News New Mexico: U.S. Politics

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Another Murder Linked to Operation Fast and Furious

From Gateway Pundit -On December 14, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was shot dead by a group of suspected drug cartel along the Mexican border in Peck Canyon, northwest of Nogales, Arizona. The guns used to kill Brian Terry were traced back to Operation Fast and Furious. In September 2011 the Attorney General of Mexico confirmed 200 murders happened in Mexico as a direct result of Operation Fast and Furious. Now another murder connected to Operation Fast and Furious has surfaced. According to a congressional report released, Mario González Rodríguez, brother of the state attorney general of Chihuahua at the time, was also murdered by guns traced back to Operation Fast and Furious. The U.S. withheld this information from Mexican authorities for eight months. Read more here.

Governor's Grandfather Was a U.S. Citizen

Governor Martinez

From stltoday.com -Ever since taking office last year as the nation's first Hispanic female governor, New Mexico's Susana Martinez found her family tree scrutinized over whether her Mexican-born paternal grandfather was an illegal immigrant. Documents obtained by The Associated Press, however, show that he was lawfully admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident in 1918 and became a U.S. citizen in 1942, something not even Martinez knew and a discovery that removes a potential trouble spot for someone mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate for Mitt Romney. Martinez was surprised at the news, but maintained that his status, citizen or not, didn't affect her political views. "I embrace lawful immigration," she said. "I think it's what makes America wonderful." The first-term governor insists she's not interested in and wouldn't accept a spot on the GOP ticket. More here

Dems Have to Work to Encourage Voter Turnout

From statesman.com -Everyone believes that Barack Obama can't win Texas because Democrats don't spend any money here. I wrote as much in a guest column in these pages back in February, declaring confidently that when Texas Democrats put money into getting out the Hispanic vote, then we'll become the biggest swing state in the country.Turns out, I was wrong. It happens, and as is usually the case, one of my friends pointed out my mistake. Ed Espinoza, who headed up Hispanic turnout operations in Western states for the Democratic National Committee, pointed me to one case in which the Obama campaign did spend money in Texas with depressing, if instructive, results. In 2008, Obama targeted New Mexico. Winning that state means buying TV time in the El Paso media market because it reaches Las Cruces, N.M. That meant that New Mexicans and old Texicans saw the same ads in 2008. But only 38 percent of El Paso County voted in the 2008 general election, far fewer than the 62 percent turnout in neighboring Doña Ana County just over the state line. "Same media market. The voters are seeing the same commercials. They're voting in the same election. The turnout is a 24 percent difference. That on the surface is significant," said Espinoza the other day over scotch and wings at the Tavern. More here

10 Years Ago Dems Blocked Drilling In ANWR Because It Would Take 10 Years to Produce OIl

From Gateway Pundit -Ten years ago, Senate Democrats blocked energy production in a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). At the time, they claimed that ANWR should be off limits because the oil would take 10 years to reach the market. Ten years later, ANWR remains closed, gas prices have skyrocketed, and Democrats continue to block additional energy production.

Republican Poll: Condoleezza Rice Top Pick for VP

Condoleezza Rice

From hotair.com - Of certain select potential vice presidential running mates for Mitt Romney, Condoleezza Rice is by far the most popular among Republicans and it’s not even close, according to a CNN/ORC poll. Rice boasts an approval rating of 80 percent, leading Rick Santorum, whose favorability stands at 65 percent, by 15 points. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie follows with 55 percent, while Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan are one point apart at 44 percent and 43 percent respectively. Furthermore, Rice pulled a plurality of support — or 26 percent — in answer to the explicit question, “Of the people I just mentioned, which one would you most like to see Mitt Romney choose as his vice presidential running mate … ?” The rest of the list corresponded with the favorability ratings, as well, with 21 percent saying they hope Romney will choose Santorum, 14 percent Christie, 14 percent Rubio and just 8 percent Ryan. Among Tea Partiers, though, it’s a slightly different story. While 85 percent of Tea Partiers have a favorable opinion of her, she isn’t the Tea Party pick for VP. A plurality — 22 percent — picked Rubio, another 18 percent selected Christie and 16 percent selected Rice. More here

