Piñon Post

NM Dem Party official, MLG ally, says ‘too bad’ failed Trump assassin missed

Diane Cox, A Democrat Party of New Mexico official from Albuquerque who sits on the Party’s State Central Committee, posted an article from The Atlantic titled “Trump is planning for a landslide win” on her Facebook post after 45th President Donald Trump narrowly missed a fatal head wound at a rally in Pennsylvania, where an assassin attempted to murder him. The assassin ended up killing at least one rally attendee and leaving others injured, including Trump, who was pierced in his right ear by a bullet. 

One of Cox’s connections, Angela Agosta, wrote, “And now he will be America’s hero who survived an assassination attempt. The way the crowd was chanting usa USA (sic) as he was leaving the stage was so scary.” 

Cox then replied, “[R]ight? Even if he had been killed (too bad they missed) he’d become a Martyr to their fascist cause.” 

Another leftist commenter, Jessica Corley, agreed with Cox’s wish for the 45th President to have died, writing, “I could have lived with that.” 

Hours later, she then shared a post from her friend, Garry Breeswine, who wrote, “I know it’s asking too much, but I’m actually begging yall (sic) to care this much next time it’s a 3rd grade classroom instead of an A—HOLE’s f—ing ear.” 

Cox quipped, “Garry Breeswine said what most of us who aren’t hypocritical  MAGA nutjobs feel.” 

According to Cox’s information on Facebook, she lists herself as working as a “Gun Reform Activist” at Everytown Survivor Network, a rabid anti-gun group, as well as the “campaign consultant” for Steve Brockett, a far-left Alamogordo Democrat who was previously running for New Mexico House District 51 before dropping out and endorsing another far-leftist. 

According to MoneyTrail NM, a project of “New Mexico In Depth,” Cox has been a major donor to the Democrat Party, giving $1,050 to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2022 and hundreds of dollars to candidates, including Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, far-left state Sens. Harold Pope and Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico Senate candidates Heather Berghmans and Cindy Nava (an illegal immigrant), New Mexico House candidate Ashlie Myers, who Brokett endorsed when dropping out, among scores of donations to the Democrat Party’s ActBlue apparatus. 

Despite calls for the Democrat Party of New Mexico to condemn Cox wishing death upon Trump, the party has yet to denounce her or call for her removal from its State Central Committee.

NM Dem Party official, MLG ally, says ‘too bad’ failed Trump assassin missed Read More »

NY Times: Biden in peril as NM, other Dem strongholds become tossups

As Joe Biden remains committed to running as the Democrat presidential presumptive nominee, Democrats are increasingly worried that his candidacy is transforming the political landscape, turning states like New Mexico into competitive battlegrounds.

Local officials, down-ballot Democrats, and party strategists have voiced concerns that states Biden won easily in 2020—such as Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia—could now be up for grabs. Recent polls indicate a tightening race between Biden and 45th President Donald Trump in these areas. In Virginia, which has not voted for a Republican president since 2004, one poll shows a virtual tie, while another has Trump narrowly leading in New Hampshire.

The Cook Political Report recently adjusted its ratings, downgrading New Hampshire and Minnesota from “likely” Biden wins to “leaning” in his direction. At a White House meeting, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her concern to Biden, fearing he could lose her state, according to the New York Times.

This instability in traditionally safe Democrat states poses a significant challenge for Biden’s campaign, especially in must-win states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. An expanding battleground map could force his campaign to divert resources from these critical states.

Despite these worries, Biden remains resolute, declaring at a recent press conference, “I’m determined I’m running,” and downplaying his poor polling numbers.

David Axelrod, the strategist behind Barack Obama’s presidential victories, acknowledged the potential threat, stating, “I don’t think it’s fool’s gold. I think it’s something that has to be taken seriously.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also noted that his state is “in play” this year and more competitive than in 2020.

Trump’s campaign has been relatively light on the ground so far, limiting his ability to capitalize on these opportunities. However, a memo reported by CBS News indicated that the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee plan to open offices in Minnesota and Virginia. Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the RNC, remarked, “President Trump is appealing to voters across the political spectrum, including in so-called blue states like Virginia, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and New Jersey, with his agenda to lower costs, secure the border, and restore peace through strength.”

