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Thanks for The Memories
You can add Sen. Pete Domenici's (R-NM) name to the flurry of Justice Department officials who bowed out in the wake of the U.S. attorney firing scandal. The Washington Post reports that he's expected to retire next November rather than seek reelection.
A brief walk down memory lane: in October of 2006, Domenici called U.S. Attorney for New Mexico David Iglesias to ask about whether an indictment against a prominent state Democrat on public corruption charges was forthcoming before the election. When Iglesias said no, "the line went dead."
After ducking questions about the first reports of the call this February, then saying "I have no idea what he's talking about," he finally admitted that he'd made the call and said he regretted it.
And not only did Domenici call to pressure Iglesias, he was also instrumental in his firing, making calls not only to the Justice Department, but also to the White House.
The only explanation offered for those complaints was a vague frustration that Iglesias didn't file enough cases -- a complaint that didn't hold up to scrutiny. Alberto Gonzales, in his Congressional testimony, got even more specific, saying that Domenici had complained about Iglesias' work on corruption cases, which seems closer to the truth.
Domenici's role was, and remains, the most damning evidence of a political motivation in the firings. And with the possibility of a full-blown ethics investigation looming large, Domenici has decided to move on.
It is, by our count, the ninth retirement or resignation related to the scandal.
Comments (20)
moondancer wrote on October 3, 2007 5:51 PM:Ring this up as a blue pickup.
Captain Nemo wrote on October 3, 2007 6:09 PM:Why not David Iglesias?
Kevbo wrote on October 3, 2007 6:14 PM:I recently heard the Senator speaking at a ground breaking ceremony. While the Iglacious scandal may well be the factor that tipped the balance, it was obvious to all that he really needed to retire.
I've met the Senator a few times over the years, and heard him speak at length at luncheon about 10 years ago. I've never been a fan or supporter, but is was rather sad to hear his current lack of coherence.
nofltwlt wrote on October 3, 2007 6:15 PM:Domenici must be tried for obstruction of justice either now or after Democrats take over the WH and congress.
Frank wrote on October 3, 2007 6:53 PM:All those years in the senate now crowned with his leaving in disgrace.
How many more are there like him not yet caught in the act?
Good bye senator, May your memorys not be burdoned with why you left the senate.Your solace should nestle in the happy thoughts of what you got away with by leaving the senate this way.
eric wrote on October 3, 2007 7:27 PM:Bill Richardson should run for this. But he won't because he wants to be VP.
I hope the dems have a good candidate available, because this could be a pickup.
Dr. Wu wrote on October 3, 2007 7:45 PM:Another cog out of the massive criminal conspiracy. Every little bit helps.
cs wrote on October 3, 2007 9:23 PM:um...no.
gjdodger wrote on October 3, 2007 9:30 PM:This post is incorrect.
It's been public knowledge for several years that Domenici has been intending to retire in 2008.
Yes, there's an ethics issue here, but it's completely separate from his retirement.
david iglesias, cap'n, would keep new mexico from being a blue pickup. he was and remains a loyal republican.
nofltwlt wrote on October 3, 2007 9:38 PM:"Thanks for the memories", I wish we, Americans who value the rule of law and how it protects all of us, could say the same.
gwpriester Placitas, NM wrote on October 3, 2007 9:47 PM:Representative Heather Wilson will most likely seek Dominici's seat. She squeaked out victories in her last few races and I can't see how she can win. If Richardson would pull out of the presidential race, which he is not even close to getting the nomination, and ran for the seat he would be a shoe in.
adamgarrigus wrote on October 3, 2007 10:34 PM:Alberto Gonzales, in his Congressional testimony, got even more specific, saying that Iglesias had complained about Iglesias' work on corruption cases, which seems closer to the truth.
You probably mean "Domenici had complained about Iglesias's work".
NYSoxfan wrote on October 3, 2007 11:43 PM:what about Patricia Madrid? she came within 900 votes of unseating Heather Wilson in 2006. Not sure if she is up for another bid at Congress but one would think she would be competitive for either seat, and turning one Blue.
