The Good: Senator Domenici Jumps Ship, The Bad: He's Up for Reelection The Ugly: Personal Gain or From the Heart?

Senator Peter Domenici (R-NM) is jumping  President Bush's "supportthe Iraqi War" Ship.  Although technically I supposeit's a good thing, I however do not believe it was a decision from the heart and for the people. TheWashington Post says  Domenici is a "party loyalist and formerstaunch war supporter," and thus "one of the most significant GOPlosses to date." So why the change of mind? How about he's upfor reelection next year for starters?

Sen. Peter Domenici, a New Mexico Republican who is up for reelection nextyear, broke with President Bush on the Iraq war. Domenici's move is beingtreated as a significant development, indicative of Bush's increasingly weakposition within his own party. The WashingtonPost says Domenici is a "party loyalist and former staunch warsupporter," and thus "one of the most significant GOP losses todate." The timing of Domenici's announcement is interesting. As the WallStreet Journal reports, "a showdown is likely" in coming weeks"over a Democratic amendment to the main Defense Department spending billdemanding that US troops begin leaving Iraq within 120 days." The NewYork Times notes that is "an idea Mr. Bush has alreadyvetoed," and in fact Domenici "made it clear Thursday that he did notsupport such measures either, saying, 'I'm not calling for an immediatewithdrawal from Iraq or a reduction in funding for our troops, but I am callingfor a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on thepath to continuing home.'" Instead, USAToday reports, Domenici "supports a bipartisan bill that embracesfindings of the Iraq Study Group, which said combat troops could be out by March2008 if certain steps were taken."

U.S.News & World Report: The APnotes Domenici "said he has not talked to the administration about wantinga strategy shift," and the LosAngeles Times reports the senator's comments "drew a measuredresponse from the White House, which has been trying to maintain Republicansupport for the president's 6-month-old strategy of using additional Americanforces, primarily in Baghdad, to control sectarian violence." ABC WorldNews said the White House is worried over Domenici's defection, but"officials are taking some comfort by the fact that he said he wasn't readyto cut off funding, wasn't ready to call for a complete withdrawal oftroops." ReadOn...

In my opinion this is another example of "what'sbest for me?" self gain; more votes; campaign slogans; and whatever elsecomes along with decisions made for personal reasons and not for the people. Icould be wrong, but I need to see his true change if he does win the reelection. And if I know me, I'll dig this up after the elections and give him an "atta-boy" or a "you self promoting, self gain useless piece of crap" post.

Comments

[granny]

Tony ~
This is a VERY good story about Domenici! Every bit of skepticism is well deserved.Once again, you're on the money with this: "I however do not believe it was a decision from the heart and for the people."

Not being in your shoes, I'd even go so far as to speculate that he and the White House are working together on this one. A ploy to water down what now appears to be the inevitable "compromise" - to give Bush a foothold on appearing "responsive" (may stem the tide on a mass defection if this appears to have gotten some form of "change" in the works) - and to give Domenici a crack at the election with his "heroic" stand.

I think it's a smoke screen.

Domenici is faced with re-election in the home state of Richardson, who is making unanticipated (by Domenici's camp) progress in his run for the Democratic candidacy; a state with a very strong Democratic component, and at the same time one in which "the church" weilds enormous power. He has (or did have) a sister who is a nun, and has historically supported "the church" position in all political issues (including the protection of culpable priests and church hierarchy, even to the point of villification of the victims).

Hence, New Mexico is now a prime battle ground in the next election.

AND, he is a major actor in the Justice Department firings - which still has the potential for further unraveling. Remember, it was the New Mexico Judge who spoke up first on his own firing, which got the ball rolling...and Domenici (it appears) who got him fired.

Domenici is a major (MAJOR) actor in the conservative camp, with unlimited willingness to do or say, what needs to be done or said to further his own interests.

His past history is one of complete self interest. Not an honest bone in his body, I'd say. Good take on this news!

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Great article. The Tony and Granny are right on the money. Domenici, like all the other GOP senators that are about to turn against this war, is doing so because he would fail to get reelected in 2008. All these people care about is doing what it takes to stay in power. They each have different reasons for wanting to be a US Senator. But the WHOLE POINT of a public official is to SERVE the public, not to selfishly spin their way to reelection.

[George]

I admire a man who after 5 years of fighting the good fight to give war its fair chance to succeed, against opposition with 26% approval comes out and questions for 10 seconds his point of view. Now that's leadership.

Now get back in line.