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.
“A hickie from Kenicke is like a Hallmark Card: When you care enough to send the very best,” a smitten Kenicke says in Grease.
And a birthday card from a spouse as a campaign stunt is…just plain icky. No loving husband or wife would seriously write a birthday card that included the words “Wall Street reform” or “job creation.”
But the campaigns of both Barack Obama and Susana Martinez have recently used this gimmick.
We rolled our eyes—but didn’t write about—a birthday e-mail that Susana Martinez’ campaign sent around a couple of weeks ago. But today First Lady Michele Obama is asking supporters to sign a birthday card for Barack, so we’re looking at them both.
Today’s e-mail, sent from Michelle Obama to Organizing for America supporters, says her family wants to wish Barack a happy birthday in a special way.
Really? How special is it to ask millions of people to sign a card–and oh, hey, drop a few bucks if you can?
The e-mail read, in part:
Dear: Gwyneth
Every year, our family tries to come up with a fun way to wish Barack a happy birthday.
And this August 4th, when he turns 49, I have something new in mind.
This has been a big — and hectic — year for him. After signing the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform into law — and completing his first year as president — I think it’s safe to say we will remember it for a long time.
And I know full well how much he credits this movement, and the work of supporters like you, for the change that we’ve accomplished.
So I’m putting together a birthday card that I would like you to sign. Together with other Organizing for America supporters — and me, Malia, Sasha, and Bo — we’ll wish him a happy birthday and let him know that we’re ready to take on the year ahead alongside him. …
The Martinez campaign e-mail, sent July 14, was supposed to be a forwarded e-mail written from Martinez’s husband Chuck.
Here’s the whole thing:
Good Morning,
Today, I got an e-mail from Chuck, Susana’s husband, wishing her a happy 51st birthday. I thought you might be interested in reading the e-mail, so I have forwarded it below.
Help Chuck surprise Susana on her 51st birthday with a $51 birthday contribution!
Thanks for making Susana’s birthday special and doing your part to bring bold change to New Mexico this fall.
Sincerely,
Ryan Cangiolosi
Campaign Manager
Susana Martinez for Governor
From: Chuck
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 6:33 AM
To: Susana
CC: Ryan
Subject: Happy BirthdaySusana,
Happy Birthday!
We have spent the past 21 years in Las Cruces building a life together and making our community a better place to live and work. I have seen firsthand, the impact you have made here and I believe you will do the same for all New Mexicans as our state’s next governor.
I know your vision for New Mexico of real accountability and bold change will put us on a path to job creation and eliminating corruption in Santa Fe.
I am proud of you and the campaign that has worked so hard over the past year.
Love,
Chuck