Biden’s campaign has dismissed Trump’s efforts to expand the map, highlighting Trump’s lack of infrastructure and advertising in these states. Dan Kanninen, Biden’s battleground state director, emphasized their advantage, stating, “This election will be decided by a subset of voters in a narrow set of battlegrounds, but only the Biden-Harris campaign is investing to reach and persuade those voters.”

In New Mexico, Democrats hold the entire congressional delegation, the governor’s mansion, and the State Legislature. However, concerns about Biden’s performance persist. Brad Elkins, the campaign manager for New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, commented, “Biden can win New Mexico, but all of the data I’m seeing shows that his campaign needs to make their case to New Mexicans to ensure that happens.”

Interviews with Democrat and independent voters in Albuquerque reveal a lack of enthusiasm for Biden. Some voters expressed a desire for a change at the top of the Democratic ticket or indicated they might vote for a third-party candidate or abstain from voting in November. Patricia Benavidez, a Democrat who voted for Biden in 2020, stated she is now leaning toward Trump, citing concerns about Biden’s capabilities after the recent debate.

In Virginia, Democrats regained control of the General Assembly last year, signaling a resurgence after a Republican victory in the governor’s race in 2022. However, Biden’s allies remain cautious. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney remarked, “As much as we want this to be a blue state, this is a deep purple state, and you have to give it some attention. You can’t take it for granted.”

Concerns even extend to Democrat strongholds like New York, where a poll found Biden up by only single digits before the debate. Similarly, a recent survey in Oregon showed Biden with just a single-digit lead over Trump, indicating a closer race than expected.

NY Times: Biden in peril as NM, other Dem strongholds become tossups Read More »

Domenici sets NM fundraising record with massive haul

Nella Domenici is making waves as she strives to become the first Republican to win a Senate seat in New Mexico in over two decades. Her campaign has announced a record-breaking $2.9 million fundraising haul for the April-June second quarter of 2024, which they claim is “the largest fundraising quarter of any U.S. Senate candidate in New Mexico political history.”

This impressive sum was raised by Domenici’s Senate campaign and its associated joint fundraising committees, and the figures were shared exclusively with Fox News on Friday.

New Mexico hasn’t seen a Republican Senate victory since Sen. Pete Domenici, Nella’s father, was re-elected to his sixth term in 2002. Now, Nella Domenici is determined to end this long-standing losing streak for the GOP.

“The momentum is growing, the movement is building, and our state is ready for new leadership,” Domenici said in a statement. “New Mexico is at a tipping point and I’m grateful to all of those who are rallying behind our campaign to demand more for our state and our nation.”

Domenici’s latest fundraising total is more than double the $1.25 million she raised in the first quarter of 2024. Her campaign also reported having over $2 million in cash on hand at the beginning of July.

Using her strong political brand and name recognition, Domenici is challenging Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich, who is seeking his third six-year term. Heinrich raised $1.5 million in the first quarter of the year but has yet to announce his second-quarter fundraising results.

Domenici is leveraging her extensive experience in the finance industry, having held significant positions at Bridgewater Associates, Credit Suisse, and Citadel Investment Group, to bolster her campaign against Heinrich.

In recent years, New Mexico has shifted from a battleground state to a more reliably blue state. Heinrich won re-election in 2018 by over 30 points, and Joe Biden carried the state by 11 points in 2020.

However, the political climate may be shifting. Following Biden’s lackluster performance in a recent debate with 45th President Trump, there have been increasing calls within his own party for Biden to reconsider his re-election bid. This turmoil presents an opportunity for the GOP to make gains in New Mexico and other states.

Internal Democratic polling conducted after the debate suggests a tightening race in New Mexico, indicating a potentially competitive Senate race on the horizon. One leaked Democrat poll shows Trump is leading Biden by 0.5 percent in the Land of Enchantment.

Domenici sets NM fundraising record with massive haul Read More »

Alec Baldwin walks free after judge abruptly tosses manslaughter case

On Friday, in a shocking turn of events, District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against actor and producer Alec Baldwin after finding that crucial evidence had been withheld by the state. This evidence could have provided clarity on how live rounds ended up on the “Rust” film set, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot.

The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning Baldwin cannot be prosecuted again for this incident. Baldwin, who faced up to 18 months in prison if convicted, wept as Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced the decision. “There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” she said.

The trial had been a dramatic affair. Baldwin was accused of involuntary manslaughter after a gun he was rehearsing with discharged a live round, despite being told it was “cold” and should not have been able to fire. The shooting occurred in 2021, resulting in Hutchins’ death.

