Comments (49)

Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2007 4:07 PM:

How can this not be a conflict of interest on Blalack's part, considering the issue involved?

Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2007 4:09 PM:

Sure does make you wish your head would explode already.

bob wrote on March 7, 2007 4:13 PM:

even the repubs know that to include someone outside the scope of their evildoing now woudl be just another point of failuer in their terror cell. so the lawyershave familiar faces.

ahem wrote on March 7, 2007 4:17 PM:

Remember: It's not a story until Jay Carney decides it is.

Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2007 4:18 PM:

Iglesias... Domenici... Blalack... Cunningham... Lam

It's a game of six degrees of GOP corruption, and if the Repubs are intent on connecting those dots for us, more power to them.

(Verification word: "waste")

On the Clock wrote on March 7, 2007 4:20 PM:

What's Lee Blalack's pitch, here? "Dollars to doughnuts I can getcha half the time I got the Dukestir?

Whole lotta flushing about to happen in the GOP...

r€nato wrote on March 7, 2007 4:21 PM:

now now, just because a guy lawyers up, it doesn't mean he's guilty... it just smells like guilt!

Dr. Wu wrote on March 7, 2007 4:25 PM:

Oh, Pete, we hardly knew ye. Say hello to the Dukester for us, ok?

Robin Boerner wrote on March 7, 2007 4:26 PM:

"As attorney for Cunningham, who is serving a sentence of more than eight years,"

Wouldn't you want to hire a lawyer who actually WON the case?

zappa wrote on March 7, 2007 4:29 PM:

I guess Ted Wells wasn't available until he gets done with Scooters appeal.

Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2007 4:31 PM:

Wouldn't you want to hire a lawyer who actually WON the case?

Yes you would want to hire a lawyer who sucessfully had his Repub client acquitted, and proved their was not even a hint of impropriety in the defendant's doings, and the entire indictment was a politically motivated attack by Democrats.

Got any reccomendations?

vaughan19 wrote on March 7, 2007 4:33 PM:

In coverage of this story on both PBS and CBS last night, both stories were certain to note that Domenici and Wilson claim they were not trying to exert influence when they called Iglesias.

It owuld have been nice if they could've added the missing context: "both Domenici and Wilson initially denied making the calls."

Viewers deserve to know that thier first reaction was to lie, and only after pressure built over the weekend did they see the need to rollback to another alibi. But in the 20 seconds that the networks devoted to this story, there was not time for that crucial information, I guess.

Leonard wrote on March 7, 2007 4:34 PM:

OK, so if Domenici resigns, Gov. Richardson appoints a Dem to the seat. Kinda neutralizes Lieberman's little power play, doesn't it.

lestatdelc wrote on March 7, 2007 4:36 PM:

Posted by: Leonard

Don't tease us like that.

(code word "birth")

Gus wrote on March 7, 2007 4:36 PM:

I won't cry if Domenici gets screwed, but I do have a fond memory of him being obviously honestly broken up by Wellstone's death.

Jim Pharo wrote on March 7, 2007 4:41 PM:

Glad to see them aping our old habit of hiring losers.

Bye, Pete.

David Jacobs wrote on March 7, 2007 4:46 PM:

Yes indeed Pete was fond of Mr Wellstone. Unfortunately, Pete lost his soul to the devils in the White House. Poor Pete. Political Karma is a bitch!

Ron Byers wrote on March 7, 2007 4:46 PM:

Lets see, Duke "Top Gun" Cunningham, played by Tom Cruise goes to prison for 8 years. He is represented by Lee Blalack. Pete Domenici allegedly muscles David Iglesias the model of the JAG lawyer played by Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men. Clearly Tom Cruise is going to reprise his David Iglesias role. Who is going to play Pete Domenici? Jack Nickelson. Who is going to Blalack? Val Kilmer.

Finally what role is Kevin Bacon going to play?

This just writes itself.

Long Memory wrote on March 7, 2007 4:48 PM:

My favorite part, or parts, of the story is Sen. Pete calling the USA at his freakin' home to ask about an investigation, then HANGING UP on him when he doesn't hear the answer he wanted to hear. It's like the Godfather.

I'll bet Iglesias expected half-expected to find his poodle's head in bed with him the next morning.

