Sunday Round-Up

New Mexico: The New York Times keeps Pajamas Pete Domenici's role in the Attorney Purge scandal at the forefront:

But a brief telephone call last year from Mr. Domenici to a federal prosecutor, David C. Iglesias, has become a central element of a Congressional inquiry into the dismissal of Mr. Iglesias and seven other United States attorneys.

Mr. Iglesias told Congress that he felt pressured by the call from Mr. Domenici, once his political mentor, who days before the November elections telephoned to inquire about the status of indictments in a politically charged case. ...

A complaint that Mr. Domenici broke Senate rules by interfering in a criminal matter has prompted an ethics committee inquiry. But it is unclear how that will play out because Mr. Domenici is not talking, and neither is the committee. ...

“If nothing else, it highlights his willingness to abuse his power,” Matt Farrauto, executive director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, said of Mr. Domenici. “That is all fine and good in some people’s eyes if he is bringing home the bacon, but when he is using his influence to save the failing campaign of Heather Wilson, that is another issue.”

With much of the Democrats' victories in 2006 stemming from the narrative of corrupt Republicans, Domenici highlighting "his willingness to abuse his power" probably won't sit well, especially if the results of the Senate Ethics Committee's investigation of Domenici's actions aren't favorable to Pajamas Pete. (HT: TPM)

Oregon: The Draft DeFazio blog highlights more discontent from conservatives about Gordon Smith.

Maine: kayinmaine at White Noise Insanity offers a terrific and thorough analysis of the Republican response to the Americans United for Change ad highlighting Susan Collins' record on Iraq.

Oklahoma: An effort is underway to encourage popular Democratic Governor Brad Henry to reconsider his previous statements and ultimately challenge Jim Inhofe in a Senate race.

Iowa: Though he isn't up until 2010, septuagenarian Republican Senator Chuck Grassley expects to run for re-election. Grassley joins Arlen Specter, another very senior Republican not up until 2010 who has already commented that he'll seek a re-election bid. I wonder what would prompt these senior Senators to announce for re-election so early. After the drubbing GOP Senators took on Election Day 2006, coupled with how bad the geography looks for GOP Senators for Election Day 2008, I guess they need to show something for 2010.