Domenici: "I Regret Making That Call and I Apologize"

[hang a left]

By Paul Kiel - March 4, 2007, 10:31 AM

A statement just out from Sen. Pete Domenici's (R-NM) office:

I take this opportunity to comment directly on media statements by former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, David Iglesias.

Since my knowledge of his remarks stems only from a variety of media accounts, I have hesitated to respond. Nevertheless, in light of substantial public interest, I have decided to comment.

I called Mr. Iglesias late last year. My call had been preceded by months of extensive media reports about acknowledged investigations into courthouse construction, including public comments from the FBI that it had completed its work months earlier, and a growing number of inquiries from constituents. I asked Mr. Iglesias if he could tell me what was going on in that investigation and give me an idea of what timeframe we were looking at. It was a very brief conversation, which concluded when I was told that the courthouse investigation would be continuing for a lengthy period.

In retrospect, I regret making that call and I apologize. However, at no time in that conversation or any other conversation with Mr. Iglesias did I ever tell him what course of action I thought he should take on any legal matter. I have never pressured him nor threatened him in any way.

snip>

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002671.php

[Buzz Clik]

1. So, Pete, you gonna get his job back for him?

Sorry sack of shit.

[DemKR]

2. Yeah right

The culture of corruption continues in Washington, I guess, with new members coming aboard every day. It is shameful that Senator Domenici tried to politically persuade this United States Attorney to do his bidding. Regardless of how it turned out, he still felt he was entitled to normally confidential information simply because he is a United States Senator.

[acmavm]

3. Yeah Pete, you're as pure as the driven slush.

[maddezmom]

4. not good enough n/t

[City Lights]

5. Liar. Pete regrets that the whole stinkin' mess has gone public.

Go Cheney yourself.

[Sydnie]

6. Shouldn't David Iglesias be the judge on whether he felt

threatened or pressured or not? duke said he didn't take any bribes, Ney said the same thing, Noe said he didn't take any funds and Nixon said he wasn't a crook.

I think I'd trust the judgement of the guy that was on the receiving end to make that call, Domenici. Not you.

[Toots]

11. You aren't suggesting Republicans might LIE are you?

The horror , oh the horror....The entire world could come crashing down....

[Sydnie]

16. I un-categorically believe that I wasn't saying that at all

I don't think you should be able to judge that just by my statement or by the fact that I made the statement at all. I think I have the last say in whether I was saying they are/were liars or not. And, given the logic applied in the statement that prompted my statement, I don't believe I said that, no matter what you believe the meaning of what I said to be. I wish I hadn't said it, but I don't believe that I did say any such thing, no matter what you think you read. Got it? ;) :evilgrin:

[Toots]

20. Yes I certainly believe you and not my own damn Lying eyes

:shrug:

[Sydnie]

23. In case you missed it

my previous post was just a joke. A take off, if you will, on Domenici and his logic. :)

[babylonsister]

21. ...

:wow: :rofl:

[Justice Is Comin]

32. Nyuk nyuk nyuk

lol :thumbsup:

[gulliver]

7. He never pressured him. He just asked him about the timeframe...

... because of a "growing number of inquiries from constituents." It wasn't interfering with the duties of a U.S. District Attorney. It was just curiosity.

[gratuitous]

8. Well, we've gone from "I never made any call" to . . .

"No comment on whether I made any call" to "Okay, you lot, maybe I did make a call, but I didn't pressure the U.S. Attorney or threaten him in any way." Want to keep going, Mr. Domenici? Because apparently Mr. Iglesias is going to testify under oath that you're a liar. Can the Senate subpoena one of its own members?

[SalmonChantedEvening]

10. It's the Ted Haggard formula. n/t

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. Wow, K & R. I grew up in N.M. under Domenici's governorship. I can only hope this is, finally, the

end of his corrupt career. MKJ

edited to add: Wonder why he didn't have "retrospect" regret a few hours, or even days, after the incident.

[Blackhatjack]

12. Quite believeable... if you are from another planet! LOL

He had to make the call personally rather than have a staff member get that for him, right?

[spanone]

13. k & r

[VP505]

14. Domenici is one

of those who have been able to fly under the radar for the last six years, many of his constituents have NO clue what a partisan hack he has turned into. Prior to 2000 , although a RePuke he was moderate enough to be considered a fairly good Senator for NM. Every time I write a letter to the editor criticizing his vote, or his hurtful to constituent position on some issue or another, they don't print it. Looks like nobody wants to hear any criticism of Mr Domenici. Perhaps this incident will expose his for what he is and hopefully we can un-seat him in 08 and get someone who actually represents NM rather than the Bu$h misAdministration.

[Bitwit1234]

15. Edit to the quote.................

"I regret getting CAUGHT making that call. I think the lawyer should apolige to me for revealing it."

[Sydnie]

17. Cheney did set the example on who should be required to make

an apology, didn't he? :rofl:

[radfringe]

18. WHOOOOP WHOOOOP WHOOOP WHOOOOP

RED ALERT RED ALERT DAMAGE CONTROL DAMAGE CONTROL ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR SPINNING

[tanyev]

19. Is he off to rehab now?

[Doondoo]

22. K&R

[Hepburn]

24. This statement from Domenici is bullshit.

How many people are calling his office to ask about an investigation into courthouse funding? Sheesh...GMAB. Look at what is going on right now: ANS all over the news instead of things like the conditions of WR Hospital.


Hey, Pete: Care to explain why you didn't write a letter that just merely asked about the status? Ummmm....sure....courthouse funding was soooooooooooo important, such a critical issue, that you made a personal phone call. Sure, Pete....your "constituents" were just sooooo interested in the funding of a courthouse. Btw, Bucko, I gotta bridge....

:eyes:

[Straight Shooter]

25. What Pete "The Mouth That Roars" Domenici *wanted* to say:

"I made the call and I'm really really sorry that Democrats control Congress because otherwise I would have gotten away with it."

Hey, Pete, as an Oregonian and very proud of my Senator Ron Wyden whom you attempted to trash on the Senate floor, may I say, "Go Cheney yourself."

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. It's easier to say, I'm sorry, than to actually be held accountable for

corruption.

It must be great to be a Republican.

[BootinUp]

27. No pressure or threats, yeah that makes sense. /sarcasm

[WillyT]

28. K & R !!!

:kick:

[cali]

29. Apology NOT accepted.

Fucking Domenici. Of course the call was to pressure Inglesias. And even if he's telling the truth, and didn't directly ask Inglesias to speed things up, the call alone from a U.S. Senator to a U.S. Attorner about a case where the alleged wrongdoer is a democrat, before an election that was predicted to (and turned out to be) very close, was itself a form of pressure.

I say charge Domenici and Wilson with obstruction.

[seemunkee]

30. I have no idea what he's talking about," Domenici told the Associated Press

drip, drip, drip. Little by little the truth comes out.
You want to change your story again Pete?

[bobbolink]

31. Give it up, Pete, and take Heather with you!

That's two sleeeezy people who need to leave a beautiful state.

:nuke:

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. COVER YOUR ASS TIME! Too late, Petey! You've been exposed. n/t

[formercia]

34. So resign, already

We could use another Democratic Senator and get rid of KAPO Joe for good.

[Morgana LaFey]

35. Oh, yeah, like a call like that isn't already pressure?

I asked Mr. Iglesias if he could tell me what was going on in that investigation and give me an idea of what timeframe we were looking at.

No pressure there from a Congressman, nosirreeeeeeeeeee.