(Full video here.)
We and others thought she might go there but the Dem powers that be are having all their speakers hew to the middle of the road so it was New Mexico's Governor hammering Trump over wanting to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and praising VP Harris for her vote as a senator to keep it alive.
She also called out the success of the Biden/Harris administration in getting Medicare to negotiate certain drug prices.
Abortion won only one line in the about four minute talk with MLG saying Harris would "ensure that every woman who needs it can access reproductive healthcare."
That earned her a mild round of applause from the crowd. Otherwise response to the speech was muted.
A Republican reader criticized the speech, saying it was "uninspired and drew little applause. Not a strong performance. She put the DNC to sleep. But her suit and make-up looked good."
Well, we're sure the Guv will be heartened that she passed the appearance test but she did not fail the speech test.
Most important, she did not flub her lines, got on and got off quickly as ordered and landed a couple of attacks on Trump/Vance.
She did, however, appear to lose the audience with a wisecrack she made about Trump steaks," the former president's failed effort to launch a line of steaks over 15 years ago. Of all the anecdotes about Trump, that's the best she could come up with? In this case MLG's speechwriters belong in the doghouse--not the steak house.
While only a couple of minutes in length the speech was squarely in prime time starting at 9:58 P.M. Eastern. While the major networks may have passed on carrying the remarks (we're not sure if they did or not), readers did report CNN and PBS carried the speech and there were plenty of other media outlets covering the event that are airing all the speeches.
MORE MLG
The Guv Tuesday also joined other Democratic women Governors for a discussion on healthcare that focused more on abortion:
Speaking at a forum at The Drake hotel called “Power, Potential and Partnership” and moderated by All In Together founder Lauren Leader, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the first Democratic Latina woman to be elected governor of New Mexico, said that many women and men have worked diligently to break the glass ceiling in American politics — before noting how that description is actually misleading, saying “it’s really cement.”
Grisham shared an anecdote about how the vice president traveled to her state. It came in the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, where Harris met with medical school students and engaged in conversations about the importance of their work in providing reproductive care. “I'm now building primary care clinics with state funds that will provide reproductive services to women all across the country,” Grisham said, pointing to it as evidence of how policy can turn into action when women come together to share ideas.
HER CHANCES
Managerial problems in state government--CYFD and PED among them--and the inability to improve the state's standing in the national rankings--could be a yoke around the Governor's neck in getting appointed to any Harris cabinet.
Competent management may not be the most important factor--Deb Haaland had little but was named Secretary of Interior--but MLG has had six years to show her managerial mettle and those opposed to or competing with her for a cabinet post could use her performance against her.
Still, there are lot of plum jobs out there besides the cabinet and that will keep MLG animated as she campaigns for the Dem prez ticket the next two months.
MISSING MEN
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| Vasquez and Heinrich |
Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Gabe Vasquez stayed away. Both men face re-election in November but Sen. Ben Ray Lujan does not and he's also not there.
None of them have fully explained their absence but one obvious reason--they don't want to be associated with the more progressive wing of their party--makes sense.
From Roll Call:
At a time of decreased ticket-splitting between the presidential race and congressional races, there’s a bipartisan fear of being coupled with the national party and being subsequently dragged down by the top of the ticket. So party strategists unofficially recommend candidates running in competitive districts stay home and stay away from the conventions.
GUV SUBPLOT
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| Sec. Haaland |
The state's senior senator has made no secret that he is weighing a run for Governor in 2026 should he win re-election this year. But his absence from Chicago has potential Dem rival contender Deb Haaland taking advantage. Her supporters are touting her convention appearance, saying Heinrich is "running scared" and that's how he might act if elected Governor.
Haaland took to social media to make a convention greeting. She said:
This election everything is at stake. As someone who has lived paycheck to paycheck, relied on food stamps, and fought as a single mother to provide for my family, I know what it’s like when the system is stacked against us. It's time to make our voices heard.
There's little question that Heinrich's Guv aspirations--if still alive--have taken a hit from the GOP challenge by Nella Domenici. She is scaring the bejesus out of Camp Heinrich because the former hedge fund executive has the ability to anytime write a personal check for $5 million that Heinrich would have to scurry to match.
His inability to put the race away early is extracting a price to his status and his possible Guv plans. Haaland, meanwhile, is free to roam about the building--and the convention center.
(And bully for Melanie and Teresa for showing up and showing off our state at the historic event.)
ADVICE FOR HEINRICH
A reader writes:
Joe, Martin Heinrich needs to call out Nella Domenici’s attempt to look like a Democrat. Her safe and rare stance on abortion is completely contrary to her party platform. As well, her ads touting her being a champion on mental health legislation is misleading, she’s never legislated anything. Her father, yes. And, her party is threatening cuts to mental healthcare. A wolf in sheep’s clothing? If elected, she will get in line. Be real Nella, stop running a campaign that looks completely contrary to your party’s policies.
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