USA Today Write-Up on NM-01 Race

It's nearing Labor Day and the elections are kicking their way into the home stretch. The finish line is within sight. The white flag is being waved (that's auto racing, not a surrender flag, folks). It's the bell lap. How many racing metaphors can I use?

Anyway, attention is starting to be amped up on the close races around the country. Included is our humble little race here in New Mexico, Patricia Madrid and Heather Wilson. Yesterday, the USA Today profiled the NM-01 race and Heather Wilson's loyalty to President Bush.

Included was this quote about Wilson's support for the Iraq war -- the war that is clearly not going well and is only getting worse by the day.

Wilson is a rarity in the Republican-led Congress, one of a few in the GOP openly embracing President Bush on the war in Iraq. Her resolve belies the disillusionment with the war: More than six in 10 people say they disapprove of the way Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll this month.

Yet it also presents a political dilemma for Wilson, only the second female veteran in Congress and one who represents a district with more registered Democrats than Republicans. The USA TODAY poll found that 35% of registered voters nationally are more likely to vote for a candidate for Congress who opposes Bush's handling of the war, compared with 26% more likely to back a candidate who supports Bush on Iraq.

Source: USA Today

She supports the war, yet, "Wilson has yet to use Iraq in TV ads." She supports it -- but hopes that you forget that. Instead of focussing on this or other national issues, she continues to concentrate on local issues. Er, make that on a local issue.

The case against Vigil is being prosecuted by the feds - so what makes everyone think Madrid ignored the warnings and tips from various individuals? During an ongoing federal investigation, should the state attorney general blab about the warnings and tips to defend herself?

Source: Albuquerque Tribune

It is funny that the incumbent Representative can only come up with one ting that she is proud enough to air on TV: her Medicare ads. And don't forget, this is the ad that was funded by the prescription lobby.

Which would you vote for? The Republican in the pocket of big business and President Bush? Or the independent Democrat?