STOP GOVERNMENT SPYING

I spotted the sign while I was riding the free 16th Street Mall bus Tuesday morning. A big sign with a simple message: “Stop Government Spying” held by a smiling man with bushy gray sideburns in a “I (heart) Big Brother” T-shirt.

About 11 hours later, while walking down 16th, I spotted the same guy holding the same sign, this time assisted by a younger woman. He had a friendly smile and didn’t look like the kind to yell in my face with a megaphone. So I decided to find out why he was doing this for hours on end on the streets of Denver.

His name is Ben Masel, and he comes from Madison Wisc. He’s a long-time activist and veteran of many protests and various causes. When I told him I was from The New Mexican, he said he was at a drug reform conference in 2001 that then Gov. Gary Johnson attended. I’d covered that same conference.

I later learned that he’s announced his candidacy for the 2012 U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin on a pro drug-legalization, pro-civil liberties platform.

“I’m doing this partly in the hopes of influencing President Obama,” he said, “But especially to try to influence members of Congress passing through with the sense that we need some legislative fixes for the massive erosions of our privacy. My own representative, Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) stopped and posed with us an hour ago.” Masel said Baldwin will sponsor a bill to create “an affirmative privacy right in cell phone location data, which apparently belong to the phone companies to deal with however they like.”

Masel said he’s faced no harassment from police or passersby in Denver. But he’s forced some “free speech issues” with business owners who have tried to remove him from sidewalks. "I've backed each of them down,” he said.

When some security guards tried to have him removed from in front of a downtown hotel, Masel said, the manager came out to discuss the problem and eventually the manager agreed with Masel’s right to protest on a public sidewalk.

Masel also was protesting a party Sunday at the Mile High Station thrown by AT&T for the conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats. Some left-wing blogs have criticized the party noting that most the Blue Dogs voted to immunize telecommunication companies for their participation in the Bush administration's warrantees spying program.

The cops tried to remove him, but Masel said a Denver police lieutenant was “smart enough” to know he had a right to protest on a public sidewalk. Masel said he agreed to stay in one spot and not block passerbys.

Maureen Warfield, who was helping Masel hold the sign said she’d just been there for a short time. “I was just walking up and down and I saw this awesome sign,” she said.

Warfield is from Castlerock, Colo., who said she’s been downtown every day during the convention, sometimes with her children. On Monday, she said, she was in front of a MTV Rock the Vote performance with a sign that said "Screw Iraq, Fight for freedom in America."

“I’ve got four kids, I’m a stay-at-home-mom and I’m sickened by what’s happening today,” she said.

Masel said he’s planning on protesting the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. next week.

GOV. RICHARDSON STORY

Almost forgot to post my link to my story about Gov. Bill Richardson in this morning's paper. It's HERE.

And check out this tidbit from MSNBC about Richardson taking a "shot" at that other Bill.

T. BOONE LOVES DEMS

DENVER — U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, speaking to New Mexico delegates to the Democratic National Convention at breakfast Wednesday, said Republicans are starting to use “swift boat” tactics against him in his race for U.S. Senate.

A few moments later Udall introduced the next speaker, a Texas oil man who in 2004 helped financed the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- an organization that infamously attacked presidential candidate John Kerry with some claims that turned out not to be true.

But T. Boone Pickens, a lifelong Republican, wasn’t there to talk about partisan politics. He was there to speak on The Pickens Plan, his ambitious agenda for alternative energy. He’s been running national television commercials for the plan.

Pickens wants to spend $1 trillion on wind-turbine farms for power generation and use natural gas to fuel automobiles. Pickens claims the proposal would cut the amount the country spends annually on foreign oil from $700 billion to $400 billion.

Pickens told the Democrats that his plan differs with Al Gore’s call to switch to electric automobiles within 10 years. He said it would be more realistic to use natural gas for cars for the next 20-30 years. “Then we’ll get to Al’s plan.”

Those attending the breakfast responded enthusiastically. After the talk many Democrats crowded Pickens to shake his hand and pose with him for photos.

Asked how it felt to be fawned over by all these Democrats, Pickens said, “It’s great. I like people who like me.”

Although Pickens was quoted in April by The Wall Street Journal Online that he was supporting Republican presidential candidate John McCain, PIckens said Wednesday after his talk that he’s staying out of the presidential race to concentrate on his energy plan.

Speaking of bipartisan, in New Mexico Pickens has hired a couple of top Democratic strategists — former Bill Richardson campaign manager Dave Contarino and former Patricia Madrid campaign manager Caroline Buerkle — to promote The Pickens Plan. Pickens plans to speak at a town hall forum in Albuquerque on Sept. 10.

