Barela's Not Such a "Young Gun": Heinrich Polling at 55%

From Joe Monahan's Blog: http://www.joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/

HEINRICH VS. BARELA

Rep. Heinrich

How vulnerable is ABQ Dem Congressman Martin Heinrich in his first race for re-election? Not very, if you believe his latest poll. It shows Heinrich trouncing Republican challengerJon Barela 55% to 38%. The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner research, which we have found to be pretty straight shooting over the years, says Heinrich's job approval is also at 55%. The survey was taken among "500 likely general election voters" April 28 to May 2. You can read the polling memo here.

This is the first poll of the cycle that we've seen that puts Heinrich over the magic 50% re-elect mark. It comes at an important time. Respected DC political handicappers Charlie Cook and Stu Rothenberg are now saying Heinrich's district is "lean Democrat" not "likely Democrat." That's an important distinction, especially for fund-raising. But this poll calls into question the claims that Heinrich's seat is in serious play for the GOP.

While the R's argue that Barela will do well with Hispanics in the district, the Heinrich survey shows him beating Barela 68% to 24% with Hispanics. Among Anglos, Heinrich wins over Barela 48% to 44%.

If this poll has it right, Heinrich has lost hardly any traction since he scored a 56% win in 2008 over Republican Darren White to claim the seat held by the R's for 40 years.

A February Public Policy Polling survey had Heinrich beating Barela 45% to 36%.

No incumbent congressman has ever been defeated in the history of the ABQ district. Democrats outnumber R's in the district 197,000 to 133,000. Analysts here say the district has taken on a more liberal hue, demonstrated by the Obama and Heinrich landslides. Also, in 2006, Republican Rep. Heather Wilson, an accomplished campaigner, barely kept the district from swinging to the Dems. Given this backdrop Heinrich polling at 55% is not extraordinary.

Barela's best hope is for a low turnout election in which the Democratic base is unexcited about Heinrich and an extremely sour national mood penetrates the ABQ district. But with no evidence of that yet, the betting money remains heavily on Heinrich.

Heinrich; Bingaman Introduce Legislation to Name Dept. of Interior Building After Late Stewart Udall

On Earth Day, Heinrich Introduces Bill To Name Dept. of Interior Building After Former Secretary Stewart Udall

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today on Earth Day, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1), member of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced a bill to name the U.S. Department of the Interior building after the late Stewart L. Udall. Rep. Heinrich released the following statement honoring the former Interior Secretary’s legacy:

“It was with great sadness that just over a month ago, I learned of former U.S. Interior Secretary Stewart Udall’s passing. And today, on the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, it is fitting that we honor his legacy by beginning the process to name the U.S. Department of the Interior building after him.

“There is no question that Secretary Udall’s immeasurable impact on our nation will continue to be felt by Americans through the magnificent National Parks and public lands that he dedicated his life to preserving.

“His legacy includes the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the creation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the expansion of our National Park system. Thanks to his work, those treasured public lands now belong to every American and will contribute to the spirit of our nation for generations to come.

“Stewart Udall’s dedication to public service and his leadership were a true inspiration to me personally and I was honored to know him.

“Our nation is deeply indebted to him and today, on Earth Day, it is appropriate that we name this federal building the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building.”

Martin Heinrich and the late Stewart L. Udall

Seven colleagues from the New Mexico and Arizona House delegations cosponsored the bill including: Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM-3), Rep. Harry Teague (NM-2), Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7), Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-1), Rep. Harry Mitchell (AZ-5), and Rep. Ed Pastor (AZ-4). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate today by U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

# # #

Heinrich Introduces Bill To Help Military Families Extend Health Care Coverage To Their Children

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) has introduced H.R. 4923, the TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act, a bill that would increase the maximum age to 26 at which our troops and military retirees are allowed to provide health coverage to their dependent children.

“Our brave men and women in uniform sacrifice so much for our country, and it is our duty to make sure that they have access to quality, affordable health care,” said Rep. Heinrich. “Because of the new health reform bill passed by Congress, Americans who receive health insurance through a group plan will soon be able to provide coverage to dependent children up to age 26—our military health coverage must meet that same standard and be nothing less.”

Rep. Heinrich introduced this legislation following the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the sweeping health care overhaul that will allow all American citizens the opportunity to gain access to quality, affordable health care. Under the new system, individuals with private health insurance will now be able to provide coverage to their dependent children up to age 26.

