Former White House photographer Eric Draper, George Zimmerman trial, NM Job Creation

This week on New Mexico In Focus, it’s an interview with former White House photographer Eric Draper. Draper served as President George W. Bush’s chief photographer for all eight years of his presidency. Draper photographed the president at the Oval Office and attending official functions, and also captured President Bush during more personal moments. During that time, Draper took nearly 1 million photos documenting the presidency. Former New Mexico in Focus producer Matt Grubs sat down with Draper when he was promoting the release of his book, Front Row Seat.

The Line opinion panel looks at the implications of the George Zimmerman trial and the verdict of not-guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin. It has been almost two weeks since the verdict was reached on July 13th. With time for reflection, have opinions changed since initial reactions? The panel examines this trial and its outcome, and what it means to a very similar case here in New Mexico

The Line also looks at the recommendation by the fledgling jobs council that New Mexico add 170,000 new non-service-sector jobs by 2023 in order to become economically competitive. How might the state add nearly 17,000 jobs a year over the next ten years? And The Line discusses a petition making the rounds in Albuquerque that could put a city-wide ban on late term abortions. The Line opinion panel also takes on a sampling of this week’s headlines “On the Clock”.

Host: Gene Grant

Guest: Eric Draper, Former White House Photographer

Correspondent: Matt Grubs, Former NMiF Producer

Line Panelists:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Laura Sanchez, CEO, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce

Line Guests:
Dr. Harold Bailey, President, Albuquerque Chapter, NAACP
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, UNM Law Professor

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 704 for air July 26, 2013