Sen. Pete Domenici announces retirement

[420inTN]

Source: AP (via Yahoo News)

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico intends to retire at the end of his term next year, closing out a 36-year career in Congress, Republican officials said Wednesday.

These officials said the 75-year-old Domenici intends to make a formal announcement on Thursday in his home state. They spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting the six-term lawmaker.

Domenici would be the fifth Republican senator to decline to seek a new term, giving Democrats an opportunity to expand their majority in the 2008 elections. GOP Sens. John Warner of Virginia, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Larry Craig of Idaho and Wayne Allard of Colorado have previously announced plans not to run again.

The New Mexico Republican had earlier signaled a desire to run for re-election, despite coming under criticism this year over his role in urging the administration to fire U.S. Attorney David Iglesias.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_el_se/domenici_retiring;_ylt=AqBNn5mVRWLpYQNU0WmA52ys0NUE

[ISUGRADIA]

1. Another Dem senator in 2009

[Warpy]

8. I hope the Dems can find somebody.

this is poor timing. 2 years from now and Richardson would win the slot, easily.

[usregimechange]

20. There will be pressure on Richardson to do just that.

[Kikosexy2]

15. Well good riddance...

and let's hope David Iglesias goes after him and kicks his ass for the attorney firings scandal...

[onehandle]

25. Yeppers. nt

[AX10]

2. Bye Pete.

Loser!

[Warpy]

3. The old fossil continues to raise campaign money, though

What is he going to do with all those millions?

[OnyxCollie]

30. Pay for his upcoming legal fees a la Tom DeLay. nt

[dbackjon]

4. Senator Udall sounds right!

[Tempest]

5. Another Repug unwilling to become a casualty in 2008

So much for staying and fighting.

[Demeter]

6. Revenge of the US Attorney Firing Scandal!

the straw that broke the camel's back....

[Jacobin]

13. He's resiging to spend more time with his lawyers

:rofl:

[Cha]

21. Brawahahaha!

You could say that about a lot of 'em.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. I think a lot of repukes...

Have bitterly recognized they have blown it badly and could be looking at another generation or two in the minority.

Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

After the '08 election, I shall be watching the bloodbath in the repuke party with great amusement. I would expect to see a big resurgence in old-line conservatives, Rockerfeller Republicans and a waning of southern reactionary and radical influence in the party.

The downside, on the other hand, could well be some very violent and destructive acting out on the part of a newly disenfranchised fringe that still has a lot of adherents, as David Neiwert has been almost alone in predicting. One ignores Mr. Neiwert at his or her own peril.

[underpants]

10. I was thinking about this just the other day

they really revealed their whole argument as being baseless and impractical (at their own hands no less). The mainstays will continue to follow them and salivate as ordered but the independents have surely seen the light now.

Personally at least ONE other party needs to be started up for my tastes. Let the DLC have theirs and we can have an actual Democratic party.

[Cha]

22. Wouldn't that be nice

about the dlc? I think they'll just continue to suck the life outta ours like a parasitic tick.

[mikelgb]

9. "They spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting the six-term lawmaker."

I love this bullshit line they put in every "scoop" story...

remaining anonymous has nothing to do with pre-empting and everything to do with CYA...

:rofl:

[abq e streeter]

11. They've been grooming Heather Wilson for this for years

I hope to god the US Attorney firings derail this; Heather in the senate would be horrible.

[Mr Rabble]

12. So then he is about to be indicted? nt

[YDogg]

17. hope so

[MidwestTransplant]

23. Nah, he just has a wide stance too. ;)

[Purveyor]

14. Great news indeed! This senate seat is Richardson's for the taking... eom

[Gin]

16. Is Craig still there? if so...I thought he resigned.

g

[AZ Criminal JD]

26. He changed his mind

He is not going anywhere.

[gratuitous]

18. Another Senate seat for the GOP to defend

And it's not like the Republicans have been raising a whole lot of money for their Senate campaigns. Losing yet another incumbent bodes poorly for their hopes of re-taking the Senate in 2008. This should send Lieberman into overdrive, though, as his influence as a swing vote will be dropping every day from now until then.

[Olney Blue]

19. Out with the old, in with the new!

New dems, that is.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

24. Dinky, meet Coinky.

:rofl:

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

27. Domenici

"Another one bites the dust..."

[Gamey]

28. Good riddance to another Bush rubber stamper....

...though he did help that last greatest President balance the budget.

[Hepburn]

29. Bu-bye, Pete...you POS jerk....

....the only good thing you ever did was link Heather Wilson to the US Atty scandal so that your pal Heather, the other Repuke POS from your state, will have problems running for your US Sen seat.

[liberalla]

31. Woo hoo! Some good news amidst all the other crap!

Another open seat! I hope he still gets thoroughly investigated and indicted for his part in the DOJ firings.

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[formercia]

32. Another Crusader bites the dust.

He is SMOM.

[Dulcinea]

33. It seems his health is failing.

Sources: New Mexico senator won't seek seventh term

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/04/senate.newmexico/index.html

[bdamomma]

34. they are jumping ship!!!! we need to get more Dems in there

who are for us!!!