Pete Domenici Flips On Iraq Re-Deployment
By Nicole Belle Wednesday Jul 04, 2007 3:47pm
New Mexico Politics (Heath Haussaman):
U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici has decided to support a redeployment of many American troops from Iraq by March 2008 as part of a new, reduced mission in that war-torn country.
The GOP senator from New Mexico announced today that he has decided to cosponsor legislation that would call for the implementation of many of the Iraq Study Group recommendations. The move represents a major shift for Domenici, who up until now has supported President Bush in backing a controversial troop surge and opposing a timetable for withdrawal.[..]
The move is certain to upset Bush allies, but will also bolster Domenici's re-election bid.
Domenici said he changed his mind over the course of the last two weeks as it became clear that the Iraqi government is not meeting benchmarks that were to accompany the American troop surge. In addition, he spoke recently with the parents of fallen soldiers who urged a policy shift.
UPDATE: Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid ask Domenici to promise to put his vote where his mouth is. Reid's statement below the fold.
From an email:
Washington, DC -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today in response to Senator Pete Domenici's call for new U.S. military strategy in Iraq:
"Senator Domenici is correct to assess that the Administration's war strategy is misguided. But we will not see a much-needed change of course in Iraq until Republicans like Senators Domenici, Lugar and Voinovich are willing to stand up to President Bush and his stubborn clinging to a failed policy - and more importantly, back up their words with action. Beginning with the Defense Authorization bill next week, Republicans will have the opportunity to not just say the right things on Iraq, but vote the right way too so that we can bring the responsible end to this war that the American people demand and deserve.
"As evidence mounts that the 'surge' is failing to make Iraq more secure, we cannot wait until the Administration's September report before we change course. President Bush and the Iraqis must move now to finally accept a measure of accountability for this war, implement the Iraq Study Group recommendations, transition the mission for our combat troops and start bringing them home from an intractable civil war."
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OOOOh...more HUGGGIES.
And FRISSSSSSSSTELOSIGRICH!
Oh, surely not!! That would be -- self-serving.
Even the stupid rats are leaving now?
Calling for the implementation of many of the Iraq Study Group recommendations? What a great idea for legislation. Why hasn't anyone else thought of that. He's quite a maverick. Real forward thinker, that guy.
oh great. i don't think NM can endure six more years of that creep.
is he up for re-election in near future ?
That picture reminds me of my grandmother and grandfather attempting civility for a family photo.
Kissy-face!
Something about this photograph makes me want to puke my guts up. I'm feeling queasy already...
fuck off pete. sorry, but this POS deserves to be cleaning bathrooms in the local phillips restaurant.
like voinovich and lugar, words don't mean shit if your vote supports the thief in chief (and bush too).
and petey supported the war, the build-up, bush, the surge, etc. -- for years. and now, all of a sudden, when his position is in danger, he sees the light? fuck off pete, seriously.
Bush sure has a lot of touchy-feely for other men. I don't care, but it's hypocritical.
"Dumb-asskie" from NM is just playing to the populas in that State.
He is and always will be a supporter of bush's war; sure hope that
citizens of NM don't fall for his sudden turn-around.
They've stolen/destroyed/killed/pillaged as much as they could. With the signing of the oil and privatization agreement, the main goals of the PNAC have been accomplished.
All that is happening now is the republicans (and democrats) are putting on a show for the next election. Whoever gets elected will continue the process, and work to further the AIPAC goals.
I will never vote for anyone who doesnt support impeachment. I will never vote for anyone who has taken money from AIPAC.
I swear it won't be long before all the Republicans are going to claim they have been against the Iraq occupation all along and it was the evil Bush that was keeping the troops there. They will claim that Bush never represented them and they never backed Bush..... Vote for me I am a Republican nothing like Bush and Bush was never even a Republican. Mark my words.
Even the ugly mean nasty rats are jumping. My oh my, what can it mean? Could it mean they see a rescue election boat is out there to save them? It just might.
Bush sure likes to touch other men a lot and kiss them too. I have questions.
this just out from Sen. Domenici's office: The senator vehemently denies rumors of his pending resignation and federal indictment. There is no truth to there being investigations pending in the State of New Mexico concerning bribery, racketeering or money laundering. There will be no questions
Can I just say "Late to the fucking party!"