LastDemInNorman wrote on March 7, 2007 5:02 PM:

Its called a 'consigliere'. See the Wiki on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consigliere

You have to keep it in the family. These guys will get more business shortly.

Think about it, this has really been organized crime.

LastDem

oldtree wrote on March 7, 2007 5:04 PM:

Gives one pause to think the the senator has perhaps crossed the line on other matters beyond the potential indictment for obstruction of justice. I agree with the other post about how this wouldn't be a conflict of interest. Although, if it isn't, it only means that Sen. Petey may not have taken monies from ol' Jackie A.

Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2007 5:07 PM:

The fact that Iglesias was called AT HOME by Domenici and AT A RANDOM HOTEL by Wilson suggests that both Wilson and Domenici had some reason NOT to call Iglesias at his office.

I'm sure Congressional staff would have had an easier time finding an office # than a home number....

Really makes me wonder...

Legalize wrote on March 7, 2007 5:09 PM:

What? This is a total conflict of interest for Blalack.

SkippyFlipjack wrote on March 7, 2007 5:13 PM:

where's the conflict of interest?

Frank Probst wrote on March 7, 2007 5:23 PM:

Remind me again. How'd that all work out for Cunningham?

Allsburg wrote on March 7, 2007 5:24 PM:

Now now, Vaughn19, let's keep the context straight. Wilson did not deny the call--she just refused to comment.

And, if I bend over backwards, I can charitably interpret Domenici's "I don't know what he's talking about" to express that his recollection of the conversation diverged substantially from Iglesias's, but that he was not necessarily denying that a conversation occurred.

I'm not defending them--I'm just trying to keep the attack on target.

Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2007 5:27 PM:

Maybe there's a subliminal message, when they call you at home.
We got your number and we know where you live, so watch it pal.

Enoch Root wrote on March 7, 2007 5:30 PM:

That's not irony.

(What's ironic is that the CAPTCHA code I have to type in in order to post this comment is 'profit.')

bjobotts wrote on March 7, 2007 5:33 PM:

First to Vaughan19: Neither Wilson or Domenici actually denied making the call to Iglesais.
I agree with it being obvious that these two had some reason for not calling Iglesais at his office. The threats were implied...heavily by both hanging up on him. And the timing of the calls just before an election...and the fact they were each placed a week and a half apart, first from the Representative, then up the chain, from the Senator and Domenici's last words were "I'm sorry to hear that"...click, are all very, very incriminating. Why was Domenici sorry to hear that if he was not implying then that he thought the indictments should come sooner which would have put them just before the elections. He's pretty much totally incriminated himself in his statement. And he thought he was being so smart. I'd lawyer up to 'cause the first thing a lawyer would tell him would be to shut up. And all of this from someone who first said, "I don't know what he's talking about." You've already screwed yourself Senator.

NM666 wrote on March 7, 2007 7:07 PM:

LastDem said: "Think about it, this has really been organized crime."

Last Dem has stumbled very close to the ultimate source of Domenici's power in NM. Pete Sr. is, of course, second generation Italian.

In the late 60s the East Coast mob moved into Rio Rancho, next door to Albuquerque, building up the place with a land scheme, bodies buried in cement, drugs and rackets following closely behind. Domenici's son, Pete Jr., is a fine family lawyer in the tradition.

Keep track of the players in this game for the next few years, after the bright lights have dimmed.

NMNeighbor wrote on March 7, 2007 7:33 PM:

Has anyone actually seen Senator Domenici speak in public, unscripted, of late? I heard him a few years ago and he was essentially incoherent and disconcerting, especially for a US Senator. I got the sense that senility was setting in. It seems that he must be completely supported by staff and handlers to appear coherent. Any thoughts or input from New Mexicans on this?

AlanDownunder wrote on March 7, 2007 8:54 PM:

Speaking of AGgate (note a semi-precious stone) and GOP law firm conflicts of interest and dot-connecting, Laura Rozen directs us to Theodore Olsen's The Great Chinese Wall of Gibson Dunn here:
http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/005735.html

The Zooooom wrote on March 7, 2007 9:19 PM:

http://politicalzoom.blogspot.com/

I would like to make an argument in defense of Sen. Pete Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson and all the people who got caught in the mess of the fired prosecutors.