TRICARE, the health insurance for military service members, retirees, and the families of both, is under the control of the U.S. Department of Defense and governed by a different section of the United States code, so it will not be affected in any way by the new health reform legislation. To provide our troops and military retirees with the same new benefits given to civilians, H.R. 4923 would amend Title 10 to change the maximum age of coverage for children from 23 to 26.

“Our military families stand behind our troops and lift them up, often making significant sacrifices like our service members themselves,” said Rep. Heinrich. “Allowing parents to provide health coverage to their dependent adult children is just one of the many small things we can do to show our military families how much we appreciate them and honor their service to our country.”

Barela Nowhere on the Radar.

From Joe Monohan's Blog: http://www.joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/

HEINRICH SEAT: NO PLAYING?

Rep. Heinrich

With the change in the political climate, the New Mexico governor's office appears to be more in play for the Republicans than six months ago, but what about the ABQ congressional race? Given that climate change should one also expect a closer contest between Dem incumbent Martin Heinrich and GOP challenger Jon Barela? Perhaps. But national political handicapper Stu Rothenberg doesn't even list the ABQ contest among the 74 House races he sees as being in play in 2010.

When Republican Heather Wilson held the seat, the race was always listed as a race to watch. But the district's registration is majority Democrat. Now that the Dems have one of their own in the seat after a 40 year drought, it may be more difficult for Barela and the R's to assemble the old coalition of D's and R's that kept the seat in their column. Heinrich not making any major screw-ups isn't helping them either.

Now, All Eyes Will Turn to the Senate

In case you missed it (but we're not sure how you could have) here is a short clip of the House of Representatives passing HR 3962 or the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

The historic vote was taken Saturday night and fulfills the Democratic Party's promise of quality, affordable health care to the American people.

The Act provides stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don't; brings down the cost of health care for families, businesses and government -- while strengthening the financial health of Medicare.

The legislation is fully paid for and will bring down the long-term federal deficit.

One step closer towards comprehensive health care in America, the United States Senate now must follow suit.

Already, the Senate has aligned many parts of their bill to match the House version -- including providing unprecedented security and stability for Americans with insurance and is also fully paid for, reducing our long-term deficit.

Here in New Mexico, Senator Bingaman and Senator Udall have both indicated their support for health care reform which includes a public option.

GOP Reeks of Desperation over Health Care Reform

The fight for meaningful Health Care Reform has been set in motion for what could be its final weekend.

House Speaker Pelosi has stated that the Democratic-controlled House is "very close" to reaching the 218 votes needed to pass Health Care Reform which includes a public option and protections for patients with pre-existing conditions.

Pelosi's work became a little easier as newly-elected NY-23 Congressman Bill Owens has indicated support for the House bill.

The GOP offered an alternative bill, which among other things, does not stop insurers from dropping clients due to pre-existing conditions; only cuts the deficit by 68 billion dollars, 36 billion dollars less than the Democratic plan; would actually cause the number of un-insured Americans to rise to 52 million by 2019; and does not prevent insurers from denying you coverage due to pre-existing conditions. It has been widely panned as ineffective.

On the heels of endorsements from the AARP and the American Medical Association, President Obama is expected to give a "full-throated endorsement" to the bill sometime today.

Meanwhile . . .

As Democrats were working constructively to garner support for their House bill, Republicans were making a "Hail Mary" play.

In an act of seeming desperation, a now-familiar "Tea Bagger" rally was organized by Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann on the steps of the US Capitol. (The rally, reportedly, was not sanctioned by the GOP House leadership.) Participants spent their time chanting "Kill the Bill" and listening to GOP politicians who sought to get their face on television, if only to babel on about how much "freedom" the Democratic House bill would deprive American citizens. (Many of these same Congress-people who initially criticized Bachmann's efforts made the time to show up, anyhow.)

Take a look:

As Republicans were falling over themselves to bash the Democrats' plan, they resorted to the only thing they know how to do when faced with certain ideological defeat -- fear-mongering from behind the protection of the American flag.

The American public supports the public option; the American Medical Association supports the public option and the AARP supports the public option -- so why do Republicans still defiantly oppose the public option?

Because it wasn't their idea and they can't take credit for it.

Desperately searching for a new brand image for the GOP, Congressional Republicans have clung to their "patriotism" in an effort to prove that they are more American than the Democratic Party. But in their fervor to prove their American ideals and love of all things related to freedom, they certainly made a few gaffes:

By embracing such fanatic activities as likening the Democratic plan for Health Care Reform to Nazism and appearing at a rally where pictures of victims of the Holocaust are shown, Republican members of Congress are doing two distinct things: one, they are giving credence to such wild claims and, more saddening, they are divorcing themselves from the real human emotion which is inherent in events like the Holocaust.