While I am happy - regardless of the reason - that people are starting to change their minds on the war; it pisses me the fuck off that they got away with it this far.
Do NOT let Republican politicians get away with this. Hang it around their fucking necks like the albatross it is.
I guess what I'm just saying is - we have to keep front and center the fact that they sent Americans to die for a lie, and spent *YEARS* bolstering that lie; only to flip-flop when public opinion is against them. Don't let them feign to have been against the war from the start, or even against it on principle - they aren't and we know it.
What did they same about Murtha?
What is different now? Two months ago he voted against this very thing.
RayC @ 14:
Exactly. They are going to try the "Big lie"; and we cannot let them get away with it. America has had her share of political corruption over the years, its time we slammed the door on it; and this is a fine place to start.
He and heather wilson both called u.s. attorney iglesias to pressure him to prosecute bogus "voter fraud" cases. (a black eye.) Please note that he and many repugs PLUS many democrats simply want to de-surge the troops, while increasing the number of private-contractor security forces (read "expensive mercenaries with no government oversight.") A pox on all their houses; i may vote for gravel in the primary.
Janet @ 19:
Simple - 2008 is 2 months closer.
This picture is not a cute as Lieberman's kiss, but sweet, nonetheless.
And the senator is up for reelection in 2008. Methinks there might be some triangulation going on.
wendy davis @ 21:
Exactly and don't let them forget it, either.
RayC @ 14:
this is exactly what will happen.
and those that gave slow handjobs to bush and cheney will soon claim to have been against the bush policies all along.
that would be the day my head explodes. watch for it.
Janet @ 19:
Poll number are now down to less than 20 percent "favoring"
bush's war in Iraq, so like all rats, he is trying to abandon ship
and pretend he is supporting his constitutants.
those smiles are just about as fake and contrived as the rationale for the war....
Since Bushie's relapse he sure gets along with other rich white men.
That is because the 'benchmarks' include laws that amount to outright colonial robbery, like the 'Hydrocarbon Law'.
Must be re-election time?? Same as gordon smith from Oregon. They go "middle conservative" real quick when election time is approaching for another round of lies and bullshit. Such a shell game!
For once I'm not cynical. I actually believe their affection is mutual. Mutual affection for their fascism.
Tim @ 29:
Which is now hung-up in the government of Iraq...w/Kruds, Sunni's and Shiete's
each differing as to how the oil revenues should be divided....So, maybe Exxon/Mobil
et.al. should get involved and resolve these differences by taking over the Oil fields
"for the good of all"...especially BIG Oil/Gas industry here..
Since it's now like a year since the Iraq Study Group decided their recommendations? Can't the republicans just cut to the chase, and withdraw the troops and blame the democrats for losing the war?
Thats whats gonna happen anyway!
Just another Republican flip-flopper. First he was for it and now he's against it. Sorry, Pete, this will not help your campaign. Your opponent already has the bumper sticker and the commercial ready and in hand.
F*** him!
All he freaking cares is to get reelected. I hope he loses.
NONE of the republiCONs had courage when they knew supporting bush in the Iraq war was wrong.
Now they are in their home districts and they are seeing how much their voters want us out of Iraq.
I hope his residents see how transparent he is and vote him Domenici of office!
Oh, decider, I don't feel like surging!
Maybe if all the grieving parents, husbands, wives, children of soldiers came to the White House and cried on the sidewalk outside the fence, we could end this thing. Pure credibility, if that's what it takes. At least I got that whiff of hope from the article, but maybe it's only a day-dream.
you will see ALL the repugs change their stance on redeployment in iraq. they don't want to lose their seats. they have not changed their views at all, just bastards wanting to stay in office. republicans are all two-faced fascists who support the criminals shit-for-brains and darthfartwad.
This is the same character that tried to pressure a judge into stifling the voters of New Mexico. The Republican party is self-destructing WITH a great deal of help from the man/child Bush and the Nazi Cheney.
There is a group of Republicans in Iowa that are supporting Bill Richardson from President in 2008 because they are so disgusted with their own party. That's say lot about the status of the Republican party.
