Posted on 03/25/2007 11:05:15 AM PDT by woofie
WASHINGTON— The 2008 elections are 20 months away, but New Mexico politicos are re-evaluating the landscape following the controversy touched off by former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias.
Iglesias claims he was fired for political reasons after fellow Republicans Pete Domenici and Heather Wilson called him last October to inquire about indictments in public corruption probes.
Democrats look at the growing controversy as a way to finally dislodge Wilson from her 1st Congressional District seat, and lots of names are being bandied about.
Albuquerque City Council President Debbie O'Malley said she has considered running against Wilson, and council colleague Martin Heinrich said he is actively considering a challenge.
Democrats are already airing radio ads targeting Wilson over the allegations but are much more cautious in assessing their chances against Domenici, the state's senior senator, who has served six terms.
"My personal opinion is that Heather Wilson will never be elected again for anything in New Mexico," said Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez. "Unlike Senator Domenici, she hasn't had much of a career and doesn't have much of a legacy. It (the Iglesias controversy) presents an opportunity for anyone, Republican or Democrat."
Domenici and Wilson acknowledge making the calls to Iglesias but insist they didn't pressure him or do anything inappropriate.
Both say they will seek re-election.
Steve Bell, Domenici's chief of staff and closest adviser, said last week the senator is definitely running. Anyone who thinks Domenici would walk away over the first serious ethical charge of his career is wrong, he said.
"He is running, and we're raising a lot of money," Bell said, adding as a warning to potential challengers that Domenici intends to raise $6 million for his seventh U.S. Senate race.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
This is part of the reason you will find David Iglesias on Meet The Pipple this am ..(I didnt see it yet)
One of the US attorneys fired was from NM, where voter fraud is rampant and he wouldn't bring charges because he's a pal of Sweatin' Billy Richardson, the Governor. With all the illegal Mexicans voting for more welfare in NM, it doesn't surprise me at all that the Dems feel they can win.
8:20am UPDATE from the Journal Blog: "Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, an outspoken Republican, just got through with a phone interview with 770 KKOB Radio's morning show fill-in host Pat Frisch, telling Frisch and listeners that complaints about fired U.S. Attorney David Iglesias's performance had been circulating since at least 2004 and not from politicians, but from federal law enforcement officials (none of whom were named)."
link:
http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2857&Itemid=2
If they couldnt beat Wilson in 2006 when everything was going their way, I doubt she can be beaten next time.
Richardson was on some show over the weekend and his pants leg rode up high enough you could see his bare leg. How embarrassing. ;) You'd think these politicians would know enough not to let a thing like that happen.
I suggest the next time a Republican Administration decides to fire US Attorneys, they should threaten them with the secret CIA files like the former administration. Haven't they learned anything?
That is what the whole "scandal" is about. If the democrats get Pete's seat its a treat.
The Rodents will use anything they can. And they have created at least the appearance of a scandal, though that may fade once all the facts get out.
Bottom line is that Dims know how to play politics and are merciless. They're like UFC fighters to the GOP's Cub Scouts.
I agree that Heather could be in some trouble, especially if they field a candidate with more than three brain cells (unlike Patsy). Pete is probably safe, but after 6 terms being a "nice guy" and getting savaged, this is a wakeup call for him.
Slim, you might be right, but what Republican are the Dems going to run? Iglesias? I've watched enough Gov-TV to ascertain that neither O'Malley nor Heinrich have that much brain wave function.
This whole deal smells. A political appointee doesn't turn on his benefactors like Iglesias has, unless they have other friends who are more powerful. Maybe Iglesias learned something about corruption for $$ while investigating the state treasurers.
There is no there there.
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