The dismissal came after an unexpected turn of events in the courtroom. A manila envelope containing previously unexamined evidence was introduced. Judge Marlowe Sommer donned blue latex gloves, opened the envelope with scissors, and examined the ammunition inside.

Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the state had failed to disclose this evidence, which had been requested during the discovery phase. “They buried it,” said Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, accusing the state of hiding the evidence under a different case number.

This non-disclosure presented a significant legal issue, as the state is obligated to provide all key evidence to the defense. The judge’s ruling lifted a considerable burden from Baldwin, whose life and career had been overshadowed by the potential for criminal liability for nearly three years.

Baldwin has consistently denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death, stating he had no reason to believe the gun was loaded with live ammunition. Live rounds are typically banned on film sets, and witnesses confirmed the gun was declared “cold.”

Throughout the trial, Baldwin’s defense team had sought to dismiss the case, challenging various aspects, including the grand jury proceedings and the FBI’s testing of the gun. All attempts were initially rejected until this critical evidence came to light.

During a tense hearing, Baldwin’s defense argued that the withheld evidence deprived them of the chance to build a proper defense, particularly on the crucial question of how live rounds ended up on the set of “Rust.” The lead prosecutor, Kari T. Morrissey, blamed the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, for the live rounds, which Gutierrez-Reed denied. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for loading the live round and is serving an 18-month sentence.

The new evidence came from Troy Teske, a friend of Gutierrez-Reed’s stepfather, Thell Reed, a well-known Hollywood armorer. Teske, a retired police officer, had turned over some ammunition to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, believing it was related to the case. The crime scene technician, Marissa Poppell, testified that she saved the ammunition but filed it under a different case number.

Despite the prosecutor’s initial assertion that the ammunition was irrelevant, Judge Marlowe Sommer’s examination revealed that at least one round resembled the live rounds found on the set. This prompted the judge to send the jury home for the weekend.

The prosecutor admitted she had not seen all the ammunition provided by Teske in person. This oversight led to a significant twist in the case, ultimately resulting in the dismissal.

Baldwin’s case has seen many developments. Initially charged in January 2023, the manslaughter charge was downgraded due to a legal technicality, and a mandatory five-year prison sentence was reduced to a maximum of 18 months. The special prosecutor resigned after Baldwin’s lawyers challenged her dual role as a state lawmaker, and a new prosecution team temporarily dismissed the charges before deciding to proceed with a grand jury.

The investigation has faced criticism, notably from Robert Shilling, a former chief of the New Mexico State Police, who condemned the initial handling of the case by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.

As the potential for dismissal became apparent, Baldwin seemed to relax after two intense days of trial. He shared a moment of relief with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and his brother, Stephen Baldwin, in the courtroom.

Alec Baldwin walks free after judge abruptly tosses manslaughter case Read More »

Keller’s new ‘equity consultant’ says military is ‘home of White supremacy’

Albuquerque is undergoing a significant “culture change” in its government, with critical race theory playing a central role, aided by a far-left equity consultant.

After being elected in 2017, Albuquerque Democrat Mayor Tim Keller vowed to reform the government with “antiracist” principles. “From Day One of our administration, we knew that inequity was growing and that we would have to change the culture,” Keller said. “When has learning and growing ever been comfortable?”

In March 2018, Keller established the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) to realize his vision of racial equity. The OEI introduced trainings on critical race theory, which made some employees uncomfortable, according to the office’s director in a 2021 report.

Among the equity consultants hired was Zamil Salhab from RACED Consulting, who holds far-left views, including the belief that the U.S. military is the “home of White supremacy.” Salhab is described on the RACED Consulting website as a “genderqueer first-generation American and Post 9-11 veteran.”

Salhab shared his experiences in June 2020, stating, “Being first generation and being black, being queer. And then to go into what I believe is the home of White supremacy and patriarchy, the military. Little did I realize like what damage… I was doing to myself and what I’d have to go through in order to deconstruct myself after getting out of the service,” Salhab said. “Because society not only teaches that Black bodies are less than… And so and then to be a woman. So to deal with those different intersectionalities of the White supremacy construct, it was, you know, for a period of time I thought I was nuts, I thought I was crazy.”

The city confirmed that “The Office of Equity and Inclusion contracted with RACED Consulting LLC.”