It will be interesting to see how many voters fall for Domenici's transparent move to save his miserable job.
My guess, knowing the stupidity of Americans, is quite a few.
“New recruiting techniques and appeals to patriotism have helped the National Guard achieve its highest level of troops since 2001.”
The above quote was a headline from USA Today - today. WTF! This C&L piece about more extended duty by guardsmen, and all the other abuses the National Guard is enduring because of its forced role in having to fight in Iraq like regular Army, and these men and women are still signing up! Can’t they see that this administration doesn’t give two-shits about their welfare?
" In addition, he spoke recently with the parents of fallen soldiers who urged a policy shift."
So now Peter Dumb And Itchy is letting the parents of the slain Troops design his War policy. I guess that is why it took him all this length of time to figure it out. He had to wait until there were enough wasted lives in order to be able to form a Quorum.
Peter Dumb and Itch only listens to dead people. He can not hear the voices of all those millions of living Americans who have been shouting: Stop Bush's Iraq Lunancy, for the past few years.
Coming to Political Theatres Soon. Senator Dumb And Itch, starring in: The Sixth Nonsense, in which he Hears Dead People.
....
By the way, this is the same Peter(Dick) who in under an ongoing investigation
by the DOJ because he(Pete) called Atty. Iglesias(who was one of the 8 attys
dismissed for political reasons) on FOUR occassions and asked him to withdraw
or dimiss charges in an "on going" investigation. He is corrupt, dishonest, immoral
and needs to have his ass kicked out of office come Nov. 08.
edit: Irag Lunacy.
...
RayC @ 14:
Actually, by the time November 2008 rolls around, the GOP will have convinced the majority of Americans that it was actually the Dems that got the US in this mess...and they'll simply repeat that lie over and over until people start believing it. That ploy has worked countless time already....why not again???
Also, he thinks it will save him from being swung around by his nuts and thrown out of washington for backing such a BS war.
Looks like there are a lot of freshly broken capillaries in Bush's nose and cheeks. He keeps going, he'll look like Yeltsin.
Rusty Shackleford @ 47:
He (boy Bush) has been enjoying the Fosters, lots of them.
Domenici, sorry to say it, I know its childish, but still a stupid douche..
RayC @ 14:
The mutability of the past is the central tenet of Ingsoc. Past events, it is argued, have no objective existence, but survive only in written records and in human memories. The past is whatever the records and the memories agree upon. And since the Party is in full control of all records and in equally full control of the minds of its members, it follows that the past is whatever the Party chooses to make it. It also follows that though the past is alterable, it never has been altered in any specific instance. For when it has been recreated in whatever shape is needed at the moment, then this new version is the past, and no different past can ever have existed.
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Bizzare Sean Connery movie from 1982 predicted Bush Administration.
Dumbya sure loves those long kisses and tight hugs from all his incompetent Rethug. buddies, like him.
Joe Leiberman must be so jealous just looking at that shot of his boyfiend all snookered up on petey-pooh.
That picture of B*sh hugging Domenici indicates a very evil soul. That expression on B*sh's face is so evil, I cannot bring myself to look at it. Its like the witch in the Wizard of Oz....."Now, I have you, my pretty!"
That is one ugly face.
BFD! So another GOP rat is coming over to the side of reason. What a surprise! If this asshole wants my hands to clap for his sorry ass, he needs to be really bold and take a stand on getting rid of the Chimp and Cheney. It'll never happen though...
The only benchmarks The Repugs want the Iraqi government to meet is the oil benchmarks. From the start of this war I was against it. But at the beginning, I didn't believe that Bush was doing this for oil. I just thought it was his misguided attempt to stem terrorism, and I didn't see any connection between Iraq and 9/11. Boy was I wrong. "NO WAR FOR OIL". Those protesters were so friggin right. I wish I could go back and thank each one of them for standing up against the confused masses. Some people still choose to be confused. Others (like Republican politicians) just make whatever move that will benefit them because all they care about is the money and the power. There is something sinister in the hearts of many republicans - I can't cheer this man's defection to our side. It proves from the start all Domenici cared about was crass pandering to keep his pocket growing and power in his hands.