Over the last few days I was thinking to myself "how is it possible that the republicans are out of power, but still have so many ethical problems"?

To answer the question, I have to go back to communication…

When the democrats have a problem with an elected official they do their research. They find a small thing they can pin on him, and then make a big noise. They demand an investigation. They demand that the Department of Justice should appoint a 'special' prosecutor.

A nice fellow sits at home one night listening to the news, and he hears that Sen. Someone Democrat… is demanding an investigation into Somebody Republican, and not just an investigation, but the Attorney General should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the alleged crime. What is the first thing that crossed his mind? "A special prosecutor….This is a serious crime". Now you can come and knock on his door and tell him that the special prosecutor came up with nothing but the only thing he will now likely remember is "this guy is a criminal". The Republican, under suspicion, is already a shade grey in everyone's mind. So the democrats get the job done.

What happens if it's vice versa, and the Democrat is under suspicion?

The Republicans hear that there is a criminal investigation going on involving a Democrat. What do they do? They call (the arrogant, selfish) prosecutor, and ask him (not demand him to investigate) about the investigation… Don’t you think that a phone call to a news reporter is worth more money then to call a prosecutor?

Ultimately, the voters decide who is eligible for office, largely based on ethical behavior. The republican lack of conveying misconduct to the public is a major factor in their current political status, which doesn't seem to be bettering.

Mark9117 wrote on March 7, 2007 10:56 PM:

I appreciate that this thread is about Senator Dominici, but I suggest the sun is setting on his career, and while it may feel good to see him hoisted, the real problem looming in the future is Wilson. She has been major tool at least since she was appointed Sec. CYFD under Governor Gary "Big J" Johnson.

She is a shameless climber and sycophant whose ambition has allowed her to stand by corrupt republicans while they schemed to sell The People down the river.

Though she's just a member of the House, she means trouble. She needs to be scrutinized.

rrPilot wrote on March 8, 2007 3:32 AM:

"CONFLICT OF INTEREST?"
I'm afraid you are all missing the point:
It's not a conflict of interest for "Duke" Cunningham's defense attorney to be hired by another Republican Felon to be -- it's the SAME interest...

cbr wrote on March 8, 2007 6:34 AM:

Does the GOP have "group-pricing" or a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for this attorney?

NM666 wrote on March 8, 2007 11:03 AM:

Hearing Domenici on local NM radio over the past few years I am sure Pete has either had a carefully concealed stroke or some degenerative nervous system disease. I don't know how else you explain his marked decline in expressing himself.

The Domenici pajamas incident at the Capitol was sad. I think his handlers may be dressing him as well as covering for his other lapses. I would not at all be surprised to hear he has dropped out of the Senate race for 2008.

ia50010 wrote on March 8, 2007 12:23 PM:

Domenici was an attorney, wasn't he? Can anyone in NM bring an ethics complaint against him to the State Bar? The bar ought to take tampering allegations seriously (speaking idealistically, I guess).

DCReaders wrote on March 8, 2007 1:46 PM:

I believe the senator called the ADA at home because all calls into the ADA's offices are recorded. Calling someone at home ensures there is no "tape" of the conversation.

Steve F wrote on March 8, 2007 5:53 PM:

You'd think he'd at least hire somebody who knows how to win. Or maybe there are a limited number of lawyers who will represent these reprobates anymore. God, lawyers with ethics? Is it possible?

ExRepublican wrote on March 10, 2007 3:29 AM:

Bye, bye, Pete. Your contribution to the Senate was good while it lasted, but now you've become another ancient southern senator too accustomed to power. Let someone with scruples learn the trade.

Aprice wrote on March 10, 2007 4:14 PM:

Senator Pete Dominici and Congresswoman Heather Wilso were only questioning what i also wondered about. Why would a New Mexico State Treasurer have over twenty charges brought against him with a delay of the trial, then when it was brought to trial all were reduced to a lesser charge which he was found guilty of.

I hope Dominici and Wilson are able to show those who bring false against them are really corrupt,
this state is represented by self serving
Democrats.

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MSN I NIIPET
MSN

Bill wrote on June 12, 2007 4:59 PM:

MSN I NIIPET
MSN

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