apparently Palin’s nickname as a star high-school basketball player was “Sarah Barracuda.”

I think that’s kind of catchy and can see the desire to use the song. But Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson aren’t having it, in fact they’re outraged.

Retired New Mexico general attacks McCain's judgment

Denise Tessier — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:30:00 GMT

While Michelle Obama steered clear of attacks on Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain during her visits to the state Thursday, that wasn't the case with retired Air Force Gen. Melvyn Montaño, who suggested that McCain's policy stemmed from a "lack of adequate psychological care" after his service in Vietnam.

In an Associated Press piece by Barry Massey that was picked up by the Air Force Times and numerous other outlets, Montaño, the former head of the New Mexico National Guard, recalled McCain's statement that U.S. soldiers could remain in Iraq for 100 years and said:

“I don’t understand his position. I can attribute it probably to some of the things we’ve talked about here — lack of adequate psychological care.”

Michelle Obama: Don't take John McCain too lightly

Matthew Reichbach — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:52:32 GMT

Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, spoke of the importance of women and of registering people to vote in a speech before nearly 1,000 people at the Student Union Building at the University of New Mexico on Thursday.

No more tickets available for McCain, Palin event

Heath Haussamen — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:20:06 GMT

If you don’t already have tickets to see John McCain and Sarah Palin in Albuquerque on Saturday, you’re probably not going to get into the event.

The Republican Party of New Mexico announced late Thursday that there are no more tickets available for the 6 p.m. rally at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd Street NW. More than 6,000 tickets were handed out, which the state GOP said in a news release makes this “one of the most exciting campaign stops of this election.”

John McCain's night

Tracy Dingmann — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:40:07 GMT

Political "maverick" John McCain clicked the final piece of the 2008 presidential race into place Thursday with a speech that solidified his acceptance into the mainstream Republican fold. On Thursday night before a jam-packed convention hall, he formally accepted the Republican Party's nomination to run for president of the United States.

Agreement? What agreement? Oh, that agreement

Trip Jennings — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:18:29 GMT

A nonprofit at the center of an election-year controversy didn't miss a state-ordered Sept. 2 deadline after all.

That's because the nonprofit had an agreement with the Attorney General's office to stay the deadline. But that answer wasn't easy to come by. It took several phone calls placed by this reporter, a bit of confusion at the Attorney General's office followed by a moment of clarity.

The quest started with a story on the front page of the Thursday's Albuquerque Journal announcing that New Mexico Youth Organized has missed a deadline to register as a political committee.

McCain's speech: 'Change is coming'

Trip Jennings — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:54:00 GMT

John McCain, a sometime maverick who has bucked one faction or another of the Republican party over the last quarter century, accepted his party's presidential nomination Thursday night and promised to lead the GOP to victory in November. McCain's speech to accept the GOP presidential nomination capped an improbable, come-from-behind victory for the Arizona senator who as recently as last summer was dismissed by many as a serious contender.

Officials scramble to put in place contract on voting machine repairs

Trip Jennings — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:57:19 GMT

New Mexico may not have an preventative maintenance agreement for hundreds of voting tabulators bought to scan and read paper ballots. It does, however, have an agreement in place to fix broken machines. But not for long. That contract is set to expire later this month and elections officials are scrambling to put in place an agreement for the general election two months from now.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Harry Teague walks a tightrope on energy issues

Heath Haussamen — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:56:55 GMT

As an oilman and a Democrat, 2nd Congressional District candidate Harry Teague doesn’t necessarily fit the mold typically associated with either: He made his millions in an industry that many members of his party -- including presidential nominee Barack Obama -- want to take additional dollars from through an “excess-profits” tax. The combination of his party affiliation and profession put Teague in a difficult position: To win, he needs to tap into the energy of the progressive movement that helped his primary opponent, Bill McCamley, nearly defeat him. But he also needs the votes of people friendly to the energy industry, including conservative Democrats who have voted three times for very conservative Republican Steve Pearce over Democratic candidates.

Glaring differences between Denver and St. Paul

Tracy Dingmann — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:49:20 GMT

What chills me most as I sit here at Republican Central is the lack of diversity I see as I simply sit and watch the people – how they express themselves (or don’t), how they dress, their average age and their racial makeup. I’m not saying it’s scientific, but it’s one of my favorite things to do. I think of it as a requirement for getting to know the culture of any place or gathering and it has served me well thus far.

ABQ Mayor's labor ordinance veto stands

Marjorie Childress — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:53:50 GMT

Albuquerque’s City Council attempted but failed last night to override Mayor Marty Chavez’ veto of a bill that was highly sought by labor. Even in defeat, some councilors had some choice things to say about the veto.