Why does Pete hate the troops so much? Anti-American probabally burned a flag or two over the fourth? This has to stop...IS THERE NO JUSTICE? Cut and runner! Stay and pay. Can Tucker get imbedded?
The Truth Hurts @ 45:
Pfft! Are you kidding? By 2008 they will have convinced the rendered-retarded-by-tv-and-sodapop public that the Democratic party was "directly linked to the attacks on Septemmmbertheeleventh"!
(Did ya hear the news? It's all one word now)
I'm beginning to think that we, as a group, deserve everything we get from our degenerate prez. Fuckin' 'Murkans....
ALSO... why did Bill Clinton start this war anyway?
Ahhhh, shoot. Cursing us "Murkans" doesn't help anything. Just frustrated...
I love Big Brother.
Bonkers @ 60:
But please don't curse people with mental retardation (. . . rendered retards . . .) Language has power and this is hurtful.
Has Bush been in attendance at any GOP election functions? I have't seen him. These GOP candidates don't want the devil showing up when they're fundraising.
If he is truly switching, seeing the light, abandoning Bush, GREAT. All our efforts (we sometimes think are futile here) are not in vain. Keep repeating the message. Truth eventually wins out over lies, if you keep reminding people.
When he puts his hand on your neck in just that way and whispers heavily in your ear, it's just his way of saying you owe him a blumpkin sometime this month.
Greetings from Albuquerque. I've been Calling up the Chief Nookular Apostle of the U.S. Homeland, Senator Pietro Vichy Dominici and his B Heather Wilson for four years now about the territorial pissings in Iraq. I'm glad to see he finally came around. He is still in some deep **** from when Wilson's phone call to David Iglesias sparked a Constitutional Crisis. I can't even keep track of all the scandals. I'm working on a letter to the editor, and I have "Briefing Book"! I have been calling all my Senators and Reps. of both parties, to either end the failure in Iraq and Bring Cheney/Bush to justice, or to step down and resign, period. There is something terribly wrong with this country. The people are generous, the empire is slowly crumbling down!
regards
A few years ago that Dick, Cheney came to town to toast Dominici and Wilson, and I was the only protestor! They moved the free speech zone three times, and eventually ended up in an alley with a few Bush supporters and Albuquerque's finest APD. Catch this, when Cheney drove by they made, all of us turn around so we couldn't see the limo? Can you imagine! One time I saw Bush in his limo and the two hippy chicks started shaking with fright, no seriously. One other time I caught Cheney's motercade coming out of the back gate at the local military base. I was parked and waiting, I gave Cheney the double bird. Oh it sucks when they come into town, haven't been around since 2004. Don't think we're gonna make it to 09!
Samson- @ 10:
what's even more fucked up is this shows that the dems are passive whether they are majority or not. of course, pete's trying to keep his seat. but...
Does anyone remember the purged US attorneys?
Did not pete call one of them JUST BEFORE THE GUY WAS CANNED?
why is nancy asking for his vote instead of putting his ass in front of the ethics committee?
Wasn't Pete involved in some scandal with McCain a few years ago?
They both deserve jail.
Domenici will not vote with the Democrats. Like the other Repug dissenters, he will voice his opposition for the voters, but will still side with his party.
That picture is hilarious.
Maybe Bush just farted and made the other sit there and smell it.
I will never vote for anyone who doesn't support impeachment. I will never vote for anyone who has taken money from AIPAC.
Me either, this is my new criteria, in fact I may never vote for an incumbent again. I'm definitely changing my party affiliation to Independent, fuck the democrats and republicans, the democrats are just a teensy weensy bit less evil than the republicans, that's all.
And I'm sick to fucking death of giving my hard earned tax dollars to Israel.
Forgive my bad language please, but I'M MAD AS HELL AND I JUST KEEP TAKING IT, Dear God help me!
What ticks me off when I read some of the comments is that we've been working so hard for people on the other side to start to speak out against the war and when they do, all we can do is insult. For god's sake...we need to get out of Iraq and it's not going to happen unless we get Republicans speaking out - whether self-serving or not. How many politicians on either side aren't? Give me more Domenicis...I'll take 'em any way they come. The lives being lost or permanently damaged matter more to me than the nuances of each dissenter. We can sort that out later. Let's get out first! I know I sound horribly naive to a lot of you, but I'm not. In business or politics sometimes progress comes with the help of people we don't love. My sights are set on getting out of Iraq and we can't do it without Republicans. C'mon baby...give me more...warts and all!!
