Domenici pressured to skip AG no-confidence vote

Democrats in the U.S. Senate have scheduled later today a vote of no confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, forcing their GOP colleagues into a tough position – perhaps none more difficult than that of U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico.

With a number of GOP congressmen already calling for Gonzales’ resignation, do Republicans vote for the resolution, or do they side with the president? Should Domenici even cast a vote?

Brian Colón, chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, called late Friday for Domenici to recuse himself from the vote. In a news release, the party cited “Domenici’s central role in the U.S. attorney scandal that has sparked calls for the resignation of” Gonzales.

Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico alleges that he was fired last year after Domenici and U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson called him in a month before the November 2006 election to pressure him to speed indictments in a public corruption probe in time to say voters.

Domenici had been expressing concern about Iglesias to the Bush Administration long before that, and Gonzales and others have cited Domenici’s complaints as part of the reason for Iglesias’ firing.

Domenici and Wilson admit to calling Iglesias in October to inquire about the investigation but say they didn’t pressure him. Domenici is the subject of a Senate ethics probe, and has hired a high-profile attorney.

“Pete Domenici is mired so deep in the scandal swirling around Alberto Gonzales that he cannot possibly cast an unbiased vote,” Colón said. “… Domenici must do the right thing and remove himself from a blatant conflict of interest.”

Staffers in Domenici’s press office could not be reached for comment.

The proposed resolution is only symbolic, and isn’t likely to pass the hurdle of the 60 votes needed to end debate and take a final vote, the Associated Press is reporting. Most Republicans will vote against it and say it’s a ploy to embarrass President Bush.

Bush defended longtime friend and colleague Gonzales again this weekend.

At the same time, several congressional Republicans have called for Gonzales to resign. Republican senators’ votes against today’s resolution won’t necessarily mean they support Gonzales.