I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Contrary to what the former Bernalillo County Republican Party chairman or the State Senate Majority Whip might think, “Older Hispanics Favor Obama,” says an Albuquerque Journal Poll released today. According to a further analysis of the poll conducted Sept. 29-Oct. 2, Sen. Barack Obama’s support in New Mexico is actually strongest among Hispanics over 50. In fact, 70 percent of older Hispanic voters say they prefer Obama over McCain. ”A lot of seniors are part of the New Deal generation. They’re concerned about social services, and Social Security, and Medicare, and Medicaid. And those are more bread-and-butter Democratic issues,” Journal pollster Brian Sanderoff explained. But here’s the money quote:
Fernando C de Baca
“I certainly hope that his data, the results of his poll, are in fact true. This would represent a reversal of a lot of feelings that have occurred in the past,” said (former Bernalillo County Republican Party Chairman Fernando) C de Baca. “That would indicate to me a lot of the prejudices of past generations are finally ebbing away.”
The Santa Fe Reporter has now devoted a special part of its Web site to chronicling “Blockgate: The Scandalicious Puzzle of Jerome Block Jr.” The latest installment details Block’s most recent campaign finance reports. Here’s the most interesting tidbit:
According to campaign finance reports released today, Jerome Block Jr. paid Attorney General Gary King’s constituent services coordinator Cordy Medina $350 for “mailout assistance.” She’d be the one to pick up the phone if you’re a citizen calling to complain to the AG about Jerome Block Jr.
The Santa Fe New Mexican has more on the Secretary of State Office’s inquiry into Block’s admitted lying about $2,500 of expenditures. See it here.
And here’s something we can dig our teeth into: The Albuquerque City Council is contemplating the use of a letter grade system for restaurants, reports the Journal. Under the proposed ordinance, restaurants would be inspected twice a year, then given a grade of A, B or C. Restaurants that receive an A grade would be able to skip one of the annual city inspections in lieu of a “self-inspection.” Inspection fees would be raised and the extra money used to pay four additional health inspectors.
Slate’s Jacob Leibenluft travels through New Mexico looking for signs of political life in a story called “It’s the Little Things.” It’s always interesting to see our races through a stranger’s eyes:
With two competitive House races, an open Senate seat, and the state’s electoral votes up for grabs, I’ve heard approximately 267 campaign ads on the radio before even making my first night’s stop in Las Cruces. The prize for Most Obscure Reference goes to Rep. Steve Pearce, the Republican candidate for Senate who currently represents southern New Mexico in Congress. His ad attacks his opponent as “breathtakingly liberal” for failing to condemn a French city for naming a street after the murderer of an American police officer.
Tonight, of course, is the third and final presidential debate, and all eyes are on McCain. (Our eyes will be on, too, so check back in the morning for a full post-mortem.) If Obama doesn’t do him in, maybe Letterman will; McCain is scheduled to appear on the show Thursday night. CBS’s “Late Night” host has been jabbing McCain repeatedly ever since he discovered that McCain lied when giving an excuse for canceling an appearance on the show. The Los Angeles Times gives us a wrap-up and details some of the blows Letterman landed just last night:
You heard what happened at a rally yesterday. Sarah Palin mistook some of her supporters for hecklers. And you know, confusion happens in all walks of life. For example, a few weeks ago, John McCain mistook her for a legitimate candidate.
And tomorrow night is the final presidential debate. John McCain and Barack Obama. And John McCain is going to take this opportunity to unveil his new campaign persona. His new campaign personality, to really energize the last couple of weeks of the campaign — Fighting Underdog. Fighting Underdog. … And if that doesn’t work, then he’s going to go to Corrupt Bordertown Sheriff. And if that doesn’t work, Seen-it-All Bartender. And then Priest Who Tries to Communicate with Martians. And then the Alcoholic Safecracker. And then the Maniacal Hunter Who’s After Human Prey. And then the Shifty Racetrack Vet. And then the Retired Jewel Thief. And then the Archaeologist Who Scoffs at the Mummy’s Curse. …
I’ll say one thing about John McCain — the guy is an optimist. He sees the glass as half full — of his teeth.