As human beings we should be compassionate to those in need -- for example, by ensuring that all Americans have access to quality health care, not working to actively derail the process. Democrats are working towards this currently, the Republicans are not.

Like many other Hail Mary plays, the Republicans' final play on preventing health care reform is one which has been made in desperation with little chance of success.

Opposition Fundraising to Martin Heinrich is "Pedestrian"

The Republican Party's Congressional Campaign Committee this summer continued a "Young Guns" program which sought to identify/promote potential challengers to incumbent Democratic members of Congress. It consists of two levels for classifying candidates: "On the Radar" and "Contender."

A left over program from the 2008 campaign cycle -- Darren White was another rejected New Mexico Young Gun -- this year's rising Republican star was Jon Barela.

Seeking to unseat Rep. Martin Heinrich, Barela has been ghost-like in the district -- believe us, we're in CD-1 and we've yet to see anything. Not that we're complaining . . .

Barela's fundraising was noted as "pedestrian" after the 3rd quarter figures were released earlier this month. Barela has less than a quarter of Heinrich's total cash-on-hand and Heinrich out-raised Barela in the third quarter.

We're not surprised that CD-1 is sending such a strong message -- the district is trending Democratic after long years of Republican control.

Help to keep Rep. Heinrich's common-sense approach to New Mexico in place and let's work to keep Jon Barela "Off the Radar."

Barela Comes Up Short in CD-1 Funds Race

"In New Mexico, Republicans hold high hopes for Jon Barela, but he posted underwhelming numbers in his bid against against freshman Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich. Barela raised just $107,000, less than half of the $238,000 of Heinrich’s total."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

This is a paragraph from a report from Politico.com on political challengers whose bids for elected office have been less than successful.

We knew that Barela's message was not resonating in CD-1, and his fundraising efforts show this. Rep. Martin Heinrich has worked hard for this district and we need to continue working for him as hard as he has worked for us in Washington, DC.

Iowa: Not Just for Corn Anymore

In an interview on a conservative radio show, Representative Steve King (R-IA) suggested that same-sex marriage was a "purely socialist concept."

His reasoning was that if same-sex marriage was achieved throughout the country, it would somehow create a communal living scenario in which all people would have access to the same government resources. We're not entirely sure how these links would actually occur, so here is the audio from his speech:

If you chose not to listen to Rep. King for those five minutes, let us do a recap for you. In the speech Rep. King somehow links same-sex marriage to both socialism and incest, claiming that if it were to be legalized, there would be no stopping point in regards to other types of marriages.

Interestingly, Rep. King also elected to use the term "opposite marriage" -- which is curious at best. (To be honest, we are not totally sure what opposite marriage means, but we're sure you remember Carrie Prejean's now infamous Miss USA response.)

But what struck us most was that Rep. King seems to be out of step with the rest of Iowans. A recent poll conducted by the Des Moines Register finds that 92% of Iowans felt that same-sex marriage has had no effect on their life.

Yes, the poll finds that Iowans are nearly evenly divided on support for a constitutional amendment on gay marriage, but what its findings showed was that the fears of state governments intruding on churches, doctors and educators were unfounded.

Additionally, the poll showed that 63% of respondents to the survey also stated that gay marriage was not the most pressing issue which would determine their vote in 2010 elections.

Using gay marriage as the principle strategy in upcoming elections may back-fire as approval for same-sex marriage gains nationwide.

More and more, Republican fear-mongering on the issue of gay marriage is out-of-step with cultural attitudes, and the fear-filled messages get more and more outlandish:

Rep. King has stated that repealing the Defense of Marriage Act would be tantamount to opening the floodgates towards all sorts of social perversion, but luckily here in New Mexico, our Party has taken up the cause of same-sex marriage.

In 2008, the Democratic Party of New Mexico adopted in its platform a strong support for same-sex civil marriages as well as a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Javier Gonzales, newly elected Party Chair has also indicated support for equal marriage rights for all and CD-1 Rep. Martin Heinrich is a sponsor for the Defense of Marriage Act's repeal. Both Heinrich and CD-3 Rep. Ben Ray Lujan support the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell policies as well.

As the pre-eminent party in New Mexico, we're proud to be the most inclusive party as well. Thank you Reps. Heinrich and Lujan for carrying the GLBT community's message to Washington.