Via TPM. Here’s the Associated Press version: Retiring Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., created an appearance of impropriety when he called a federal prosecutor in New Mexico to inquire about the timing of corruption indictments, the Senate ethics committee said Thursday. The committee criticized Domenici in a letter to the senator, but it recommended no punishment. [...]

While reading this The Hill article on the Senate’s efforts to pass a broader economic stimulus package, I was surprised to see Sen. Pete Domenici listed as one of the Republicans voting for cloture. Then, I remembered that energy efficiency tax credits were part of the package (more here at TAPPED) . Domenici, if you [...]

As this article in The Hill makes clear, the firing of nine US attorneys in 2006-07 has disappeared from the front pages since Alberto Gonzales resigned as US Attorney General last year. The article asserts that investigations into the firings will bring a renewed focus on the scandal, and, of course, New Mexico plays front-and-center: [...]

To add to what LP said about the energy bill, it’s worth noting that the proposed Renewable Energy Standard falls short of what New Mexico has already adopted: In March 2007, New Mexico passed SB 418, which directs investor-owned utilities to generate 20% of total retail sales to New Mexico customers from renewable energy resources [...]

Via my boss’s blog comes this MyDD post on ethics investigations in the Senate. Sen. Pete Domenici finds his name at the top of the list: After a series of non-denial denials, Domenici admitted to contacting then-U.S. Attorney David Iglesias regarding an ongoing corruption investigation, an investigation that was politically sensitive and could impact 2006 [...]

I think Jim is right: a month ago, the New Mexico GOP was assured they would have at least one representative in Congress, if not three, following the next election. Now, with Sen. Pete Domenici retiring and Rep. Steve Pearce and Rep. Heather Wilson scrambling to replace him, they don’t have a single incumbent running [...]

Since Karen asked, I guess I should comment a bit more thoroughly on what Pete Domenici’s retirement means for the 2008 Senate race in New Mexico. Overheard in Arlington last night: I think Democrats have a good chance to pick up some seats everywhere, not just in New Mexico. I think that sums up the [...]

I’ve got to get going, but don’t think I haven’t been reading about Domenici’s impending retirement. I’ll have more thoughts later. As usual, I’ll refer you to Heath’s place for the latest throughout the day. Of course, there’s one point he makes: Richardson insists he isn’t interested in the Senate race, and Democrats have the [...]

For those who still care: In a 56-43 vote, the Senate today “narrowly rejected” legislation that would have restored habeas corpus rights to military detainees and given them “the right to protest their detention in federal court.” The roll call fell four votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. UPDATE: Full roll [...]

Heath Haussamen noted that Rep. Heather Wilson spent the day in Las Cruces, following on the heels of a visit to Rep. Tom Udall’s district. Las Cruces is, of course, Rep. Steve Pearce’s district. Heath cut straight to the chase: She is – or at least, until the U.S. attorney controversy broke, was – the [...]

Borrowing a page from John’s playbook, here’s a bit of what’s going on with me right now ((I do not get any money from these if you click them. It’s just something I’m doing for fun)): Reading: I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns last night. Like Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini’s first novel, Suns is set [...]

According to TPM Muckraker, the House Judiciary Committee has approved immunity for Monica Goodling, the former Alberto Gonzales aide many think can answer a whole bunch of questions regarding the firing of the eight U.S. Attorneys: The House Judiciary Committee, by a vote of 32-6, just authorized a subpoena for Monica Goodling’s testimony and an [...]