The other night when Andy was waiting for the weather report on TV, he called, “Jean! Look at this.” It was a paid piece extolling the virtues of Tom Udall, our senior U.S. Senator. What? A political ad so soon? The election isn’t until next year.
Even more surprising, the American Chemistry Council was paying for the ad. Why would an industry group be promoting a known environmentalist? That certainly shakes up some of my assumptions. Don’t most industry groups fight against regulations?
The ad emphasized how much Tom is doing for New Mexico, especially in growing the economy and creating jobs. It asked us to contact Tom and let him know what a difference he was making for New Mexico. It certainly got my attention. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
So I poked around a bit. It turns out Tom is one of the 25 co-sponsors of a bipartisan bill to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Things have changed a lot in the past 37 years. The argument is the rules need to be changed if they’re going to protect human health and the environment without stifling innovation — innovation needed to produce new jobs. So some Republicans and Democrats, and some environmentalists and industry groups, are trying to come up with a sensible plan. Is it possible our whole political system isn’t broken? What do you think? Have you ever seen anything like this?
Is it more about lobbying than the election?
I don’t know. Udall was already sponsoring the bill. This seemed more like a big thank you — and maybe protecting Udall from future opponents saying his pro environment positions meant New Mexicans were losing jobs.
We’ve been seeing political ads for and against our senior senator, Mark Prior, for months now. Democrats in some states may be seen as vulnerable in the 2014 election. In 2010, Arkansas’ then senior senator, Blanche Lincoln, was defeated. Just a couple weeks ago, a popular Representative from Arkansas announced his candidacy against Pryor.
Thanks. I was wondering if this was unusually early. You answered the question. About the only TV we watch is the daily weather report (Andy) and occasional golf tournaments (me). So we’re not exposed to many political ads.
Yea Tom Udall. 🙂
Would be nice if the population could win over money-matters & their politicians.
I’ve been a Udall fan ever since he came to town (as our Representative) to share his concerns about the Patriot Act. He seems thoughtful and reasonable.
i will always be for our environment warriors!
but when ‘innovation’ is used in the same sentence with a big business or interest… ears perk up. not that i’m not for change. but … i always draw up a little.
the lobbies and big business of this country are already so powerful.
i wanted to watch a program about the ‘first ladies of the white house’ (wonderful! by the way!) on c-span the other night ~ but first had to wait for a live event that was a fund raiser for someone or other that ‘went long.’ 30 minutes long as a matter of fact! i think it’s not pre election now… they seem to campaign all the time! LOL.
Yes, my ears perk up too! I’m not anti-business — I just don’t believe every good story someone tells.
Was it a political fund raiser? Is your area like Mike’s, where they’re already campaigning for 2014?
The New Mexico Department of Transportation is reminding people that they can’t put political ads along state rights-of-ways. They say the political season is about to start. I’m with you, does it ever end?
We have our officially elected governments shamelessly advertising their leaders’ achievements throughout the year and most of us simply ignore them.
The joys of democracy.