RACED Consulting specializes in topics such as “white fragility” and “De-Centering Whiteness,” according to its website. The firm aims to explore the impact of white fragility on building racially inclusive practices.

Despite the extensive CRT training for lower-level employees, the 2021 city report noted the absence of department directors and city leadership from these sessions. The report emphasized the need for a comprehensive investment in the Culture Change Initiative at all levels of government.

Michelle Melendez, the director of OEI, acknowledged some resistance to Keller’s racial agenda. “We also see a small but vocal resistance to addressing racism,” she said. “Systemic racism is one of the root causes of some of our most serious challenges, and addressing it within municipal government will make our city better for the long-term. That’s culture change.”

The report also highlighted an increased understanding and openness to discussions about anti-racism and social justice.

As part of the cultural shift, each department received a DEI staffer to conduct “equity assessments.” These liaisons underwent over 10 months of training to prepare for their roles. The report noted the challenges of shifting institutional culture but acknowledged progress made by those who completed the training.

Various departments, including animal welfare, environmental health, transit, and the police department, developed their own “racial equity action plans” to assess their practices, policies, expenditures, and resource distribution.

Before Keller’s election in 2017, employees were “reluctant to talk openly about race, racism,” according to OEI Director Melendez. The Culture Change Initiative has been pivotal in building the city’s capacity to work towards equitable outcomes.

Both RACED Consulting and the City of Albuquerque did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Keller’s new ‘equity consultant’ says military is ‘home of White supremacy’ Read More »

All three of NM’s congressional reps. want illegals to vote in U.S. elections

House Republicans and several Democrats approved a bill on Wednesday to expand proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections and impose voter roll purges on states. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act passed with a 221-198 vote, with five Democrats supporting it. 

Despite this, New Mexico’s Democrat Reps. Gabe Vasquez, Melanie Stansbury, and Teresa Leger Fernandez opposed the bill, showing a clear divide even within the Democrat Party. The vote shows the trio’s support for allowing illegal aliens to vote in U.S. elections.

The legislation is unlikely to progress in the Senate due to strong Democratic resistance. President Biden has also promised to veto it. Critics argue that the bill’s core idea—making noncitizen voting illegal—is redundant and more likely to disenfranchise U.S. citizens than prevent illegal voting.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) insisted on the House floor that the bill is necessary because noncitizens have participated in U.S. elections, despite existing laws against it. Johnson stated, “Even though it’s already illegal, this is happening.” He further emphasized the need for the legislation to prevent noncitizen voting and to make it unlawful within states.

The far-left “Brennan Center for Justice” cataloged 30 suspected cases of noncitizen voting out of 23.5 million. The notion that noncitizens are voting and that Democrats are importing undocumented immigrants for electoral gains is central to the bill’s purpose.

The Heritage Foundation found illegal alien voting in abundance, including 11,000 illegals previously registered on Virginia’s voter rolls. 

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who introduced the bill, argued that progressive Democrats use open border policies and attack election integrity laws to transform America. Roy’s stance is that Democrats aim to leverage undocumented immigrants to maintain one-party rule.

“This is a matter of national security and election integrity, and Gabe Vasquez is willing to compromise both just to avoid contradicting Biden’s open border. NM-02 deserves better than someone who would sell out their votes like that,” wrote National Republican Congresional Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar following the vote. 

“The only reason New Mexico’s Democratic representatives would oppose states requiring proof of citizenship to vote is because they want illegal immigrants to vote in our elections,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Spokeswoman Ash Soular. “They stood by while Joe Biden let 10 million illegal immigrants into our country and now, they’re going to stand by while our national security, election integrity and democracy are threatened. Only American citizens should be allowed to vote in U.S. elections. The SAVE Act is a common-sense and crucial step to restoring confidence in our voting system.”

All three of NM’s congressional reps. want illegals to vote in U.S. elections Read More »

ACLU, leftists pressure MLG to call off her imminent special session

A coalition of far-left advocacy organizations and behavioral health providers is urging Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to cancel a special legislative session set to commence in less than two weeks. This coalition, comprising progressive-leaning groups that generally support the governor’s policies, expressed their concerns in a letter sent on Tuesday.

The letter implores the governor to “halt” the special session and instead “engage further with community experts” on her plans to address mental health and public safety issues in New Mexico, suggesting that these topics be tackled during the regular 60-day session next year.

