Saturday, October 11, 2008

Udall stumps for votes, talks about Wall Street

Brent Ruffner News-Bulletin Staff Writer; bruffner@news-bulletin.com

Belen Valencia County voters got a first-hand look at Democratic Senatorial candidate Tom Udall Wednesday as he stopped at the Valencia County Sheriff's Posse Café and spoke to residents about issues ranging from alternative energy to the economy.

Campaign signs decorated a room filled with Udall supporters as they cheered for their candidate at an event meant to help garner votes before this year's election.

"Congressman Udall wanted to come out and see what issues are important to the people of Valencia County," said Marissa Padilla, a Udall spokeswoman.

Udall, who represents New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, is running against Steve Pearce, R-N.M., for the open seat in the U.S. Senate vacated by Pete Domenici, who is retiring.

"I've applied one simple rule (while serving in New Mexico)," Udall said. "Do what's right for New Mexico and do what's right for our country."

Udall listed alternative energy as an avenue to increase jobs and stabilize current businesses.

"We need to reinvest in solar and wind energy in New Mexico," Udall told the crowd. "If we concentrate on that, we can grow jobs right here."

The former attorney general also said he is working in conjunction with New Mexico State University to help produce a biofuel made out of algae.

"That kind of technology means our resources would go a lot further," Udall said.

The Congressman, who opposed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act — a law authorizing the U.S. Secretary of Treasury to spend up to $700 billion to purchase distressed assets from the nation's banks — also reached out to middle-class families.

"The bailout took care of Wall Street," Udall said. "But it didn't take care of Main Street."

Another issue Udall was stern about was the idea of drafting a timeline for troops to leave Iraq. He called President Bush's foreign policy "ridiculous" and emphasized that American troops should be deployed from Iraq within one year.

"We need to do it responsibly, not in a hurried fashion," he said. "That's the kind of thing I stand for."

Barbara Gwenley of Belen said Udall has New Mexico in his best interests.

"He's a native New Mexican," Gwenley said. "I think he'll make a difference."

Voter Isaac Marquez said he liked what he heard from Udall. He added he would like to see another Democrat in the Senate.

"I believe he's got some spine," Marquez said. "I think he's concerned with the people and not about the politics."

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