N.M. senator Domenici to retire over brain disorder

[Solly Mack]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5187107.html

"The progress of this disease is apparently erratic and unpredictable. It may well be that seven years from now, it will be stable," Domenici intends to say, according to a draft of remarks prepared for delivery.

"On the other hand, it may also be that the disease will have incapacitated me. I am not willing to take a chance that the people who have so honored me with their trust for 40 years might not be served as well as they deserve in the United States Senate."


Guess he's not responsible for any criminal or unethical actions caused by his brain disorder.

[rucky]

1. We're closer to a medical diagnosis for Conservatism.

I'll settle for "brain disorder".

[babylonsister]

2. Ahh, an actual disease to blame on his lack of ethics! Got it! nt

[Solly Mack]

3. Amazing isn't?

[Richard Steele]

6. An unnamed disease, no less. nm

[Solly Mack]

10. Let's call it - "I don't recall-itis" or "I didn't do it-itis" or "It's not my fault-itis"

[Richard Steele]

23. I'm going with "Republicanism"- I'll never remember any of those other things!

(Getting my "I don't recall" alibi established now, for future use! :evilgrin:)

[Solly Mack]

24. lolololol!!! Love it!! I'm going with "I wasn't even born when that happened"

[Posteritatis]

26. My Alzheimer's sense is tingling, from the description. (nt)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. A brain disorder that destroyed all sense of morality? Sounds right to me... nt

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Actually he is being forced out by the GOP leadership

Anyone with a progressive anything in the brain is persona non grata among the Republicans.

[Bucky]

29. Funny, I'd've thought they were dumping him for his 57% disapproval rating

Well, that and that whole phone call scandal. New Mexicans are tired of corrupt government. Which is exactly why they'll be remarketing Heather Wilson as a reform Republican in the 2008 election.

Sad, sad, sad.

[Totally Committed]

7. Let's hope they find a "cure" for that "brain disorder" called "Conservatism" soon...

But, I agree... maybe he's setting up a "mentally incapacitated" plea for an upcoming trial?

Whatever.... one less piece of vermin in the government. Anyone know someone good that could actually win his seat? I'd love to see both him and Heather bite the dust.

TC

[gratuitous]

8. Well, I hope he can get good treatment

And I hope that Mr. Domenici thanks his lucky stars that he's got top-flight health coverage.

By the way, are the Republicans still carping about Sen. Johnson of South Dakota? If they are, here's hoping they kindly shut the fuck up.

[RB TexLa]

9. We have HIPAA, why do politicians feel the need to release their private medical information?

Nobody wants to hear this.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Well, it's good to know if a Senator literally can't think straight, isn't it?

I think it's the public's right to know, especially considering how addled Ronald Reagan was in his last term--I mean, it's not prostate trouble or hemorrhoids we're talkin' here--it's something that certainly affects his job.

[RB TexLa]

27. Well, just to ask, who else's personal health information do you feel you have a right to have?

[bluedog]

11. he should LEAVE now

if the disease is "unpredictable"...then his voting on bills will be "erratic"..........why wait????
the damage this man could do.....if he already hasn't!........resign now

[C_U_L8R]

12. must be wicked contagious

if you're republican

[foo_bar]

14. so he's running for president?

[TwilightGardener]

15. Hmmm, sounds like good old fashioned Alzheimer's to me. At 75? Oh, yeah.

[Botany]

16. So did the disordermake him call up the U.S. Attorney in New Mexico?

I smell a "defense of his actions" coming up.

[seafan]

17. Exactly. *Iglesias WHO*?? He's going to claim he's unfit to stand trial for any future charges.

Wait for it.

[Botany]

20. and a good old judge appointed by the right wing will say ....

.... "Pete you have suffered enough all charges are dropped."

[annabanana]

18. CRS is rampant in Republican circles...

(Can't Remember Shit)

[Virginia Dare]

19. Good for him, it certainly didn't stop Reagan...n/t

[Jeanette in FL]

21. Maybe stem cell research would find an answer, Sen. Domenici?

"No cure for my disease exists, yet," he said. "But, if we work hard enough, we may be able to find a way to cure people with diseases of the brain in the future. That would be truly a wonderful thing."

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. (1) I wish as little suffering as possible for him and his family. (2) Isn't NM's governor a Dem? nt

[AspenRose]

25. Paging Patricia Madrid

If at first you don't succeed....try, try again....

[renate]

28. This is the new "I can't remember"

"We're just going to ignore that subpoena," "I can't recall," and now "I have a brain disorder" are all the Republicans need to stay out of jail.

If he really does have frontotemporal lobar degeneration, of course I feel sorry for him; I wouldn't wish a disease like that on anybody (well, maybe on a few people...). But it seems like a pretty convenient "diagnosis" because he can still be happy as a clam seven years from now and nobody can say he doesn't have it, yet it'll be a great "get out of jail free" card when he's investigated. So, color me skeptical.