So did Udall, who is running against Republican Steve Pearce for Senate, commit a faux pas by mentioning swift boats? No, said his campaign manager Amanda Cooper. “T. Boone’s cool with it.”

WALKING BACK

People walking out of the Pepsi center headed for downtown were treated to a weird cacophony of anti-abortion zealots, t-shirt hawkers and one guy sellin bottles of water for just a buck.

I couldn't resist recording it. Click the icon and bring the noise:

CONVENTION CACOPHO...

But these guys were a lot more fun.

JIMINY CARTER!

I just shook hands with President Jimmy Carter who was walking through the Pepsi Center Hall.

After I shook his hand I decided to try to get his picture, but he was moving prety fast for a guy in his 80s. But then he saw Sen. Pat Leahey, D-Vermont and stopped to chat. By this time, a small army of people with cameras had popped up from nowhere. Pretty good crowd, but not as big as the one in Boston in 2004 when Dre 3000 of Outkast dropped by the convention.

SOME DNC TIDBITS

DENVER — There probably were over 100 people who showed up at Gov. Bill Richardson’s swimming pool party at the Crowne Plaza hotel Tuesday night. However nobody went swimming at the party, which was sponsored by the International Association for Firefighters and American Benefits Consulting. And nobody got thrown into the pool, despite lots of jokes floating around about throwing various people in.

One surprise guest who hasn’t been seen around political functions lately — former state Insurance Commissioner Eric Serna.

Serna retired in 2006 as part of an agreement approved Thursday by the state Public Regulation Commission. As part of the settlement, the PRC dropped its investigation of a controversial contract that Serna signed with Santa Fe-based Century Bank.

Serna spoke briefly with Richardson by the pool. But he was gone before I could speak to him. He didn’t return a phone call Tuesday.

Dave Contarino, Richardson’s former chief of staff who also was at the party, said Tuesday he didn’t know what Serna was talking to Richardson about. “Eric Serna was there?” he asked.

Attorney General Gary King, who was in Denver Tuesday to meet with other Democratic attorneys general, said his office is still investigating Serna.

Serna’s assistant in the Insurance, Joe Ruiz, was convicted this year on 30 felony counts for soliciting bribes in the form of charity donations. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

Clinton supports unite behind Obama: Despite nationwide rumblings of Hillary Clinton supporters who say they aren’t yet ready to get behind Barack Obama, three prominent Clinton supporters in the New Mexico delegation said Tuesday they will work hard for the Democratic ticket in spite of the tremendous disappointment they felt when Clinton got out of the race.

But state Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D- Dona Ana, labor leader Christine Trujillo and Democratic National Committeewoman Mary Gail Gwaltney agreed that Obama has much work to do if he wants to win the votes of Clinton supporters and Hispanic voters in New Mexico.

The three are in line with Clinton’s major New Mexico supporter Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who has campaigned for Obama since Clinton dropped out.

Garcia said she still intended to vote for Clinton when her name is put into nomination at the convention because she was elected by the party as a Clinton delegate. But she said, “I’ll be going door-to-door asking people to vote for Barack Obama.” But Trujillo and Gwaltney, who both are superdelegates, signed a nominating petition for Obama this week.

Garcia said she first met Clinton during the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign and has been a fan ever since. She also likes Obama, though she said, “He really needs to reach out to the Hispanic voter.”

Trujillo, who is president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor and state president of the American Federation of Teachers, agreed. She said while younger members of her family enthusiastically favor Obama, older family members are having a difficult time accepting Obama.

Like the others, Gwaltney, a Las Cruces resident, said she only began supporting Clinton after Gov. Bill Richardson got out of the presidential race. In the weeks before the February Democratic Caucus she let two Clinton organizers stay in her home.

“I don’t think the press treated her right,” Gwaltney said of Clinton. “Men didn’t treat her right. She was clearly the brightest person to tun besides Gov. Richardson.”

CORRECTION NOTICE:
The original version of this identifed Mary Jane Garcia as president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor and state president of the American Federation of Teachers. Those positions actually are held by Christine Tujillo. The text has been corrected.

MY DNC GOODIE BAG

Convention delegates aren’t the only ones who get gifts and goodies in Denver. Reporters when picking up their credentials, received a tote bag full of swag and promotional materials.

When I registered at the Sheraton Sunday I noticed as I was walking toward the escalator that I’d accidentally picked up two bags. When I went back to return it, the guy who took it back thanked me, then said, “I’ll give you a nickel to keep the extra bag.” I declined.