“With less than two weeks to go before session is slated to begin and an obvious lack of consensus between lawmakers on the (continually shifting) legislative proposals, there is simply no way to achieve the solutions New Mexicans deserve,” the letter asserts. “Moreover, a special session that will conclude in a matter of days with little to no opportunities for community feedback is not conducive to passing true and lasting safety solutions.”

The coalition includes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, the Center for Civic Policy, Common Cause New Mexico, Equality New Mexico, and the New Mexico Conference of Churches. The governor’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment, while the ACLU writes that “the governor’s rushed legislative proposals will not improve public safety.”

The coalition’s letter outlines three primary concerns. Firstly, they oppose legislation that would broaden the definitions of “harm to self” and “harm to others,” making it easier to “force someone into a locked mental health facility.” The letter argues that this approach fails to address the “underlying issue of critical shortages in voluntary care” and could violate constitutional rights, cause trauma, and increase distrust in New Mexico’s care systems.

Secondly, the coalition raises issues with a competency bill that would expand involuntary civil commitment. The proposal would mandate the detention of individuals who are not competent but also not dangerous and require legal proceedings to initiate their civil commitment. “Legislation that mandates detention and the initiation of involuntary commitment proceedings for certain individuals with mental illness in the criminal courts strips prosecutors and judges of their ability to make discretionary, case-by-case assessments regarding an individual’s freedom,” the letter states, suggesting this could lead to unjust outcomes.

Lastly, the coalition opposes a roadway safety bill that would prohibit loitering on highway medians with certain conditions. They argue that this legislation would unfairly penalize vagrants without addressing broader issues like pedestrian safety or the need for affordable housing and supportive services. “Legislation that will saddle [vagrants] with unpayable fines and jail time does nothing to meaningfully address pedestrian safety or solve our dearth of affordable housing and wrap-around services,” the letter contends.

“The state must urgently re-invest in communities, expanding access to voluntary treatment and affordable housing to tackle the root causes of these issues. The governor’s proposals – which are based on punishment and coercion – will only worsen the very issues she aims to fix,” wrote the ACLU in a fundraising email announcing its opposition to the governor’s imminent special session. 

The coalition emphasizes their respect for the governor and acknowledges the importance of the ongoing conversation about mental health and public safety. “We are grateful to you for accelerating this critical dialogue, but real solutions deserve more time than we have. They also deserve more robust dialogue and partnership with community organizations like ours,” the letter concludes, urging more thoughtful and inclusive policymaking.

ACLU, leftists pressure MLG to call off her imminent special session Read More »

Heinrich panned by all sides for ‘chikens**t’ statement on Biden

In the most confusing statement imaginable, New Mexico’s far-left Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich released a statement on the status of Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities following the elderly Democrat’s disastrous debate performance against 45th President Donald Trump on CNN.

Heinrich, who has long been a Biden apologist, wrote, “I love Joe Biden. He’s the most accomplished President of my lifetime and he’s a genuinely wonderful human being.”

He added a caveat, noting, “However, what I care most about is the preservation of our democracy. President Biden needs to continue to demonstrate that his debate performance was just a bad night, and that he has a clear path to defeating Donald Trump. Our democracy hangs in the balance.”

The carefully worded statement that said much of nothing gives Heinrich an out if the political tides turn and he has to shift to calling for Biden’s replacement, as many Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Pattie Murray of Washington, suggest in their carefully worded statements. 

Following the non-statement after almost two weeks of dodging, the Republican Party of New Mexico’s Chairman, Steve Pearce, wrote, “Senator Heinrich’s vague statement reveals the havoc that has descended upon the Democratic Party. Heinrich’s previous blind loyalty to Biden and his special interest groups now makes it difficult for him to answer honestly about the President’s mental and physical ability to lead the country.”

The Republican official added, “New Mexicans deserve leadership with the courage to say it like it is and put the best interests of our state and nation first.”

The senator’s statement was widely panned in the comment section of his X post, with leftists and conservatives all commenting that either Biden needs to drop out or that Biden will lose to Trump. Some have even gone so far as to call the statement “chickens**t.”

Heinrich faces a fierce challenge from Republican Nella Domenici, whose father, Pete Domenici, served the state in the U.S. Senate for 36 years. Recent polls show Domenici within the margin of error, trailing the Democrat by a mere two points. 

