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.
When Senator-elect Tom Udall took the stage at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Tuesday night, he had to wait a few minutes before he could give his acceptance speech. There was no technology snafu or that sort of thing. The crowd was just too loud.
For nearly two minutes, the crowd cheered, even cutting off the tail end of Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s introduction as Udall and his family, including former Secretary of Interior Stuart Udall, took the stage.
“If we don’t get going here we’re going to be blown off the air by President-elect Barack Obama,” Udall said, inspiring even more cheers from the crowd.
Tom Udall with his father Stuart Udall. Photo by Matthew Reichbach
Udall acknowledged his opponent, Steve Pearce, saying, “Steve and I were friends when this started and we’ll be friends when this finishes.”
Udall also acknowledged outgoing Sen. Pete Domenici, whose seat Udall will take over at the beginning of next year. “He’s been a national leader on the budget,” Udall said of Domenici, who is retiring due to health reasons. “He’s been a national leader on energy.”
“The Senate is going to miss Sen. Domenici, no doubt about it. But guess who is going to be our next senior senator in New Mexico?” Udall asked, referring to Bingaman.
Brian Colon, the Democratic Party state chairman, joked about the large crowd. “Rumor also has it that the fire marshal may shut us down soon. “
He then said he’ll talk to his new congressman –- Martin Heinrich –- about that.
The crowd repeatedly cheered over Udall’s speech and chanted, “Udall! Udall!” while the senator-elect spoke.
After Udall finished speaking, the crowd cheered as John McCain gave his concession speech. The crowd did not like Sarah Palin, as they booed her when McCain mentioned the Alaska governor.