Steve Pearce Has $682K Stockpiled for Re-election

From therepublic.com -Republican Congressman Steve Pearce holds a large fundraising advantage over his Democratic challenger in the race for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District seat. In his latest campaign finance disclosure filed with the Federal Election Commission, Pearce reported a cash balance of $682,200 in his re-election account at the end of March. Democratic challenger Evelyn Madrid Erhard of Mesilla had cash-on-hand of nearly $5,600. Pearce raised $208,900 from January through March, including $2,600 from Sunland Park racetrack and casino owner Stan Fulton. Pearce received $5,000 from a political action committee affiliated with Bass Brothers Enterprises Inc., a Texas family's investment company. Madrid Erhard netted contributions of nearly $11,600, including $1,070 from Mesilla Park retiree Aleta Wilson and $200 from former state Rep. J. Paul Taylor of Mesilla.

U.S. Senate Race Could Include Third Candidate

Jon Barrie

From ballot-access.org - Jon Barrie is likely to qualify for the November 2012 ballot for U.S. Senate candidate in New Mexico. If he does so, he will be the first non-Democrat, non-Republican candidate for U.S. Senate to appear on a New Mexico ballot since 1996, when a Green and a Libertarian each qualified. Independent candidates in New Mexico face a severe petition burden, 3% of the last gubernatorial vote. Therefore, Barrie created the Independent American Party of New Mexico, and submitted 5,900 signatures by the April 2012 deadline. That was almost twice as many signatures as were needed. But New Mexico forces qualified minor parties to submit separate petitions for each of their nominees. So he must also submit a petition of 6,018 valid signatures, by late June, to qualify for the ballot. The two petitions combined, requiring a total of 9,027 signatures, still total fewer signatures than the statewide independent petition, which requires 18,053 valid signatures. Barrie’s campaign web page is jonbarrieforsenate.com. Barrie is not opposed to having his party nominate like-minded candidates for other partisan office this year.

Obama Campaign Opening 3 New Offices in NM

From krqe.com -The Obama campaign is ramping up its New Mexico outreach this month with the opening of three new campaign offices. The campaign, which currently has offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces, is opening a grassroots volunteer office in Rio Rancho on Friday and another on Albuquerque's West Side on Saturday. Later this month, the campaign will also open an office in Las Vegas. Campaign officials say the openings demonstrate the campaign's commitment to Hispanics, the middle class and New Mexico. New Mexico is one of several Western states that both Republicans and Democrats are focused on winning in November.

Santorum is Out

From Politico -Rick Santorum announced Tuesday afternoon that he is ending his campaign for the presidency, effectively closing out the GOP primary season and cementing Mitt Romney's status as his party's presumptive nominee. The decision to shutter his campaign comes days after Santorum's youngest daughter, Bella, was hospitalized with a chronic and serious medical condition. Santorum's team said last night that Bella had been released from the hospital and Santorum was set to resume his campaign schedule. But in Gettysburg today, Santorum said his family had conferred over the weekend and concluded it was time to bring his White House bid to a close. More here

Gary Johnson Attacks Governor Martinez on Immigration

Gary Johnson

From necn.com - Former New Mexico governor and Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is slamming successor Susana Martinez for being too tough on illegal immigrants. Johnson said this week while campaigning in Las Vegas that Martinez's efforts to make it difficult for immigrants to live illegally in the United States isn't wise policy. Johnson says it would be better to advocate for immigration reform and urged the federal government to offer more temporary employment visas so that immigrants can legally enter the country and work here. Johnson was a longshot candidate for the Republican presidential nomination when he announced in December that he would instead pursue the Libertarian ticket. He served two terms as New Mexico's governor starting in 1994. Martinez became the nation's first Latina governor in 2010.

