This is big news and presents another serious pick-up opportunity for the Democrats in the Senate. Domenici has been an institution in the Senate, although a rapidly faltering institution lately:
Veteran Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire from the Senate in 2008, according to several informed sources, a decision that further complicates an already difficult playing field for Republicans next November.And besides Virginia, Nebraska and Colorado, Democrats have real opportunities in Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Alaska (because Ted Stevens is in some serious trouble), Kentucky (the Minority Leader's approval ratings are tanking) and North Carolina (if the Dems. can find someone to run against the hapless Liddy Dole). Even Texas is looking better. And, who knows what will unfold with South Carolina's Lindsey Graham.
Domenici has struggled with health problems over the last several years and has been dogged by questions about the role he may have played in the firing of U.S. Attorney David C. Iglesias in Albuquerque. As a result, he had been long been rumored as a potential retirement. He joins Republican Sens. John Warner (Va.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Wayne Allard (Colo.) on the sidelines for 2008.
The Republicans running for re-election in 2008 last faced voters in 2002. They were all gung ho supporters of Bush's war in Iraq back then. This time around, they're going to pay a political price.
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