"Record"

New Ad: Meet the Real Susana Martinez

District Attorney has worst murder conviction rate in state; now Martinez thinks she deserves a promotion?

Albuquerque, NM – After Susana Martinez won the Republican nomination by distorting her record and making empty promises, the Denish campaign today released an ad to introduce New Mexicans to the real Susana Martinez – and her failed record as District Attorney.

The ad directly quotes Susana Martinez talking about the importance of looking at candidates’ records, and then challenges Martinez to explain her broken pledge on felony DWI plea bargains and her horrible murder conviction rate – which is the lowest in the state. [New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts, New Mexico State Court Annual Reports, FY 1999-2009]

“Susana Martinez won the Republican nomination with sound bites and empty promises, but in reality, she’s been a failed District Attorney who doesn’t deserve a promotion,” said Chris Cervini, Denish’s campaign spokesman. “New Mexicans want a Governor who they can trust to get the job done, not a failed District Attorney who broke her pledge to be tough on DWI offenders and has the worst felony murder conviction rate in the state. New Mexicans deserve more.”

The new ad entitled “Record,” is running statewide on network/cable television and it can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Denish2010

Background facts to support assertions made in the ad:

1. Martinez Broke Her Promise Not To Cut Plea Bargain Deals On DWIs:

2004: Martinez said, “We Will Not Plea Bargain A DWI Case,” Particularly For Repeat Offenders. According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, “The dubious record for most previous DWI convictions in Dona Ana County is 22…It happens almost everywhere in New Mexico and the reasons vary, but in Dona Ana County, steps are being taken to put an end to it. ‘We will not plea bargain a DWI case,’ Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez said. ‘We don’t pretend it is a first or second offense just to move the court docket along.’” [Las Cruces Sun-News, 9/5/04]

Fiscal Year	District 3 Felony DWI Plea Bargains
FY 2009	120
FY 2008	111
FY 2007	181
FY 2006	150
FY 2005	170
FY 2004	104
Total	836

[New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts, New Mexico State Court Annual Reports, FY 2004-2009, accessed 5/11/10]

2. Susana Martinez Has The Worst Felony Homicide Conviction Rate In The State:

Judicial District	Felony Homicide: Average Conviction Rate from FY99-FY09
District 9	81.25%
District 11	77.45098%
District 6	75%
District 5	74.7191%
District 12	74.19355%
District 1	70.90909%
District 8	70.27027%
State-Wide	69.4704%
District 7	68.18182%
District 10	66.66667%
District 4	65.78947%
District 2	63.46154%
District 13	60.60606%
District 3: Susana Martinez	60%

[New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts, New Mexico State Court Annual Reports, FY 1999-2009, accessed 5/11/10]

Notes:

1. To obtain the total number of convictions: pleas at trial, pleas before trial and convictions were added together. The total number of convictions was divided by the total number of cases and multiplied by one hundred.A complete spreadsheet of all of the DA homicide rates is available upon request.

2. The charts above cover FY 1999 – FY 2009, which are the only years that statistics are available in a consistent format at the Administrative Office of the Courts.

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The Real Susana Martinez

While you’ve probably seen Susana Martinez’s TV commercials boasting about her being a tough prosecutor, it’s what she is not saying on TV that many New Mexicans will find deeply troubling.

Now that the Republicans have their nominee, the choice for New Mexicans couldn’t be clearer.

In Diane Denish, we will have a different kind of Governor – a leader who will stand up to the powerful interests and insiders on behalf of New Mexico’s families and small businesses.

And Susana Martinez – well, the saying “all sizzle, no steak” comes to mind.

Below are a few quick facts about Sarah Palin’s choice for the next Governor of New Mexico:

• In 2004, Martinez said she wouldn’t plea bargain a DWI case – in fact it was a campaign pledge – and then she broke her promise more than 800 times. She cut plea bargain deals with more than 800 felony DWI offenders since making the pledge, and more than 1,000 in total. [Las Cruces Sun-News, 9/5/04; Albuquerque Journal, 5/19/10; Administrative Office of the Courts, Annual Reports, Third District Court, FY 1999-2009, accessed 5/11/10]
• Martinez boasts about her conviction rate, but in reality, one out of every three district court criminal defendants gets off. [Administrative Office of the Courts, Annual Reports, Third District Court, FY 1999-2009, accessed 5/11/10]
• Nearly 40 percent of felony murder defendants got off and her rape conviction rate is only 57 percent. [Administrative Office of the Courts, Annual Reports, Third District Court, FY 1999-2009, accessed 5/11/10]

With a record like that, does Susana Martinez really think she deserves a promotion?

But beyond distorting her failed record, Martinez won her primary by pandering to the special interests and showing her far-right wing colors. A quick look at some of the facts:

Needless to say, Susana Martinez is as ready to be Governor as Sarah Palin was to be president.

• Susana Martinez’s campaign is largely being bankrolled by big oil interests and she just received $450,000 (the largest contribution in New Mexico history) from the Texas millionaire and his wife behind the disgraceful Swift Boat ads against John Kerry in 2004. [New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan, 5/28/10]

• Martinez is a darling of the Republican establishment in Santa Fe and the Tea Party, participating in more than a dozen rallies and forums across the state.