NM Independent Voters Blocked From Primaries

From kob.com -Early voting starts in a month for New Mexico's primary election - an election thousands of registered voters will not be allowed to vote in, even though their tax dollars are helping to pay for it. They are independent voters, those who "decline to state" a party preference in the lingo of the state election code. They are about 190,000 strong in New Mexico right now, but they cannot cast ballots in the Democratic and Republican primaries that they help pay for. Independents make up about 17 percent of the state's registered voters, and that's quite a chunk when you add the three percent or so who register in so-called "third parties". But the law says only Democrats get to vote in the Democratic primary and only Republicans get to vote in the Republican primary, and longtime election watchers don't expect that to change anytime soon. More Here

Govenor's PAC Raises Over $300K Since October

Gov Martinez

From kfoxtv.com -A new campaign finance report shows Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's political action committee has raised about $335,000 in the past six months. The governor's political organization called Susana PAC released a fundraising summary on Monday showing it had cash-on-hand of about $295,000 last week. The PAC spent nearly $342,000 from early October through April 2. Monday was the deadline for political committees to file campaign finance disclosures with the secretary of state. All 112 seats in the Democratic-controlled Legislature are up for election this year and Republicans hope they can pick up seats in the House and Senate. Martinez's gubernatorial campaign committee reported a cash balance of nearly $467,000 last week. Martinez is not up for re-election until 2014, but her campaign committee has raised nearly $232,000 since last October. More here

Heather Wilson Fundraising With Lisa Murkowski

Heather Wilson

From huffingtonpost.com -Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski is flying from Alaska all the way to New Mexico to hold a fundraiser for fellow Republican Rep. Heather Wilson. Republicans are hoping Wilson will be able to take over a U.S. Senate seat for the party in that state. The luncheon fundraiser will take place Tuesday in Carlsbad, N.M., and will cost at least $1,000 to attend, according to the invitation. Both parties have high hopes for filling the seat of retiring Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat. Wilson is expected to compete against Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich. Polls show a tight general election race between the two. Murkowski recently made national headlines for criticizing her party for its focus on reproductive rights. "It makes no sense to make this attack on women," she said on KBBI AM's "Coffee Table" program, according to the Homer News. "If you don't feel this is an attack, you need to go home and talk to your wife and your daughters." Murkowski, who is one of a dwindling number of pro-choice Republicans in Congress, also said that she would continue to support funding for Planned Parenthood. More here

GOP Senate Candidates Weigh In On Mexico's Drug War

From nmpolitics.net- (Heath Haussaman) -Greg Sowards says the long-term solution to Mexico’s drug war is to help Mexicans “realize their own potential” by encouraging free-market reforms; Heather Wilson says the United States must control its borders and disrupt the operations of Mexican drug cartels. Sowards, a Republican candidate for New Mexico’s open U.S. Senate seat, said the situation in Mexico is not just a drug war, but is “lawlessness that has pervaded the society at every level” as “the societal structure has broken down.” Securing the border, supporting the Mexican military’s efforts to fight drug traffickers and gangs, and ensuring access to areas where undocumented immigrants travel by opposing wilderness designations along the border are steps Sowards wants to take to combat the spillover violence in the United States. But, in the long run, he said, “the key metric for success comes from encouraging free-market reform in Mexico to bring more people above their poverty line,” which he said would “give Mexicans the economic opportunity to provide for their families closer to home instead of desperately taking to criminal acts or coming to America illegally.” “Mexico is a resource-rich nation, with a wonderful cultural society and social mores, if allowed to survive,” Sowards said. More Here

Romney and Netanyahu Have Long History

From nytimes.com -The two young men had woefully little in common: one was a wealthy Mormon from Michigan, the other a middle-class Jew from Israel. But in 1976, the lives of Mitt Romney and Benjamin Netanyahu intersected, briefly but indelibly, in the 16th-floor offices of the Boston Consulting Group, where both had been recruited as corporate advisers. At the most formative time of their careers, they sized each other up during the firm’s weekly brainstorming sessions, absorbing the same profoundly analytical view of the world. That shared experience decades ago led to a warm friendship, little known to outsiders, that is now rich with political intrigue. Mr. Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, is making the case for military action against Iran as Mr. Romney, the likely Republican presidential nominee, is attacking the Obama administration for not supporting Mr. Netanyahu more robustly.