Heinrich panned by all sides for ‘chikens**t’ statement on Biden Read More »

RFK, Jr. campaign praises Maggie Toulouse Oliver as he makes NM ballot

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign has officially secured a spot on the New Mexico ballot, as announced on Saturday. The campaign collected 11,202 signatures, significantly surpassing the state requirement of 3,561, which is half a percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse-Oliver certified Kennedy’s eligibility for the vote, as confirmed by his campaign.

“We appreciate Secretary Oliver’s efficiency in certifying the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket in New Mexico,” stated Paul Rossi, senior counsel for the Kennedy campaign. “It is refreshing for a secretary of state to avoid the partisan interference of election officials in Nevada and North Carolina.”

This follows recent challenges faced by Kennedy’s campaign in other states. In North Carolina, the Electoral College voted to exclude Kennedy and fellow independent candidate Cornel West from the ballot. Similarly, in Nevada, Kennedy’s petitions were invalidated due to the omission of his running mate’s name, prompting a lawsuit and the resubmission of revised petitions.

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Toulouse-Oliver’s office reviewed petitions from several independent candidates. Alongside Kennedy, Chase Oliver, the national Libertarian Party nominee, was also confirmed for the presidential race in New Mexico. However, petitions from Cornel West and Shiva Ayyadurai were rejected.

Kennedy, son of former New York Senator and 1968 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, is running as an independent candidate. According to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average, he is currently polling at nearly 10% nationally.

Kennedy’s campaign reports that he is now on the ballot in 10 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and New Mexico. The campaign has filed signatures in 12 additional states and claims to have collected enough in five more.

45th President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in April that Kennedy is “far more LIBERAL than anyone running as a Democrat, including West and Stein,” referencing third-party candidates Cornel West and Jill Stein (Green Party). Kennedy chose a far-left attorney as his vice-presidential running mate.

RFK, Jr. campaign praises Maggie Toulouse Oliver as he makes NM ballot Read More »

Leftist NM columnist says NM Dems must call for Biden’s ouster

In a striking op-ed, Milan Simonich, a leftist columnist for the Santa Fe New Mexican, has called for Joe Biden to be replaced as the Democrat nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Simonich’s argument is rooted in a belief that Biden’s declining performance threatens to undermine the Democratic Party’s chances in closely contested races.

Simonich points to Biden’s recent debate performance against 45th President Donald Trump as particularly damaging, stating, “Biden no longer inspires confidence. Instead, he is on track to depress turnout, making Trump more formidable.” 

He writes that Biden’s presence at the top of the ticket could be detrimental, especially in swing districts, potentially tipping the scales in favor of Republican candidates like Yvette Herrell in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.

Herrell, a former Republican congresswoman, is seeking to return to Congress after a reportedly narrow loss to Democrat Gabe Vasquez in 2022. Simonich notes that “Biden’s presence at the top of the ticket might be enough to tip their rematch to Herrell.” 

The column also underscores the potential impact on other Democrat candidates, including Sen. Martin Heinrich. Facing a challenge from Republican Nella Domenici, Heinrich’s campaign could be adversely affected by Biden’s declining popularity. Simonich warns that “Heinrich’s campaign for a third term becomes harder with Biden heading the Democratic ticket.”

Simonich calls on New Mexico’s Democratic delegation to take a stand, criticizing their lack of action, commenting, “New Mexico’s delegation has exhibited no such courage or candor.” He argues that prominent Democrats must urge Biden to withdraw from the race for the good of the Democrat Party and the country. “For its own self-interest and the good of the country, the New Mexico delegation should tell Biden to withdraw from the election,” he writes.

Highlighting the broader implications, Simonich asserts that “Biden’s ego would be bruised by a Democratic uprising, but the alternative is much worse.” He claims that nominating a supposedly stronger candidate at the Democratic National Convention could reinvigorate the party and improve its chances of success in the general election.

Milan Simonich’s call for Biden’s replacement reflects growing concerns within the Democrat Party about his ability to lead them to victory in 2024. His far-left column emphasizes what he sees as the urgency of decisive action to secure a stronger future for Democrats, advocating for a new nominee who can galvanize the electorate and counter the Republican challenge effectively. According to leaked Democrat polls, the only formidable known candidate to go up against Trump in November would be former First Lady Michelle Obama, who is not interested in the position. 

Leftist NM columnist says NM Dems must call for Biden’s ouster Read More »

Scroll to Top