Biden Looks to Raise Much-Needed Campaign Cash for Target Dems

FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: Martin Heinrich (NM-01) and Harry Teague (NM-02).

Biden Looks to Raise Much-Needed Campaign Cash for Harry Teague

After a Series of Controversial Votes, Teague Needs All the Help He Can Get

Washington– Vice President Biden will be jet-setting to New Mexico today to raise some much-needed campaign cash for New Mexico Democrat Harry Teague. After his potentially career-ending support for Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax and the failed stimulus, Teague can use all the help he can get. Teague’s unbridled loyalty to his party bosses has sparked up anger amongst his New Mexico constituency. With national unemployment at 10.2 percent and New Mexico’s own unemployment rate climbing, it’s no wonder New Mexicans are concerned that their congressman continues to put party politics before restoring the economy. While New Mexicans file unemployment claims today, Harry Teague will be rubbing elbows with Vice President Biden and reloading his campaign coffers for an uphill battle for re-election.

After supporting a $1 trillion stimulus of taxpayer money with no economic recovery in sight, Harry Teague has some serious explaining to do to New Mexicans:

“Now, Mr. Rosenberg, a former chief North American economist at Merrill Lynch who joined Toronto-based consultancy Gluskin Sheff & Associates as chief economist in May, says the nation’s unemployment rate is headed for 12%-13%.” (Kelly Evans, “U.S. Unemployment Rate Headed to 12%-13%, Economist Says,” Wall Street Journal, 11/11/2009)

Teague took a gamble by rubber-stamping his party’s national energy tax, which could cost New Mexico families nearly $2,000 a month and deliver a serious hit to southern New Mexico’s oil and gas industry:

 “The Obama administration has privately concluded that a cap and trade law would cost American taxpayers up to $200 billion a year, the equivalent of hiking personal income taxes by about 15 percent… the total in new taxes would be between $100 billion to $200 billion a year. At the upper end of the administration’s estimate, the cost per American household would be an extra $1,761 a year.” (Declan McCullagh, “Obama Admin: Cap And Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 A Year,” CBS News, 9/16/2009)

As his Republican opponent continues to out raise him, it’s no wonder Teague reached out to Biden for help:

“Pearce outraised Teague by about $250,000 despite a very respectable quarter by the Democrat — $508,000 to $257,000.” (Emily Cadei, “Some Incumbents Slow To Start 2010 Money Chase,” CQ Politics, 10/20/2009)

“Vice President Biden campaigning on behalf of Harry Teague is a clear indication that his job is in serious jeopardy next year,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “After walking the plank on his party bosses’ stimulus and national energy tax, it’s no wonder Teague is so eager to raise some much-needed campaign cash. New Mexicans are fed up with Teague’s repeated rubber-stamping of his party’s big-spending, big-government policies. With New Mexico businesses and families facing billions in new taxes, they can thank Harry Teague for giving Washington Democrats his seal of approval for their ongoing battle against economic recovery.”

###