I think the Bush flip-flop process has already begun. Can't remember if it was Colbert or the Daily Show where I saw the footage of the likes of Limbaugh and Fox News Co. calling Bush a "tool" somewhere around the time the immigration thing was going on.
I think that when there is a lull in the news and Bush's general inability to persuade an audience anymore with his sheer horridness is the only thing lingering on people's minds, the Republicans spend all of their time making Bush a non-entity...a sidebar on the Fox News shit parade when he's out dancing with Brazilians or whatever.
And then whenever some glass-shattering scandal of epic proportions hits the fan, the Republicans go back to acting like everything Bush is doing is just... well...it would have been immoral for him NOT to commute.
Feh to all of them. Let's just concentrate on making life in the general public as difficult for them as possible so that they can't take it anymore and they help the Democrats put some productive bills through the system.
The only place where the Republicans identify failure in the Iraq strategy is that it is the equivalent of a stock deal or business investment that seemed lucrative at first, but is clearly turning out to be more trouble than it's worth. And nothing about that is admirable.
But there are countless angles at which these people are very obviously not honorable.
That wouldn't be because he's facing (a) possible obstruction charges re: David Iglasias and the politicizing of the Justice Department, and (b) escaping that, a tough re-election campaign with Heather Wilson tied around his neck like an anvil, could it?
I live in Albuquerque & am stuck with Saint Pete & Heather-Pleather as my Senator & Congressperson. I am hoping & praying that the Iglesias case will undo them both next year. It obviously has St. Pete in a tizzy otherwise I doubt he would have had this sudden about face concerning Iraq.
So now that he has been revealed to be letting political considerations guide his policy on Iraq can we now call him a terrorist-loving traitor?? Spineless hacks like this should be strung up by their nads!
I smell a SELF-SERVING RAT.
Bush's "surge" was made possible by extending existing forces in Iraq... and adding more to the ranks. From the beginning this was an artificial and temporary situation.
WHAT DO YOU THINK will happen when the EXTENSIONS expire???
Of course... Bush and "Betray-Us" will claim some kind of "victory" and TROOPS WILL START TO COME HOME!
Little Pete is only FORECASTING THE OBVIOUS!!!!!
These days everything the Republicans do is driven by politics... both personal politics (in Pete's case) and national politics.
I don't believe any of these rethug converts. Most are positioning themselves for the 08 elections. Further I smell a rat, a ruse. Rove is notorious for intricate long range planning; the more in-your-face the less likely it will be discovered. All they need to do is create a distraction with seven or eight making rational noises but never agreeing or supporting each other, out of principle of course. The Dems will overstate their abilities and issue threats. The resulting heat will create smoke but no fire and continued deadlock. Bush wins because we just can't leave our troops standing out there without a alternative plan, can we? All can claim each one had a redeployment plan but couldn't get anyone to cooperate with them. The Democrats will be painted as ineffective and dangerous. Rethugs will repeat often for campaign.
HAHA......looking at this picture makes me think of the Carpenters (at least, I think it's the Carpenters....)
"Why do birds suddenly appear
Everytime you are near?
Just like me, they long to be close to you...."
So Dominici decided to cut n' run, huh?
Janet @ 19:
What is different now is that Senator Lugar has given the repbulican's some political cover via his speech a few weeks ago. Domenici would never have been the first republican senator to come out first against this war. Also, he's up for re-election. Republicans never change their minds unless and until policies start to affect them adversely in a personal way.
Don't ask, don't tell.
In the end, the republicans will take credit for getting our troops out of Iraq. Just wait and see.
Being from the great state of NM, I can say that Senator Domenici would never have made this about-face without some thought of personal gain.
Years ago, I voted for him in every election. But since Bush,Jr. has been in office, I've noticed that he's become merely a puppet of this administration. Personally, I think he's scared about re-election and/or ruining Heather Wilson's chances of replacing him in the Senate if he doesn't at least make an attempt to seem more nonpartisan.
New Mexicans aren't buying it.
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