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.
ALBUQUERQUE — The mood in the room became lethal when Sen. John McCain mocked Sen. Barack Obama’s position on late-term abortion (Obama supports a ban but demands an exception to preserve the life or health of the mother.) Said McCain, “That’s the extreme pro-abortion position — quote, ‘health.’” There is no doubt that if McCain had been in that Northeast Heights living room, with two dozen female Obama supporters, he would have had reason to be afraid. Very afraid.
Women for Obama watch the final presidential debate.
At a party of Democratic women gathered to watch the debate last night in Albuquerque there was one thing on everyone’s mind: the economy. But when it was all over this partisan group had learned no love for McCain. There was nothing he said about taxes, jobs or the economy that earned him cheers; it wasn’t surprising they didn’t like his defense of running mate Sarah Palin’s angry crowds or his defense of taxing health care benefits. But it was what they perceived as his insensitivity on the subject of abortion that angered these voters most.
Local female Democratic luminaries, including Rep. Tom Udall’s wife, Jill Cooper, City Councilor Debbie O’Malley and Bernalillo County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta-Loeser stopped by the Women for Obama event, which was kicked off by a visit and short speech by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. The governor received loud applause when she told the group that Obama would fight to help small businesses, ensure equal pay for equal work and protect family planning and the freedom of choice.
Gov. Napolitano attended several Obama events in N.M. Wednesday.
Napolitano, who was born in Albuquerque, got a big laugh when she promised she would stay positive, then said, “John McCain said not too long ago that he doesn’t understand too much about the American economy and I am positive that he’s telling the truth about that!”
When asked before the debate what issues concerned them most, abortion wasn’t even mentioned. Three debate watchers each listed the economy, two talked about jobs and one also listed education.
“I have done very well in my life and thought that I had my future secure. Now I worry,” said Jane Bradley, a native Santa Fean of retirement age. “I never worried about money in my entire life and now I’m concerned. Will the money last? Will health care last for people like me?”
Her mother, grandmother and 42-year-old daughter all died of breast cancer, she said, and as a result she is uninsurable. “There are hundreds of thousands of women who worked hard and did well and now, for the first time in our adult lives, we’re concerned about things that we thought were a given.” Those things being economic security, the potential for a good job and public education.
Betty Rein, the retired mother of the hostess, said she wasn’t very political and hadn’t been following too closely, but said she was anxious about the economy and housing. “We just sold our house, but I’m worried for my children and my grandchildren,” she said.
Betty Baca, her long gray hair pinned up in the back, complained that the campaign had gotten “pretty nasty” lately, but that she was concerned with — yes, the economy — and jobs. She was at the party because she wanted her support for Obama to be “confirmed” by his performance at the debate.
For the first part of the debate they watched quietly, munching on chips and cookies, but things got lively when moderator Bob Schieffer asked both candidates, “Why would the country be better off if your running mate became president rather than his running mate?” Clapping through the question, they were eager to hear the Republican defend his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whom they clearly disliked. They were not at all satisfied by what he said, yelling “Come on!” “Oh yeah?” and “What about the economy?”
The wall-to-wall carpeted living room, stuffed with four plush couches and two big TVs, was never quieter than when Obama described meeting two Toledo women who had just been laid off and were struggling with health insurance. The women paid attention to detail, too. When Obama said the average cost of a health care plan was $12,000 one shouted, “If you’re healthy!” And when McCain suggested that the average cost was far less, around $5,000, they didn’t agree. “What?” and “Where can I get that?”
And then Schieffer brought up Roe v. Wade. “Ooooohhhhhhh!” they drawled ominously. Obama said he thought it was the right decision: they clapped with relief, “Yesss!” And then he brought up Lilly Ledbetter. “Yes!!!” He had them at Roe v. Wade. He didn’t even need to say he wanted to prevent unwanted pregnancy. That was just the frosting on the cake.
McCain’s attempt to slam Obama on abortion was a disaster in this room. They were livid about the way he seemed to dismiss the need for protection of the life of the mother when it comes to laws against late-term abortion. (In fact, watching CNN’s “audience reaction meter” of uncommitted Ohio voters, you could see those women’s approval of McCain dropped into the basement when he put air quotes around “health” of the mother.)
When the debate was over, Baca said she heard what she needed to hear. “His points were really clear and I think he explained the health care policy very well. … McCain was confused and really not sure where he stands,” she said.
Rein complained that McCain didn’t answer the questions he was asked. “I tune him out after a while,” she said. “If I were undecided he would not have won me over.”
Of course, nobody at this party was undecided. But they were eager to explain why McCain wouldn’t earn their votes. “He frankly didn’t make a lot of sense,” Bradley said.
Several women said they were annoyed by the way McCain smirked and laughed inappropriately. “None of this was funny to any of us,” Bradley said. More important, McCain’s mentions of Sarah Palin’s special-needs son fell flat.
“My son took his own life because of schizophrenia and I had child who died at 11 months of a brain disorder. Would a mother like me bring those children and their issues into a public debate to win?” she asked. “I think it’s inappropreate and offensive.”