Here’s what was inside mine:

A ballpoint pen from Laborers International Union of North America; A Denver 2008 plastic water bottle with the logos of VISA ad U.S. Bank; a glossy official Denver Visitors Guide; a 19.9 fluid oz. bottle of a kiwi-strawberry flavored drink called Joint Juice. (No, it’s not bong water.); a wind turbine lapel pin from the American Wind Energy Association; a Denver gallery guide pamphlet; a ballpoint pen from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; a Denver delegate and media guide; a walking and biking tours pamphlet; a half-ounce antibacterial hand-sanitizing gel; a bicycle lapel team from AT&T; a “Plant This Card” packet of wildflower seeds from Ecodriving USA; breath mints from Cattellus; breath mints from UPS; a ballpoint pen from Move-a-Roo; an 8 fluid oz. can of tropical fruit flavored Joint Juice; a bunch of tiny refrigerator magnets consisting of single words (”children,” “workers,” “power,” “community,” “healthcare,” etc.) from the Service Employees Industry Union; a DNC post-it note with the John F. Kennedy quote, “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”; a small Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book pamphlet.

One of the strangest items in the bag was something I initially thought was a pair of cheap earbuds attached to a card with “preparedness tips” from a group called Protecting America. But on closer inspection, it’s actually a working radio. I’m listening to NPR’s All Things Considered as I typed this up.

Then there’s all sorts of advertising flyers and pamphlets. I read each one carefully and contemplate whether I want to purchase the product, use the service or agree with the political position touted. (Yeah, right.)

I don’t know. I might try the small can of Joint Juice. I’ve already used one of the pens, and maybe I’ll keep the radio. Maybe the motel maids will enjoy some of this other stuff.

BEDTIME FOR BLOGGERS

Why am I still up?hat compells me to do this. Not much coherant is going to come out of this. I've been up since 5:30 a.m. so I could make the NM delegation breakfast. And that was after staying up late smoking cigars with the Dems. (Check out my story in today's New Mexican. ) Don't be shocked if I miss breakfast this morning. It's Tuesday, right.

A few observations:

* Nobody went swimming at Bill Richardson's pool party. Even worse, nobody got tossed in. Not even me. (Check this snapshot by guest photographer Amanda Cooper.)

* The shuttle bus took forever to get to the Pepsi Center. While going in, I stumbled across the crew from The Daily Show -- Rob Riggle, Aasif Mandvi , Larry Wilmore and John Oliver (who wasn't in the photo posted below.) They didn't seem to be doing any routine. Just exchanging greetings with delegates.

* Once I got inside, I was going down the hall looking for my workspace, a familiar face came on a TV monitor. It was none other than New Mexico's Patsy Madrid, who was talking to the delegates about the platform

* It seemed to me that on Monday the anti-abortion forces were more visible than the peace demonstrators. As I was looking for a place for a late lunch I cam across a bunch of guys on te 16th Street Mall with huge signs raging against gays, "baby killers," Muslims, liberals, drunks, Mormons, rebellious women, sex addicts and basically all my rowdy friends.

When I got out of lunch, the cops had arrived. There was a bunch on horseback as well as those in riot gear blocking the road. And on the other side of the street, there was THE DEVIL. (Again see the photos in previous post.) It doesn't get much weirder than this.
"
* Gee, Joe, I didn't feel that lonely at the railroad party Sunday. Even funnier than Monahan's orignal post were the responses of my fellow Lonely Boys. Click >HERE and >HERE.

SOME SIGHTS OF THE DNC

Lots more HERE

THE PLOUFFE IS IN THE PUDDING

DENVER — Among the western states that voted for George W. Bush in 2004, New Mexico is the most likely to go for Barack Obama this year, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Monday.

Plouffe, answering questions from a group of reporters from battleground states, claimed the recent Denver Post poll showing Obama trailing Republican John McCain in New Mexico and other Western states doesn’t concern him.

If the Democrats can register just a small fraction of the 200,000 unregistered Hispanics in New Mexico, he said, that in itself would offset the tiny margin by which Bush won the state in the last presidential election.

Voter turnout, including new and young voters also is key, Plouffe said. He said he believes Obama’s organization is superior to McCain’s in New Mexico and in other battleground states.

But Gov. Bill Richardson said the Obama campaign is going to have to work harder to win the West — especially because there’s no Westerner on the ticket.Obama and vice presidential nominee Joe Biden will have to make several visits to the state, Richardson said in an interview Monday.