Cinderella Ferret wrote on October 4, 2007 2:09 AM:If NM Democrats give the nod to Madrid they deserve to lose. Patsy is an awful candidate and lost to a much weakened Heather Wilson last cycle. Patsy is not real quick on her feet when challenged with a tough questions. Definitely not ready for the National stage.
Tom Udall (D-NM02) is considering a run. Tom is an excellent candidate and well respected. He and Bingaman would be a great team for the Country and the State.
Bill says he's a candidate for Prez. Period.
Current Lt Gov Diane Denish has said she will take a look at the possibility but I suspect she will continue to seek the Governor's office when Bill's term expires in 2010. Diane will be a strong candidate no matter which way she goes.
Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez may take a look at running but he has let it be known he is running for Governor. Marty is an asshole and would make a great Republican. (He's a lying weasel with a vindictive streak a mile long. Giuliani-esque you might say. But he does have most of his hair.)
Cinderella Ferret wrote on October 4, 2007 2:19 AM:Paul you are factually correct about Domenici's involvement in the USA scandal, but the last two sentences of your post are very premature. (I am being polite.)
Pete will announce tomorrow that he is retiring because he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration which can impair decision making abilities. Here is a link to local reporting:
http://www.koat.com/news/14264099/detail.html
A bit of restraint may be in order.
Happy New Mexican wrote on October 4, 2007 2:47 AM:Bush has no brain functions whatsoever; I don't see him retiring over "health". Cheney has no heart whatsoever. He's staying. So, I'm not buying "health" as a reason for Domenici's announcement.
Besides the Senate ethics complaints talked about by CREW and truthout (and this site and others) -- Domenici's recent, apparently failed fundraiser, may have something to do with it: if even the presence of the president results in an underwhelming income ... well, maybe it's time to go. (All that short visit really resulted in was the death of a local highway patrol officer, assigned to Bush's security detail.)
Happy New Mexican wrote on October 4, 2007 4:13 AM:Rethinking my post, above. What if that so-called fundraiser was really George's attempt to convince a secretly-retiring Domenici to "stay the course"? I see on Google news something like 450+ reports on the story of Domenici retiring ... and the man hasn't even made the quiet little announcement he intended to (in Albuquerque New Mexico at 4 PM today). A common theme: more openings for Dems to take seats away from Reps, especially in the current climate, could mean a total dominance of Democrats -- exactly what Rove planned for a One Party country: just not the party he planned it for.
I can picture it now: Bush begging Pete to stay; Pete telling Bush, "I've taken all the abuse I'm going to, for you" or "you and your kind ruined my career; are you kidding me?" or "I can't take another few years of this crap; and you're doomed, anyway, George".
It might also explain the dead cop: Bush ordering a black cop run off the road? Or ordering the drivers to go way too fast? (It appeared that many NM cops were really ticked off; and even just an hour or two after the death of one of their own, had all sorts of fancy stuff out and in use: like for a homicide.) Just speculating, here; but I wonder...?
Things are going worse for Republicans than we might think, I think; which may also explain them sinking to new lows?
Outside observer wrote on October 4, 2007 10:44 AM:I really think David Iglesias should run for Senate. He'd have a better shot than Wilson, and he would also be an incredible Senator- a man of character etc. He would also have the added advantage of having been against the administration at times, which would help as well.
So the question is how can people convince him to run?
Cay Borduin wrote on October 4, 2007 11:15 AM:Just heard on NPR that a draft of Domenici's retirement announcement states that he has a progressive brain disease. What gives?
Mike Kuykendall wrote on October 4, 2007 12:50 PM:It's called Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration, and it causes "...emotional blunting and loss of insight. Other common features are disinhibition, neglect of personal hygiene, mental rigidity, perseverative behaviors, voracious appetite and hyperorality."
This may explain the pajamas...
http://indigentahole.blogspot.com/2007/10/domenici-cites-disease-as-reason-for.html