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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Vice President in Albuquerque To Raise Money for Dems; Deputy Suffers Minor Injuries in Motorcade Crash
By Dan Boyd And Jeff Proctor
Journal Staff Writer
Vice President Joe Biden put a jolt into campaign fundraising for two New Mexico congressmen Monday, but his visit to Albuquerque was marred by a motorcade accident that sent a Bernalillo County sheriff's sergeant to a hospital.
Biden spoke for 35 minutes at a $1,000-a-plate luncheon for first-term U.S. Reps. Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague, both Democrats, at the Hotel Albuquerque.
He told about 100 people, who dined on blackened chicken and chocolate cake, that Heinrich and Teague are gutsy, independent members of Congress who are helping the nation to recover from a serious economic recession.
"They're good Democrats, but they also have heads of their own and minds of their own, and it seems to me that's what you guys produce out here," Biden said.
State Republicans sent out a news release later Monday blasting Teague for participating in a fundraiser outside his conservative-leaning southern New Mexico congressional district and voting for expensive spending programs.
"Today, Vice President Biden is returning the favor by helping Mr. Teague fill his campaign coffers safely outside Teague's district, where many of his policies are unpopular," said Ryan Cangiolosi, the state GOP's executive director.
Teague represents the 2nd Congressional District, and Heinrich represents the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District.
Shortly before Biden spoke, a woman crashed into a Bernalillo County sheriff's sergeant's vehicle that was part of the vice president's motorcade. Biden's car was on the way to the fundraising event at the time of the crash, which occurred about 1:15 p.m.
The woman drove around two police cars at the intersection of Gibson and Carlisle before colliding with the sergeant's vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Department.
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Lindley was transported to Presbyterian Hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The woman, Olivia Medel, who apparently was not injured, was charged with having no insurance and failure to yield to emergency equipment.
A spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Department did not know how fast Medel was driving.
The crash was the most recent in a string of official motorcade accidents in Albuquerque.
Most recently, Rio Rancho police officer Germaine Casey died after crashing his motorcycle while he was escorting President George W. Bush's motorcade in August 2007.
Biden didn't mention Monday's accident while speaking to a crowd that included Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., of the 3rd Congressional District.
Biden predicted Republicans will mount a serious effort to unseat Heinrich and Teague, who will be up for re-election next year.
Biden expressed hope for the future but said the United States needs to overhaul health care, change its energy policy and improve its education system. He also accused Republicans of obstructionist tactics.
"I know what the Republicans are against," he said. "I haven't figured out what they're for."
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