• Two weeks before the primary, Martinez was behind in the polls – and then Sarah Palin came to town and threw her enthusiastic support behind her favorite candidate. Palin said at the endorsement event: “Send her to Santa Fe please to do the job, and it’s not just for New Mexico, it’s for the rest of the U.S.”

Now that you know about the real Susana Martinez, we need your help to spread the word to your friends, neighbors and colleagues. We need help to stop Martinez from getting an undeserved promotion to the Roundhouse. Susana Martinez is wrong for New Mexico.

Keep New Mexico Blue!

Sincerely,

Javier M. Gonzales
DPNM Chairman

Susana Martinez's Swift Boat Donations Getting National Attention

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Bob Perry Bankrolls Republican in New Mexico

By Wayne Slater

Houston homebuilder Bob Perry has his favorite in the Texas governor's race - incumbent Rick Perry (no relation). The Republican governor has been a long-time recipient of campaign cash, and has reciprocated by creating a state agency that protected builders from consumer complaints (now disbanded after a storm of protest). Perhaps the nation's most prolific campaign giver, Bob Perry is putting big money behind a candidate for governor in New Mexico. Perry and his wife have contributed $450,000 to Republican Susana Martinez. That's about two thirds of her total campaign haul over the pasts three weeks as she heads into today's primary runoff.

The very fine Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post reports that Martinez has benefited from get-tough ads on immigration and the endorsement of tea-party favorite Sarah Palin. Perry's largesse in New Mexico is part of the homebuilder's big-dollar political giving - including $2.5 million to the Republican Governor's Association. Back in Texas, the homebuilder is an advocate of having the government limit lawsuits against business, including his own. At the same time, he's refused to pay court judgments against him. A jury in Fort Worth ordered him to pay $58 million to a retirement-age couple for refusing for a decade of fix their defective home. Perry's lawyers are appealing, and the case could continue in years.

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/06/bob-perry-bankrolls-republican.html

WASHINGTON POST

Morning Fix

By Chris Cillizza

Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez pulled in an impressive $721,000 for her GOP gubernatorial bid during the past three weeks but nearly two-thirds of that amount was contributed by a donor who funded the 2004 "Swift Boat" ad campaign against Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.

Texas home builder Bob Perry (and his wife) donated $450,000 to Martinez who appears poised to win the Republican nod in today's gubernatorial primary in New Mexico. Perry has donated to a number of 2010 candidates including Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) (no relation). He's also given $2.5 million to the RGA.

Martinez campaign manager Adam Deguire defended the donation. "Susana appreciates the support she has received from Bob and Doylene Perry, both of whom have been very supportive in the past of Republicans in New Mexico, including the state party," he said.

Martinez has been riding a wave of momentum following her strong showing in the March GOP pre-primary convention where she won with 47 percent of the delegate vote in a five-candidate field that included the son of legendary former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici.

But it was Martinez's ads hammering former state party chairman Allen Weh on immigration as well as Martinez's endorsement by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) last month that have been the main forces behind her recent surge.

Polls show a competitive race between Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Martinez in the fall. Denish faces no Democratic primary competition today.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/electability-and-the-californi.html?wprss=thefix

Swift Boat Funder Bank-Rolls Susana Martinez with $450K

Swift Boat money makes up over 60% of Martinez’s total; candidate officially abandons campaign based on ethics

Albuquerque, NM - After taking $450,000 from Texas multi-millionaire Robert Perry, the chief financer of the disgraced Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Susana Martinez has made it clear that her pledges to bring ethics reforms are nothing more than empty campaign rhetoric. Her actions speak louder than her words.

According to the most recent finance report, the $450,000 Perry and his wife gave Susana Martinez accounts for more than 60% of her contributions this period. The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are widely known for funding the shameless ads that recklessly challenged John Kerry’s patriotism during the 2004 presidential election.

“Susana Martinez talks a big game about ethics, but actions speak louder than words. By taking $450,000, the largest donation in state history from the people responsible for the dirtiest campaign ploy in years, Martinez is announcing that ethics reform will no longer be part of her campaign platform,” said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales. “Susana Martinez’s campaign strategy is simple: first saddle up to powerful oil companies, then to Sarah Palin, and now to the Swift Boaters. Meanwhile, New Mexico families are left completely behind.”

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Congressman Steve Pearce: A Legendary Record of Failures on Healthcare

Albuquerque, NM- Steve Pearce’s record as a “healthcare advocate” while opposing expansions in coverage every chance he got during his six years in Washington is astounding.

“As Congressman Pearce continues his anti-healthcare campaign, it’s worth taking a moment to highlight just a few of the things Congressman Steve Pearce has already done to limit access to healthcare and increase the cost of health insurance for New Mexicans,” said DPNM Spokesman James Hallinan.

