DOMENICI: NON COMPOS MENTIS?
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by Karen Allen
We’ve been seeing recently a Pete Domenici that his staff members hoped would never come to light. U.S. Senator Peter Domenici (R-NM) is 74 years old. He wears a hearing aid in each ear, has bursitis in both hips, has spinal stenosis and has made trips to former Senator Bill Frist’s "clinic" in Tennessee for treatment. Apparently he is under constant medical care. To get to the senate floor from his office, he walks slowly with aides supporting him on either side. He stops frequently to brace himself against a wall or desk before he reaches his own desk on the floor of the senate. On occasion he has been spotted wearing a jacket with a large rip in it. More notoriously, he was seen last December wearing black and white plaid flannel pajamas bottoms, ambling through the Capitol halls, his outfit complimented by a wrinkled t-shirt. Some have said they’ve spotted him walking the halls in just his boxer shorts. Questioned about this, the senator, through his staff, responded, "I believe in dressing New Mexico casual."
Domenici has been in the spotlight in the last few days for his prominent role in the firing of New Mexico U.S. Attorney David C. Iglesias in January. Iglesias has testified under oath this week in congressional hearings that Domenici in October violated a fundamental ethical rule by telephoning him at his office to gain information and to interfere with a case against a New Mexico Democrat, just one month prior to the November election. Iglesias refused to discuss the pending case with him. Confronted with the rumors of what Iglesias would state in his testimony this week, Domenici at first said he couldn’t recall ever phoning Iglesias. More recently, Domenici has admitted phoning Iglesias and later contacting the Department of Justice and the White House concerning the U.S. Attorney.
Although Howie doesn't give it any credence, Domenici has stated he intends to run for re-election in the upcoming 2008 election. Perhaps he wants to strengthen his tenure in the annals of politicians with dementia.
Karen Allen comes to us as a commenter from Firedoglake.com. Expect to hear more from her. She will be our new Mean Jean Schmidt expert.
UPDATE:
Labels: New Mexico, Pete Domenici, U.S.-attorney purge
posted by DownWithTyranny @ 7:25 AM
6 comments
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6 Comments:
Gosh, this is depressing.
I actually developed real respect for Pete Domenici when the Republicans took over the Senate and were suddenly confronted with the challenge of governing as opposed to whining in opposition. Obviously I didn't agree with him about much politically, but I think he was sincere in his views and a conscientious public servant.
In the end Time brings us all down, and if it chooses to do so in cruel ways, it has some REALLY cruel ones at its disposal.
Ken
The Democratic Party should lean on Bill Richardson to run for Senate rather run for President. Domenici is obviously in trouble, whether he has a high approval rating or not, he has to campaign.
Out with the old in with the new
For years, Domenici has been referred to by Senate staffers as "Sneaky Pete" due to his way of slipping things by his colleagues. When he chaired the Senate Approps subcommittee on Energy, he could barely manage coherent questions to the witnesses. He's arrogant, confused and needs to go.
Why all the complaints? He's just a typical scumpublican, no better and no worse than the rest of them.
this is creepy / Domenici is only 74 ? i say only bc I have 73 years and am no where near in such ghastly shape / why are his staff and family letting him loose like this / i wd hope that my family would be more responsible if and/or when i begin to have incompetency (physical or mental) issues
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