Lawmakers gather in support of Obama

Steve Terrell | The New Mexican

1/23/2008 - 1/24/08

The Barack Obama campaign hit the state Capitol on Wednesday with several past and present lawmakers and other officials rallying to express support for the Illinois senator in the Feb. 5 Democratic presidential caucus.

More than 70 people gathered on the west side of the Roundhouse to hear speeches by several prominent state supporters, including state Treasurer James Lewis, former state Rep. Patsy Trujillo of Santa Fe, state Reps. Sheryl Williams-Stapleton and Al Park, both D-Albuquerque, and former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris of Oklahoma, who also has served as chairman of the New Mexico Democratic Party.

Both Obama and his chief rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., have begun advertising on New Mexico television stations. Neither has scheduled an appearance in the state, although both have said personal appearances before Feb. 5 are likely. Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich also are in the running, but neither has started advertising on television here.

None of the campaigns had been very visible in the state until Gov. Bill Richardson dropped out of the presidential race two weeks ago.

Richardson, who as a "favorite son" was heavily favored to win the state's caucus, has encouraged his supporters to go to the other candidates still in the race. He has said he won't endorse anyone until after Feb. 5.

"After Bill Richardson ended his bid for president, I took a careful look at all of the candidates," said Trujillo, a longtime Richardson supporter who campaigned for the governor for several weeks in Iowa. "But Barack Obama stands out because he has proven that he is the only candidate who can unify the country to bring change — and bring all Americans together regardless of race, party or creed, and I am proud to support his campaign."

Among the local Obama supporters at Wednesday's rally were state Rep. Peter Wirth of Santa Fe, former Santa Fe County Commissioner Javier Gonzales and former state Rep. Max Coll, also of Santa Fe.

Coll said he supports Obama because "he'll get us out of Iraq as soon as it's safely possible" and because he believes Obama will be like President Franklin D. Roosevelt in terms of rebuilding the economy.

But Obama doesn't have the support of all the Democrats at the Capitol.

Shortly after the Obama rally, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish — who has endorsed Clinton — told reporters she expects a "very spirited contest" in New Mexico, and both Clinton and Obama will be active here. "The Clintons know New Mexico," Denish said. "Both have been here before and look forward to coming back."

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.