Congressman Steve Pearce NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO (X2) To Healthcare for Veterans

Congressman Pearce Voted Against Funding for Veterans’ Programs At Least 14 Times. Since going to Washington, Pearce has voted against federal funding for veterans’ programs,including health care, at least 14 times. [Vote #1171, 12/17/07; Vote #1050, 11/6/07; Vote #325, 6/28/05; Vote 224, 5/26/05; Vote #149, 4/28/05; Vote #87, 3/17/05; Vote #82, 3/17/05; Vote #71, 3/15/05; Vote 478, 9/29/04; Vote #301, 6/24/04; Vote #567, 10/21/03; Vote #450, 7/25/03; Vote #82, 3/21/03; Vote #17, 1/29/03]

Congressman Steve Pearce On Healthcare for Children

Congressman Pearce Called Bipartisan Children’s Health Bill “Another Lie Being Perpetrated on the American People.” In a January 2008 meeting with the Daily Times editorial board, Pearce said, “I was the only one of the delegation opposed to the S-CHIP bill because it was another lie being perpetrated on the American people. [Daily Times Editorial Board Meeting,1/10/08]

Congressman Steve Pearce on Healthcare for Women

Congressman Pearce Voted Against Protecting Health Coverage For Breast Cancer Treatment. In 2005, Pearce voted against a provision that would prohibit plans from allowing reductions in breast cancer coverage as well as coverage for childbirth and prenatal care. [HR 525, Vote #425, 7/26/05]

Congressman Steve Pearce on Rural Healthcare

Congressman Pearce Voted Four Times Against Rural Health Care Needs. In 2003, Pearce voted over and over again against a motion to include critical health care provisions for rural communities. Those provisions included guaranteed prescription drug coverage through a Medicare fallback option in areas where private drug plans are not available and increased funding to rural hospitals. The motion was repeatedly rejected by slim margins. [HR 1, Vote #510, 9/23/03; HR 1, Vote #522, 9/25/03; HR 1, Vote #524, 9/30/03; HR 1, Vote #528, 10/1/03]

Congressman Pearce on Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs

Congressman Pearce Voted Against Lower Drug Prices, Allowing Drug Re-importation, And More Coverage For Low-Income Seniors. In 2003, Pearce voted against allowing HHS to negotiate lower drug prices; ease requirements for importation of drugs from Canada; and allow Medicaid to supplement Medicare coverage for the low-income elderly and disabled. The House rejected this motion 211-222. [HR 1, Vote #668, 11/22/03]

Congressman Pearce on Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs for Seniors

Congressman Pearce Defended Medicare “Doughnut Hole,” Saying Plenty of Seniors Can Afford It. At an April 2004 town hall meeting, Pearce defended the “doughnut hole” in the Medicare prescription drug plan, in which seniors would have to cover the cost of medicine between $2,250 and $5,100. Pearce said plenty of seniors could afford the cost. [Las Cruces Sun-New, 4/7/04]

Congressman Steve Pearce on Healthcare and Small Business

Congressman Pearce Voted Against Health Coverage For Small Businesses. In 2004, Pearce voted against legislation that would have established an expansion of health care for small businesses modeled after the coverage received by federal employees and Members of Congress. In addition, the substitute would have given small businesses discounts on insurance premiums and would have preserved state mandates on care. The measure failed 193-224. [Vote #172, 5/13/04]

“With his sudden interest in healthcare, maybe Congressman Pearce will finally be up front with New Mexicans about how dangerous his failed record is to them,” said James Hallinan, DPNM spokesman.

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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.

Weh & Rove's E-mail Love Affair: Reader Submissions

Today is the Big Day!

Today, Allen Weh’s e-mail buddy, the Republican Architect of Bush’s failed policies, Karl Rove, will be in town to help fill the bank accounts of the Republican Party of New Mexico.

As you recall, back in 2005, Allen Weh was the Chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico. As you may also recall, Weh led the tireless and unrelenting fight to remove U.S. Attorney, David Iglesias, from office, because Iglesias refused to raise politically motivated voter fraud cases.

“To be perfectly candid, he was ‘missing in action’ during the last election,” said Allen Weh in an e-mail to Rove. In response, Karl Rove ordered an aide to discuss with the White House Counsel's office, the possibility of replacing Mr. Iglesias, who was eventually fired.

The pair must still be good e-mail buddies, because Rove is coming to town just before the primary, and Weh needs all the help he can get. Who knows, Weh might even be asking Karl Rove for advice daily, on his current campaign to become the New Mexico Republican nominee for Governor.

We asked our DPNM readers for submissions of what they though Weh and Rove would be e-mailing each other about as they planned for Rove's time in New Mexico, and readers, you didn't disappoint us!

Here is a selection of the many e-mail responses we received to our query:

1. "How do we support bank CEO's getting billion dollar bonuses instead of meager millions?" -- David, Santa Fe

2. Weh to Rove: "How did you avoid jail for this long?" -- John, Santa Fe

3. Weh to Rove: "We should have put our money in off-shore accounts like our friends in the banking industry did -- then we would even more money!" -- Carol, Las Cruces

4. Rove to Weh: "These campaigns are hard work!" Weh to Rove: "Don't worry -- I'll run government like a business, I only work 2 hours a week at mine!" -- Sara, Albuquerque

And our personal favorite . . .

"Wish we could be there [to protest] -- KICK HIS [BUTT]!" -- Sophia & Nick, Truth or Consequences