The relationship between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Romney — nurtured over meals in Boston, New York and Jerusalem, strengthened by a network of mutual friends and heightened by their conservative ideologies — has resulted in an unusually frank exchange of advice and insights on topics like politics, economics and the Middle East. More here

Obama Admin Blocking Fast and Furious Witness Testimony

From dailycaller.com -Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz told the Fox News Channel’s Megyn Kelly on Friday that although a key White House witness in the ill-fated Operation Fast and Furious gun-walking program is willing to testify about what he knows, the Obama administration won’t let him appear before Congress. White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler sent a letter Thursday to Republican lawmakers Rep. Darrell Issa and Sen. Chuck Grassley, refusing their request to speak with Kevin O’Reilly, a former National Security staff member whose emails place him in the middle of the unfolding scandal. Issa and Grassley had written to Ruemmler on March 28, asking the White House to step aside and let O’Reilly talk to investigators. Grassley is the GOP ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Issa chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, whose members include Chaffetz. “[O’Reilly’s] personal attorney indicated that he’s more than willing to talk to the committee, on the record, under oath”” Chaffetz told Kelly during her Friday afternoon broadcast. “It is only the White House and the White House Counsel that is saying they will not make him available.” More here

Support Waning for Mexican Grey Wolf Program

From necn.com -For the third time in recent weeks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has had one of its partners abandon an agreement that was meant to bring more collaboration to the troubled effort to reintroduce Mexican gray wolves to the Southwest. While it's no secret the effort has been a point of contention among ranchers and environmentalists, one federal official says there will undoubtedly be a loss of perspective with fewer partners at the table. "We like to have that collaboration and that kind of thought process that leads to better decisions," said Wally Murphy, supervisor of the Fish and Wildlife Service's ecological services field office in New Mexico. Murphy called the recent developments "disheartening," given that the wolf program is facing critical decisions this year that will affect its future direction. The Fish and Wildlife Service is working on revamping the wolf recovery plan, which, among other things, will spell out what it will take to eventually get the animal off the federal endangered species list. More here

Another $17 Trillion Surprise Found in Obamacare

From dailycaller.com - Senate Republican staffers continue to look though the 2010 health care reform law to see what’s in it, and their latest discovery is a massive $17 trillion funding gap. “The more we learn about the bill, the more we learn it is even more unaffordable than was suspected,” said Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Republicans’ budget chief in the Senate. “The bill has to be removed from the books because we don’t have the money,” he said. More News New Mexico

Donald Rumsfeld Endorses Rick Newton

From capitolreportnewmexico.com - Donald Rumsfeld has kept a relatively low profile since he stepped down as Secretary of Defense during the George W. Bush administration but campaign officials for congressional candidate Rick Newton announced on Thursday (March 29) that Rumsfeld has endorsed Newton and given the Republican candidate the maximum contribution allowed by the Federal Election Commission. “I am proud to have his support,” Newton said in a news release that said Rumsfeld met with congressional candidate two weeks ago and talked about job creation, federal over-regulation and education. A Newton campaign spokesman said the 79-year-old Rumsfeld and his wife Joyce donated $5,000 to the Newton campaign. Read more

NM Activists Ramping Up Demand for ALB. Police Probe

From cbsnews.com -New Mexico activists have ramped up their call for a Justice Department probe into Albuquerque police after officers shot and killed two men last week, bringing the total of such shootings to 18 in just over two years. They aren't alone in demanding federal investigations into local authorities in the wake of recent high-profile police shootings. Civil rights activists in several cities across the nation — from Las Vegas to Omaha, Neb. — also have called for U.S. Department of Justice intervention, saying local police are using excessive and deadly force far too often. More News New Mexico

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